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T he big alpha they call Bear lunges for the pit like he’s gonna throw himself after the little beta, but I toss myself in his path and knock him to the ground. Cora wouldn’t like it if the big guy went over. I can tell he’s hers, even if he doesn’t know it yet. The grump, too, but I’d rather keep her in denial about that one a bit longer. Man needs to get his head out of his ass.

The beta’s scream stops abruptly.

“Get off me!” Bear roars and throws me to the side. I barely stop myself from rolling over the edge.

“Some thanks,” I mutter, standing and dusting off my jeans. “I just saved your life.”

“Archer!” Bear’s kneeling at the edge of the pit, peering over the side, completely ignoring me. Cora, Roman, and I crouch around him.

The torch I threw in earlier is still burning, but not as bright. The rope dangles a few inches off the ground. Archer isn’t there. Shit. The knot he tied around his chest must not have held. That rope is top-of-the-line, it wouldn’t have snapped, and the little beta may not know what knots to use. The question is, did it happen before he hit the ground or earlier? Hopefully it slowed his fall a little before it gave out.

“There!” Cora points to a shoe near the edge of the ring of light cast by the torch. “He must have rolled over there.”

“Is… he alive?” Roman asks.

None of us answer. No use giving the good professor false hope. Bear rips off his shirt, wraps the fabric around his hands, grabs the rope, tugs, then throws himself over the edge. Roman and Cora gape at him like cute little fish.

It’s a pretty badass move, and I respect him for it, but the massive man is sliding faster than advisable. Really hope he doesn’t break anything. That would make things a lot harder. At least we know the rope will hold the rest of us if it can suspend his weight. I’ll send Cora down next, before the rope takes any more wear.

Bear lands with a loud thud and groans. Too much momentum. Knew it. He’s up a second later, though, and running toward the prone beta.

Cora reaches for me. My mate’s soft hands are sweaty with worry. I bring her fingers to my lips and kiss the inside of her palm. I hold my breath. Pretty sure the beta might be ours, too. If he lives.

Cora looks over at me, fat tears in her eyes. “Is he gonna be okay?”

“He’s gonna be fine,” Roman says, wrapping an arm around her shoulders.

I’m grateful he lies for us both. I’ve never been good at that. Comforting people. Telling them what they want to hear when I don’t know if it’s true.

“Bear’s a medic,” Roman whispers, his lips brushing her hair. “He’s the best person to be down there right now.”

“B-but what if—” Her voice breaks into a sob.

“Shhh, hummingbird.” Roman holds her tighter, and smooths a hand down her back. I take the opportunity to scoot closer, and he doesn’t stop me for once. Admittedly, I’m not the biggest fan of the professor, but I can appreciate this softer side of him.

Cora’s nostrils flare, and then she’s curling into me, burying her face in my chest. My eyes meet Roman’s over her head, curious if he’s going to act the possessive ape and keep her from me again.

He sighs, gives me a curt nod, and lets me wrap my arms around her, but he doesn’t move away, leaving our arms to rest directly beside each other.

The silence is deafening as we strain to hear an update from Bear. Silent tears roll down my mate’s cheeks, dampening my skin. As much as I want to fix this for her immediately, I can’t. In a past life, before her, I may have cowboyed myself into the crevasse like Bear did, adrenaline and excitement running through my veins. Now, though, I’ll be damned if I’m gonna leave my girl alone up here with just the grumpy professor to protect her. Even if he is acting like less of a dick right now.

No. All we can do now is wait.