“Brother,” Issy sobs.
“Don’t worry. I’ll heal,” I assure them.
“This can’t be happening,” Rylee whispers, holding her hand over mine.
“It is quite a lot of blood,” I chuckle.
“Son,” Mom says softly.
“Carry him,” Rylee growls, looking at Heath. “Get him to the car.”
I bite my cheek as they lift me. My vision blurs, and I can’t focus on anything except keeping the cries of pain from emerging. I smell several shifters in the family, but can’t focus on their faces. I’m touched that they came to rescue me. My fox is releasing my healing magic. It will take some time, but I’ll heal fully.
“We’ll get rid of the body,” Bash says.
“My friend,” I mumble.
“Yeah,” he replies.
“Put him in the SUV,” Rylee orders.
I’m placed in the back, and she lets go of me and climbs beside me. She wraps her arm tight around the wound. The door shuts, and the next second we are moving.
“This isn’t the day I had in mind.” I stare at her mask-covered face hovering above me.
“The next one will be better.” Her eyes fill with tears, and I shake my head.
“Don’t, baby. Give me an hour…two tops. I’ll be ready to dance with you again.” I want to lift my arm to embrace her, but it won’t obey my commands.
“At a time like this,” she kisses my cheek, “you try to make me feel better.”
“There is never a wrong time to console you.”
“Ezra.” She presses her forehead against mine. “I feel your pain. You aren’t alright.”
“Yes, it’s painful.” I hiss as we hit a pothole. “My magic will ease it. Can you feel it working?”
“No.”
“I do. My fox won’t let me die.”
“Don’t even say it,” she says.
“Sorry, baby.” I close my eyes and breathe in her scent.
“Why did you goad him?”
“I heard you coming. He would have swung the sword at you.” Bode was moments away from noticing the crew coming through the door, and I knew Rylee would be first in line. I open my eyes.
“Fuck.” She pulls back and stares at me. “Always protecting me.”
“I won’t ever stop,” I rumble.
“I know.”
“My gorgeous mate went warrior on him. You found the mask.”
“I love it. I knew you would enjoy seeing it on me,” she says, and removes it.
