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Half an hour later, Eleanor stepped into the back of the jet, the air crackling with energy and her presence dominating the space. I watched, transfixed, as she moved to Ridge’s side, her eyes narrowed in concentration. Jaxon followed closely behind, a silent guardian ready to intervene if needed. The others had cleared the area to give us privacy.
“Stand back,” Eleanor demanded firmly but not unkindly. I hesitated for a moment, my gaze locked on Ridge’s feverish, unconscious wolf, before reluctantly obeying.
Eleanor poured the potion carefully into his throat by holding his muzzle, then held her hands above him, palms down, murmuring ancient words that resonated in my very bones. Asshe chanted, the atmosphere grew heavy, and the tiny hairs on the back of my neck stood on end. A soft glow emanated from her palms, growing brighter and more intense until Ridge was completely enveloped in its warm golden light.
“Come on, Ridge. Please let this work,” I murmured under my breath.
As suddenly as it appeared, the light faded, leaving Ridge bathed in a soft, ethereal glow. Groaning softly, he reverted back to his human form. Even though he remained unconscious, his erratic breathing grew more regular, and his flushed, fevered skin started to look more normal.
“Thank you.” Tears streaming down my face, I rushed to Ridge’s side and collapsed beside him, wrapping my arms around him.
Eleanor looked on, her expression unreadable. “His shifter healing will take a day or two to fix the internal damage,” she announced matter-of-factly. “He’ll be fine.”
“Thank you, Eleanor.” Jaxon’s voice was sincere. “Before you leave, you should know that there’s a witch in Blackwood Creek, Pennsylvania who’s just come into her power. She needs a mentor.”
Eleanor huffed, clearly not thrilled at that revelation. “Of course there is. As witches aren’t supposed to ignore one of their own who manifests, I’ll come to Blackwood Creek soon with the necessary spell books and materials to teach the new witch,” she said grudgingly.
“Thank you,” Jaxon said, his gratitude genuine.
Eleanor left, and a tidal wave of relief crashed over me as I looked at Ridge’s now-peaceful face. I was grateful for this second chance, grateful that I wasn’t going to lose my mate, but I was also apprehensive about our future. What would it be like to have an actual witch in Blackwood Creek?
“Everything will be okay.” Jaxon squeezed my shoulder. “We’ll handle whatever comes our way together.”
I nodded, taking solace in his words. As I covered Ridge and held him close, I vowed to do whatever it took to protect him and our pack.
Jaxon went to retrieve the others from the small airport lounge. I cradled Ridge to me, my arms wrapped around him as if I could shield him from any further harm. His skin radiated heat against mine, a stark reminder that he’d barely survived the ordeal.
I picked up on the voices of everyone as they climbed up the steps into the jet, Gabe chattering excitedly to Hanna and Camila, Jaxon filling Kyle and Dean in about Eleanor’s promise to come to Blackwood Creek to train Lola. Once everyone was on board, Jaxon helped me get Ridge into a seat and buckled in. The rhythmic hum of the plane’s engines created an almost soothing backdrop to the chaos of the day.
Once the seatbelt sign flashed off, Kyle was the first one over. “How are you, Tori?” he asked, his head tilted to one side as he rubbed my arm. His face was splotched with bruises.
“Hopeful.” I blinked back tears as I looked at Ridge. “I can’t lose him, Kyle. I really, really can’t.”
“Hey,” Kyle said gently, putting his fingers under my chin to make me look at him. “He’s going to be fine. The witch said so, didn’t she? Besides, you know how stubborn Ridge is. He won’t let anything take him away from you.”
A small smile tugged at the corners of my lips, despite the lingering worry. “You’re right. He’s too damn stubborn for his own good.”
“Exactly.” Kyle gave my hand one last pat before he turned his attention back to Hanna, Gabe, and Camila. The three of them were huddled together, still looking a little spooked. It wasa lot to process, and they would have many questions once we got back to Blackwood.
“Ridge,” I whispered, brushing my fingers through his damp hair. I couldn’t shake the thought of almost losing him. The idea of being torn apart from him was unbearable, and I never wanted to experience it again. My emotions swirled within me, love burning stronger than ever through the turmoil. “When you wake up, I want us to belong to each other completely. No more secrets, no more running. Just us, together.”
“Keep talking to him, it might help,” Jaxon said as he joined me. “I’ve read that sometimes people can hear what’s being said to them when they’re unconscious.”
“Really?” My eyebrows rose.
“Can’t hurt to try,” Jaxon suggested. “It might make you feel better, too.”
I leaned closer to Ridge. “Ridge, I love you more than anything. You have to fight this fever and come back to me. You’re my mate, my partner, and I can’t imagine my life without you. Please, babe, wake up soon.”
“See?” Jaxon winked, a small smile playing on his lips. “You’re doing great.”
“Thanks, Jaxon.” It was strange yet comforting to have paternal support. Even though I’d told Eleanor I was his daughter, I wasn’t ready to call him Dad yet. It would happen in its own time, I was sure.
As the plane continued its journey back to Pennsylvania, I held Ridge close. We’d made it through the storm. All I wanted now was to claim him, to fully belong to each other in every way possible. When he woke up, I’d make sure he knew just how much he meant to me.
Chapter 34
Ridge
