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I hesitated as he came to my side. “I feel so out of it.”

Pan’s jaw ticked, and he let out a deep sigh. “The doctor told us you’d be disoriented. You were pumped full of meds, and you’ve been asleep the entire time since we came home yesterday. We were all terrified we lost you, Tully.”

“We need to talk.”

Pan’s jaw clenched, and I knew I wasn’t giving him the reaction he wanted because I could feel it. The disappointment and frustration rolled through the connection between us like smoke.

His hand found the small of my back as I entered the hallway. My nose twitched as the scent of bacon and fresh bread rushed into my nostrils.

“I told them you were stirring.” Pan shook his phone.

My stomach flipped as we walked down the steps and into the main area. Walden was behind the counter, sprinkling chopped mint over diced watermelon. Lloyd had his back to me, his shoulders hunched together. Ajax flitted from plate to plate like a chef. His hazel eyes snapped to mine, and he lifted a trembling hand to his chapped lips.

My stomach was sharp, as if stuffed full of knives. Their scents settled over me like a blanket, and I was dismayed by how it comforted me. Everything was a mess.

“Tully,” Lloyd breathed, flying off his stool so fast it toppled to the ground. He had his arms around me in an instant. His salt, sun, and beach scent brightened my insides. Lloyd pulled back, framing my face with his hands.

“You had us so worried, honey girl.” He brushed away a trembling tear from the corner of my eye.

“Let me hold you, please.” Walden appeared beside us, vibrating with need.

Lloyd released me, and Walden engulfed me in a soul-shifting hug. The sharp scent of Walden’s eucalyptus cleared the fog from my thoughts. A good and a bad thing. My knees wobbled and Walden scooped me up, carrying me to the kitchen. He set me on the bench but didn’t let me go. Pressing into the cradle of my thighs and holding my trembling body against his chest.

I didn’t need a bond to feel the relief flowing off Walden, the tiny tremors our bodies shared. Pangs echoed through me from Pan and amplified the sting of tears behind my eyes.

“Gods, it’s so good to see you awake.”

Ajax pressed into the pile.

I let myself sink into their warmth for a moment before wriggling out of Walden’s overbearing shield. Pan’s face fell and moments later, I felt the echo of his hurt.

This bond was a beautiful, dangerous thing. It was hope and despair wrapping my thoughts into knots.

I opened my mouth, but Ajax floated a plate of food in front of me.

“Eat before you say anything. You’ve been through an ordeal, and you need energy.”

The nurturing warmth in his tone brought a flood of tears to my eyes and I dashed them away with a growl.

“It’s the medication,” I explained as the tears multiplied.

I took a bite of perfect scrambled eggs and my appetite flooded in. Even in uncertain times, food was never something I’d turn down. I took a bite of perfectly crunchy hash browns and blubbered. My shoulder itched where Chase’s bite had been purged, but the foulness of him lingered.

“We didn’t know you were hurt.” Pan’s hands gripped the kitchen bench and his elegant fingers trembled.

“I didn’t think it was serious.” My forehead throbbed. “I guess I was wrong.”

“You can tell us anything, Tully.” Lloyd reminded me, and the gentle chastisement in his tone burrowed into me.

“I’m used to dealing with all my problems on my own.”

Pan’s face cracked open. The jagged shards of his expression jangled through our bond. As heavy as the discordant piano I’d overheard him play. Ajax made a noise and Lloyd steadied himself on the kitchen island. And Walden. He hung his head and let out a shuddering breath.

“Of course.” Walden winced as I cocked my head. “Forgive us, Tully.”

Quiet dragged out, too long and cold. A clock ticked somewhere in the house, like it was counting down the demise of this pack.

“Thank you for helping me.” I was too tired to fight with them and I needed a distraction from the throbbing reminder of Pan under my skin. I could taste him in the back of my throat, and itdidn’t disturb me like I thought. My eyes drifted in his direction, like I might see the emotions that flickered inside me on his face.