Page 55 of Alpha Bond

Joy and remorse war within me, along with a large measure of confusion. Why should I care? Things are going to go back to normal. Except I don’t have a normal. I have a mate who is not my mate, a family that is lost, and a future that is completely unpredictable.

What happens now?

Chapter 22

Jagger

Sierra is settled in bed, and I’m fighting the urge to pull up a chair and watch her sleep until she wakes. Because that would be nuts.

“She’s going to be fine, Jagger.” The doctor sets a hand on my shoulder.

“You’re sure?” I ask again because I find myself needing reassurance. So fucking strange to be feeling this way. I wish I knew more about what had gone on behind the closed door of her examination room, but she’s staying close-lipped. Patient confidentiality is important to her, and I respect her for it. I know they’ve made big strides, though. It sets my mind at ease a little to know that they’ve gotten to the bottom of the problem.

“Pretty sure.” She smiles. “From here, she just needs time. I’ve left a bag of dressings and some painkillers on the coffee table. Change the bandages and keep an eye on that wound – if it’s not knitting by morning, come back to me.

“Sure.” My jaw is clenched so tight it’s hard to get the word out.

Why the fuck did she hide this from me?

I want to go find the bastards who did it and string them up by their own innards. A chuckle draws my attention back to Doctor Bea. She’s grinning at me.

“What are you smirking about?”

“I never thought this day would come, Jagger Law.”

“What day?”

“The day you lost your heart. I like this look on you. It’s…right.”

I find myself glowering. “What? No, I—” I stop. I can’t tell her that none of this is real. That it’ll all be over as soon as I take over the pack.IfI take over the pack. I need to get to Titer. “Yeah. I guess I just had to find the right one,” I say instead.

“You picked a good one all right. Tough as nails to be walking around like that.” She puffs out a breath. “Poor kid. Just stop hovering over her like a vulture. You’ll freak her out.”

I want to wake Sierra up and demand more answers, but I know the doctor’s right. As she gathers her things and heads to the door, she aims a look at me over her shoulder.

“I’m glad you took this step, Jagger. It always saddened me to think that a heart as big as yours would never be filled with love.” She closes the door behind her, leaving me standing with my mouth hanging open.

Filled with love?

This is fucking ridiculous.

I pull myself together. I give Sierra a final check, smoothing the covers over her carefully before heading out of the apartment. There are more important things to worry about, and I’ve been neglecting them.

What could be more important than making sure she’s okay?

My pack, that’s what. This whole damn shitshow has pushed me off course.

I’m scrubbing a hand over my face, halfway to Titer’s office, when Casey finds me in the hallway.

“She good?” she asks, not bothering with formalities.

“Better.” I just wish I was certain that this would be the end of it. “How did Titer take the news?” It bites my ass that I didn’t give the report myself. I’m so damn torn right now.

“Surprisingly calmly,” says Casey. “Said he’d gather the committee for a strategy meeting. Maybe he’s starting to see the light. Or maybe you were wrong about him.”

“I hope so,” I mutter as I push open the door to his office. Titer is behind his desk, with Callum on the other side. They both look up at us as we arrive.

“All good with your mate?” Titer asks. I nod, and he goes on, “I’m glad. Would be a pity for anything to happen to her so soon. I know I’d go out of my mind if I were in your shoes.”

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