Page 108 of Healer’s Betrayal

She stands up fully. “Yeah, I’m good.”

“Are you sure?” I ask quickly.

“Yeah.” I start to walk away, but she grabs my arm.

“I still need blood every once in a while when I get too depleted. There’s not much vampire in me anymore but just enough.”

“Do you need more blood?” I ask, worried. “Do we like go get that somewhere? Or do you want mine?” I turn a little queasy at that but try to stay expressionless. “Do you prefer a certain kind? I don’t know what type of blood I have.”

She gives me a soft smile, and Hunter appears behind her. I eye him warily, but he actually almost gives me a smile. “I’ll take care of her,” he says, meeting my eyes.

“Thank you, Kayla,” Sherese says sincerely.

“Thank you for getting us out of there, both of you. Seriously.” Hunter gives me a solemn nod.

“Nobody deserves to be stuck in there,” Sherese says with a vehemence I don’t expect from her.

I suddenly remember Alicia and whirl around. Jackson is right in front of me. “Are you okay?” his voice is so deep.

I blink. “Are you naked?”

“Yes. Are you okay?”

I keep my eyes on his face. “Why are you naked?”

He doesn’t bat an eye. “I just shifted.” He steps closer. “Are you okay?” His words are slow and distinct. “That vampire was rough with you.”

“Can you put some clothes on?”

“Sweetheart,” he growls. “Please answer the question. Are you in pain? Injured? I need—”

I cut off his words. “I'm fine, but I need to heal Alicia and you need to put clothes on.” He growls, but I ignore it. I turn to where Alicia is lying on the ground.

“We’re leaving this area while we still can; my plane is less than a mile away. What are we doing with the vampire?” Garrett asks.

I turn back to Jackson, ignoring the fact that he’s naked...or trying to at least. It’s very jarring. But then Garrett throws him a pair of pants, and suddenly all the males are wearing black sweatpants thankfully. “Alicia’s coming with,” I tell Jackson. He frowns at me. “Seriously, Jackson.” Alicia’s up in his arms a moment later.

“Let’s move,” Garrett orders. “We need to get in the air.”

“Let me—” I start but don’t finish because Alicia’s eyes suddenly shoot open. She’s out of Jackson’s arms in a flash and standing a few yards from us. I start towards her. “Easy. You’re injured. I’m going to—”

“Stay back,” she warns.

I ignore her. “You’re injured, Alicia. I’m just going to help you.”

“Don’t come any closer,” she warns. Jackson is beside me a second later. She meets my eyes, and I see how dark hers are. “I’m really thirsty,” she says in a low voice.

“We can get you something to—” I start.

“Kayla, stop!” she yells, making me flinch. Her eyes meet mine. “I’m thirsty for blood.” I go still, and I feel the tension rise from all around me. So far none of the wolves have moved on her, but I feel like it’s only a matter of time.

She takes a step backwards. “You’re going to return?” I ask.

She meets my eyes. “Yes.”

My heart tugs in my chest. I know she betrayed me, betrayed Noah, and yet...she was his babysitter and my friend, I thought. I remember again the day she saved me. “You saved me that day,” I say around a throat that feels tight. Another memory comes unbidden to my mind. “And you brought us groceries that one time when we literally had none.”

For just a moment, I see something in her gaze. A softening, maybe? “You were always too trusting for your own good.” There’s a weariness to her voice.