“Laikyn, what the fuck is going on?”
“Kellen,” my voice breaking. All my strength gave out on that one word, and then my world began to spin.
“It’s alright. I’ve got you.” Kellen’s scent and arms enclosed me in their familiar warmth. “Where did you come from?” I tried to think past the pain in my arm, but the burning sensation became worse than anything I’d ever experienced.
“My arm…hurts.” My mate looked at the bleeding mess.
“Who did this?” He brought his nose close to the oozing wound. A deep growl rumbled from his chest. “I will kill the bastard.”
“Please, take me to the clinic, and I’ll show you how to help me.” I couldn’t raise my hand even as I tried to caress his cheek.
“Call the Fey woman back,” Kellen ordered. In his usual commanding way, the big bad Alpha wasn’t stopping to realize he could reach out with his mind. I wished I had the strength to try myself, but the amount of energy I’d spent getting away from the vampire was more than I had ever used.
“Call Damien and Lucas. Tell them he’s here. Please,” I begged.
“Xan, call the asshats. Their numbers,” Kellen stopped speaking. I couldn’t see Xan, but through mine and Kellen’s link, I felt the other man reaching out to Kellen. Again, I wished my body weren’t so weak. Never in my entire life had I been so drained.
“Why is this cut draining me so?” I blinked up at Kellen.
We reached the small area set up for injured members. “I’d say it’s due to you moving from one place to another like you did, the way Jennaveve does. We are shifters with a touch of Fey, so it’s more taxing on us than them. Now, let me look at your wound, and order me around, Mon Chaton. This will be what we call your free pass.”
I saw the strain around his eyes and wanted to ease it. “I’m going to be fine. Truly.”
After pointing out the different things he needed to clean my wound, Kellen and I sat on the large bed while we waited for Xan to arrive. I explained how I’d fallen asleep in his office, only to wake in the forest. He cleansed the wound, flinching each time I did, making me aware how much it pained him to see me hurt.
“Close your eyes, baby. Nobody will take you away on my watch.”
My body wouldn’t allow me to, even with Kellen’s large body next to mine. The grating voice and red eyes looming out at me kept my body tense and awake. “I can’t.” I squeezed his hand.
Kellen lay down, pulling me onto his chest. “Open your mind to me. I promise, ain’t nobody or anything gonna mind fuck you again.”
The soothing growl—and yes, I thought all his tones were wonderful, but when he got angry on my behalf, I loved it even more. “I love you.” I yawned. With my mate firmly in my head, his presence soothing the wounds of my mind, I found it easy to let go.
I kept my anger hidden behind a wall of steel, being sure only love poured forth, shielding Laikyn in comfort. Xan’s light steps, along with his mate’s, came to me long before they entered.
“Laikyn is sleeping. Did you get hold of the Cordell brothers?” I asked Xan through our link.
“They will be here shortly. They have a private jet.” Xan’s grunt of disapproval through our link made me smile.
“They’re old as fuck, of course, they have a jet.” I had no hard feelings toward the twins. Well, not much since my mate didn’t want either man.
“You two can quit talking with your inside voices. I’m awake and feel much better.” Laikyn looked up at me.
I kept her from sliding off me with a firm hand on her rounded ass, much to her dismay. “Stay,” I murmured.
“Kellen, you have things to do, and so do I. We can’t just lie around. Besides, I need to pee.”
Xan laughed. “I don’t think you can do that for her, big guy.”
“I’ll carry you.” I sat up with Laikyn in my arms.
She growled. “You will do no such thing.” She pointed to the door not five feet from us. “I’ll be right through there. What do you think could happen? Besides, I’m awake and prepared. Iknow what happened now. I realize why he was able to get to me. It won’t happen again.”
“Breezy, go with her. And no arguments. I know you women always go to the bathroom together, so it’s no hardship.” I let Laikyn slide down my body, ignoring my hard-on. The damn thing was in a constant state of arousal around my woman.
Xan shrugged. “It’s true. We’ve studied the phenomenon of you females and still don’t understand why you go in groups to the ladies’ room. Now, go on and make it quick. My wolf doesn’t like you out of its sight right now.”
“Aw, you are such a sweet talker. Tell your wolf my wolf says she loves him, too.” Breezy kissed Xan before grabbing Laikyn’s hand.
