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Waiting for the call to connect feels like eternity as my hand clenches at my side. I don’t like lying to the others, and this secret weighs heavily on my shoulders. Maybe after today things can finally be brought into the light.
“Hello,” a feminine voice on the other end says as the call connects.
“It’s me,” I reply, “It’s time, or at least it should be. Emotions are running high here. And the unformed bonds are straining. If we’re going to do anything, it needs to be soon.”
“Not yet, we’re not ready.”
“Do you hear what I’m saying? If you’re gonna act, it needs to be sooner rather than later. Preferably before the bonds are fully set.”
A bang echoes from inside, and I spin around in time to watch as a very unsettled Cree rushes through the swinging front door and down the hall in the direction of Riley. My brows furrow as I strain to listen, wondering if there’s something wrong, completely ignoring the litany of excuses from the other end.
Abruptly, I cut her off. “Listen, I've gotta go, just think about what I said.” I quickly hang up the phone and stuff it in my back pocket.
“Is she okay?” Cree’s growl echoes off the walls as I slide the balcony door open and step through.
“She’s better, more settled. Her pain has lessened greatly, and her wolf is getting stronger. She’s … resting,” Reed’s sleep-filled voice replies, laced with a sense of calm that only an alpha of his strength can project.
Peeking down the hall, I watch as Reed’s words and stillness penetrate Cree’s worry. His stance visibly relaxes, his shoulders dropping in relief. I nod to myself; the worst of the withdrawals are past her. It’s up to her to decide where she goes now, but at least she can make that decision with a clear mind.
Chapter 18
RILEY
I wake with a groan and wince. My head is pounding, and my entire body is throbbing in pain. A rancid smell invades my nose, souring my stomach and causing me to gag. The light is blinding on the other side of my closed eyelids. I open my mouth to ask them to shut off the fucking light, only nothing comes out. I lift my hand to cover my eyes to express the pain the light is causing, but I’m not sure the gesture is communicating the way I envision it. I feel a bit like that mermaid that turned human during that one scene when she was trying to explain to the dipshit prince that she lost her fucking voice to the sea witch. Waving hands and gesturing to herself. Right up to that point when she blows out a breath in defeat. A sigh of frustration rushes from my lungs as I give up my uncoordinated attempts at communication.
Suddenly, the light is gone, and a warm hand covers mine over my eyes. “Hey, sweetheart. I’m glad to see you’re awake. I’ve got a glass of water here for you. Think you can take a few sips for me?” Axel, my sweet, lighthearted Axel…. You are a God among men.
Wait … Did he just say water? Water, oh, gods, sweet fucking water, give it to me. I try to show my enthusiasm at the idea of drinking but am sluggish to move. My eyes slowly open, and I attempt to sit up, but exhaustion mixed with the sharp stabbing pain that lances through my abdomen when I move keeps me firmly in place.
A warm arm slides under my shoulders and hauls me upright, holding me in place as their body slides behind mine to act as a prop. I know that warm and solid body now—Cree. My head lolls back against him, and I manage a low hum of approval before a straw is placed to my lips. They part of their own volition, ready to greedily suck up with the cool liquid. It takes a moment to work up the energy to suck on the straw and draw the sweet water into my mouth and down my throat. But once I start, there’s no stopping until the glass is emptied of every last drop. A choking cough racks my body when I try to speak.
Cree leans me forward and rubs a large hand up and down my back until my lungs clear, and I manage a weak, harsh, “Thank you.”
Cree pulls me back against him, and my eyes fix on Axel as he smiles at us. “Anything you need, little wolf,” Cree whispers against my temple before placing a kiss there.
“We're going to start a warm shower for you. Help you get cleaned up and out of those soiled clothes. Okay? You’ll feel much better after.” Axel, again being the soothing nurturer that he is, tells me. “Reed, can you change the bedding while Cree and I take her to clean up?” I can’t make out Reed’s grumbled reply clearly, he sounds like he’s in another room a million miles away. But it sounded something like, “As if you have to fucking ask.” Axel doesn’t even dignify that with a response, my pacifist.
“Where’s Enzo and Wild?” I ask, my voice clearing a little more as I look around the room.
I want to explore that playful energy Wild has about himself. Then there’s the nagging feeling in the back of my mind that I’ve met him before, but I just can’t place it. And Enzo. He’s got an intensity to him that causes shivers to run up my spine and my core to clench. There was an instant connection that formed, a trust between us—at least on my side. Like he understands a side of me that usually turns others away. He understands why I run because I think he’s running, too. For reasons I don’t yet understand but am determined to figure out.
“I’m out here, darling, and Enzo is ... ouch. Will you guys fucking stop smacking me in the back of the head,” Wild exclaims from another room. I can’t help it; I giggle hearing Wild’s protest. Poor Wild.
“I’m here,” Enzo grumbles.
Here. I gasp at the sound of my wolf in my head.
You’re here still. I reassure myself I wasn’t hearing things.
Of course. Silly girl.
Glad to hear your sense of humor is still intact. I’m so sorry for what I put us through. I promise you, I will never do this to us again. Tears leak from my eyes. I could have lost my wolf because of my choices. Between denying her for so long and indulging in the heavy drugs, I could have killed her, and ultimately, me as well. But to hear her now means we’re healing, and we’re going to be all right.
“Riley, what’s wrong?” Cree asks, his arms tightening around me.
“Nothing. Honestly, nothing,” I giggle on a hiccupping cry. “It’s just … my wolf. She’s here. She’s okay. We’re gonna be okay.”
“Of course, you’re going to be okay—both of you,” Cree hums against my temple.
