Page 37 of Hunny and the Bear (Bearly Yours #1)

Thirty Seven

A little more than an hour later, Hunny, Tank, and several others filled the lobby of the clinic, anxiously waiting for Tabitha to finish working on Nessa. Apparently, a lot of the lacerations from Jason’s attack were minor; only a few deep enough to hit her shoulder bone. No major arteries or organs had sustained any damage, which was a huge relief.

It was the blood loss that was Tabitha’s main concern. While she kept blood on hand for the clan, it wasn’t human—giving any to Nessa could have catastrophic side effects.

Contrary to the myths circulating the world, being bitten or scratched by a shifter wouldn’t convert a human—and a shifter blood transfusion wasn’t an option.

Luckily, Murphy had put in a call to a vampire he knew at a human hospital located over an hour away. Vampires could travel great distances in half the time a shifter could, and a few pints of blood had arrived nearly thirty minutes before Hunny and Tank had even made it to the clinic.

Hunny didn’t know what kind of deal the Alpha had made to get human blood delivered so quickly, but she suspected he’d paid a hefty price for it, whether monetary or otherwise.

Right now, that didn’t matter. All Hunny cared about was her friend’s recovery. While what had happened to Nessa was horrific, she couldn’t help but feel grateful that no one else had sustained any severe injuries. Tonight could have been a lot worse. They all could have died. Miraculously, none of them had.

Hunny, sitting sideways on Tank’s lap, rested her cheek against his chest. He kept a firm arm wrapped around her waist, his palm protectively cupping her lower belly as if he were holding on just as adamantly to their kits. She needed this closeness, this connection to him after everything they’d gone through tonight.

She closed her eyes, taking one deep breath after another, drawing Tank’s scent into her lungs. Even though he’d rinsed off before they’d met the others here, he still smelled faintly of blood, reminding her of just how bad his own wounds had been.

He’s okay, Hunny reminded herself, but that did nothing to ease the anxiety she felt, or to erase the memories of the wounds she’d seen. His back had been a bloody tapestry of torn skin and missing fur before he’d shifted, and even though he’d healed during the transformation, she couldn’t get the image out of her head.

She didn’t know if she ever would, to be honest. She’d come so close to losing him.

All it would have taken was a few more attacks, a few more minutes, and Tank might not have survived. Her breath hitched at the thought, and she pushed her ear closer to his chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart, as if searching for proof he was still here despite it being so obvious.

What would she have done if she had never heard that sound again? If she’d never had another chance to feel his arms around her, his lips on her skin? If she’d woken up tomorrow and his side of the bed had been empty and cold?

Hunny shivered, tears blurring her vision for what felt like the thousandth time that night. Tank pulled her in closer to the heat of his body. “It’s alright, little rabbit,” he crooned. “I’ve got you.”

“I know.” Hunny sniffled, swallowing hard to keep herself in check. Needing a distraction from her morose thoughts, she looked at Tank’s oldest brother.

Murphy hadn’t been able to stand still for more than a handful of minutes, and he was now pacing the length of the lobby, his shoulders slumped and his eyes downcast.

Hunny didn’t know if she’d ever seen the male look so distraught. Not that she blamed him. Nessa was human. She didn’t have the luxury to heal as rapidly as they did. And when her body did eventually heal, she’d have scars, a constant reminder of the trauma she’d endured.

But it was the emotional scars that worried Hunny the most. She could still hear Nessa’s screams as Murphy had tried to comfort her. She’d called him a monster. She thought shifters were monsters . When she woke up, would she feel the same way toward Hunny?

Would she want anything to do with any of them?

While Hunny understood how terrifying it must have been for her friend, a stab of hurt and sadness hit her as she remembered the look of horror on Nessa’s face. Hopefully, Nessa gave them all, especially Murphy, a chance to explain things. To ease her into their world after such a painful introduction to it.

“I can’t believe Dante escaped,” Murphy snarled under his breath, finally pausing long enough to turn toward Tank. “Getting away from what he did scot-free is unacceptable. He needs to pay for his actions.”

“I agree,” Tank answered harshly. “Fucker should die.”

