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“How long have I been asleep?” I look around, but can’t find my phone or other way to tell the time and it’s still dark outside.

“Half an hour, at most.” He leans closer, kissing my cheek. “You should go back to sleep. At least one of us should get some sleep, so someone can keep everything running tomorrow.” He lets out a soft laugh.

“I can’t. We’ve got too much to do. I just...” I glance to the room with the kids, though mentally, I’m in the rooms behind it, the rooms where Luca’s family is staying.

“Do you have family out there?” The words slip from my lips.

Jorge stills, his gaze guarded.

“I’m sorry. Never mind. You don’t have to answer.” My heart races.

I hadn’t planned on asking about it, since none of us really talk about our families. We all have less-than-great relationships with them, alive or otherwise.

“No. It’s fine. I grew up in the area, so I see my family from time to time. When we pass each other by on the streets, things like that. But that’s it.” He lets out a long breath, his pheromones filling with something heavy, not so much pain but sadness. “I don’t talk to them. Not voluntarily, anyway.”

I understand that feeling. I’ve not spoken to anyone from my parents’ pack since I left.

Luckily, we’ve not been anywhere that I could accidentally run into them, so I’ve not had to think about them much. But by now, I also have no need to be in contact with them.

After forcing me to marry Hubert and then not stepping in when he sent people after us, which they were fully aware of… They lost any rights to be considered my family.

“You should try to get some more sleep.” Jorge plays with his fingers over my shoulder, his touch soft.

“I can’t.” I sit up and look at the ball of shirts in my lap. “We have too much to do. I can’t sleep now.” We have so much to do that I’m trained for, unlike Jorge or Luca…

“The kids are asleep. I think at least one of us should stay on a sleeping schedule with them so that someone is awake enough to look after them.” He smiles at me.

“Sounds like a perfect task for you.” I grin back, grabbing his shoulder to get up, but he wraps his arms around my waist and pulls me into his lap, making me quickly cover my mouth with my hands so that my squeak doesn’t wake the kids up.

He nips at my shoulder, letting out a rolling laugh. “I was thinking we could do it together.”

I shake my head. “I’m sorry. I’d love to, but my skills are needed for other things. I think it would be best if Luca and you look after the kids. Luca can’t be around me, but he’s also the only adult they know.”

I glance to where Luca and his family are staying, trying to keep my heart under control, my tears. It feels unnatural, not being able to be close to my mate. It takes over my whole brain, making it hard to think of anything else.

“He’s not in the rooms with his family, he’s in the hallway.” Jorge’s voice is careful. “He’s sitting in the hallway right outside the kids’ room, because he can’t be away from you. When I checked on him, he asked me to bring you his shirt.”

Jorge holds me in his arms, keeping me close, his pain at seeing our distress making my tears even worse.

I wish I could drag Luca over here and hide him in my nest.

Hide him in the nest until everything is over.

Until his pain is gone and everything is good again.

I wish I could take his broken pieces and heal him, make him whole again.

But right now, I only bring him more pain.

Being around me hurts him, and I don’t want that.

So, no matter how much it goes against my own feelings, my own instincts, I need to let him keep his distance as much as he needs.

Jorge stands up and puts me on my feet, wrapping Luca’s shirt around my shoulders. He lets out a soothing rumble that vibrates through his chest, instinctively making me lean against him more.

I want my whole pack together, everyone in the nest at the same time. But I have a feeling that that might take a while.

Until then, I’ll have to stay strong and be patient.