Chapter 15

The weight of Dawa in my arms was warm and solid, like holding a living space heater wrapped in too much energy for her size. She'd found me in the hallway outside Bella's room, and instead of letting go after our usual greeting, she'd just... stayed there. Clinging.

I didn't mind.

The scent trail was easy to follow — deep, earthy warmth laced with that faint honey-sweet undertone unique to bear shifters. I kept my steps steady, ignoring the occasional curious look from passing nurses. They smelled like antiseptic and fabric softener. The bear scent cut through everything else.

The door to their room was cracked. I nudged it open with my foot.

Dorji looked up first, his expression brightening the second he saw us. Maya's lips curved into the kind of smile you'd only give family. And in a way, maybe I was.

"Found her wandering the halls," I said casually.

Dorji's brow lifted with amusement. "Of course you did."

Maya gave me that knowing look — the one that said, You tracked her here, didn't you? — without saying a word.

Tenzin was propped up in bed, looking pale under the fever but watching me with those sharp, cub-bright eyes. His right arm was in a sling, bandaged under the hospital gown. Cubs always healed slower than adults, but they hated being reminded of it.

Dawa wriggled, and I adjusted my grip so she could turn and look at her brother. "Hi, Tenny," she said, voice already getting sleepy.

He gave her a soft grunt in return. For him, that was basically a hug.

I crossed the room to the empty chair by Tenzin's bed and sat, settling Dawa in my lap. She didn't move off me, just leaned back against my chest like she'd decided this was her spot for the day.

"You've been running in the woods again?" Dorji asked, settling back in his seat on the other side of the bed.

"Couple days ago," I said. "Snow makes it quieter out there."

Maya smirked. "Except for you."

I huffed a laugh. "Fair."

We talked in low voices — about nothing urgent, just the kind of filler conversation that made time stretch in a good way. Dawa occasionally added a comment, though her words were slowing down, each sentence shorter than the last.

Halfway through telling me about some "big tree" she'd found behind their cabin, her voice trailed off completely. I glanced down.

Out cold.

She'd tucked her face into my hoodie and had one tiny fist balled into the fabric like she thought I might disappear if she let go. Her breathing was slow and even, her hair tickling my chin.

"She doesn't do that for anyone but us," Maya said quietly.

I just nodded, adjusting my hold so her head was supported without waking her. "Guess I'm special."

From the bed, Tenzin shifted slightly, his eyes flicking from his sister to me. "She likes you," he muttered. It was almost shy — almost.

"I like her too," I said.

That earned me the tiniest huff that might've been agreement before he looked away again. Small progress.

After a while, Maya reached out to take Dawa. The cub made a soft protest in her sleep but didn't wake.

"I'll stop by in a few days," I told Dorji. "Bring some fruit. Maybe something sweet for her."

They both nodded, and I slipped out into the hallway again.

⸻

I was halfway back to Bella's room when voices caught my attention — not from inside, but farther down toward the reception area. Charlie's voice was unmistakable, edged with the kind of heat I'd only heard a handful of times.

"...You could've killed her," he was saying.

I rounded the corner just in time to see him glaring at Tyler, who looked like he'd been hit by a truck emotionally and possibly literally, judging from the way his shoulders hunched.

"I'm sorry, Chief Swan," Tyler stammered.

Charlie's voice sharpened. "Sorry doesn't cut it, kid. You need to pay attention behind the wheel. You could've—"

"Dad," I cut in, walking up casually. "You're gonna give the kid a heart attack."

Charlie shot me a look.

I tilted my head toward Tyler. "It's not like he planned to turn the parking lot into a skating rink. Ice happens. Especially in this town."

Charlie's jaw worked, but some of the steam leaked out of him. "He should've been more careful."

"Sure," I said lightly. "And you should cut him some slack unless you wanna be known as the Chief who makes high schoolers cry."

That got a small twitch at the corner of his mouth, but he turned back to Tyler with one last hard stare. "Watch yourself from now on."

Tyler nodded rapidly. "Yes, sir."

As we walked away, Charlie muttered, "You always gotta defend people?"

"Only when they didn't mean to almost crush my sister," I said with a half-smile.

He grunted, which was basically Charlie for fine, you win.

⸻

Bella was ready to leave when we got back. She was quiet in the truck on the ride home, staring out the window like she was replaying the accident in her head.

I didn't push. I just sat back, listening to the low rumble of the engine and the occasional crackle from the heater. But every now and then, I glanced at her out of the corner of my eye, making sure she was really okay.

Some things you just didn't leave to chance.