---- My best friend, Anna Campbell, was sitting nearby. The moment she saw me regaining consciousness, her face lit up with relief. "My dear, you're finally awake. If you'd stayed unconscious any longer, those two devils of yours were about to tear this place apart. " Ryder and Darren always knew their limits. I wasn't worried about that. Instead, my hand instinctively moved to my belly, anxiety flashing in my eyes as I looked at Anna. She understood immediately. "Don't worry. You and the pup are both perfectly fine. You fainted from the shock and the pain from your wound, but there's no serious harm. "Hailey's beyond vicious to even think of attacking a pup." The moment Darren was mentioned, the sense of relief I'd just felt vanished, and my heart leapt into my throat again. I hurriedly asked, "How's Darren?" Perhaps from being unconscious too long, my voice ---- came out hoarse and dry, and I couldn't stop coughing. Anna quickly brought a glass of water to my lips and gently patted my back. "Relax. Darren is perfectly fine. Drink slowly, or you'll choke. Next time, please don't be so reckless, rushing in to shield him like that. "There were so many guards. Do you really think they wouldn't be able to protect Darren?" I managed to stop coughing and took a deep breath, the lingering fear still tightening my chest. "I was just so scared he'd get hurt." "But there really wasn't a need for you to worry. Darren inherited Ryder's sharp instincts and intelligence. He's much more capable than you give him credit for." Inodded in agreement, then thought of how alike Ryder and Darren were in the way they handled things. I couldn't help but ask, "Where did they go?" Anna immediately perked up, her voice full of excitement. "Obviously off to get revenge for you! I ---- wanted to give those people a piece of my mind, too, but someone had to stay and look after you, so here I am. "With the way your mate and Darren handle it, trust me, they won't even need my help." I was amused. "Oh? Are you saying staying here with me is such a regret?" Anna looked at me helplessly and gave my cheek a gentle pinch. "You nearly scared me to death, and you still have the nerve to joke around. When I got there, you were already unconscious. "The place was a mess, and I had to piece together what happened from other people. Your precious Darren was so terrified. His little face went completely pale. "And your mate? His expression looked like he wanted to murder everyone who laid a finger on you. If you hadn't been hurt, I swear he might've snapped Hailey's neck on the spot. "After you were taken to the treatment room, Darren