AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I love them, Antoine… I love you.”
There, I’d said it. And I meant each word. I did love him, body, mind, and soul.
He touched my cheek with reverence as I felt my wings slip back inside my body. “And I love you too.”
He carried me to the bath. My head rested against his chest, revelling in the soothing, calm beat of his heart. This was my life now, and I just knew, once the demon was dead, that it was going to be wonderful.
* * *
Antoine
After I’d helped Donna with her bath, I left her to dry herself and get dressed. I ran down the stairs and headed for the kitchen. The scent of Jeanie’s chicken noodle soup filled my nostrils, reminding me that I hadn’t eaten for a long time either. She was stirring the soup in a large saucepan. Mac was sitting at the kitchen table, watching her.
“You made that quick,” I announced, stepping through the doorway.
She turned and smiled. “I’d already made a batch in preparation. I thought Donna might need some.”
I watched as tears formed in Jeanie’s eyes. She placed the spoon on the worktop and rushed at me, sobbing as she held me tight. I held her closer, looking over the top of her head at Mac. His expression was one of relief. We all understood that if Donna hadn’t survived we’d only have had a few days left to live.
“It’s okay, Jeanie. She got through it. Now we all get to live our lives to the fullest.”
She let me go and ushered me to the table. Mac poured me a mug of coffee. Jeanie sat close to Mac.
“Was it as terrible as we’ve heard?”
I nodded at Jeanie. “It was worse. To see someone you love go through that kind of hell…” I shook my head, running a hand through my hair. “It killed me that I couldn’t help.”
“I guess you felt her pain too.”
“Yeah, Mac. I did. I really wanted to bust Clement’s balls for making our mates go through such hell.”
“It’s not really his fault, love. It’s just the way it is.”
Jeanie was right, but I’d still have something to say to him. I caught Donna’s scent. We all glanced towards the door to see her standing there.
“Hi. That soup smells really good.” She smiled.
Jeanie rushed to her and held her as close as she’d held me a short while before. Both women cried. I loved how they interacted and knew that Jeanie and Mac would be the perfect people to fill the void left by her parents.
“Yes, they will.”
“Oh, Donna. I am so happy you came through it. Come on, sit next to Antoine. I’ll dish up the soup.”
She sat next to me and rested her head on my shoulder.
“I could’ve brought the soup up to you.”
She smiled up at me. “I know, but I wanted to come down. She threw a glance Jeanie and Mac’s way.
“You wanted to see they were safe for yourself, right?”
“Yes. And I feel… I feel stronger now. Actually, I’m wired.”
I ran a hand through her hair.“That’s because you’re a fully-fledged Hybrid now.”
Jeanie placed bowls of her fragrant soup in front of us. Mac got up and they went to leave, taking their soup with them.
“Please, don’t go. We’re a family now and I want you here.”
