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With that, I storm out of the room and join the others in Nora’s bedroom. Time to fill them in on the plan so that we can figure out how best to help our girl.
* * *
“Who first?” Mal asks quietly.
“Me,” I say, unwilling to be second in this venture. I know I won’t win, but I can’t ignore the need within me to go first.
My lion is a needy bastard, and he likes to show off that he is King. We’re different in that regard—at least, I think so.
I walk over to where my mate is sitting on her bed and call her name. There’s no recognition in her eyes, no flitting smile, nothing. She just continues staring off into space, and it kills me.
I hate seeing her this way.
I sigh, and step back, turning to the group. There’s surprise on Malachi’s face, a bit of smugness from Devoss, and the others are either upset or hiding their emotions.
We’re a fucking mess.
“Mal,” I command when nobody volunteers to go next, and the tiger steps forward. The usual swagger in his steps, the confidence that seems to pulse out of his aura without his permission, is lacking.
He’s wary, and it shows.
“Nora,” he murmurs, going as far as to cup her cheek in an attempt to jolt her out of this with a physical connection. We wait a beat, but other than her missing a breath, she doesn’t react.
I’m not ruling him out because he got more of a reaction than I did, but I’m not sure this is going to be enough for George to help her.
Mal sighs, and I pat his arm in consolation as his brother takes his spot in front of our mate.
“Hey there, pretty girl,” Micah murmurs, his tone shaky and weak.
I hope, for both his sake and Nora’s, that he’s not the one to break her out of hiding. His eyes are puffy from all of the crying, and the splotchiness of his face would do nothing more than make her worry. Fin is right—our emotions are not hers to bear. Not right now.
“Can you push past your wolf and come out?” Micah continues. “We’re all getting a little worried.”
She doesn’t move, though, and Micah sniffles as he steps away. Mal pulls him in for a hug, and I watch as the brothers resort to silent conversation to reassure each other.
I’m glad that we can rely on each other when things are this bleak. Nurturing the bonds we share as pack mates is vital to helping nurture the bonds we share with Nora.
“Come on, little mouse, open those beautiful eyes for me,” Devoss murmurs, taking Micah’s place. He trails his fingers down her face, but she doesn’t do anything.
We’re waiting for a spark, some kind of recognition… any kind of response. Mal’s currently in the lead, but it’s not by much.
If that’s the kind of connection we’re relying on, I’m terrified.
When nobody else moves forward, I turn to scrutinise the two remaining males. Neither Griffin nor Orson seem ready to try, both lost in their own grief.
Fuck.
I sigh and nod towards Griffin. I know Orson is struggling, so, hopefully, Fin can connect with Nora, and he doesn’t need to try.
“Baby girl, I don’t know what you’re remembering, but I’d love it if you would let me in,” Griffin says. “You don’t need to do this alone. Your pack is here waiting for you.”
He stays there, mirroring her slow breathing, trying to connect with her in a way the rest of us haven’t, but it’s futile.
She’s happy hiding away in her mind.
I hate myself for this. I hate that I’ve caused this. That I’ve lowered myself to the same level of Kennedy.
She deserves better.
