I was stuck in the hospital for nearly two weeks.

Even though I hurt all over, I wanted nothing more than to go home. I was tired of the stiff hospital mattress and the scratchy gown and having to walk my stupid IV pole to the bathroom every time I needed to pee—and since they were pumping me full of fluids, that was pretty damn often.

Apparently, I amazed the doctors by how well I was getting around after being nearly bludgeoned to death by a crowbar. “I don’t think you understand the severity of the situation, Mr. Reed,” Dr. Cross said quietly, once Chance and Soren left the room to get something for Dresden to eat. He folded both arms over his chest and shook his head. “Had you been human, you wouldn’t be walking out of here alive.”

I offered a weak smile. “Gotta love that shifter healing?”

“You’re very lucky, is what you are,” he retorted. “You’re recovering well, though. The only thing that’ll help you heal now is rest, and I don’t think you’re gonna get that here. I’ll go ahead and start your discharge, but if anything happens—if the pain gets worse or if you have any sign of swelling, weakness, anything out of the ordinary—come back in. Please. I’ll schedule a follow-up appointment with your primary care physician as well.”

Four hours later, I left the hospital with a list of things not to do and firm instructions to rest.

“He will,” Chance assured the nurse while giving me the stink-eye.

I offered my most innocent smile. “I will,” I promised. At least if I had to go stir-crazy, I could go stir-crazy in the comfort of my own home. Chance helped walk me out to the parking lot. Soren had pulled the car around to the front. Grimacing, I climbed into the passenger’s seat and gingerly buckled my seatbelt. “Ouch.”

“Okay?” Soren’s golden eyes swam with worries, but I patted his leg.

“I will be. Can we please get tacos? Or burgers? I’m starving. Hospital food is gross.”

Chance laughed from the back seat. “Now who’s craving junk food?”

“I want French fries! And chicken nuggets!” Dresden chimed out and I beamed. He was his daddy’s son. “And a milkshake!”

“A milkshake does sound pretty good.”

We hit the drive-through while waiting for the pharmacy to fill my script. With a full stomach and doped up on painkillers, I clumsily changed into PJs with Chance’s help and climbed into the comfort of my own bed. I buried my face in the pillows and dragged in a breath, swathed in the scent of my mate.

Home sweet home.

It wasn’t long before I was feeling like myself again. Knowing that I could sleep without fear of Bones coming for us helped immensely, but I knew that the vicious attack on my family would leave nasty emotional scars. Speaking of…

“Daddy?” Dresden’s voice was hushed in the quiet of the room. He tugged at the leg of my PJs. “I’m scared…”

“Why are you scared, puppy?” I asked gently, even though I knew the answer. This wasn’t the first time he’d come begging to sleep with us. There was a reason Chance and I both wore pants to bed now.

“I had a bad dream.” He whined. “Can I sleep in the big bed tonight?” There was a sad tugging at my heartstrings, knowing that my baby had suffered through something so traumatic. I only hoped that with time and plenty of love, Bones’s attack would be nothing more than a distant memory—for all of us.

“Sure, Drezzy. Just be gentle. Daddy’s still sore.”

He clambered up onto the foot of the bed and squeezed in between me and Chance. Dresden snuggled in and I pulled the blankets up over his shoulders. Chance stirred lightly with a soft grunt of sound, but it was almost instinct for my Omega to comfort a child in need. Chance’s eyelashes fluttered and with a deep breath, he cradled Dresden close and my heart melted.

This was it for me. This was my forever.

Closing my eyes, I sent a little prayer up to Heaven, in hopes that it would reach Charlie, wherever he was now. I just knew he was smiling down at me. I could feel it in my soul.

Thank you for sending Chance to me. You don’t have to worry anymore. I’ll take care of him now—for both of us.