Page 61 of Healer’s Betrayal

The drive doesn’t take long, and I will Kayla to wake. But she never does. I check her breathing every other second or so; it continues to be steady. That gives me hope. I think of the vampires that put her in this situation, and I pledge to end each and every one of them. But the one who caused this? The one who got close to my mate and betrayed her and put both her and Noah in danger? I’ll save special treatment for her. My wolf agrees wholeheartedly with me. Ransom parks. “I’ll scout things out and come right back.” I want to argue with him, but I look down at my still mate in my arms and know it’s the right thing. I want to be the one to scout it out, but I’m not about to hand Kayla off to anyone right now. She’s safest with me. Ransom disappears from view, and I climb out of the truck, being careful with Kayla. I count her breaths again and listen to the sound of her heartbeat. It’s not long before Ransom comes back. “We’re good; let’s go. Noah, you and I will head inside.” He turns to me. “I’m going to open the door that leads right to the stairwell; fewer eyes that way.”

I nod and walk that way. Thankfully, the parking lot is mostly empty right now; so, we don’t get a lot of attention. I only have to wait a minute or two for Ransom to let us in, and then we head up the stairs. “Noah, you’re with me.” He doesn’t say a word but follows me to my door, a few away from Ransom’s.

I’ll keep an eye on things, Ransom sends.

Thanks. Holding Kayla with one arm, I manage to get my keycard from my pocket.

“I can do it,” Noah says, taking the card from me and unlocking the door. He holds the door, and I stride inside and right over to the king-size bed. I gently lower her to the bed, regretting it the moment I lay her down. I already miss the feel of her in my arms.

“When’s she going to wake up?” Noah asks quietly.

“I don’t know,” I tell him truthfully. “But there’s a doctor on his way.” Relief shines in his eyes.

“Really?”

I nod, and he steps close to his sister and takes her hand in his. “It’s going to be okay, Kayla; there’s a doctor coming. Just be strong, like you always tell me.” His voice is a quiet whisper, and I pretend I don’t hear him. But my gut twists, and that strange tugging sensation in my chest is back. I wonder how much the two of them have really been through. I hate it that I haven’t been around to protect them, but I am now. Nothing will ever hurt either of them again. Of course, that means keeping a close eye on them. I have a feeling Kayla will fight me on it. But when I look down at her, I know it’s a fight I’m willing to take on. Because the healer isn’t going anywhere without me for a very long time, if ever. They’re both under my protection now. There’s a knock on the door, and I sniff the air. I frown when the scent hits me. With another glance at Kayla, I stride towards the door. I open it and take in the male leaning against the door frame. “Lucien.”

“Jackson,” he says lazily. He tries to look around me, but I don’t move. “Are you going to invite me in?”

“No.”

He chuckles. “Let me guess; your mate’s inside.” I don’t move a muscle or show any expression on my face, but something must give me away because he chuckles again. “Yep; she’s inside.”

“What do you want, Lucien?” I ask, still blocking his view of my room and the occupants in it.

He stares me down a moment, and I wait him out. “Heard you ran into some trouble. Wanted to offer my help.” He waits a beat. “Let me put it this way; I’m helping.” He pushes off the doorframe. “You staying here a while or heading back?” I don’t answer him either way, and he nods. “Staying. Got it.” He turns to walk away. One second passes, two, three...I step out into the hallway.

“Do you need a room?”

He shakes his head. “No. I’ll be staying outside.”

I watch him go a moment before I step back inside and close the door. Lucien’s here, I send to Ransom. I go back inside and sit in the chair next to Kayla’s bed and wait. Almost three hours later, there’s a knock at the door. I recognize Max and Raechel instantly. My eyes take in the male and female with them, the Northwoods’ pack doctor and his mate. I remind myself they’re here to help my mate and open the door.

Chapter 26

Kayla

I try to open my eyes, but they feel weighted down. It takes another moment or two before I can open them. When I do, I blink up at the unfamiliar ceiling. “Easy,” I hear a male voice say, a voice I don’t recognize. I shoot up in the bed I’m lying on and pull away from the man currently leaning over me. He puts his hands up. “I’m not going to hurt you.”

“Kayla.” I recognize that gritty voice instantly. I turn my head the other direction and lock eyes with Jackson. He doesn’t look away as he strides towards the bed I’m currently sitting on. He doesn’t slow as he comes towards me. He reaches out and puts a hand behind my neck. The action instantly makes my panic recede. “You’re safe.” His eyes meet mine, and I take in the bright blue.

“What happened?” My voice rasps.

He grabs a water bottle from the small end table next to the bed, opens it, and hands it to me. “Drink.” I lift a brow at the order. “Please,” he tacks on a moment later. I take it from him and down almost the entire thing.

“Thanks.” I try to look around the room, but his big body effectively blocks my view. “What’s going on, Jackson?”

He studies my face, making me feel self-conscious. “What do you remember?”

I search my memory, but everything feels fuzzy. “I can’t remember anything. Why am here? Where are we? What’s going on, Jackson? Who was that guy?” Each question makes me feel more and more unsettled.

“You were hurt pretty badly. How do you feel?” he asks, cutting off my questions. Suddenly, every awful thing comes flooding back at the same time. “Noah.” I shoot to my feet or try anyway. The room spins around me, and I sway.

“Easy,” Jackson says, steadying me. “You’ve been injured; you need to heal.”

“No, I need to find Noah,” I argue.

“I’m here,” Noah says, and I whip my head towards him so fast; it makes me dizzy.