the states, but you might be the only one who can heal everyone.”
Despite his gruff words, I sensed worry coming through our bond. Trevor and the others were in bad shape. A trip to the hospital was always a risky choice for a shifter when we were in hiding, but now it could be a death sentence. The few human hospitals that weren’t abandoned or overrun were short-staffed, under-supplied, and terrified of supernaturals. The few still up and running were occupied by the military under strict orders to keep the human zones ‘safe’ from supernaturals. If someone was injured badly enough to require medical attention beyond our natural healing abilities, I was the only resource available to the pack.
“You’re right,” I mumbled my response to James into Cody’s chest, not ready to move just yet. If Rich and Quinn weren’t in immediate danger, then Trevor and the others should be my priority.
“I’ll stay with them,” Sam said with determination. “Rest up, and I’ll come and get you if we need you.”
“Not yet,” I said as I picked my head up. “James and Cody can lend me some of their magic to do preliminary healing on Mike and Davis. Once I’m completely rested, I’ll finish the job.”
Cody reluctantly set me down on my feet and I swayed. I just barely managed to keep standing before Cody steadied me with his hands on my waist.
“What happened?” Austin’s voice preceded his entrance into the living room. Our pack master strode confidently into the room, his sharp blue eyes evaluating the situation. Austin glowed with the warm, earthy magic that felt like home. His dark blond hair was styled, but his dress shirt had been rolled up to reveal the tattoos on his forearms. Austin was a sophisticated businessman on the outside, but underneath the finery was a fierce warrior who had earned the respect and loyalty of a powerful pack of wolves.
Instinctively, I gravitated toward Austin like a flower reaching for the sun. He walked over and put his arm around me and I savored the moment. I inhaled his scent and leaned against his warm body. Austin drew me in closer so he could hold me with both arms instead of just the one. He rested his hands on my lower back, underneath my shirt to touch my bare skin.
Sam got to her feet and stood up stiffly to make her report. “We achieved our objective and secured the weapon, sir. However, there were...complications in the process.” Sam swallowed and looked down at the floor. “When we went into the vault where the weapon was stored, I may have accidentally awakened a sleeping goddess.”
Sam winced as James cursed.
Austin kept his eyes on Sam. “This goddess attacked your team?” His voice sharpened. “Where are the others?” Authority bled from his voice and his presence filled the room. This was Austin the packmaster. He usually kept his power tightly coiled within himself, but this was a situation that required him to wear the mantle of command.
Sam straightened her spine, but her hands shook from nerves. “Rich and Quinn are keeping the weapon secured, while the rest of us went to evaluate the situation and do recon.”
Austin’s jaw tightened. “What were your orders?”
Sam’s shoulders slumped. “To return immediately after securing the weapon.”
“Yet you risked everything.” Austin pointed out with barely restrained anger. “And your team suffered for it.”
“Yeah,” Sam whispered as she looked around at her teammates. “I didn’t follow orders, and my team paid the price.”
“But things worked out in the end,” I pointed out in an attempt to ease the tension. “We got to you just in time.”
“And if we were fifteen minutes earlier?” James growled. “And unknowingly walked into the middle of a battle with an enemy we know nothing about? Or fifteen minutes later and too late for you to save Trevor?”
“You could have been hurt or killed,” Austin snapped.
I shot a glare up at Austin. He should know better than to try to treat me like I was made of glass. I’ve been working hard to prove that I was just as much of a warrior as they were. He wouldn’t coddle James like this. Austin took a deep breath before giving me an apologetic glance as he rubbed my back.
I closed my eyes as the others discussed the situation and enjoyed being cocooned within Austin’s magic. I could feel his essence swirling around me, and his power seeping into my pores, revitalizing and reviving me. Austin gently rubbed my