Page 111 of Red

Stark hits the brakes right outside my family’s home. Hudry and I slide into the side of the bed

“Easy,” I yell. It took too much time to get here, and the truck bed is pooled with lines of blood.

He comes around to open the tailgate, and I lift up Hudry’s head as he pulls him out. Hopping out, I dig for the key and unlock the door, heading straight for Pratt’s bedroom. A wave of grief hits me, but I push through, pulling the top blankets off and gesturing for Stark to lie him down.

“I can help him, but you need to get out and, um, maybe plug your ears. You’ll know when you can come back.”

Stark grips my wrist. “No. Not this time, Red.”

I glance down at Hudry’s body, his hair matted, blood leaking onto the sheet below him. “Then be useful—open the windows. Find some fans. And don’t stop me, even if it scares you.”

“Why would I want to stop you?”

“Trust me, I’ll be fine.” Lies, I’m full of lies.

“How do I know when you’re done?’

“You will.” If I can finish.

I bend down over the bed and start small this time. Going off instinct, I have a feeling that if I start with his heart, it won’t be enough. I place my hands onto his leg as Stark shuffles around. I close him out of my mind and let heat pour into my chest. When it starts to hurt, I funnel the magic into my hands. The wound on his leg slows its bleeding, and soon, the easiest part is done. I leave his twisted arm where hangs down, like it’s dislocated. Someone can pop it in after.

I slide up the bed to beside his chest. Healing a wolf heart isn’t something that gets done. Not once in any of the books did the wolves live through it on either side—the healer or the injured. I have no intentions on dying, but I have to try. I have to use all of this for something good after today. I killed so many . . .

My hands drag over the left side of him. Heat builds up in my legs, and I let it fill me until my head burns. I push my hands tighter against the top of his ribs until I feel them. My hands flame crimson, and the veins pulse. Blood rushes into my ears and everything inside of me is too loud. I push harder. I drag air into my lungs and let out a scream. It doesn’t stop as the fire crawls up my arms and into my chest, the magic’s strength beyond anything I’ve ever experienced.

The blood stops flowing out of the bullet wound and my grip pulses. My body begins to vibrate as the pain becomes too much. I cry out, tears leaking from my closed eyes.

One more, then it should be enough.

My bones cry inside like they’re melting.

Pratt’s voice fills my mind—Let go, Alo. You can’t save everyone.

“I can’t let you die,” I plead, and flood as much heat through me as I can.

Something grips my arm, then it’s gone. I cling to Hudry, the shakes growing and my hands vibrating. A shocking sensation washes through me from head to toe.

It’s too much. Hearts are impossible to heal. But I don’t let go.

I funnel the heated magic coursing through me into Hudry as hard as I can.

Smoke fills the air.

Chapter 32

Wake up, Red.

I’m sorry. Heat flares everywhere.

“Come on.” Coolness touches my forehead. I can’t lose her. My mate.

You won’t . . . I promised you mates for life.

When I open my eyes, Stark’s body drapes over the side of the small tub, his hand holding a cloth to my face. “Did you just talk to me? I thought I was losing it.”

Yes. Sorry I didn’t tell you.

I wait for his reaction. Finding out your mate can hear your thoughts might not be that welcoming.