Cole plants himself between me and Nero, an immovable object radiating alpha authority. The claiming bond with Tink pulls at my chest, urging me closer to her while my instincts scream to maintain distance from the dominant alpha. Medical training wars with wolf biology. Tink senses the territorial standoff, her unseeing eyes wide with panic as she presses herself against the metal bed rails, the scratchy hospital blanket clutched to her chin with one hand while the other's thumb remains ...