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I don’t know if this reaction… this affection from him is about to wear off or not. It hurts to feel this, because I know it’s not mine to keep. Though it should’ve been. And loss tries to sweep through me, but it can’t. Because this sensation I’ve got now is stronger.
He needs me here to comfort him for some biological reason, so I’m here. I’ll just take a little rest maybe. I won’t hope for anything.
Riley’s Aunt Cat slips back in and smiles, mouthing sorry as she reaches toward the table beside the bed. I’m fighting to keep my eyes open.
“What’s happening?” I mouth, pointing at him.
She tilts her head curiously.
I whisper, “He’s vibrating, but not like before. Like … from his chest.”
A bright smile spreads across her face. “Alpha’s purr. That’s not the first time he’s done that for you, is it?”
“Alpha’s purr,” I whisper.
She frowns.
He’s out. Complete dead weight on me, making that sound while he holds me.
“They do that to comfort their mates,” Cat advises. “They use it in both good ways and in evil ways at times. Your first time hearing it? For real?”
I nod a little, feeling choked up. I could die happy just like this.
“Evil?” I query.
“Never mind that.” She shakes her head. “He’s giving you something you need. Comfort. Enjoy it. It’s a good sign.” She tucks the blood sample she already took from Riley into her medical bag. “I’ll message in a couple hours and see how he’s doing. Here’s your phone.” She sets it down. “I sent myself a text, so we’d have one another’s details. If you need me, reach out and I’ll come back. I think it might just be time he needs. He took two of those darts and the others took one each and they’re already beginning to feel better. Like I told you, Riley is strong. Those other shifters don’t know who they’re up against. Their potions and noxious substances keep failing because of how much strength our council alphas have. They’ve got no idea.” She winks.
I nod, feeling like I’m putty, glued to the bed.
“There’s eyedrops here if he needs them. If he can’t shift to heal within the next twelve hours, we’ll wanna change out those bandages and give his wounds another cleaning. The darts affected the others’ ability to shift for just a bit so not sure if it’ll do the same with him.”
“Okay,” I say, and I’m listening but I’m also fixated on what she said.
The alpha’s purr. She said he’s doing it for me. For me? He’s so disoriented, it’s probably just instinct. Though I don’t believe he’s doing it for me, whoa, do I like it.
I take my fill of it as I sink into bliss.
I want to bathe in it. Smell this scent forever. Keep these sensations like they’re still mine to have. If only I could bottle this scent, this sound, so that whenever I want, I can just have a whiff and a listen. That would help when he moved on and left me behind. Yeah. Me with my nose forever in a jar.
The cabin is likely empty now, but I’ve been told two alpha shifters named Cade and Gus will guard the perimeter of the place. Greyson was going to brief them on everything. Cat showed me pictures of them on her phone after saying they’d stay out of the way unless absolutely necessary. I recognized Cade from Roxy’s.
Greyson’s new mate’s brother is evil. I hope they catch him before he does any further damage.
I’m guessing right about now his mate and I are sharing top spot for the most hated women destined for shifters from this pack. Though she’s got the benefit of having a man who doesn’t appear to be angry or hating on her, despite what she did. Greyson seemed pretty happy the other night.
Riley’s purr lulls me to sleep. His scent in my nose, that sensation in my body? His head on my chest and my fingers in his hair? I’m floating, feeling like I’m wrapped in warm rose petals.
32
Riley
Someone has her. They’re pulling her away but I can’t see them. She’s crying out in agony and although I’m reaching for her, I can’t catch her hand as she claws for me.
“Riley, please! Save me, Riley!”
I stretch and stretch and can’t reach her. She’s floating away from me, being pulled into a dark hole. And the fear on her face feels like a thousand knives sinking into my flesh everywhere.
I jackknife upright in bed, sweat dripping from my hairline.
It’s dark. I don’t know if it’s dusk or pre-dawn. But my vision feels sharp again. I’ve always seen well in the dark but it’s as if I can see even better. Her scent is in my nostrils. She’s next to me. Safe. Here. Mine.
