Page 29

Chapter

Twenty-Eight

D ANNY

The murmur of voices woke me. I frowned, my eyes closed, as I realized I could hear at least four different people, and that Knox was no longer pressed reassuringly against me.

I bolted upright, my eyes flying open, and immediately flinched. My family was crowded around the bed, and now that I was more fully conscious, the scent of their anxiety and concern was overwhelming.

I looked around, blinking at Milo, Everett, Garrick, Zander, Dad, and Momma as I tried to make sense of the situation. “What are you all doing here?”

A weight settled onto the bed beside me. Knox. I leaned toward him, drawing comfort from his presence.

“We’re here to check on you,” Milo said, hovering a little too close.

My pulse pounded in my ears. “Uh… okay. I, um.”

Knox kissed my cheek. “Why don’t you all wait in the living area? I’ll make some coffee and Danny can join us when he’s ready. ”

Dad stiffened for a moment, no doubt bristling at the implied order, but then he straightened and said briskly, “Knox is right. Let’s give Danny some space.”

They filed out, and as they did so, the tension faded from the room.

I slumped against the pillow. “Thank you.”

“No problem.” He took my hand. “I’m sorry for letting them in in the first place.”

“Don’t be.” I swallowed to moisten my dry throat. “They wouldn’t have taken no for an answer.”

He didn’t look convinced. “Want me to send them away?”

“No.” Not only would that damage the relationship he was slowly building with them, but I did want to see my family. Just not all at once and crowded inside my most private space. “But maybe they can just have a short visit.”

Guilt churned in my gut. I should be grateful they’d all rushed here to see me, not be trying to push them away.

“Hey.” Knox tapped the end of my nose. “Don’t feel bad, okay? Looking after yourself is more important than putting on a show for them.”

The guilt dissipated. I’d needed to hear that. “Thanks.”

He shook his head, silently dismissing my gratitude. “There’s a glass of water on the nightstand. I’ll go make the coffee. Come out when you’re ready, but don’t rush yourself.”

He kissed my forehead and sauntered out of the room. It was only then that I realized he was wearing one of my robes. I rolled my eyes at myself. Of course. He’d ruined the outfit he’d been wearing when he’d shifted earlier, and he wasn’t keeping any clothes at my place yet. Hopefully, one day soon, he would.

I propped myself up on my elbow and reached for the glass of water, then drained it in a few mouthfuls. The water soothed my parched throat and I considered just rolling over and going back to sleep. But that would be cowardly. Exactly what Rex had claimed I was. I could do better.

I tugged at the bottom of my pajama shirt, which had ridden up my waist. Should I change into something else?

No. I was comfortable in these, and I didn’t want to leave my family waiting for too long. With a sigh, I slung my legs off the edge of the bed, planted my feet on the floor, and stood. I stretched my arms above my head, swiveled the wrist that Rex had hurt earlier to check that everything was in working order, and wandered out.

As I entered the open-plan living area, Knox appeared in front of me with a mug of hot chocolate topped with whipped cream and mini marshmallows.

“Here.” He offered it to me.

“Thank you.” I took it from him and sipped, keeping my eyes on his. They darkened, perhaps with desire, although I couldn’t be sure. “We’re making a habit of this.”

He smirked. “I’ll feed you as many sugar-laden hot chocolates as you want, if it makes you happy.”

“Hopefully under better circumstances next time.” I was growing tired of him having to rescue me.

Dad joined us. He rested his hand on my shoulder, his fingers brushing the side of my neck. Bears weren’t as big on scenting as wolves, but the gesture still reassured me.

“How are you?” he asked, no judgment in his tone.

I inhaled deeply, considering the question before I replied. “I’ve been better, but I’m all right. You don’t have to worry.”

His eyes narrowed. “I’ll worry about what I like, thank you very much.” He gave my shoulder a quick squeeze. “I’m glad to hear it though. Knox took care of you? ”

A lump formed in my throat. “Yeah. He, um… So, Rex had cornered me in the alley beside the tattoo parlor, and Knox got me away from him and kept me safe.”

He’d brought me home, washed me so tenderly I’d almost burst into tears, and snuggled me until I’d fallen asleep. A boy could get used to that kind of treatment.

I turned to Knox. “Thank you. It was really nice to know I could just let go and count on you.”

“You’re welcome,” he rumbled, his eyes warm with affection.

I bit my lip, looking from one of them to the other. I wanted to know what had happened with Rex—whether anyone had caught him—but I couldn’t bring myself to ask. Luckily, Dad seemed to read my mind.

“Everett paid a visit to Rex’s cabin, but he wasn’t there,” he said.

Behind him, Everett growled. “It looked like the asshole had packed a bag and left in a hurry.”

At least that was something. If he was on the run, he probably wouldn’t bother about harassing me again. Especially not once it became clear that he’d never be welcome in Grizzly Ridge.

“I left him a voicemail.”

I looked over at Zander, who was leaning against the wall, his hat in his right hand, his left resting on his hip.

“Everett wanted to do it, but we all know how his temper can be.” Zander’s lips twitched. “I just reminded him of his agreement with the Clan Alpha and the police and pointed out that if he came within a hundred feet of you again, we’d have every reason to make sure he regretted it.”

Everett snorted. “I still think we should have kicked his ass.”

Based on the noise Knox made, he agreed. I peeked around him and Dad, so I could see the rest of the family properly. Everett was sprawled on the couch with Milo on his lap and Momma on the other end. Garrick was perched beside Momma.

My insides warmed. They’d all come here to support me. My mate and family were willing to fight on my behalf. Part of me liked that, but a deeper part of me couldn’t help but wish that I was strong enough not to need alphas to defend me.

I wanted to be able to defend myself.

“Come over here, darling.” Momma patted the sliver of cushion between herself and Everett. “Squish in and give me some cuddles.”

I gladly did as she said, enjoying the sensation of being surrounded by people I loved. Milo detached himself from Everett and snuggled against me. I licked a blob of cream from the top of my hot chocolate.

“Everett, can I have a hot chocolate too?” Milo asked, eyeing it enviously.

“I’ll get you one.” I heard Everett go to the kitchen.

Momma leaned close. “It’s good to see you and Knox getting along.”

“It feels good,” I admitted. “Right.”

“I’m happy for you.”

“What did you bake for the kids today?” I asked, needing a distraction from discussing my feelings.

She and Milo told me about the cookies and soup they’d prepared, and then we chatted about a Netflix show that Milo and I both watched religiously.

After a while, Dad made noises about leaving, and I realized that Knox had spoken to him and they were determined to usher everyone to the door.

“Thank you,” I whispered to Knox as they departed. “It was nice to see everyone, but I’m ready for it to just be us. ”

He cocked an eyebrow. “Yeah?”

I nodded, and gestured for him to sit. When he did, I climbed onto his lap. “Knox, can we talk? There’s something I should tell you.”