Page 104 of Bonded Through Bite

He growls at that. My thoughts feel a bit clearer, almost like my mind has separated from the hell that is reigning over my body and the chaos battering my senses.

Another howl carries in the air and I flinch. It feels like I can almost hear more than the sound. Like I can… understand. Fuck no. I’m not having any of this. Having five bonds in my head is enough. I don’t need to understand the worry in some random wolf’s howl.

Wait.

Five?

What the hell?

Santiago’s bond is strong and full of concern. He cradles me against his chest and keeps cajoling me to drink from Rafael. Rafael holds out his wrist for me and tears it open immediately once it heals over. There’s a tiny pool of his blood on the ground too. His bond is more opaque, and the only thing I get from him is the order to drink.

I can’t drink.

Heaving, I turn my head away and see Zack. He’s dragging himself closer to us, constantly whining. He’s hurt. Because of me. Again. My head hurts when I try to think and focus on our bond. His pain mixes with mine and for a moment, I’m lost again.

It’s Jim who brings me out of that loop. Ruthlessly, he nips my leg and the new, sharper pain halts my spiraling mind. He bit me. Bastard. I glare at the wolf, who is now licking the tiny bite mark. At least he shut up about the mate bullshit.

They are my men. Well, not Jim. At least I don’t think so. Shit. Focus, Samantha. This is the moment when you need to get your shit together.

Breathe in. Out. In again. Slowly, my breathing eases and with that, the horrifying clarification hits. I don’t need to see to know where Patricia is. I can feel her.

In. My. Fucking. Head.

Five bonds. I bonded with her somehow.

And I can feel her dying. My venom tears through her body, lying just an arm’s reach away. She’s not moving, nor is she healing. All the pained whimpers from her are in my head. My fangs elongate again and the urge to reach her clouds my mind.

I want her to suffer.

Chapter Forty-Two

Zack

An ATV tears into the clearing and I blink as Jere drives it next to us. The witch sitting behind him jumps off the moment they stop. She’s looking a tad pale, but it’s nothing compared to how white she turns when she sees Samantha.

“Ms. Ramsey. Oh no!” She pushes her way past the two growling wolves and drops to her knees next to me.

“Earth and Wind, no,” she mumbles and reaches for Samantha. The air fills with growls. Mine, the wolves’, the vamps’… I can’t tell. She hesitates, her hand hovering over Samantha’s. “I need to help her.”

Moretti growls at the witch, pushing her aside. Samantha chokes and vomits more blood. A pitiful whimper escapes her, and she retches some more before falling limp. Moretti forces his bleeding wrist over her lips, but she refuses to drink and vomits out what little drips into her mouth.

Santiago curses softly and tears out his wrist. “She has to drink!”

“I know!” I bark back at him.

“May—” Both of us snarl at the witch and she falls silent. She takes a deep breath and tries again. “I can help her.” Her hand is still hovering over Samantha.

“Fine,” Moretti grinds out. “But if you hurt her, I’ll drain you dry.”

“Naturally,” she mutters and immediately begins chanting. Santiago’s head snaps up and the pack pushes closer. Faint light encases Samantha and then slowly, it moves over Patricia too. The witch gasps but doesn’t stop her chanting.

“What is she doing?” Santiago asks through gritted teeth.

“Hell if I know. Helping.”

A faint shimmer creeps over my fur, and when the witch keeps up her steady chanting, my wounds stop leaking. It’s easier to breathe and soon Samantha takes a deeper breath too.

I want to know what’s going on, but the witch has a concentrated look on her face and sweat beading on her forehead. She’s clearly struggling to keep up whatever she’s doing. And whatever it is, it’s helping Samantha, so I keep my mouth shut.