“Jacee? Honey, he’s going to be all right.”
Lifting her face, she saw Micah’s sister, Rowan. For some reason that made the tears fall faster, and she hugged the other woman tight as she tried to get her terror under control.
“This shouldn’t be happening to him,” Jacee rasped.
Rowan eased back and dashed away tears as well. “You already care for him.”
“I do. He’s important to me, and he doesn’t deserve this shit.”
“Then let’s get in there and make sure he gets well, huh?”
Jacee got out of the SUV and was aware of Nick getting her bag from the back as she walked inside with Rowan. For a hospital, the facility was beautiful, and she said so.
“Oh, it’s much more than a hospital. It’s a rehabilitation center for injured shifters or other paranormal beings who are having difficulty integrating into our world. Some are sick, but some need mental care as well.”
“It’s incredible.”
“Sure beats the old hospital and the jail cells in the main building—that’s for sure,” the other woman remarked. “Kira had a fit when she first saw them and the poor beings that were locked up inside. One of her rescues, Sariel, is a Fae prince who helps run Sanctuary now. You’ll meet him—well, all of them—sooner or later.”
Jacee tried to assimilate all of that, especially the Fae prince whom Micah had already told her some about. But her brain kept coming back to one thing. “Kira works here? She’s Jax’s mate, right?”
Rowan cut her a sharp look. “Is that going to be a problem? ’Cause I’ll tell you, we’ve got enough of them on our plate without you and Kira getting into a fight in the middle of the compound.”
“I’ve got no issue with either of them, and I’m sure Jax couldn’t care less about me as anything except maybe a friend. Eventually. Kira, I’m not so sure about. Everyone else probably thinks I’m just the slut who slept with one of their Pack bros.”
“Slut?” Rowan half laughed.
“Yeah, a slut. You know, a woman with the morals of a man.”
This time Rowan laughed outright. “That’s a good one.”
“I read that somewhere. Been waiting to use it.”
“Well, for what it’s worth, I don’t think that about you.”
“Thanks.”
“Besides, none of the men has room to talk. Did you know that before most of them mated, they used to take regular trips to Vegas to hook up and get their rocks off?” Rowan said as they got into the elevator.
Nick, Jacee noted, looked uncomfortable with the turn in the conversation. “Really?”
“Yep. Every one of these guys has seen more pussy than a judge at the Supreme Cat Show. Any one of them gives you shit, you remember that.”
Jacee snickered and decided she liked this woman. Maybe they would end up being friends. As they reached the third floor, however, she sobered and was attacked by nerves. They stepped out of the elevator, and she turned to her companions.
“What do I do now?”
“Mac has a room set aside for you to stay in—” Nick began.
“Wait a second. I’m staying with Micah, right? Why do I need my own room?” Rowan and Nick exchanged a glance and worry filled her. “What?”
Nick clarified the situation. “Micah doesn’t want you seeing him suffer while he’s going through withdrawal, so Mac is putting you in your own room.”
“Um, not only no, but fuck no!” Jacee yelled. Her coyote was already growling at the idea of being separated from her mate.
“You’ll be close by just in case—”
“With all due respect, Commander, what part of Fuck that stupid idea didn’t anyone understand? I’m staying with my mate, and I want to see him now!” Looking around, she raised her voice on that last part for the benefit of anyone listening. And there were a few people gathering. Especially the blond cutie Noah, who came running to smooth things over.