nt voices intermingled with the thrumming of my own ragged p

re.

y mind like cobwebs. Shadowy impressions began to materialize - the re

ved. I gulped down grateful lungfuls of air, grounding m

es of Shirley's living room. The floral chintz sofa cradled my p

ey's familiar alto cut through t

hirley's concerned visage slowly swam into view, her brow creased with worry. A

y tongue felt heavy and

ut to smooth the sweat-damp hair back from my fore

gradually reintegrating into a cohesive timeline. T

humiliation crashing against the inside of my ribs.

xhale felt like shredding my throat

unfamiliar man interjected in a gentle bari

the new voice. He offered me a warm, dimpled smile, the tips

. My brow furrowed as I studied his striking, sculp

in mild chastisement. "Alexa, this is Joshua. He's my

two of them set off a new pang in my chest

d me...nothing about you, actually." I arch

ant russet curl behind her ear. "I was going to tell y

it setting my nerves jangling. Crazy was putting it mildly. Joshua's

kwardness. "Now that you're awake and coherent, we should probably

ng Shirley's shoulder in wordless reassurance as he passed. I watched h

unable to resist the fleeting impish grin tugging at my lips. "My my, Shirl...

avoided my gaze. "Oh hush, you. Like you're really one to talk after

like she'd slapped me across the face. Her eyes flew wide with

ely uncalled for." Shirley reached out in a be

he night's emotional toll came crashing back dow

en whisper. "Please don't say his name

hock and numbness and scar over - I was terrified I might never recover. Dwelling on our

of aching heartbeats. Then, biting her lip against her ow

once more, effectively shattering the thick tension t

t, please," I called out, swiping the treacherous tears from the corners of my ey

esitantly. "Shirl...I can't stay in thi

t together with concer

louder than a whisper. "If

u know my alpha wouldn't just let any stray join our rank

nown me almost my whole lif

itly." She drew in a steadying breath. "But you have to be certain this is what you want. Leaving

rutting atop Olivia's assaulted my mind's eye again. I squeezed t

throat nearly choked me as I fought not to dissolve into te

hand. "Okay, babe. I'll handle Vincent and the rest of the paperwork. With

ssing down on my chest eased

atitude as she stood. "I'm going to grab the

w in a sharp inhalation. Her nostrils flared infinitesimally and w

r suddenly tense scrutiny. "Why

ifted closer, bending down to my eye level as her

ogether a puzzle in her mind. "Have you been

her. "Symptoms? What

hes from my face. She pulled back just as quickly, eyes wide with shock

out in a reverent whisper. "

lungs in a harsh, wheezing gasp. I could only gape soundlessly at my friend, my mi

ut loud in such unvarnished terms was still a devastating gut-punch. Shirle

a, honey, sa

ot trails down my frozen face. Shirley pulled me against her chest, wrapping me in

th a baby...

*