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My vision is blurring; then, suddenly, he’s gone.
I roll to my side, gasping for breath. My eyes lock onto the enormous black wolf on top of Brice. His vicious teeth are bared, and his claws dig into Brice’s chest. His screams echo around us as the wolf tears a chunk out of his arm.
“Ava,” Kerian’s gruff voice reaches me.
“Kerian.” I exhale in relief.
He drops to his knees beside me. He lifts me into his lap and cradles me gently. I wrap myself around him and bury my face into his neck, breathing in his familiar scent. He palms my head and encircles my waist.
“Darlin’, thank God,” he whispers.
“I knew you’d find a way,” I say, tears choking me. “I knew.”
“I’m so proud of you. You held on for us,” Kerian says with awe.
“James messaged me; only six left.” Bash comes over to us. He looks me over carefully. “I’m glad you are in one piece, Ava.”
“You can’t start being nice to me, Bash. That’s not our thing,” I tease, but my throat is thick.
“Of course. After today, we can go back to that, alright?”
“Alright,” I whisper.
“That was your boss?” Kerian asks.
“Surprise, he was supplying the drugs for Gill’s games,” I explain.
“Fuck, we confronted him after you disappeared. He’s a good actor.”
“Is River about done with him?” I ask, not wanting to look; the sounds are bad enough.
“When his wolf decides he’s done,” he says.
“Guys, this is Logan.” I pull back enough to motion to Logan. He’s leaning back against a tree, watching our interaction with interest. “This is Bash.” I point to him. “This is Kerian, one of my mates. River, my other mate, is chewing on Brice.”
Logan nods. “Ava saved me.”
“I wouldn’t go that far,” I start.
“I would,” he says softly. “She could have left me.”
“You’re a lion,” Kerian states.
“Yes, although I don’t feel much like one right now.” He looks at himself with disgust.
“You fought like one,” I disagree.
“You’re being generous,” he says.
“What was that explosion?” I ask.
“Bishop.” Kerian lifts an eyebrow at River as he pads over. He nuzzles my back. “You have to change back; Ava needs arms, not claws.”
I turn my head and find myself nose-to-nose with a wolf. He has blood all over his face and paws. His head tilts, studying me. It’s strange staring into his eyes; he’s a wolf, but River is in there too. I feel him inside me. I turn in Kerian’s lap so I’m facing him. His gaze travels up and down my body, then back to my neck. I’m sure there are bruises from Brice’s hands. I can still feel them squeezing. River puts his nose on my neck, opens his mouth, and licks them.
What should feel weird feels loving. This fierce beast gave me his brand of care.
He steps back, and suddenly River is crouched in front of me naked.
