Page 106 of Crimson Moon Falling

“Almost. Ash just changed my bandages. I can walk without wanting to die, so that’s progress.”

His thumbs traced small circles on my hipbones through his shirt as conflicting emotions swirled inside him. But he understood why we both had to go.

“Jamie arranged a private charter flight to Jackson. Then Ash will drive you to Yellowstone.” His breath was warm against my hair.

His hands slid to the small of my back, and I cupped his cheeks. “I don’t want Ash to come with me.”

Conall’s expression didn’t change, but his energy did. A subtle shift, like the pressure dropping before a storm. “Why?”

“Because I don’t want any more of your Betas to be my bodyguards.”

He tilted his head. “Where is this coming from?”

I stepped back, his hands falling away. “They get hurt or die around me. Freda has a concussion, and they killed Malcolm. Jamie lost his eye, and Ash was shot in Roswell. No more.”

“You didn’t get Malcolm killed or hurt my Betas. Apex did.”

“But I’m the common denominator.” My throat tightened as my implant sent frigid vibrations through me, trying to wall off the guilt, but it leaked through anyway, hot and sharp. “I don’t want anything else to happen, especially to Ash.”

He crossed his arms. “He is my first Beta, a Tracker, and a Homeopath. If I thought you wouldn’t riot, I’d send three more Betas with you. Be thankful it’s only Ash.”

“Conall, no.”

“Riley.” His voice dropped, his Alpha power spilling out. “You were taken from a pediatrician’s office in broad daylight. They restrained and drugged you, and that fucking bastard let a doctor sexually assault you while they watched.” His voice grew even lower as he spoke. “This isn’t about your competence. This is about keeping you safe.” I sensed his rage and fear, raw and visceral. He was scared for me.

“I’m not dismissing the threat, but I don’t want to be responsible for what happens to the next person who’s assigned to me.”

“You’re not responsible for—”

“Yes, I am!” I cut him off, then let out a breath. “I’m the one they want. Not Freda, not Ash or Jamie. Me. And until we shut this down, anyone near me is a target.”

We stood there, the space between us charged. The bond shuddered, a live wire of frustration and his consuming need to keep me safe, while I couldn’t stand to be the reason someone else got hurt.

A knock sounded on the door, and Ash stepped inside. He’d changed into dark jeans and a charcoal sweater. His long black hair hung loose over one shoulder, and his dark eyes took in the scene with quiet perceptiveness.

“Am I interrupting?”

“Yes,” Conall muttered.

“No,” I countered.

Ash’s mouth curved slightly. “I overheard your discussion, along with every other shifter in the house. Riley, our need to protect you isn’t about your competence, or guilt, or even what Conall wants.”

“Then what’s it about?”

He considered me for a moment, his energy steady and warm. “Honor. Trust. Pack structure. Conall is my Alpha, and you’re a worthy Alpha Mate. Protecting you is a high honor. I’m going with you.” His dark eyes held mine.

Conall stood there, waiting.

I looked between them and let out a long exhale. “Fine. But if anything happens to you, I am officially done with bodyguards.”

Conall let out a long breath, and Ash nodded. “I’ll meet you outside in twenty minutes.” He softly closed the door.

Conall cupped my face and brushed his thumb over my lips, causing the bond to flare between us.

“Come back to me, whole and in one piece.”

“You do the same.” I curled my fingers into the front of his shirt and slowly pulled him in for a kiss, his mouth warm and sure against mine. For a moment the worry and fear fell away. His hands slid into my hair, and he angled my head, deepening the kiss. I breathed in his scent and bathed in his emotions, knowing the next time he saw me, he’d be furious.