Chapter Thirty-Five

Willow

Kane’s been chomping at the bit to get back to the forest. As soon as he finds us our own territory, he claims, I’ll get better.

I don’t have the heart to lie to him. Instead, I find a piece of truth.

“I like it here. I like being with Mindy.” I smile. “It’s nice having another omega around.”

Kane scowls. “What about the alphas?”

Granted, they’re a little less fun to deal with.

“I dunno.” I choose my words carefully. “I think I’d forgotten what it’s like to be around a pack.” At his look, I hastily add, “Even if we’re not a part of it.”

That only prompts him to remind me we can have all the pack we want, once we have our own territory. He’ll give me ‘as many pups as it takes’ until I’m satisfied.

I really should whack him over the head for that, but my stupid omega preens.

Kane is stoking the fire when Mindy makes her second visit of the day. Her alphas, and mine, know the drill by now—grumpily filing out to give us some space.

“Here,” she passes me a steaming mug. “This one’s for the nausea.”

Thank god. I drink eagerly. “You’re a lifesaver.”

“No,” she smiles, “I’m just an expert.” She pats her stomach, and I can’t help but notice her movements are a little more sluggish than they were this morning. Instantly I put the cup down.

“Please.” I hand it to her. “If you need this more than I do—”

“No, no.” She waves me off. “Thankfully the throwing-up-every-hour phase has passed.”

“You seem pale. Maybe you should lie down.”

“If I lie down now, my alphas won’t let me up again until tomorrow. Trust me. I’d rather be here, getting in my omega time.”

So I push aside my reservations, letting myself enjoy Mindy’s stories. She finishes telling me about how Lachlan joined their pack—an exile, basically the runt of an already-starving family, who happened upon some poisonous berries on Hoffran’s territory.

“Poor thing was groaning so much, I finally begged Hoffran to take pity. And then, well, I couldn’t bear to part with him.”

I smile. “You all seem to work well together.”

She shrugs. “We get by.”

I frown, waiting for her to elaborate, when she leans against the cave’s interior, pressing her face into the cool rock.

“Mindy?” I ask, concerned.

Her eyes flutter. “It’s … hot. Don’t you think?”

Uh, no. I think it’s the middle of winter and we’re sitting in an open cave .

Before I get a chance to answer, she slumps to the side.

I quickly prop her upright. “Mindy!” God, she’s definitely burning up. “ Help ! Kane!”

Within seconds, Kane bursts in. He’s followed closely by Lachlan and Braze, who snarl at the sight of their crumpled omega. Thankfully Kane gets to me first, scooping me out of the way.

“What happened?” Braze demands, patting Mindy’s cheeks. “What the hell did you do?”

I swallow back my terror. “I—I think she has a fever. She said she was feeling hot, and—”

“Get Hoffran,” Braze barks at his packmate. “Now!” He sweeps Mindy up and starts to carry her out.

I should follow them. I’m no medical expert, but Mindy is my friend. I’m sure I could be of some use.

“Willow,” Kane warns, quietly, “no.”

“I want to help,” I plead.

Hearing this, Braze snaps around. “You’ve helped enough.”

I’m too stunned to argue. Even if I could … what if he’s right? I know I’m not contagious, but maybe just having me around has sapped all Mindy’s energy. Energy that should’ve been spent growing her pup.

“It’s okay,” Kane purrs, responding to my distress. “You’re okay, omega.”

Doesn’t he get it?

It’s not me I’m worried about.

***

Getting updates from Mindy’s alphas is like pulling teeth. If I weren’t so unsteady, I’d be pacing, waiting for the next scrap of information.

“Will,” Kane rumbles, “c’mon, you gotta eat.”

It’s hard enough mustering an appetite on a good day, let alone when I’m sick with worry. I take a bite to placate him, and instantly want to throw up.

I put my plate down. “What did Hoffran say, exactly?”

Kane huffs. “I already told you.”

“Tell me again.”

He tosses a scrap of fatty meat into the fire. That’s how I know he’s worried, too—normally, with Kane, it’s waste not, want not.

“Lachlan’s headed to the village. He’s gonna buy some supplies. Maybe talk to a healer.”

Sounds expensive. “Did he take anything with him?” My gaze flicks to our pack, wondering if I have anything of value.

“Don’t know,” Kane says. “Didn’t ask.”

“Kane. This is important.”

“Never said it wasn’t. But you got to face facts here, bunny. They don’t want our help. We’re better staying out of it—takin’ off at first light.”

He wants to leave , after our being here might’ve caused this? I owe Mindy better than that.

“You’re not going anywhere.”

Both Kane and I start, turning to the mouth of the cave. Pack Hoffran’s elusive head alpha folds his arms.

Kane rises. “That a threat?”

Hoffran barely regards him before shifting his gaze to me. His expression is impenetrable.

“You leave when Mindy’s fever breaks.” He pauses. “She’d never forgive me if I let you go before then.”

“Can I see her?” I beg.

“She’s sleeping.”

“Oh.” I shrink. “Of course.” He keeps eyeing me, making Kane’s chest rumble, until I add, “I–if you need to buy medicine, I might have something worth trading. Just let me check my bag.”

For a second, Hoffran’s voice tightens. “That won’t be necessary.”

He leaves before I can ask any follow-up questions. I wish I could go after him, and that he’d let me check in on Mindy—asleep or not. But I’m too scared to ask.

Kane smooths my hair and tells me I should try to sleep. To my surprise, the words hit me like a ton of bricks, exhaustion descending upon my body. I barley have my head in his lap before my eyes droop closed.

Crying. Laughing. Taking turns. One knot goes down, another one comes. For a minute I think I’ve died, and this is what hell must be.

“You’re ours now, princess.”

“I’m here to take care of you.”

I wish I knew who to believe.