The Crescent War

Chapter Thirteen

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I paced outside the healing room while Lane and Roseanne worked hard on Grace and Gale.

I was sent out of the room when I began crying and being everything but helpful. My little girl and new family member were inside and I had no idea how hurt they were. I knew Gale was hurt worse but it didn’t fill me with any reassurance.

The fight had ended pretty quickly after Gale got hurt. Several wolves took down the cougar who attacked me while the remaining cougars scurried off in defeat. Luke was the only one that had stuck around and as far as I knew he was unfortunate enough to be in the hands of Steele and a semi healed Alex.

The house was now quiet and I had guessed the wolves had gone home, celebrating the win and looking after those injured.

A door at the end of the hall slammed open and Daniel stormed towards me, tears streaming down his cheeks and his eyes rimmed red as he barreled into my body. I had to grasp onto Daniel’s biceps as my mate’s clenched fists hit me in the chest repeatedly, not with enough force to hurt but enough to show just how frustrated he was.

“I’m so f*****g mad at you right now!” Daniel sobbed as he went limp in my arms, holding me as tight as possible and burying his head in the base of my neck.

“I’m sorry...” My sore eyes began watering again and I held onto Daniel for all it was worth. “I’m so, so sorry, Dan…”

“Why did you do it?!” Daniel pulled back and my heart broke to see the hurt there. “Why did you leave me? Our kids?”

“I left for you and the kids. The plan was to make a trade. Me for them.” I felt a stab of betrayal at how it had actually gone down. “I just wanted you guys to be able to come home…”

“We wanted you…” Daniel retorted. “Alive and safe. If you wanted to fight then you should have told me. I’d have been there.”

“You’d have tied me to the bed and never let me leave.”

“Damn right I would! You f*****g left without saying goodbye!” Daniel’s jaw clenched and his fists tightened in my shirt. “I love you, Jia, I really do, but I hate what you did.”

“I do, too.” I agreed, holding onto Daniel as if my life depended on it.

“I am never letting you out of my sight again. I swear I’ll handcuff you to me if I have to.” My husband threatened, kissing me breathless and wrapping his arms around my waist. “The pain of nearly losing you almost killed me. I would have never made it if it were for real.”

“You’ll never feel that pain again, Dan.” I whispered, pressing a kiss to Daniel’s bare shoulder. “I promise.”

“I’ll hold you to that forever.” Daniel’s grip on me loosened as the door to the healing room opened and Lane stepped out.

“Grace is going to be fine.” She assured us first and Daniel and I both sagged in relief in each other’s embrace. “She took some hits but damn that girl can fight. Her healing is at a pretty impressive rate right now. So is Gale’s actually.”

“Gale’s okay too?” I asked hesitantly.

“Well, when I bought him in I was sure I was going to lose him but then by the time Roseanne had bought Grace in he started healing. They’re both awake and doing fine. I’m totally having an exciting nerdy science moment right now.”

“He started healing when Grace was bought into the room?!” My jaw dropped.

“Um… yes? I guess so.” Lane looked confused but answered my question regardless.

“No…” I shook my head in denial. “No, hell no!”

I ignored the puzzled looks Lane and Daniel were sending me and stormed into the healing room. Grace was attached to a drip but otherwise was looking a lot better as she sat on the chair next to Gale’s bed. He was looking a lot worse for wear but he managed a smile when I entered the room. That smile turned into a terrified expression however when he saw the look on my face.

“You better tell me you’re not mated to my daughter!” I yelled, refraining from giving Gale two matching black eyes.

“Mum!” Grace looked mortified.

“What?!” Daniel looked deadly.

“No!” Gale denied, looking anywhere but at Daniel who was being restrained by both Lane and Roseanne. “Why the hell would you think that?”

“I was all set to die until I saw Daniel and you practically were dead until Grace was bought in!” By the look in Gale’s eyes he knew exactly what I was thinking. “You told me that the strength of your mate can bring you back. I’m saying that it better not have been Grace that bought you back.”

“Wait… I was the reason you healed?” Daniel’s brows furrowed. “How?”

“There’s something in the mating bond. You can die without your mate and your body has a natural need to survive so if you have the strength to fight off the separation pain and get to your mate then theoretically the injured one is supposed to heal.” Gale shrugged. “I kind of thought it was a fairy tale but after today I’m thinking otherwise.”

“You risked our lives on a fairy tale!” I fumed.

“So… Grace?” Daniel cut off my rage and seemed slightly more relaxed but he still looked like he was ready to strangle the newest pack member.

“She’s my mate.” Gale avoided eye contact with pretty much everyone at the words.

“Oh, you are so dead!” Daniel launched towards Gale but I intercepted, taking the force of Daniel and using it against him to land us on the floor. Daniel was even heavier when squashed between me and a hard surface.

“She’s not eighteen yet, Jia! He can’t mate with her for at least another five years!” I tried to calm my mate but it was hard when he was crushing my ribcage.

“She can’t mate with anyone for at least another fifty years!” Daniel continued, glaring at Gale and climbing to his feet.

“You mated to me within a week of knowing me!” I turned Daniel’s attention towards me again. “At least she gets five years to fall in love. Gale is already a part of this pack. If she mates with him then she isn’t going anywhere when her cougar instincts kick in. She’ll stand by her mate.”

Daniel seemed to consider this for a minute before ignoring it and punching Gale anyway.

“Daniel!” I stared at my stupid and overprotective husband, slack jawed, while he grinned back at me.

“I feel much better now.” Daniel beamed.

“Ow…” Gale groaned and held his hand against his jaw. “Are we forgetting I almost died?”

“It was either you really die or simply recover from a broken jaw.” Daniel patted his shoulder a little too hardly and Gale couldn’t fight the wince. “Don’t ever call me dad.”

“I’m debating on whether I’ll ever call you dad again.” Grace buried her face behind her hands, her cheeks bright red and despite everything, I had to fight off a smirk.

“Don’t worry. I’ll remove him.” I took Daniel by the shoulders and steered him towards the door. I shot a sympathetic look at Gale over my shoulder but then remembered he was going to be mated to my daughter one day and fought back a glare.

“Did I overreact?” Daniel asked once I managed to get us into the living room and away from our daughter’s potential mate.

“Nope. If he wasn’t in a hospital bed then I’d have hit him too.” I laughed and pressed a soft kiss against my husband’s lips. “How’re the rest of the pack?”

“They’re all fine. Alex’s bitching even though he’s pretty much healed but his kiddos are happy to have their dad back and they’re the only ones willing to put up with him right now. Steele threatened to take a chunk out of his other leg if he didn’t go elsewhere so he roped Hirano into watching Luke.” Daniel sighed heavily, looking up at me with sad questioning eyes. “He wants to see you.”

“As long as he doesn’t stab me.” I tried for light hearted but it didn’t work and I felt tears sting my eyes. “Will you come with me?” I asked desperately.

“Of course.” Daniel kissed my temple and held me tight. “I’ll be right behind you.”