The dam breaks.I pull Taylor into my arms, letting her cry into my shoulder.
“I know.I know you were scared for her.You’ve both been through so much.You survived, though, and so did she.Nothing bad will happen to you again,” I promise her.“I’ve got you.”
She nods, crying into my neck.I hold her, letting her get it all out.I hate to see her upset, but I know the tears are mostly from relief and stress from the last few days.
We spend the rest of the day at Landry’s bedside.She wakes up briefly, and the sisters cry as they hug.Landry gives me a curious look, and I see Taylor blush.
“We’ll talk about him later,” she whispers.
I stare at my mate, wishing I could hear what she’s going to say to her sister.
I hover over Taylor, leaving only to make her tea or grab us something to eat.I can see the love between Taylor and Landry.They smile, their hands clinging to each other.Both of them are hoarse, but they whisper to each other.When that gets to be too much, I pass Taylor her phone and hand mine to Landry so they can type to each other.
I talk to Christian about when Landry will be discharged, but he wants to keep her for another day at least.
By the time the sun sets, both girls look exhausted.I need to get Taylor home so she can get some rest.
And so we can claim her,my wolf adds.
We’ll see.
“Mate, are you ready to head home?I think you could both use some rest.”
Taylor sighs, not looking thrilled to leave.
“We’ll be back first thing tomorrow morning.Hopefully, Landry will be cleared to leave, and we can all go home.”
The sisters hug goodbye.Landry tries to pass my phone back, but I shake my head.
“You keep it.In case you need to get in touch with us or get bored.”
She smiles, typing something and showing me the screen.
I like you.Don’t break my sister’s heart.
“Never,” I promise her.“Get some rest, kid.”
She rolls her eyes at the nickname, and I pat her head awkwardly before I take Taylor’s hand in mine and lead her out of the room.I open her car door for her, and as soon as I’m sitting behind the wheel, the mating heat hits me full force.I ignored it for most of the day because I was worried about Taylor and Landry, but now that we’re headed home, it’s all I can think about.
Bite her,my wolf growls.
I grit my teeth.We promised we would go at her pace, and we keep our promises to our mate.
I drive home, trying to ignore the pressing need to claim my mate.Taylor smiles happily out at the darkening sky, and I grip the steering wheel tighter so I don’t reach for her.
“Thank you,” she whispers, her voice sounding better.
“For what?Use your phone,” I order when she opens her mouth to answer me.
She rolls her eyes and turns to face me.“For everything.I’m so happy.”
“I would do anything for you, Taylor.Always.”
She nods, turning to stare out the windshield.
I wonder what she’s thinking… and how I’ll be able to make it through the night without giving in to the mating moon and claiming her.
EIGHT
