Page 52 of The Protector’s Heart

Doc’s nose wrinkled in disgust. “That’s probably unlikely considering how small Jack is. You’d have noticed him chewing on a finger. It most likely dropped away during the struggle. I think what we have here is a case of high stress causing the partial shift. Jack was already traumatized from being taken and kept away from you for several hours. Then he sees you being hurt and someone trying to take you away. He might be a baby, but babies can be intuitive about danger, especially shifter children. He’s enough of a wolf that he was able to summon the ability to protect you.”

She repeated herself. “Is he stuck like this?”

Doc smiled gently. “I doubt it. After you get him cleaned up and he eats a good meal and gets a good night’s sleep, I expect he’ll wake up perfectly normal.”

“Is this something we’re going to need to worry about in the future, like him getting worked up and partially shifting?” Malachi asked.

“I don’t know. I want to say no, because I think this was an extraordinary circumstance, but the truth is I’ve never known such a young child to grow claws and fangs. I would suggest being cautious in the future, and as he grows older to make sure you teach him how to handle himself in stressful situations.”

She lifted Jack into her arms and carried him into the bathroom. Malachi drew a bath while Nila tried not to look at herself in the mirror. She was certain she looked like she’d been to hell and back. As she knelt next to the tub and settled Jack into the water, she realized there was a bottle of baby soap on the edge of the tub and a washcloth decorated with yellow ducks was folded next to it.

“These are Jack’s,” she said as she dunked the washcloth in the water and opened the bottle.

“Adam took Mia to the house and she packed an overnight bag for the three of us.”

She fought the tears that stung her eyes at the sweet gesture. Malachi’s family and pack treated her and Jack like they were one of them. She soaped Jack’s skin, noticing that the bruises were fading quickly.

“He’ll shift when he’s older, won’t he? He’s more wolf than human,” she said as Jack grabbed a small cup from her hand and dumped the water over his head, babbling as it rinsed off the soap.

“Most likely,” Malachi answered.

When he was clean, she pulled the plug to drain the water and lifted him from the tub. Malachi wrapped a towel around him, patting his skin gently. Within a few minutes, he was dressed in footy pajamas and hugging his favorite stuffed wolf.

Malachi picked Jack up and turned away slightly when she reached for him. “It’s your turn, sweetheart.”

“Turn?”

“To get checked out. I know I appear to be calm, but seeing your injuries and the blood on your skin, knowing what you went through without me—I need you to get fixed up and cleaned up. Now.”

She looked down at herself. Washing Jack had cleaned some of the blood from her hands, but Malachi’s reminder of her injuries suddenly made everything hurt.

“Ouch.” She looked at the gouges in the top of her hand.

Malachi snorted and said to Jack, “How about some dinner, big guy?”

“Carrot?”

“I’m right here, buddy.”

She smiled as he carried her son out of the bathroom and then looked at Doc, who was watching her with a serious expression. “I’m sure you’re anxious to get back to your son, so why don’t you grab a quick shower and then I’ll examine you.”

She nodded and he slipped out of the bathroom, shutting the door. She stripped and turned to face the mirror. Her eyes widened as she took in the injuries to her body. She was glad that Malachi wasn’t there to see her right now, he’d probably flip out. As it was, she felt like she was just hanging on by a thread.

One thing at a time, she reminded herself.

She gave herself a once-over. There were bruises around her waist from where Tanner had grabbed her. Her wrists were raw and red from the rope. She had light bruises up and down her legs and arms. The worst damage seemed to be her hand, where Tanner had curled his claws into her flesh.

Inhaling slowly and deeply, she let out the breath and met her own eyes in the mirror. She’d survived. No matter what scars she retained, they were badges of honor now. Jack was safe now because of her actions and Malachi and the pack members who had come to their aid.

She showered, using Jack’s soap because it was mild and wouldn’t irritate her wounds, and then she dried herself off carefully, once more cataloging her injuries so she could tell Doc everything.

A large duffel was on the counter, and she found her clothes on top and dressed in a pair of soft lounge pants and a tank top. She slipped socks on her feet and grabbed a sweater to cover up with after Doc examined her.

After he finished examining her, he bandaged her hand and wrists and put his supplies away. He gave her a silver mesh ball that dangled from a thin chain with a hook on the end. She could smell herbs, and looked at it curiously.

“It’s a tea ball, an infuser. It’s filled with healing herbs that have been magically enhanced. Boil two cups of water and steep the herbs in it for three minutes, then remove it. Give Jack one quarter cup of the cooled tea and drink the rest yourself. For Jack it’s more of a calmative than for healing, but it will promote a restful sleep for you both and help your body’s natural healing ability to work even better.”

She didn’t have to ask Doc if it was safe for Jack, because she knew he’d never give anything to her or her son that would harm them. “Thank you, Doc.”

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