Page 114 of Red

“I’m sorry, I should’ve healed you.”

His head snaps up. “No, Red. No more healing.”

I huff. “Why?”

“You collapsed after Hudry, then it took thirty hours in an ice bath to give a reliable sign that you were alive.”

“I did? Pratt was always on me about not burning out. I’d never healed a heart before. It’s why Pratt didn’t come here after he got shot. He knew I’d try anything.” Shame fills me, and I lose against the tears.

“You have to stay within your limits.”

The tears roll off my cheeks onto my chest. Pratt used to say that.

“Mate?”

“Hmm?”

“Promise me there are no other magical-wielding secrets. I find it so strange you can’t turn.” He looks straight into my eyes.

The tears flow. I can’t answer that.

“Yeah . . . Thank you for being here.” I pull at him, and he joins me on the couch. I shift and curl into his lap, leaning against his chest.

One day, I’ll tell him, but it’ll be too overwhelming right now.

His thick arms hold me, and I tilt my head up, except he’s not looking at me. He’s looking at my hair.

Chapter 33

“Be careful,” he says as he parks the truck. Through the windshield, I can see that Stark’s home is overflowing, inside and out.

I freeze with my hand on the door handle. “Why?”

“The Elders’ Council is here, stay away from Darwin.” That Alpha mask moved back into place when we left my house. I look away from the straight-lined face of my mate. If he had magic, it’d be to kill with those eyes or calm words without a blink.

“I’ll be fine. They should be thanking me.”

Stark’s hand catches my upper arm. “Don’t provoke the Elders.”

I pull free and climb out. Why does he go from so sweet to the biggest pain I’ve ever met? I’m not going to provoke the Elders I want to see how everything else went.

“Alo!”

I turn and get swooped up off the ground in a hug.

“Hi.” I smile at Nikolas.

“I can’t believe you got so sick. I’m happy you’re in one piece. When we left you in the forest alone, I got anxious and almost ran back.” Stark steps in behind us, and Nikolas drops his arms. “Hi, Stark.”

He doesn’t even say hello back.

Don’t do that, I send to him.

“Mine, remember?” His voice warms my neck. “What does he mean ‘alone in the forest’?”

My shoulders lift and the gravel below us becomes interesting. “Must be remembering it wrong.”

We all head inside, and Nikolas rambles off with Jocko about how everyone’s been waiting for us to get back. There are a few members of the pack still down with injuries, but nothing life threatening.