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Garcia finally relents. His grip loosens.
Iris stumbles away, her hands desperately massaging her throat. My brave wildflower looks wilted and ready to fall to the ground.
I’m there when she stumbles again. My arms go around her waist in a protective hold.
Those green eyes gaze up at me.
“You’re safe now,” I tell her. “I’ve come to take you away.”
She leans heavily on me and hobbles. My anxiety grows. One of those men must’ve kicked her too hard in the knees.
“What kind of men have you been training?” I ask Raiden, glaring him in the eye.
My mate’s mouth tightens but he doesn’t argue. He’s seen the evidence of their cruelty with his own eyes.
“Attention!” he barks.
The betas jump, their bodies locking into position.
“Come with me,” I say in a gentle voice. “You’ll be safe with me.”
Her face is screwed up in agony. Was walking causing her too much pain?
Bending down, I sweep her in my arms. A surprised gasp escapes her as she hurries to wound her arms around my neck.
“Hold tight,” I say, hurrying out of the dining hall. “Raiden will punish them for breaking the laws of the pack. They’re not allowed to hurt a woman unless they face one in battle.”
“We were fighting,” she says in a small voice as I exit the building.
A cool breeze blows by, carrying away the sour, bitter scents of aggression and jealousy clogging my nostrils. I inhale deeply. Part of me expects to breathe in her scent too but Iris smells clean and neutral.
Betas don’t usually carry strong scents but they at least have a trace of one. Iris is devoid of one...like plain water.
“I saw what happened,” I tell her, moving toward the mansion. “They ganged up on you and you were forced to fight.”
She rests her head against my chest. Something warm and delicious spreads through me at the gesture. It feels strangely good to earn her trust.
Entering the mansion, I make my way to the kitchen.
Iris has dozed off by the time I set her down on a chair. She jerks awake the moment I move away. Her eyes dart all around the place until they settle on me.
Her breathing slows down and she manages to smile a little. “Thank you for rescuing me.”
“It was nothing,” I say in a gruff voice. Moving to one of the cabinets, I take out the first-aid box.
“Can you show me where you’re hurt?” I say, standing before her.
She notices the medicine box in my hand. A shadow falls over her face. “It’s all right,” she says in a bitter tone. “I’m fine.”
Kneeling before her, I gently take off her sneakers and notice how small and cute her feet are.
“You don’t have to do anything,” she says, pulling back her feet.
I grab her ankles in a gentle hold and bring them forward. “Just relax,” I say. “I’m not going to hurt you.”
“Why bother?” she asks. “Aren’t you happy to see me being punished like this? My parents were supposed to bring Delilah to you so you could start a family. They’ve cheated you out of your money and let you down. You should be happy I’m suffering.”
I quietly roll up the hem of her trousers up to her knees. Dark spots are already appearing on her pale skin from where she was kicked.
