Page 5

The second I close my eyes, the world tilts beneath me. My body pitches sideways, and I throw out a hand, trying to catch myself.

I never hit the floor.

Pyrce is there in an instant. He wraps his arms around me, lifting me against his chest. A sigh slips from my lips as I turn my face into the warmth of his shirt.

“Don’t let them get me,” I whisper.

“Never,” he promises. “You’re safe here, Angel. Sleep.”

I barely hear his words before I pass out.

3

Pyrce

I’ve been sitting beside Elsie’s bedside all night, afraid to move in case she wakes up and is scared or, worse, tries to leave again.

I can’t believe you were going to let her go last night, my wolf growls at me.

I snort. I was never going to let her leave. You saw her. She wasn’t going anywhere. I just didn’t want to force her to stay. That would have freaked her out and made her even more determined to leave.

My wolf continues to pace inside me, his eyes locked on Elsie’s sleeping form.

She hasn’t woken up once, not even when Dr. Christian came to look her over, declaring that she was fine, just exhausted, dehydrated, and likely malnourished. I’ve been waiting all night for her to wake up so I can feed her, but she hasn’t so much as stirred since she passed out in my arms.

What did she mean by “Don’t let them get me”? Who’s after her? What is she running from?

We’ll find out and destroy them, my wolf snarls.

I nod. Of course. No one will ever lay a finger on our mate again.

I tap my fingers on my knee as I wait. An hour later, Elsie finally stirs. Her eyelashes flutter, and a minute later, her dark blue eyes open and meet mine. She frowns as she looks around the room.

“You’re in my bed,” I explain, passing her a glass of water.

She struggles to sit up, and I’m instantly on my feet to help her. I fluff the pillow, pushing it behind her back. Then, because I can’t stand to have any distance between us, I sit next to her on the bed and watch as she greedily drinks the water.

“Thanks,” she croaks.

“Of course. Do you want more?”

“Yes, please.”

I take the glass and hurry to get her more water. When I return to my room, Elsie is sitting on the side of the bed.

I shake my head at her when she tries to stand.

“Stay there,” I order, rushing to her side.

I pass her the glass of water and grab her hips, lifting her back into the bed.

“What happened?” she asks once she’s drained the second glass of water.

“You fainted. I carried you in here and called a doctor. You’ve been sleeping ever since.”

She looks panicked. “How long?”

“All night. It’s almost noon now.” I glance at the clock, then back to my mate. “How are you feeling?”