I woke with a start, my heart pounding as I instinctively reached for the bassinet beside our bed. My fingers found the edge, and I lifted myself up on my elbow, wincing at the lingering soreness in my body.
The bassinet was empty.
For a terrifying second, panic seized me—then I heard Kaelen's deep voice from across the room, speaking in hushed, gentle tones I'd never heard before.
"That's right, little warrior. Your mother needs her rest. You and I are going to have some man-to-man time while she sleeps."
I turned to see my massive Alpha mate cradling our tiny son against his bare chest, pacing slowly by the window. Early morning light filtered through the curtains, casting them in a golden glow. Rhys looked impossibly small in Kaelen's large hands, yet perfectly secure.
"How long have I been asleep?" I asked, my voice still rough with sleep.
