Page 60 of Virtually Guarded

“I’ll be downstairs.” Dr. Gumendo looked toward Xavier. “I’ll inform the Anax that Ren is able to talk. He might have questions.”

“That’s up to Ren,” Xavier said.

“Of course.” The doctor flashed another smile at me and left.

Xavier stuck his hands in his pockets. “You’re awake.”

“Pretty sure we sorted that out already.” I held out my hand. “Please sit down. I need to…” My voice caught, and tears filled my eyes again. “You’re not…I’m sorry.”

“I need you to stop saying that.” He came back to his seat on the edge of the bed and took my hand. “I’m not upset. Not at you. Upset at myself for not going after you, absolutely. Furious as hell with the asshole who hurt you, but he’s gone, so being angry with him does nothing. You, though? I’m just thankful you’re okay. The doctor wasn’t sure you would be.”

The tears ran down my cheeks, and I brushed them away with my free hand. “He wasn’t?”

“What do you remember?” He shook his head. “No. Don’t answer. I don’t want to upset you more than you already are.”

I answered anyway. “I ran. I don’t know where I was going. The hunt house, maybe? I ended up in Revere, I think. And he was there. He grabbed me.” I started shaking, and my voice grew thick. “He said it was my fault. He got kicked out of his pack, and it was my fault. He…” I touched my head. I couldn’t say the rest.

“He told the Anax that he was ejected.” Xavier’s expression hardened. “Just before the Anax ended him.”

Relief and fear flooded me, and I wasn’t sure which one I felt more strongly. “I’m glad he’s dead. Is that bad?”

“Gods, no.” He squeezed my hand. “I am too. The Anax was furious that you were hurt.”

“I still am.” The Anax strode into the room.

Xavier quickly let go of my hand and stood. “Anax.”

“Xavier, please sit.” The Anax looked at me with a compassionate smile. “Both of you, please use my name. I’m too tired to deal with titles today. Ren, honestly, how are you feeling?”

“Honestly, I don’t know.” I looked down at my hands. Xavier plopped back down and put his hand on both of mine. The gesture steadied me. “My head hurts. Doctor Gumendo said it shouldn’t hurt as much as it does, but he said it might get better over the day. I don’t want to remember what happened.”

“I’d appreciate it if you would talk to Suzannah about it,” Tobias said. “Trust me when I say something like this shouldn’t be held in. You’ll need help, and you’ll have it if you’re willing.”

“Thank you, A—Tobias.” I met Xavier’s gaze. The steady way he looked back at me reassured me. He wanted to take care of me. They all did. Here, with my mate and the Anax, maybe it was okay to let people take care of me. “I think I need help with a few things.”

“You’ll have it,” Tobias said again. “As for what happened the other night, Xavier told you the perpetrator has been dealt with. The rest of that pack has as well.”

I frowned, trying to comprehend. “The rest of the pack?”

“Enzo Pereira had good intentions as an Alpha. Circumstances have shown that good intentions may not be enough.” He folded his arms. “How much can you stand to hear right now?”

“Whatever you want to tell me.” I sat up a little more, ignoring another bolt of pain in my head. “I need to know.”

“Ren, you should rest,” Xavier said.

“Fuck rest. I need to know.” I tried to sit up even more, but that hurt too damn much. “Shit!”

“Easy.” The Anax dropped into the chair beside the bed. “Ren, you do need to rest, but I think you’ll rest more easily if you have information. I trust you to stop me if it’s too much.” He glanced at Xavier. “Peace, Xavier. I know you’re trying to take care of him, but let him tell us how to do that.”

“Yes, Anax.” Xavier took a deep breath and let it out.

“Please, no title.” Tobias grimaced. “Ren, you know how long you were out?”

I nodded and winced. “Xavier said it happened the night before last.” I gasped. “You and Kyle were on your honeymoon.”

“We were,” Tobias said. “We came back. I couldn’t stay gone under the circumstances. Particularly when humans witnessed Gregory’s attack on you. You managed not to shift, Ren. That shows incredible strength. Even an experienced werewolf might shift involuntarily when their life is threatened.”

“I couldn’t.” I bit my lip. “I don’t know. The wolf wanted to protect me. But he—we? Knew better, I guess. And I knew Xavier would find me.” I held out my hand, and Xavier took it.