Page 73 of Healer’s Betrayal

I take in his words. “Do you have a lot?” He nods. “And you keep them covered because...” I’m trying to piece things together.

“I don’t like others knowing how many I have or don’t have.”

“So, by not showing them, they have to keep guessing.”

He nods. “Exactly.”

“That’s why the other guys keep eyeing you, isn’t it?”

He nods. “They’re a really powerful pack, the most powerful in the country. Their alpha is probably the most powerful alpha in the country.” He turns off one of the beside lamps. “I’m happy to answer all your questions, but you need sleep.”

His words remind me how tired I am, and I can’t help my yawn. “Aren’t you tired?”

“I’m fine; shifters don’t need as much sleep.” I hold his shirt out to him, and he eyes it and then me.

“Keep it in case you need it again.”

I’m too tired to argue with him, so I drape it over the end of the bed and climb under the covers. I sigh as soon as my head hits the pillow. I’m already starting to drift off when I remember Jackson doesn’t have a bed. “Do you want me to help you make a bed?” I ask in the darkness.

“I’m good; thanks. Just sleep, Kayla. I’ll watch over you and Noah both to make sure you’re safe.”

I want to argue, but I can’t find the words. I’m so tired. I’m asleep before I fully form my next thought. Something wakes me up sometime later, and I blink in the darkness. I open my eyes, and it takes me a moment to remember we’re in the hotel room with Jackson. I blink weary eyes and see it’s just after two in the morning. I hear movement and turn to see a dark shape moving through the darkness. My breathing speeds up, and the movement stops. “Jackson?” I whisper in the darkness.

“It’s me. Did I wake you?” His voice is quiet in the dark.

I blink, still trying to wake up. “How come you’re not sleeping?” I keep my voice quiet, like he did.

“My wolf doesn’t do well in enclosed spaces,” he admits after a long, silent moment. “Being up this high isn’t helping either.”

“How have you been sleeping the other nights?” I ask.

“Outside,” he admits. “In wolf form.”

“Oh. You can do that Jackson; we’re fine.”

“I’m not leaving you and Noah,” he pretty much growls at me. “I’ll be fine; my wolf will calm down eventually.”

“What does your wolf do? Like right now, when he doesn’t want to be here. What does he do?”

“Tries to get free, force the shift.”

“The shift, as in you turning into a wolf?” I ask.

“Yeah. Don’t worry; I’ve got him fully under control.”

I’m quiet a moment. “Would it help?” I finally ask.

“Would what help?”

I take a breath. “If you let him out. Would it help?”

“If I shifted?” he repeats in surprise.

“Yeah. That’s what I meant. If you shifted, would it help?”

“I don’t know,” he says honestly. “But shifting is the last thing I’ll let him do right now; I’m keeping him fully locked down.”

“Okay, but if you need to let him out, that would be okay.” I pause and try to find him in the darkness. “I mean, he wouldn’t hurt us, right?”