Page 62 of Healer’s Betrayal

“Noah!” This time, Jackson doesn’t try to keep me still. I drop to the floor and pull Noah into my arms and hold him tightly.

“Can’t breathe,” he grunts out. I pull back and look into his eyes.

“You’re okay? Did they hurt you?”

He shakes his head. “They hurt you.”

“I’m okay.” But even as I say the words, my world goes a little hazy. There’s a hand beneath my elbow, and a second later, somebody tries to pull me to my feet. I don’t let them. I don’t have to wonder who it is; I know it’s Jackson without turning around.

“You need to be resting,” he says quietly so that only I hear him.

I scowl up at him. “How long have I been out?”

“Too long,” he growls, and I look at Noah in exasperation.

“A few hours,” he answers.

I think back to everything that happened and face Noah. “Did Renee hurt you?” Even as I say the words, guilt fills me.

“No,” he says quietly.

“Are you sure? You can tell me.”

“She didn’t hurt me,” he repeats quietly.

I look at Jackson then. “She’s gone,” he says, answering the question before I can ask it.

“And our uncle?” I ask.

There’s not an ounce of hesitation or regret in his voice when he answers. “Dead.”

I stare at him. “Really?” There’s a part of me that so desperately wants to believe him.

“I killed him; he’ll never hurt either of you again.”

Something cracks inside of me, something that feels like relief. “Really?” I can’t help but ask.

Jackson nods. “He’s gone.”

I put my hand over my mouth, hoping to stop the flood of emotion. It doesn’t. A sob comes out in the form of a strangled cry. I’m helpless against the onslaught of emotion. Another sob racks my body. This time, I don’t fight when he pulls me to my feet and against his hard body. I squeeze my eyes shut as every horrible memory of my uncle floods my brain in an awful loop I can’t seem to turn off. All the times I was so afraid, so scared, the times I tried and failed to fight against him. “He’ll never hurt you again,” Jackson’s words are rough, and I appreciate them more than anything in my entire life. It's a gift I will never not be grateful for.

“Thank you,” I manage to say against his chest.

“You don’t need to thank me for protecting you.” His words are gruff, like he’s insulted. But I don’t care.

“You gave me the greatest present in the world,” I tell him through my tears. It’s quiet a beat.

“You need better presents.”

His words lack any kind of emotion, and yet, I can’t help the laugh that comes out of me. He goes still at the sound of my laugh. I smile against his chest and let myself enjoy the feel of his arms around me a moment longer; I don’t think I’ve ever felt anything better in my entire life. Actually, I know I haven’t felt anything better. Ever. I pull back, feeling lighter than I have in a long, long time. I wipe my eyes and meet his intense gaze. “Thank you.”

He reaches up a thumb and slides it over my cheek. The roughness of his thumb causes a shiver to run through me, but I don’t look away from that intense gaze. “I keep telling you; you don’t need to thank me for protecting you. I will always protect you.”

“Why?” I ask, not looking away.

“You’re my mate; it’s my job to protect you.”

I stare at him. “Your mate?” I ask in a whisper.