Hunny lifted her head, staring at her mate in bewilderment. She’d told them all what Jason had said about Dante’s part in this entire fiasco, and considering the situation, she hadn’t expected they’d still want him dead. “What Dante did was wrong, but if you’d both been in the same situation, would you have reacted differently?”

She didn’t know if she would have. Tank mattered to her more than anything else, and if his life were on the line, could she really put it at further risk by going to someone else for help?

Tank clenched his jaw, but it was Murphy who grated out, “I don’t care what his reasons were—Nessa almost died!”

“Lower your voice when you speak to my mate,” Tank snapped, tucking her more firmly against him. “Now isn’t the time to discuss this. Not until you know Nessa is recovering. You’re not thinking clearly.”

“Maybe not.” Marcus looked on solemnly from his chair near the front door. Jasper, seated beside him, was uncharacteristically silent. “But Murphy is right. Dante has to pay for his betrayal against the clan. We’re a family, and he just—” Marcus’s voice broke, and he looked down at the ground dejectedly. Hunny felt a flare of remorse for the male. She couldn’t imagine what he was going through, what any of them were going through.

Jasper clapped Marcus on the shoulder before pulling him into a side hug, staring angrily ahead. “We’ll find him,” Jasper promised. “And one way or another, Dante will make this right.”

They all went quiet as light footsteps sounded down the hall, moving quickly toward them. Tabitha stepped into the lobby from behind a set of double doors, sending Murphy a hesitant smile. “She’s going to be alright.”

Murphy sucked in a deep breath, his entire face crumbling with emotion. He looked away to collect himself before returning his attention to his mother, his expression now a stoic mask. “Is she awake? Should I go see her?”

“I have her sedated for now, but it should wear off in the next few hours.” Tabitha pursed her lips. “And I think, based on what you told me, it might be for the best to give her a few days to adjust to this new world before you visit.”

“She’s my mate,” Murphy bit out through clenched teeth. “I have every right to be there for her.”

Tabitha’s face softened. “Of course, you do. But before tonight, Nessa didn’t know that shifters existed. And not only did she just barely survive an attack from a wolf shifter, she watched someone she knew change from a bear into a man. That would be a hard pill for anyone to swallow when you don’t know this world. You have to prepare yourself because she might not want to see you for a long time.”

“She’s my mate,” Murphy reiterated softly, like he couldn’t believe what he was hearing.

“Nessa doesn’t know what that means. And if you bombard her as soon as she wakes up, she might not give you a chance to show her, my darling boy. Is that what you want?”

Murphy shook his head.

“I think you should take a few days as well,” Hunny added hesitantly, grimacing slightly when he looked at her in confusion. She nestled closer to Tank, drawing on him for some strength before she continued. “Not just for Nessa’s sake, but for yours, too. You didn’t want to claim her at all, remember, Murphy? Now you’re referring to her as your mate and you want to see her. If it’s only your instincts driving you to care for her because she’s injured, and not genuine interest in her , then being near her right now will only cause more turmoil later on when you have a clear head.”

Murphy stiffened, and then finally he nodded. “You’re right.” He looked toward Tabitha. “Mom, please let me know if you need anything, or if … the human’s condition worsens.”

Tabitha’s eyes shone with compassion. “I will.”

Murphy cleared his throat. “Tonight’s attack will likely bring consequences down on our heads from the shifter community. I need to get ahead of that if I can, so I’ll be in my office at the den house, if I’m needed.” With that, he moved to the exit as if a hoard of demons were chasing him, disappearing into the night a moment later.

“Should I have kept quiet?” Hunny asked the room nervously. She wanted Murphy to be happy, but Nessa was her friend, even if that might not be the case tomorrow. Regardless, she didn’t need to have a territorial male hovering over her if he didn’t plan to let her into his life. If he didn’t plan to earn her trust and love through patience and genuine care.

“You did the right thing,” Tank told her gruffly, rubbing his palm over her tiny bump in comfort. “Murphy knows that, or he wouldn’t have left.”

Tabitha nodded, walking over to them both. “I haven’t had a chance to check in on you, Hunny, but I’m assuming you’re okay since my son hasn’t caused a fuss.”

Tank huffed. “I don’t fuss .”

Snorting at the blatant lie, Hunny slid her hand over his, sending his mom a small, grateful smile. “I’m okay. Thank you, Tabitha.”

