“I know, it was a surprise attack. I’m going to take some pain reliever and go to bed.” I exhale shakily. “You should call the others and tell them not to come.”
“Hold on. I’m coming.”
“That would be great.” I slowly lower the phone.
“Hang up,” Jenica hisses, and I do.
“You don’t have to do this,” I say softly, but I know she’s not thinking rationally.
“I can’t be alone again,” she whines.
“I can help you.”
“Give me your phone,” she demands, and I hold it out.
“Throw it,” she says, and I toss it toward the living room. “Good.” We stare at each other, and I see the resolution come over her face and body. “I’ll be happy. They’ll forget about you when they don’t find you. I’ll bury you in the woods, and no one will know.”
“Wait,” I swallow hard, holding out my hand. An awareness comes over me a second before Rylee rushes through the door and stops in front of me.
“Who the fuck are you?” Rylee growls, shielding me.
“My other pen pal,” I whisper.
“Jenny?” Rylee asks, tilting her head.
“It’s Jenica!” she screams.
“You’re pointing a gun at my best friend,” Rylee states.
“Fuck,” Jenica hisses. “You’ll have to die too.”
Everything happens too fast to react. Rylee lunges forward, just as the gun fires. Her body thrashes, but she doesn’t stop, shifting, she attacks Jenica, and they both go down. Rylee opens her mouth and uses her long teeth to tear her throat out. I’m frozen, my stomach clenching painfully. Jenica’s arms twitch, and then she lies still, her neck gaping, blood gushing from the wound.
“Rylee,” I cry, rushing forward as she falls to the side. “No. No.” I blink rapidly, hoping the blood on the fox’s coat is from Jenica. “Rylee, please.” I press my hand to her side. “You have to heal. Do it now.” I meet her eyes. Her beautiful yellow-gold eyes filled with pain. “Don’t even think about leaving me. I won’t allow it.” I press harder, her blood oozing between my fingers. “What do I do? I don’t know what to do.” I brush my tears from my cheeks. “We’re going to grow old together. Who’s going to teach me how to live in this world? You have to heal, Rylee. Why aren’t you healing? Please. I need you.” She whines low. “No. You aren’t dying. What’s so good about being a shifter if you can’t heal from a bullet wound? Hold on. I have to call them. My mates will know what to do.” I start to move back, but she closes her eyes, and I’m afraid to leave her for even a second. “I know you. I’m sure you called everyone, so we just have to wait.” I use both hands. “This is too much blood.” I lean over her and press my forehead to hers. “You have always saved me, so I need to save you. I don’t know what to do, though.” Her eyes close. “Open your eyes. Do. Not. Leave. Me.”
“What the fuck?” Breeane’s voice comes from behind us.
“Haven, the guys are coming,” Daisy says.
“You have to help her,” I whisper, lifting my head.
“We will.” Breeane crouches beside us. “Who is she?” She looks at Jenica.
“She came to kill me,” I say, glancing at the still body. “Rylee protected me.” I look at Daisy as she moves around the dead body. “She can’t die.”
“She won’t,” Daisy says softly.
“Why isn’t she healing?” I ask.
“It takes time.” Breeane brushes my hair back.
“The doctor is coming.” I look over my shoulder at Sally. She slowly walks toward us, and it’s the first time I’ve seen her face without humor.
“She’ll be fine, right, Sally?” I ask, and she shakes her head.
“Yeah, sugar,” she says, but I know she’s lying. “She’ll be fine.”
“You’re lying.” She meets my eyes.
