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The Jello squeezes past the restriction in my throat as other memories flood back. Of Ros falling through the window, and Haut’s voice saying that Ros’s throat had been ripped out.
“How is Ros?” I choke out.
Delilah offers me a shaky smile. “Luckily, he’s a vampire, and Owen found him in time. With enough blood, he’ll heal, but he can’t talk right now.”
Relief sweeps through me. Drake hadn’t been so lucky, and neither had Tom Arnold. Both of them were mauled by an animal, but also drained of their blood. It’s too much of a coincidence that Bryant reappeared at the same time. He has to be linked to these attacks.
Leaving both bodies near the places in town where I spend the most time is some kind of twisted message for me. He wants me to know I’m not safe here, even surrounded by a magical barrier and my powerful mates. He can still get to me.
“Is she awake?” Haut’s quiet question precedes him into the room.
When he sees me sitting up in bed, relief washes over his stern features, and he rushes over to gather me into his arms.
The IV tugs at my arm, and I let out a pained protest.
“Sorry.” He eases his hold but doesn’t step back.
Instead, he rubs his scruffy cheeks over my face, scent-marking me like a dog.
“Stop,” I protest. “I already stink.”
He snuffles around my ears. “You really do.”
The blunt agreement makes me smile, and I let him continue to sniff and rub against me until he licks my ear.
That earns him a weak smack with my good arm.
His head lifts, and he rumbles at me in offense.
“Shave before you give me beard burn, you bad wolf.” My stomach rumbles again, and I turn my head toward Delilah, opening my mouth.
She dutifully spoon-feeds me more Jello.
“Here, I can do that.” Without waiting for a response, Haut snatches the little cup and spoon from her.
Delilah pushes the wheeled table over my lap. “There’s ice water, too.”
Haut grunts and sits on the edge of my bed, feeding me one spoonful at a time until he scrapes the cup empty. Then he holds the water cup to my lips, demanding I take small sips until my teeth hurt and my mouth goes numb.
Once he’s satisfied, he pushes the small table away, banishing the plastic cups from view.
Eating left me tired, but I struggle to keep my eyes open. I’m afraid that if I fall asleep again, I’ll lose more days.
Tension tightens Haut’s features as he reaches out to touch the side of my throat. “You still smell like that vampire. I don’t like it.”
Bryant’s face flashes through my mind, my blood on his lips.
“Zane saved her life,” Delilah murmurs.
“Which is the only reason he’s still alive,” Haut growls. “Every fiber in my being wants to kill him for bonding with her.”
“No!” I reach out to grab Haut’s arm. “You can’t hurt Zane.”
“This is what I mean.” His lips peel back. “You don’t even know him, but you’re protecting him.”
I open my mouth, then close it, unable to deny his words. While logic tells me Zane is only a casual acquaintance, a deeper part of me senses him nearby and wants to make sure he’s okay.
It feels similar to the bond I share with Barron, Jesse, and Abony. Like Zane is someone I’ve known all my life, and I cherish him as part of my chosen family.
