Page 65 of Healer’s Betrayal

“Garrett,” Emma says again. I watch in fascination as he wraps an arm around her and pulls her close.

Then he addresses me without taking his eyes off Jackson. “Kayla, would you mind telling Jackson that you’re not scared anymore?”

My eyes widen. “Not scared? I’m terrified.”

Emma grimaces. “That’s not helping.”

I watch as Garrett’s eyes narrow, and the room seems to suddenly get smaller. “Pull your wolf back, or we’re going to have a problem.” His voice is lower now and rougher. Jackson laughs behind me; it’s low and just as dangerous sounding. “Something funny?” Garrett asks.

“The fact that you think you have any authority over me, Alpha.” He doesn’t say the word in a show of authority. He says it with menace.

I’m suddenly behind Jackson. It happens so fast. When I peek over his shoulder, I see that Raechel is behind Max now; and I can no longer see Emma. I get a really bad feeling. “Jackson?” My voice is soft, but I know he hears me because he squeezes my arm gently once.

“If you shift, I will rip your throat out.” Garrett’s words shock me into complete silence.

“Not gonna happen,” Jackson says, moving slightly, so that he’s in front of me again.

“Kayla, you need to end this right now.” The panic in Raechel’s voice is my undoing.

“What do I do?” I call out, fear filling me.

“You need to talk Jackson down, or they’re going to shift and fight,” she says. Multiple growls fill the room, and I can’t stop shaking.

“What do I do?” I call out. Jackson growls again, and I can feel it through his back.

“Get his attention now.” Raechel is practically yelling over the growling in the room.

“Jackson.” I meet Noah’s wide, terrified eyes, and decide enough is enough. I won’t let anything happen to Noah on my watch. I step in front of him. “Jackson!” I put my hands on his chest, intending to push him; but he snags my hands in his. He looks down at me, and I suck in a breath. His eyes are brighter than I’ve ever seen. “Stop, please.” He stares down at me, and then then brightness in his eyes seems to fade. I don’t move, and neither does he. After several long moments, the tension in the room starts to ease.

“We’re going to go to our room,” Garrett says in a low voice. “The reason we’re here is because my pack members are here. Remember that they are under my protection.” Jackson starts to lift his head, but I wrap my hands around the back of his neck and pull, keeping his gaze on me. Those intense eyes search mine, and it takes everything in my power to focus on what Garrett is saying.

“Bye, Kayla, it was nice to meet you,” Emma calls out quickly. The door closes a moment later, and they leave the room.

“Well, that went well,” Raechel says flatly. She sighs, sounding tired; and I force myself to turn around. She glares at Jackson. “You couldn’t just tone it back?” He doesn’t say a word, and Raechel shakes her head. “I’m tired; I’m going to bed. I think we’re heading back in the morning.”

I’m surprised I feel sad at her words. “Really?”

She smiles. “Yeah, but we’ll see you again. Don’t worry. Besides, your sisters will all want to unite with you.”

“My sisters?” I question.

“The other healers. You all are your own kind of crazy.” She puts up a hand. “Not saying that I’m not crazy too. I’m sure Sage and Sam will work something out to get all of you to meet up.” I don’t know either of those names, but I nod anyway.

“Can I give you a hug, or will he growl at me?” I nod at Max.

She smiles. “He’s a big softy.”

I arch an eyebrow. “Yeah, I’m not buying what you’re selling.”

She grins. “I mean he can rip a head off a vampire, so yeah.”

I swallow. “I think I’ll just wave from here.”

She laughs and walks over to me and hugs me tightly. “You’re one of us now; prepare to be smothered.”

“You know, everything you say feels threatening,” I tell her as I pull back.

She just smiles, but then she puts a hand on her belly. “Oh. I’m going to throw up.” She turns and opens the door to the room. “See you guys.” She’s gone a moment later with Max on her heels.