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I didn’t remember much besides my panic. Yelena had gotten distorted in the bond and that had been even more terrifying than her ignoring me. Then it was only pain cutting in and out of my consciousness.

Soft fur brushed against my hand. Hold on to me.

Everything ached.

The softest tickly touch on my lips had my eyes popping open. Caden in his house cat form stared down at me, his paw still on my chin.

“Hi,” I croaked out.

He headbutted me, rubbing his cheeks over mine, purring like a buzz saw. Thank all the gods.

Nurse Sarah bustled in. “Your panther told me you woke up. How are you feeling?”

I gave a tired groan.

“Understandable.” Sarah moved closer, peeling back the top of the blankets, and making me hiss as her fingers palpated a few extremely tender spots. “Bleeding is still under control. You are very lucky to still be here.”

“What happened?” I winced at my voice, as gravelly as a pack-a-day smoker’s.

You got caught between Yelena and Kendrick , Caden told me.

“Are they okay?”

He headbutted me again. They’re fine. We’re all worried about you.

Haru’s fluffy head peeked over the edge of the hospital bed. Welcome back.

I reached out my hand that didn’t have an IV stuck into it, and Haru lifted his nose to fit beneath it.

Seth burst through the door, a glass of water in his hand. He set it aside and rushed over, cupping my cheeks and pressing his lips to my forehead. “Of course you would wake up in the thirty seconds I’m gone.”

I hummed softly, closing my eyes. The door swung open and I worked up enough energy to crack one eye, seeing Velda rush over. Her kiss was far less appropriate for the moment, her mouth on mine, tongue delving, but it did light up my body, like she was jostling every cell from a nap.

“Don’t fucking do that again.” She kissed me once more before resting her forehead against mine. “Gave us all a damn heart attack.”

“Where—?” It was the only word I managed before my throat protested.

“Yelena and Kendrick are under temporary house arrest,” explained Sarah. “Dr. Atling removed them from active duty.”

In my head I bolted upright, but in reality the sharp searing from my muscles activating after thinking about it kept me right where I was.

Caden tucked himself on my pillow, laying his paw and head over my clavicle.

I turned my face toward him, breathing in the comforting scent of a freshly bathed cat, the underlying hint of vetiver barely noticeable.

What now?

I didn’t send the words to anywhere in particular, knowing Seth would hear me regardless.

“Now you recover,” Seth replied.

What about the wards?

“Everyone is prepared to evacuate if needed. Try not to worry about them.”

Easier said than done.

The four of them crowded around me once Sarah stepped back, offering the comfort of their presence. I let my eyes stay closed, conserving my energy.

I reached first for Yelena. Hi .

A surge of relief and grief washed over me. Hello. The thought wavered, like a voice shaking. They told me you survived, but I kept waiting to hear the worst. I’m so sorry. I will never let anything like that happen again.

Thank you. I yawned, struggling onward. I’ll check in after sleep.

Rest well.

Reaching for Kendrick would have to wait. My well was dry for the moment, much as I hated to acknowledge that.

“Tell him,” I whispered.

Kendrick? Seth asked and I managed at least the beginning of a nod. I talked to him already, but I’ll let him know you’ve woken up.

I dropped away before I could thank him. I wasn’t sure how much time passed as I drifted in and out of wakefulness, my lovers at my side each time I opened my eyes.

The next time I woke properly, it must’ve been in the middle of the night. Seth and Caden were curled up in their smallest forms on each side of me, Haru in his small form between my calves, and Velda stretched out on a hospital bed pushed close so her fingers could rest on my arm.

My sigh woke all of them.

“She lives,” Velda said with an exhausted smile. “Are you hungry?”

I wasn’t particularly, but I knew I needed the fuel. “Sure.”

“Estrella made you a batch of bone broth in the pressure cooker. I’ll warm some up for you.”

“Tell her I say thank you.”

“I will,” Velda promised. She crawled off the bed, disappearing for a few moments and returning with a to-go mug, a straw sticking out the top.

The little predators all over me watched me with sleepy, squinty eyes, observing without asking anything of me.

Velda held the straw to my lips, my first sip of the rich broth like an elixir. Estrella was a wizard. The flavors were subtle but instantly triggered my body to crave those nutrients. I drank down as much as Velda allowed.

