Wolf's Holiday by Rebecca Royce

disconnected the phone. She wasn’t going to argue with Drew when there was nothing to fight about. Not anymore.
    They were both doing the best they could.
    It was the time of year to be grateful, not snippy. She grabbed the discarded gift from the ground and walked to the window when the car came to a stop.
    “I have never been so happy to see anyone as I am the two of you.”
    A very pregnant Xio raised an eyebrow. “You all right?”
    “I got hit by a motorcycle. Can I get a ride?”
    Xan’s eyes widened. “Jump in.”
    “Thanks.”
    Things were really looking up.
     
    ***
     
    She limped and favored her right shoulder when she moved. His heart fell into his stomach. What. The. Fuck. Had. Happened?
    Drew stormed to the center of town and took his mate’s hand the moment she exited the vehicle. Without a word, led her toward their small house. He was gentle, even though what he really wanted to do was put her over his shoulder and spank her ass.
    “Hi,” she said after a minute. “I’m okay. You don’t need to be worried. I know I scared you. I’m sorry.”
    He didn’t stop his trek. “I’m getting the healers to take a look at you at home.”
    “Nothing the shift won’t cure. Seriously, I jammed by shoulder and my left ankle is sore. I don’t have any internal injuries. I would tell you if I wasn’t okay.”
    They reached their door, and he swung it open. He still didn’t know what had happened to her. All he knew was it felt good to have her home, inside his pack and within the four walls they shared together. She’d gotten hurt for the third time in days. Enough was enough.
    “Sit.” He pointed to the chair, and she did as he instructed. She was being really quiet. Not a good sign. Maybe she was hurt worse than she realized. “What happened to you?”
    “The car broke down. I decided to hoof it, and I got hit by a motorcycle.”
    His heart quit beating for a second. “I’m getting the healers.”
    “Drew, I was an ass. I’m sorry. I’ll keep saying it. My heart was in the right place.”
    “Save it, B. I’m getting you looked at.” He grabbed his phone. Leaving her wasn’t an option. What if she died while he went for help? He had lost his mother this way. Betty dying couldn’t—wouldn’t—take place. Not ever.
    She grabbed his arm. “Drew. Listen to me. I know how my getting hurt the way I did has to be making you feel. You wouldn’t like it if I just fell down. Getting hit the way your mom did has to be making you nuts. Bringing up all kinds of things. I would never be flippant about my health. I know what it would do to you. Okay? I get it. I’m telling you, and please listen to me, I’m fine.”
    He tried to breathe. She did sound sure, and she didn’t smell of death. He couldn’t smell any blood. Drew walked in front of her and placed his forehead against hers. The contact helped, and he could really breathe her in. Okay. She smelled…right.
    Small injury. He closed his eyes. “Tell me something.”
    “Anything, sweetheart.”
    She was really being affectionate. First the “I love you” over the phone. Now the sweetheart. What was going on?
    He opened his eyes. “Were you leaving me? Because of the baby conversation? Did you take off from pack land without telling anyone where you were going since you can’t forgive me?”
    While he had stood on the roof calling over and over again, a million had thoughts pounded on him. That had been the worst.
    She took his cheeks in her hands, cupping his face. “No. I’ll never leave. Okay. Never. Ever. Ever. I love you.”
    “You keep saying that.”
    She smiled. “And that’s a bad thing why?”
    “Not bad. Just different.” He sighed. His blood pressure must be lowering. He could think again. “What were you doing?”
    “Hold on.”A brown package was in her pants’ pocket, and she gave it to him.
    “What’s this?” He looked down at the object.
    “A gift. For you. Open it.” B leaned back in the