After rooting around in the kitchen cupboards, she found a bowl and filled it with warm soapy water. Grabbing a couple of towels from the bathroom, she took everything back into Sara and set it on the bedside table.
Sara’s T-shirt stuck to her skin, sealed to it by the drying blood, both straps of her bra severed by Gallen’s claws. The skin itself had already knit back together, leaving bright pink scars. Rachel used her claws to tear the shirt and bra down the middle and eased the material away with the warm water and a flannel. The scars would fade to nothing soon enough, but Rachel struggled to look at them and keep her temper in check.
She felt the change under her skin, her wolf eager to protect what was theirs. Cracking her neck and rolling her shoulders, she blew out a breath and forced herself to gain some semblance of control. She was a beta. She could do better than this.
Gritting her teeth, she cleaned away the remaining blood, then gently took Sara’s ruined T-shirt off her, the ragged-looking scars testing her resolve.
After taking everything back into the kitchen for now, Rachel returned to the bedroom and snagged a blanket from the bottom of the bed, then lay next to Sara and pulled it over them both. As Rachel settled down next to her again, head on the pillow, Sara turned to face her and opened her eyes.
“Hey,” Sara whispered, voice scratchy.
“Oh, thank fuck.” Rachel scooted closer and put her hand on Sara’s jaw, gently rubbing her thumb over her cheekbone. “I was so scared.”
“Me too.” Sara tried to roll over onto her side but winced, “Ow!” Her hand flew to her chest, and she grimaced as her fingers traced over the scars. “Forgot about those.”
“Just lie still and heal.” It came out more forceful than Rachel intended, but Sara grinned at her.
“Yes, boss.” Her smile quickly faded as she took in her surroundings. “What happened? I mean after—” She gestured to her chest.
Rachel filled her in on everything, reaching for Sara’s hand as she spoke. Their fingers tangled, and Rachel finally let go of the tension she’d been holding onto ever since the car park. “Cam and Alpha Cornell are with the council now.”
“With my dad?” Sara asked, expression hard to read but with an edge to her voice.
“Yes.”
Cam had picked up what was left of Rachel’s clothes, along with her keys, purse, and phone. He’d left them next to the bed, so Rachel reached over and grabbed her phone. “I should text Cam and let him know you’re awake.” She hesitated to say the next bit. “Your father wanted to know as soon as you woke up.”
Sara scoffed. “I bet he did. Probably wants to haul me back to Cornwall as soon as he can.”
Fear gripped Rachel like a vice. “Can he do that? After everything that’s occurred, don’t we have some say in what happens with our bond?”
“I don’t know.” Sara sighed but gave Rachel’s hand a squeeze. “My grandmother wouldn’t elaborate on what the council said to him this morning. But she did say they weren’t impressed by his attitude. Maybe his behaviour at the pub means they can intervene?”
“Fuck, I hope so.” Rachel lifted their joined hands. “I can’t leave you again,” she whispered and kissed Sara’s knuckles. “I won’t.”
