Page 110 of The Reluctant Alpha

"Sorry," I murmured, wincing as he resumed cleaning my wounds. "Not the best time for pack politics."

I winced as Danny applied antiseptic to the deepest gash. His touch was gentle despite his obvious anger, his fingers working with careful precision.

"Ivan?" Kaylan suggested. "He's been conspicuously absent through all of this."

Danny's hands paused in their ministrations, his eyes darting between us. "Maybe we should save the accusations for when you're not bleeding all over the furniture," he suggested dryly.

"It knew about the cubs," I said quietly, meeting Danny's eyes. "It said 'bearer of cubs' right before it attacked me."

Danny went still, one hand unconsciously moving to his stomach. "How could it know that?"

"I don't know," I admitted. "But it specifically targeted me."

"Which means someone told it," Kaylan said, his expression darkening. "Revenants don't have that kind of perception on their own."

"You think?" Danny's voice was sharp, but his hands remained gentle. "You're lucky these aren't deeper. What if it had gone for your throat instead of your side?"

The fear beneath his anger was palpable, and I reached up to cup his cheek with my less bloodied hand. "I'm okay, Danny."

"This time," he whispered, leaning into my touch briefly before resuming his work. "But what about next time? And don't tell me there won't be a next time, because I've watched enough horror movies to know the monster always comes back for a sequel."

Kaylan snorted despite the tension. "Not this monster."

"Phoenix killed it," I said. "It's not coming back."

“You killed it,” Kaylan remonstrated.

Danny worked in silence for a few minutes, methodically treating the wounds that should have already healed. His touch was sure despite his lack of medical training beyond first-aid, each movement careful and deliberate.

"You're good at this," I observed quietly.

"Mom's a nurse, remember? And I work with kids."

Ben reappeared with a glass of water and what looked like pain medication. "Esther sent these," he said, setting both on the side table. "She said the wounds should start healing properly once the revenant's...essence...works its way out of your system."

"Essence?" Danny's eyebrows rose.

"Esther told me revenants carry a kind of spiritual poison," Kaylan explained, settling into the chair across from us. "It interferes with natural healing, same as what happened to me. Should wear off in a few hours."

I accepted the pills gratefully, swallowing them with a grimace. The pain was already ebbing slightly, probably because of Danny's ministrations, and Danny helped me into some sweats.

"So, what happens now?" Danny asked, finishing the last bandage. "Do we celebrate our victory with supernatural champagne, or do we start planning for revenant number two?"

“You’re not allowed alcohol,” I teased.

Danny's hand moved unconsciously to his stomach again, and I caught the gesture. "We'll figure it out," I promised, covering his hand with mine. "But right now, you need to get back on that couch. Doctor's orders, remember?"

"I'm fine," Danny protested, but I could see the exhaustion in his eyes. The day’s stress had taken its toll.

"Humor me," I said gently. "Please."

He sighed dramatically but sat down carefully on the couch next to me. "This is ridiculous. I'm pregnant, not dying."

"With triplets," I reminded him. "Which means you need to be extra careful."

"Don't remind me," he muttered, settling back against the cushions. "I'm still processing that particular bombshell." I grunted and, ignoring my injuries, pulled him close.

The front door opened, and Phoenix entered. Esther and Em rushed in after him. His face was grim, and I could smell the lingering scent of ash and death on his clothes.