It had been hours.
Again.
Hours since Damon marked Willow.
Hours since Diana offered her blood—again and again—until the healer finally stopped her.
Hours since they watched life hang by a thread.
And now—
They were waiting.
Again.
Talon hated waiting.
There was nothing worse for a warrior—
For an Alpha—
Than standing still while someone he loved fought a battle he could not join.
The only difference now—
Was that they were inside Willow’s room.
The healer had insisted.
“She needs to feel you,” she had said.
“Her wolf needs to know she is not alone.”
Especially her mate.
So they stayed.
The room was quiet.
Dim.
Only the soft beeping of machines and the steady rise and fall of Willow’s chest filled the space.
Damon had not moved.
Not once.
He sat beside her bed.
One
