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“We’ll get you out of here,” he said. Reika nodded, feeling a desperate dread deep inside. She didn’t want to leave the island … they’d been so happy here. Still, she knew they had no choice.
“The next ferry,” she whispered. “We’ll leave on the next ferry.”
Owen nodded, looking down at her with a gentle smile. “Rest now, my love. Everything will be okay.”
As Reika fell asleep, she saw his calm expression replaced by one of utter terror. Owen was staying strong for her, but she knew he was hiding fear.
TWENTY-THREE
OWEN
The days waiting for the ferry stretched out into eternity for Owen. He couldn’t roam around the island or immerse himself with a book or in basic repairs because he had to stay by Reika’s side. He was too afraid that if he went away, even for a few minutes, something terrible would happen to her.
Her condition did not improve, but at least she didn’t get any worse. Owen was frightened by the way her skin grew paler, and the circles under her eyes became deep, dark hollows. She could only drink a little water each day.
When the boat finally came, he was waiting on the dock with Reika in his arms. She could barely walk on her own. He was so worried that he barely waited for the ferry to dock and jumped on as soon as he could.
The ride back to the mainland was fairly brief, but Owen counted every second. Once they were on solid ground, he got them a cab and directed the driver to the hospital.
“No,” Reika muttered. “I need one of our doctors.”
“We can’t,” he whispered. “We aren’t welcome at my den.”
“Not at mine, either, I’m sure.” She winced as she tried to sit up. “But I can’t go to an ordinary doctor. Only a shifter doctor can help me.”
Owen watched her struggle to sit up, seeing the determination in her eyes for the first time in weeks.
“You have to take me to Lovell,” she said.
Owen shook his head. “No way,” he muttered, rage rising in his guts. “No way am I taking you there.”
“You have to,” she murmured. “It’s my only hope. At least my pack doesn't want to kill us on sight.”
Owen grudgingly admitted that this was true. He directed the cabbie to the whereabouts of the den, worrying the whole time that they would be cast out or that they had changed their minds and the Lovell pack would attack him.
I don’t care. Just so long as they help Reika!
Owen gathered her in his arms when they arrived and headed for the gate. The guards were surprised that Reika had returned … especially with her Raff lover … and they obviously didn’t know what to do.
“Get Uldof,” Reika asked, her voice weak. One of the guards ran off to fetch him. When Uldof arrived, though, he was in no mood to let Reika inside.
Her brother snarled at Owen, barely holding back from attacking him.
“What have you done to her?” Uldof shouted.
“Nothing!” Owen cried. “I’ve brought her for healing. Please, she’s not well. I think …” Owen choked on the words, just slightly. “I think she might die.”
“You can’t come in,” Uldof snarled. “You aren’t welcome here.”
“Please, Uldof,” Reika implored her brother. “Please, let my mate stay with me. I must see the healer, and I need Owen by my side.”
Uldof looked between their faces, his own expression twisting in pain and confusion. Finally, he shook his head in exasperation. “You can come in and see the healer,” he snapped. “But then you go.”
Owen nodded, relieved. He didn’t speak a word. He was too afraid Uldof would withdraw his offer. Carrying Reika in his arms, he hurried through the halls behind Uldof as the alpha showed him the way.
“Oh, my child!” Holo, the healer, cried as they entered her rooms. “What has happened to you?”
Owen felt Reika relax in his arms as the healer came close. She was obviously relieved to see a familiar and friendly face.
