LOGINBella POVClara stood in the doorway, a folded jacket in her arms,that looked like Draven's. She had that neutral expression that I was used to."I heard you were awake," she said. "I wanted to see for myself.”I didn't answer right away.I looked at the jacket in her arms, folded neat, corners squared like she'd pressed them flat on purpose before knocking.Small, steady hands. Was it possible she'd loosened that bolt and walked away without anyone noticing.She noticed me staring and smiled“ I also came to return Draven's laundry” she mumbled softly."You can come in," I said, because refusing her would tell her I already knew something, and I wasn't ready to hand her that yet.She stepped inside, closing the door behind her, and set the jacket at the foot of my bed."I heard about the bike," she said.Of course you did."Everyone has," I said. "You're a little late to the gossip."Something flickered across her face, an emotion that looked suspiciously like rage."I wanted to see
Bella’s POV I didn't lose consciousness all at once.At least, I was sure I didn't. My eyelids felt heavy, like someone had filled them with cement.That, and the fact that noises floated through my consciousness in bits and pieces, the world sliding out from under me and then dragging itself back, over and over, like a crashing wave.It was really embarrassing, especially since I had been making a very big deal out of arguing with Draven.I didn't have very long to think about that, because suddenly the ground was moving under me. Draven's chest under my cheek, the low rumble of him talking to someone over my head, his voice too controlled to be calm."—bleeding through, get Cade to bring the kit to my quarters—"His quarters.I wanted to argue that I was fine in the medical room, but I didn't have the strength to make the words line up in my mouth, so I let it go, which scared me more than the dizziness did.I was becoming soft, letting myself rely on him too much. It was not going
BellaI didn't lose consciousness all at once.At least, I was sure I didn't. My eyelids felt heavy, like someone had filled them with cement.That, and the fact that noises floated through my consciousness in bits and pieces, the world sliding out from under me and then dragging itself back, over and over, like a crashing wave.It was really embarrassing, especially since I had been making a very big deal out of arguing with Draven.I didn't have very long to think about that, because suddenly the ground was moving under me. Draven's chest under my cheek, the low rumble of him talking to someone over my head, his voice too controlled to be calm."—bleeding through, get Cade to bring the kit to my quarters—"His quarters.I wanted to argue that I was fine in the medical room, but I didn't have the strength to make the words line up in my mouth, so I let it go, which scared me more than the dizziness did.I was becoming soft, letting myself rely on him too much. It was not going to end
DravenThe sound of voices arguing echoed from outside the building, cutting off my explanation to Bella before I could say a word."You don't want to be in there," I heard Thor mutter under his breath, even as Ronan roared louder to be let in.I was already moving before I realized it. My wolf came up under my skin fast, faster than I wanted, claws pressing behind my nails and tearing into my skin.I shoved it back down, taking deep breaths to calm myself.Not here.Not with Bella feet away, weak and awake."Wait for me," I grunted."Draven, wait," she called out, but I was already halfway across the room."Get out of my way," Ronan said as I got outside.He looked like hell. Sweat still drying on him from the race, one sleeve torn at the shoulder, blood at his knuckles that wasn't his. I didn't ask whose it was. I didn't care."Let me in," he growled when our eyes met. I stared into those eyes, a familiar gaze I remembered, and all I could see was my brother, and my father."No," I
Bella’s POV I woke up slowly, almost like I was lifting myself out of a hazy fog. The first thing I felt was the pain. Then the light, almost blinding in its intensity, forcing its way through my eyelids. The smell of what had to be antiseptic, mingled uncannily with engine oil and something underneath it that was just Draven. My shoulder screamed when I shifted over the bed and I bit down on my lips before the sound could escape my throat. Voices echoed, close by, like they were in the room with me. I kept my eyes shut. Partly because I was hoping the light would not seem as bad, and partly because the longer you pretended to be asleep, the more truth you'd hear. Old habit. "—significantly weaker," someone was saying. A voice I didn't know. "Her wolf is barely present." I kept my breathing even. "I see," Draven said. Flat. "Is that all?" The pause that followed didn't do much to reassure me. It was the kind of silence that hung over a room before bad news, th
Draven's POVI rushed across the field with Bella in my arms, unwilling to put her down.My heart thumped in my chest, my mind running a mile a minute on what I could do to make sure she was safe.She had to remain safe.Someone reached out to pull her from my arms and I growled, baring my teeth, my eyes glowing red as my alpha call rose to the surface immediately."Alpha." One of the council's medics again, younger this time, his hands raised like I might bite.I probably would."We need her on the table," he said, nodding to the bench.I looked at it, my mind warring between holding her and protecting her until she was awake, and letting the doctor do their job.I set her down.The medical tent was too bright and too loud and every sound in it felt like it was happening directly inside my skull. I stayed at her shoulder, one hand still on her, and when a second medic reached for her wrist to check her pulse I felt something low in my chest go tight and ugly."Don't touch her.""Alph
Bella's POVClara had been gone ten minutes before I stopped hearing her.Not literally, anyway.The garage was quiet, just the low music from the speaker Cade had started leaving on for me, and the sound of my own tools.But Clara's voice kept replaying in my head as I moved between one task and t
Bella's POVThe doctor had been right about one thing.My ankle wasn't broken.Unfortunately, that also meant I had no excuse to remain in bed.I had spent hours trying to force myself to sleep after he and the overly helpful maid left.Closing my eyes. Turning from one side to the other. Pulling t
Draven’s POVI dragged my jacket on, the stitches pulling with every move. I felt a few tear open but I ignored it, striding towards the door.Thor was waiting outside with the look he got when he had already decided something was a bad idea and had also already accepted that it was going to happen
Bella’s POVThe night had settled heavily over the pack when Thor arrived.With what had happened in the pack during the day, I knew his arrival in my quarters was different.It was not the kind of arrival that brought relief or routine news. It was the kind that changed the air before a single wor







