Chapter Twenty

Kirk

After Chasten was satisfied that I'd eaten enough protein, he lay back down and dozed off almost as soon as his ear found my heartbeat. I couldn't sleep anymore and for a long time I watched the birds fly by out of the window that looked out over a small pond. My family – parents and siblings chatted on and off over our family link. All relieved that I was okay. I was grateful they didn't feel the brunt of the injury any more than Chasten had. Fair or not, fate or not, that was my burden to bear. Even now, my leg throbbed red hot and itchy as it healed from the inside out.

Work friends tiptoed in and out of the room all morning and eventually Lar brought me lunch. I could've had a hospital tray but probably wouldn't have eaten it. He brought Chinese takeout and the orange chicken and fried rice alongside wontons hit the spot so well that I finished the whole lot of it.

"You know that you couldn't have saved Delanie, right?" he whispered, not to wake Chasten.

"Delanie? Was that her name?"

"Yeah," he nodded.

"I know. I told that to Chasten too. It was just a timing thing. Maybe she was speeding, maybe not. It doesn't change the fact she didn't deserve to die for it."

"Her tox panel was clean," he nodded.

"Even if she was drunk or high, it would still just fucking suck for everyone," I shrugged.

"You're right," Lar nodded. "It does suck. It really fucking sucks. Only you're still alive."

"I know. I'm not depressed. Feel so fucking mortal that a pin prick might blow me over for a second, but I'm not depressed. Lar, I'm still here. I get to see my pup be born in a few weeks!"

Lar smiled but it didn't quite reach his eyes.

"What?" I asked him.

"They're going to let you go home this afternoon. Your vitals are great, and your leg is doing exactly what they want it to. They'd usually keep you overnight, but seeing that Chasten's pregnant, they're willing to send you home today. You gonna be alright?"

"I'll be fine. Happy to be back in my own bed."

"You got someone to call if you two need help? Besides his doctor that is."

"Treg. Grina," I shrugged.

"Me too. You have my number. If something comes up use it."

"Thanks, Lar," I nodded.

Before they let me go home, I had to prove that I could make it around on crutches without putting any weight on my injured leg. It took me a few tries up and down the corridor to find my rhythm and balance, but I managed to do it well enough to impress the physio guy into believing I was ready to go home.

It was Treg who picked us up a few hours before their date. They were already dressed up like they might go to a concert or a rave. I almost asked where they were going but decided they'd tell us if they wanted us to know. Chasten chatted to Treg in the front seat while I rested my leg across the back seat. I watched the cars, trucks, and vans pass. Was I really going to turn into a mini-van dad? Trucks were so useful, though. One never knew when he'd need to move stuff around or haul something.

"Extended cab truck," Chasten yawned from the front seat. "They make them. I'll buy you one."

"I have insurance, mate," I laughed.

"Well, what they don't cover I will. I like being a passenger princess. That's easier to do if you like what you're driving," he teased.

"I'd drive you around on a bike if that's the only way I could," I laughed.

"He's still high, I think," Chasten said to Treg.

"Or that in love with you," they said and made kissy noises at us.

"I can't wait until you meet your mate so I can do that to you," Chasten said.

"You won't have to. I'll kiss them in front of you so much that you'll think we're attached at the mouth."

"Better than how Grina's attached to her new lady," Chasten laughed.

"She's like a damn sucker fish," Treg laughed. "I mean, I get it, but damn. I don't know how she manages to come up for air and talk with all the --- stuff going on."

"Everything should be eaten in moderation. Even Grina knows that," I said, managing to keep a straight face.

"Speaking of which," Chasten said from the front seat, holding up his phone. "Hey, Grina. Are your ears burning?"

"I can hear y'all over the pack link, you know?" she said, on speaker phone. "And tell your mate, I've never heard of this thing called moderation. I'm calling because Abby wanted to make you all tacos, but I wasn't sure if you could eat them."

"I think I can. I can eat most things. Just gotta balance it all out," Chasten shrugged and I nodded even though neither of the other people in the car were looking at me.

That night we had a taco dinner before crashing hard into bed. I dreamt of pricking Chasten's finger and sugar pouring from the spot where blood should've oozed. I dreamt of wolf pups turning to sugar as I tried to give them baths. Pain meds really fucked up my dreams and I woke in a cold sweat with Chasten patting my arm as if I were a baby.

"It's okay, alpha," he cooed to me, half asleep.

Leaning over I kissed his forehead and wrapped my arm around him. Keeping him close was the only way I could keep him safe while I was hopping along on one foot.