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Now that my feelings for her had awakened, I’d wait as many lifetimes as needed. I wasn’t going anywhere. “Of course, take all the time you need,” I replied. “I’ll be here when you’re ready to talk.”
As our gazes locked, a fierce determination rose within me. We were fated mates, two halves of a soul, destined to love each other like no other. I would do whatever it took to make Tori understand, to show her that our love was something truly extraordinary.
Tori tore her gaze from mine and turned her body away from me. Her frustration was evident in the tight set of her jaw, and she scrutinized everything around the room but me. Was she struggling with the general concept of fated mates, or was it because she was fated to me? I couldn’t be sure. The agitated tapping of her foot and the biting of her lip were telltale signs of the inner battle raging within her.
“Ridge, I do not like the idea that we’re forced to feel this way for each other,” she admitted, her tone wavering slightly.
Perplexed by her choice of words, I shook my head and frowned. “Fated does not mean forced, Tori. Just because something’s meant to be doesn’t mean it’s guaranteed to happen. We began falling for one another like anyone else. The only difference is that we’re meant to belong to each other. Each of us is perfectly created for the other.” Turning her toward me, I took her hand and laid it against my chest so she could feel myheart beating. “This has always had a beat. It did its job all my life, but when I got to know you, for the first time, it finally beat with a true purpose.”
Tori pulled her bottom lip into her mouth with her teeth. Her eyes searched the depths of mine, seeking answers. I gazed back at her, holding nothing back, praying she’d find what she sought, that she’d grasp the truth in my words, the depth of my love for her, and the undeniable bond between us. I wanted her to believe I loved her for who she was, and for no other reason. But getting her to understand that, to honestly believe any of that, was beyond me. In her head, everything between us was because of fate now, and choice and free will had no say. I was afraid she wouldn’t believe that I’d loved her before I recognized the connection between us.
Before we could say anything more, Clara approached us, her expression one of relief. “Audrey’s awake and asking for you two.”
Tori pulled her hand away and averted her gaze. Clara had given us a momentary distraction, allowing us the chance to catch our breaths. I knew Tori needed time to process everything, but I desperately wanted to finish our conversation. She didn’t have all the facts to base her decision on, and who knew where her thoughts would take her if she had too much time to think?
Right now, however, our friend was injured and needed us.
“Thank you, Clara. Let’s go,” I said softly, tempted to reach my hand out. Fearing possible rejection, I refrained. I didn’t want Tori to feel smothered. I followed her as close as I dared as we made our way into Audrey’s room.
Tori immediately rushed to Audrey’s bedside, her face blazing with concern. “How are you feeling?” she asked.
Audrey offered a weak smile, exhaustion still lingering in her eyes. “You must have used one of those witch pills onme because I felt like Swiss cheese riddled with silver bullets before I passed out, but now I’m okay. The wounds are cleared up, and the bruising and cuts are already in the last stages of healing, so I’m itching like crazy. Soon there won’t be any marks whatsoever, and I’ll be back to kicking ass and taking names.” She winked, then gave a huge yawn.
Relief washed over me. Audrey was recovering, and she had her sass back. “I’m glad you’re okay, Audrey,” I said sincerely. “Thank you for keeping Tori’s brother safe.”
“Of course,” she said with a slight nod, though fatigue had her head dropping back onto the pillow.
“No, seriously, Audrey, I cannot believe...” Tori choked up as a tear tracked down her cheek. “I can’t believe you took bullets for my brother. I don’t know how—”
“Stop it. I mean it.”
Tori remained at Audrey’s side, her hand clasped tightly around our friend’s. It was amazing to see how far Audrey had come from the stuck-up, spoiled snob she’d been. Since the compliments and thanks clearly embarrassed Audrey, and Tori hated making anyone feel uncomfortable, she kept her mouth shut.
I never would’ve believed Audrey Greenthorne, of all people, would sacrifice herself the way she did—and for ahunter,no less. She was full of surprises, but I was happy she’d become someone to depend on. If not for my sake, then for Tori’s. My mate needed all the support and loved ones around her she could get. She deserved it more than anybody I have ever known. Being around other shifters and watching how we lived and played, how our wolves were an integral part of us, and how we needed to find a balance with them could only be good for Tori. It would pull her back from the feral side that still threatened to overtake her.
As if summoned by the sound of Audrey’s voice, Kyle walked into the room, a protesting nurse hot on his heels. “Mr. Summers, please,” the nurse implored. “Please return to your cubicle. We’re not finished yet. Those wounds need to be cleaned. The debris needs to be removed to avoid the development of sepsis.”
Kyle ignored the nurse, waving his arm as if to dismiss her. Instead, he stalked farther into the room, scowling at Audrey, anger radiating off him.
“I had it covered back there,” he snapped. “What the hell were you thinking, taking bullets for me? Putting yourself in front of silver bullets?” His voice seethed with fury. “Silver. Fucking. Bullets, Audrey. Do you have a death wish?”
Kyle’s fury seemed unreasonably strong, but in typical Audrey fashion, she wasn’t having any of it. “I didn’t take those bullets foryou,” she scoffed. “I took them for Tori because I’m her best friend.”
Tori looked unsure about the “best friend” part, but she kept her mouth firmly sealed as she watched her brother and Audrey duke it out.
“My alpha also assigned me to protect you, so I did, and Tori would have been upset if you got hurt,” Audrey continued. “For some insane reason, she loves you. I cannot for the life of me figure out why.” She crossed her arms and glared at Kyle. “I did what I had to do. So, get off my back because I don’t care what a hunter has to say about saving his sorry ass, anyway.”
Amused by their bickering, I fought to keep my expression neutral. Whatever was going on between them fascinated me to no end. I admired Audrey for standing up to Kyle like this. Gone was the new Audrey. In her place was the same woman I’d known all these years, but for once, her ire wasn’t directed toward me, so I could stand back and appreciate the show much more thoroughly.
The nurse sighed in exasperation. “If he dies, it’s on him,” she said to us. “You all are my witnesses.” She exited the room, mumbling about having too much other shit to worry about.
Tori and I glanced at each other, our lips twitching as we tried to contain our laughter.
“Listen,” Kyle tried again, scowling. “I know how to handle any hunters who come after me. I either trained with them, or I was their instructor and superior. I can easily take them down. There’s not a hunter out there who has bested me in over two years. I don’t need some Barbie Werewolf with a hero complex getting herself killed as collateral damage.”
Audrey sputtered as she dropped her arms to the bed and clenched her fists. “Barbie? Did you really just call me Barbie Werewolf?”
“If the stiletto fits, honey.” Kyle stood so close to Audrey’s bed, he loomed over her. They glared at each other. I wondered if they were aware of the sexual tension in the room, and if it was hitting everyone or just me. “You need to step back and leave the fighting to—”
