Kiera ran through the forest pretty oblivious to the fact she was off trail, and she’d have a devil of a time finding her clothes. She didn’t care right now. She needed to think. Wrap her head around what was happening, she felt too much from this. It practically physically hurt to leave Dean, but she needed to hear her own thoughts. She couldn’t stop it this time. Kiera had to stop, she’d shifted, but she was too close to the pack. It wasn’t fair. Why did it have to be her? What did she do to deserve all of this? Then Dean wanted her to go through it all again? He completely floored her when he said he’d see videos of her. It felt like her private hell was on display for everyone at the movie theatre. Her thoughts broke off. It was all too movie cliche, with bones snapping and twisting. Muscles and ligaments realigning. No one ever talked about how you could feel your organs shift. This time she was glad Faye was on her side and she’d fully shifted int

Dean entered the quiet healing centre. Around him, the space was clean and spacious. It was there to provide the pack with healthcare, not the entire community. In the past, it was open to the Jasper Springs Pack when the previous alphas ran the packs. But the noticeable sounds of a human hospital weren’t there and there were more wards because of a shifter’s injuries. It might not be possible to shift from their fur to their skin without incurring further damage. So they divided most wards into small wards where the wolves and humans got what they needed. There were a few cages. He couldn’t deny that. But that was for the safety of everyone if the wolf became too aggressive. Right now his mind wasn’t on the differences. He needed to know what was happening to Kiera right now. Why her run go so badly? How did Elder Evans find her, and why did he clash with her? He appeared afraid of her. Dean thought he would avoid her. He felt like a fool when it came to him. Someone might a

As the hours wracked up, Dean sat with Kiera and yet no one yet to his knowledge even checked on her. He was sure rumours would fly. He still needed to speak with those who were in charge of watching Elder EvansThe staff came to him at one point to ask if they could move her to a large more secure room so he would feel comfortable and nap when he wished close to her.A healing centre like this had many rooms created for mated pairs, because some would go without sleep or food if they weren’t with their mate. It became standard practice over the years. A healer can only trip so many times over a wolf sleeping on the floor beside their mate’s bed. Or climbing in the bed with them.The staff made quick work of a new room where he, too, could get some rest. There were so many reasons from safety to lifestyle that they’d found answers for. Not long ago at a dinner a healer told the table that when she toured a human hospital, they showed her an innovative space for spouses and pa

“James, this is silly. What if some emergency happens? Dean calls? I mean, Kiera’s been hurt badly enough that she’s in the healing centre.” “Enough. There’s nothing we can do about that right now. Nothing you do at any time will change anything.” “Then let’s go back and finish dinner.” “Desert’s changed and I’m looking at her.” He grabbed the bottom of her shirt and pulled it off over her head. Her bra covered breasts gave a satisfying bounce as came free from the shirt. “Magnificent look at the impressive display. The Moon Goddess definitely blessed me when she made you.” He stopped undressing Trisha for a moment to caress gently and tweak her breasts. James avidly watched his hands as they shaped her breasts in their delicate lacy cages. He knew instantly this was the correct thing to do; she was moaning softly unconsciously from this simple touch. “Take your pants off, Trisha, now.” James sat in the nearby gaming chair with her

Dean dozed in a chair rather than the bed the healing centre provided. Just because that’s where he was when his adrenaline bottomed out. Some time just before dawn he awoke from a doze to movement from where Kiera lay. It took him a moment to realize that she was the one making the sound. He’d panicked at the thought that a caregiver or healer had entered. Or worse, someone who wanted to harm Kiera to get to him. But it wasn’t Kiera was moving. It felt a little surreal because he was so groggy, but when things fully registered in his brain, Dean was up close to Kiera’s ear and urgently whispering to her to keep her calm. “It’s okay. You’re safe don’t struggle it’s me Dean. You’re in the healing centre. Kiera, you’re going to be fine. Just stay with me and stay calm.” It felt odd to be talking to Kiera in her dire wolf form. He’d spent hours now studying it. She was a deadly beauty. It wasn’t that she looked sick or twisted. No, it was just her massive size that mad