“I’ll take you to him,” Kim offers.
We follow in Calix’s wake as he trails behind Kim. She’s not rushing, but she’s not wasting time either. It doesn’t really give me much time to look around and admire all the mansion’s splendor, but I don’t really care to, either. However, what doesn’t go unnoticed is the amount of people milling about. Even in a house this big, it feels overfull. Gunnar is walking so close to me that our arms keep brushing.
After several minutes—and many hallways—Kim stops in front of a set of large, wooden double doors. She tips her ear toward the entry, listening, then lightly taps her knuckle against the wood before turning the knob right after not waiting for a reply. Calix’s steps falter, but he recovers quickly as he makes his way into the room behind Kim.
As I cross the threshold, I feel a wave of agony lash out as if it’s looking for a new host. My eyes are immediately drawn to a large, prone figure draped half on and half off a couch. His head is back, and his eyes are closed—he’s passed out if I’m not mistaken. Yet the furrow in his brow is deep, as if he may be experiencing a bad dream. I let my eyes continue over him, examining the creature that is the source of so much pain. His long, grayish hair is matted and unkempt, and his clothes are wrinkled and stained, but I don’t see any evidence of a wound.
“What the fuck is going on here?” Calix turns to face Kim. His lips are pulled back in a sneer. The man on the couch doesn’t even twitch, but Kim does. I watch as she forces herself to look at the man. Her shoulders fall a little, but she pulls herself together and stands tall against Calix.
The door gently closes, drawing my attention to Grim as he comes up to my side.
“This is Alpha Torin. He recently lost his mate to childbirth, and he’s… struggling.” She seems to be having a hard time putting her thoughts into words as well. It’s clear she cares for this man.
I take another look at him, this time opening myself to see his aura. “Oh, my,” I breathe. Torin isbroken. His aura is in tatters, and it’s barely being held together with wisps of red and black. I nudge my way past Grim and Gunnar, only to find Calix in my path. I place my palm over his chest, and he reluctantly lets me move past him. I take a seat on the edge of the sofa, near the alpha’s hip. Being this close to him is like standing outside in the middle of a thunderstorm. The air is charged with angry energy just looking for a place to go.
“This isn’t an issue that needs mediation. He’s grieving.” Calix keeps his eyes on me, but he’s speaking to Kim.
“It will be three months in four days. His mourning period is almost over.” Kim’s tone is flat, but somehow it still resonates with pain. “Every day that passes, more of the pack show up here. They need their leader. Several have already expressed concern. If they challenge him…”
“He’ll die.” I run my hand over his knotted hair, and he still doesn’t stir.
Kim sucks in a breath as if my words are too much to hear, even though I know they are the same words she was thinking. “Why are you touching him?” She steps closer to me, but Grim moves into her path. “He would never be part of” —her lips lift in a disgusted sneer— “whatever this fucked-up shit is.” She sends her judgmental gaze over all four of us.
“Honey, I know you’re hurting, but don’t insult my mates again.” My voice is firm. I feel a lot more sympathy toward her than I did before, but that only goes so far. “You think I want another man? Three is enough, even for me, plus I got the perfect lot.” I lift my hand in an invitation for Kim to look at them.
She doesn’t take me up on the offer, but I don’t take offense. Grim moves away from Kim and comes to my side. “He’s begging for death.” As soon as Grim speaks, Torin fights to open his eyes. Instead of seeing Grim, his weary gaze lands on me first.
There’s relief in those dark brown orbs, and only the tiniest thread of fear. I stroke his hair again. “Finally,” he croaks, making it clear he hasn’t used his voice in a long while as he leans into my touch.
“Alpha?” Kim reverently whispers, as if she can’t believe he spoke. Torin closes his eyes again, exhaustion already pulling him under.
I reach out and slap the man’s cheek. His eyes snap back open. “Wakey wakey, Wolfy,” I singsong. The corners of his mouth turn down in a frown, and Kim gasps as if I’ve committed the ultimate sin.
“Wolfy?” Torin grumbles.
“Hi there, I’m Dami!” I introduce myself as he blinks at me. After a few seconds, he looks up and notices Grim at my side. He makes a move to sit up, but he just ends up sliding back over, so I help him adjust.
“Don’t touch him,” Kim spits.
Her voice draws Torin’s attention. He looks around again, and this time I think he actually sees that there are several people in the room. “What is this?” His eyes come back to me, but now they hold suspicion instead of salvation.
“It’s time for you to shit or get off the pot, Wolfy.” I purse my lips in sympathy.
“What the fuck does that mean?” Torin growls at me, and it makes me smile. It’s the first bit of actual life I’ve seen from him.
“How about you go take a shower?” I pinch my nose, indicating that I think he stinks. “Then we can talk all about it.”
“Who are you?” he asks incredulously.
“She is no one, Alpha,” Kim starts.
I click my tongue. “You know, I’ve just about had it with your attitude. Sit down and shut up!” Kim slides backward, carried on an unseen wind. Her arms reach out as she tries to catch herself, but it’s no use. Her calves hit the back of an empty chair and she drops like a deadweight. It’s the first time since I sent the guys flying out my front door that I’ve used that sort of power, and it wasn’t even intentional.
I drop my gaze back to Torin. “I think she means well, but damn, she’s fucking annoying.” Torin’s eyes narrow as he looks me over again. “Do you need help getting to the shower?” I ask, before he demands I get the hell away from him. Gunnar growls in disapproval, so he’s the one I volunteer to help. “Kitten can help you.”
“Is this a dream, or am I really losing my mind?” Torin searches everyone’s faces, and when he finally focuses on Calix, I see realization dawn on his features. He glares over at Kim, but he looks away quickly as if he’s sickened by what he sees. Kim lowers her head in shame.
Calix takes that as his cue to step in. He crouches next to the sofa, placing a hand on my thigh. “We just want to help.”