“You should probably pace yourself a little. I’ll give you more in a bit.” She set the cup aside and leaned down for another of those body-waking kisses, only drawing away when I hissed, trying to arch closer to her. “Sorry for being irresistible.”

My laugh in response made a shooting pain lance through my torso.

Velda winced. “Sorry for also being hilarious.”

Seth slapped her with a paw. Stop making her laugh.

“I said I was sorry.” Velda stroked a hand over him and kissed my forehead. “Going on my perimeter check. I’ll be back.”

Haru slipped from animal to human as they hit the floor. My mouth went dry as I took in the expanse of tattooed skin, brain helplessly pulled back to what their knot had felt like, stretching me out. His gaze caught mine as if he sensed exactly where my thoughts had gone.

Perfuming for me, omega? You’re supposed to be resting.

“Not my fault you’re naked.” I shivered. “And look like that.”

Haru fetched the broth for me, keeping their eyes locked with mine as I sipped from the straw slotted between my lips. I love that you’re still mentally insatiable even after taking an antler through the chest. We can’t touch you like that while you’re recovering.

“I know.” The words accompanied a pout I couldn’t help. I wouldn’t be able to take any physical attention anyway, but it didn’t stop me from wanting it in theory, if not in practice. That was the only thing that felt normal about all of this.

Seth stretched, shoving a paw into my armpit. With your permission, I’d like to try brokering peace between Yelena and Kendrick. I wanted to be here when you woke up, so I haven’t tried yet, only brought it up to him.

The offer had emotion clogging my throat. I still wasn’t entirely certain about things with Kendrick, but I knew I was drawn to him, the same way I had been to Seth, even at the expense of stressing the others out. Please. I would do it myself if I could.

I’ve got you. Seth purred, rolling onto his back. You focus on healing and I’ll focus on shoving those two into a giant get-along T-shirt.

I laughed at that, instantly regretting it. This was going to be a long fucking recovery if I couldn’t speed it up. Haru stretched out in Velda’s place, inching as close as they could get without compromising the litany of tubes stuck to me.

Thank you for protecting her . Haru’s voice washed over me. I’m not glad for you to be in here, but I can be grateful she was spared by your bravery.

How is she? The connection was easier than I expected with how much skin we had in contact.

Guilt-ridden, but physically well.

Seth popped up, walking over to rub his cheek against mine. They’re both awake. I’ll go handle them. You get better. After a sandpaper lick-kiss to my nose, he turned and gave one to Haru as well. Take care of our girl.

I will.

Seth departed, leaving me with Haru and Caden.

Are you going to sleep more? Haru asked.

I probably should.

They tucked closer, hand softly cupping my face, their chest to my ear as they curled their whole body to cradle me while avoiding my injuries.

You can be a wolf again if it’s more comfortable.

I want my hands on you right now. Makes you feel more real.

I shivered, turning my face to fall asleep against them. Caden purred beneath my hand, making soft biscuits on my hip.

My physical and mental connections to the others created a strange sensation, like I was an empty bucket after my ordeal but they were refilling me one droplet at a time. I felt them slide through the core of my magic, cool water on a hot day, replenishing, refreshing.

Sleep dragged me under after every few minutes of wakefulness. It was frustrating as hell, knowing every moment I was out of commission put the nest at higher risk and I couldn’t do anything about it. Guilt grabbed me by the ankles, doing its best to hold me down.

I wouldn’t have made a different choice. I couldn’t stop myself from throwing my body between Kendrick and Yelena any more than I could turn away from the people in this nest who needed me. What would happen if we had to run? I wasn’t in any condition for that.

Each time I opened my eyes, some new combination of my lovers were tucked around me.

“Nest?” I managed to ask.

Velda woke slowly and I repeated my question. “It’s a dirt floor down there. Probably not great for your healing.”

Hot tears pricked my eyes.

“Hey, it’s okay. I’m sure we can figure out a way to make it work.”

I knew it wasn’t a better space for general healing than the clinic where I was now, but I needed the comfort of it.

Velda slid out of the bed next to me with a yawn. “Let me go chat with the doctor and see what we need to do to make that tenable.”

I pet Caden while I waited, indulging myself with his rumbling purr and a happy curl of his toes.

How do you feel?

“Alive.” I yawned again, struggling to keep my eyes open.

Sleep , Caden ordered.

I couldn’t help but obey.