“I’m glad to hear that. If something changes, or you feel even the slightest bit unwell, I’ll be in my office all night and tomorrow.” Tabitha paused before adding, “Whether or not Murphy mates with Nessa, she’s family, and I want her to be treated as such while she’s in my care.”

“I really appreciate that.” Hunny smiled again. “Nessa is a good person, and she’s been through a lot, and not just tonight. If anyone deserves kindness, it’s her. Without her, I might not even be here.”

Tank stood up, setting Hunny gently on her feet beside him. “Since Nessa is going to be fine, we’ll head out. Hunny needs to rest.”

“If she’s up for it, I’d love to see her when she’s ready,” Hunny added, her heart in her throat as her fingers intertwined with Tank’s. “I’m sure she probably suspects I’m not human now, but she hasn’t seen me shift, so she might be more open to my company while she’s here.”

At least, Hunny really hoped so.

After a few more minutes of conversation, Tank led her to his truck, and they headed to Murphy’s large cabin. He’d given them a room to stay in until their own home was cleaned up and repaired. The truck ride there was quiet, but she didn’t mind, allowing the silence to process what had happened until her shock and anxiety slipped away.

It wasn’t until they were in the ensuite, naked and in the shower, that Tank said anything.

“I’m glad that this is over and that Jason is dead, but I fucking hate that it happened like this.” Soaping up a wet cloth, he ran it over Hunny’s body, cleaning her thoroughly as he spoke. “I just keep thinking how much worse it could have been. Dante could have killed me on that porch, and I wouldn’t have suspected anything. I was an easy target.”

“I don’t think Dante wanted to hurt anyone,” Hunny explained again, even though they’d had this talk already tonight. “He was put into a bad situation, and he didn’t know how to get out of it while keeping everyone safe. What he did was wrong, but he was screwed no matter what he did. And he did try to help you.”

“I know.” Tank cupped her cheek. He leaned in, pressing his lips firmly over hers. His tongue slid into her mouth, tasting her urgently, like each kiss might be their last. He breathed roughly, pressing her back against the tiled wall as he sagged into her. Dropping the cloth with a wet plop, he curled his arms around her, shuddering hard.

“We’re both okay, Henry,” Hunny murmured when he broke their kiss and settled his mouth on her mating mark in an act of comfort. She ran her hands over his smooth back, seeking her own reassurance. “I don’t know what I’d do without you, and I’m so grateful I won’t have to find out.”

They stayed like that, his back protecting her from the hot spray of water, his body sheltering hers as they held onto one another, neither one willing to let go.

“I thought about what you said earlier,” Tank admitted a short while later, his voice taking on a dark edge. “If Jason had captured you, and threatened me like he did Dante … I would have betrayed anyone if it meant keeping you safe. Nothing— no one— else would have mattered to me but you. Not my brothers. Not my parents. Only you.”

“Dante saved my life after putting it in danger. But running away like that after everyone was safe … He took the coward’s way out instead of facing the consequences. Nessa almost died, and as much as Murphy wants to fight the pull he feels toward her, I wouldn’t want him to suffer through that kind of loss. The kind of loss I have felt. Dante needs to answer for that.”

“He will,” Hunny assured her mate, her fingers sifting through his hair as she clung to him. The spray of the water beat down on his healed back, helping to wash away the misery and pain they’d both endured. “What Murphy mentioned earlier; do you think another wolf pack will retaliate against us for killing Jason and the others?”

“I don’t know. The Moon Rose pack is larger than just the wolves who showed up tonight. But if many of the remaining pack are like Angela, scared and abused, they’ll probably flee and never look back.”

Hunny could only hope that was the case. But whatever happened, they’d face it together. If tonight was any kind of example, then the pair of them could withstand almost anything as long as they had each other.

“I love you, Henry,” she whispered against Tank’s neck.

He eased back, kissing her again. Harder than before, and just as intensely, as if he needed to recommit every inch of her to memory. As if he needed her presence to linger on his skin long after they parted. “I love you too, little rabbit. And as soon as we’re both cleaned up, I’m going to show you just how much.”

She sent him a coy look from beneath her lashes. “Why wait?”