Page 78 of Jesse
The impact knocked him off his paws. We hit the ground together, my teeth locked deep, his screams gurgling, fading beneath the crunch of bone and flood of blood.
He thrashed and kicked, then finally stilled.
When it was over, I stood over him, chest heaving, blood matting my fur, the copper taste thick in my mouth. I turned, limping, still half-shifting back as I crawled toward Beck.
He was groaning, dazed, pushing himself up with shaking arms.
“Beck.” My voice cracked as it came, halfway between growl and plea.
He looked up, eyes wide. Relief hit me like a flood. He was alive. Bloody, bruised, but alive.I collapsed beside him, pulling him into my arms, our bodies trembling against each other.
“We’re good,” I whispered, over and over, pressing my face into his hair. “We’re good now.”
His arms wrapped around me, weak but sure.
I barely remembered calling for Cooper. My head swam with pain and dizziness, and I think I told Beck to help me…or maybe I just thought it. I couldn’t be sure.
The last thing I clearly remembered was Beck’s panicked voice, shouting my name, yelling at me to stay awake.
I’d tried my best, but darkness swallowed me before I could even say his name again.
When I came to, the sharp scent of antiseptic hit me first. My body ached, the dull throb of my ribs reminding me that I was lucky to be breathing.
I blinked against the harsh ceiling lights of the pack clinic. My throat felt like sandpaper. I tried to speak but only managed a rasp.
Then I saw Beck sat slumped on the chair next to my bed, head bowed over his phone. His hair was a mess, sticking up like he’d run his hands through it a hundred times.
There were dark circles under his eyes and a tension in his jaw that only melted when he looked up and saw me awake.
"Jesse!" The phone clattered to the floor as he leapt from the chair. In a heartbeat, he was at my side, arms slipping around me with trembling care.
I grunted as my ribs did not appreciate the affection, but hell, I wouldn’t trade that moment for anything.
“You scared the shit out of me,” Beck whispered against my temple. “Don’t ever do that again.”
“I should be the one saying that,” I croaked. “Seeing you get taken took years off my life.”
He laughed wetly, brushing his fingers along my cheek. “I love you so much.”
I didn’t have the strength to say it back just then, but I hoped he saw it in my eyes.
Ethan pushed through the door a second later, brows raising as he took in the scene. “Easy there, Beck,” he teased. “Let the man breathe.”
Beck rolled his eyes but reluctantly stepped back. Ethan moved to check my vitals, tapping on his clipboard and muttering to himself.
“Well,” he finally said, glancing at me with a tired smile, “you’re awake, which is already ahead of schedule. You’ve got two cracked ribs, some torn muscle from the fight, and a minor concussion. You’ll live.”
“Great,” I mumbled. “Can I go beat someone up again now?”
Ethan snorted. “I’ll tell Cooper you’re up.”
He left, and Beck didn’t waste time climbing into the bed beside me, careful not to jostle anything. I didn’t care about the pain.
I needed him close. He settled against my uninjured side, his fingers curling around mine. The door creaked again a few minutes later. Cooper entered first, followed by Jackson.
Jackson’s eyes found mine immediately. “You protected my brother,” he said, voice thick. “You protected Beck. Thank you, Jesse.”
I blinked, a little stunned. “He’s my mate,” I said quietly. “Of course I did.”
