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“I’ve got you, Mabel. I’m here.” Lucas rubbed her back and she took the comfort he offered her.
Her body shook. She didn’t know how she’d be able to cope with her father dead. What about her mother?
“What do I do, Lucas?” she asked.
“You lean on me. That’s what you do.”
She wrapped her arms around him and let go, sobbing against his chest.
****
Lucas paced outside of the medic’s bedroom. This was where they came in cases of emergency that would alert the civilians to their world. They continued to live alongside them undetected, apart from the wolves who were mated to humans.
Mabel was in with her father, and he stood with his own, waiting to hear something. They’d been back in town for two days, and so far, she hadn’t left her father’s side. He hadn’t left the medic’s house.
He couldn’t get her to eat.
“What is going to happen to the brats that did this?” Lucas asked.
“They are currently in isolation until they can control themselves,” Duke said. “You know it can be a struggle for them.”
“This shit shouldn’t have happened.” He rubbed his hands down his face, trying to clear the lack of sleep from his mind.
All he wanted to do was protect her and he’d fucked up.
You weren’t here.
“Son, he’s still fighting. This is good news,” Nelle said.
The door opened, and Mabel walked out. She looked so fucking pale. He went to her, cupping her face, pressing his head against hers. He tried to give her strength.
“I’m okay,” she said.
“How is he?” Nelle asked.
“No change. The doctor said that it could be a good thing.” Mabel blew out a breath. “Mom has asked me to go and get her some clothes.”
“I’ll come with you.”
She nodded.
Duke and Nelle stood. He held Mabel’s hand, taking the lead.
“How are you feeling?” he asked.
“I feel like I’ve been hit with a train or something larger. It’s hard to describe. He’s always been so strong, you know?” She sniffled.
He pulled her beneath his arm and kissed her head. “The boys responsible are in isolation. They should be punished.”
“Dad doesn’t want that. He’s said they can’t be blamed for what happened.”
“I can’t stand to see you in any kind of pain.”
She rested her head on his shoulder. “You’re being so good to me. I’m sorry our … mating reconciliation has been put on hold.”
“I can wait, babe. You don’t even have to think about that. Not ever, okay?” He wasn’t thinking about anything but his woman.
“Thank you.”
“I’ll do anything for you. I hope you believe that.”
She smiled, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “I’m starting to get that.”
He’d driven over in his car, and he opened the passenger door for her. After kissing her knuckles, he quickly rounded the car. He climbed behind the wheel, started up the engine, and took off, heading toward her home. She didn’t live too far from the medic, but they’d already been a spectacle in town. He wasn’t sure if she’d seen the attention they were getting, but he wanted to protect her from whatever rumor they’d decided to spread.
Glancing over at her, he saw she’d rested her head on her hand.
“He might make it out of this,” he said.
She turned to look at him. “The doctor said that … with no change, it could happen, or it could go either way. I just, I don’t know why it has to end this way. I don’t get it.” She sniffled.
Lucas reached out and took her hand. “Hey, I’m here.” He wanted to tell her everything was going to be all right, but he had absolutely no way of knowing. This was now up to her father.
They arrived at her house in record time.
He noticed all the flowers had been laid on the lawn.
“It’s nice to know so many people care about him.” She reached down, stroking the leaf of one petal before stepping away. “He will love this and enjoy the attention. This is good for him.” She smiled, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes. All he wanted to do was swaddle her up in his arms and tell her everything was going to be okay, but he had no way of knowing shit.
This was the hardest thing he’d ever experienced in his life.
They entered her home, and he followed her upstairs toward her parents’ room. She grabbed a bag as he started to look through his clothes, taking several pairs of jeans and shirts and folding them.
“I’ll get some stuff for my mom.”
Together, they packed two bags, and Lucas really fucking hoped they didn’t need to use them.
“I’ll be right back,” Mabel said, disappearing out of the bedroom.
He finished packing, zipping up the bags, and took a quick glance around the room. The scent of the mated pair was heavy in the room. Envy flooded his entire body. All he wanted was for Mabel to accept him and to want to be mated to him. He truly believed they had a real shot of happiness, if she just allowed herself the chance to believe in it. He certainly did.
