“What happened to me?” Alice rasped out through a dry throat.
The women exchanged concerned looks that prickled alarm down Alice’s spine. Sally, the healer with kind brown eyes, spoke carefully. “You were being held captive.” Her brow drew deep. “Do you remember? But we got you out with help from the fae.”
“Cain.” The name fell from Alice’s lips before she even realized it was in her mind. Instantly, the memories rushed back in a dizzying flood. The experiments, the hybrids, the blood bond with Cain to save her life…
Alice pressed shaking hands to her mouth, tears threatening to spill over. It had all gone so wrong. People had suffered and died for Cain’s obsession. And despite herself, she had cared for him.
“Shhh, it’s okay.” Jacque wrapped a comforting arm around her shoulders. “Cain can’t hurt you anymore. You’re free of him.”
But even as relief loosened her chest, Alice felt a pang of sorrow lanced through her. She had seen brief glimpses of the man behind the ambition and darkness driving Cain. Enough to hope he could change, find redemption. If she left him now, would he only spiral further into obsession?
Alice squeezed her eyes shut against a surge of guilt. Was it selfish to seek the joy fate promised her while abandoning Cain to his demons? She wished she could save everyone, heal every broken soul. But some hurts ran too deep.
Gentle hands smoothed back her hair, pulling Alice from her gloomy thoughts. She looked up into Jen’s understanding blue eyes.
“Whatever you’re beating yourself up over, stop,” the blonde said firmly. “We have all been where you’re at. In fact, we should have a damn club with initiation rites and everything.”
“I’m vetoing that right now,” Jacque said quickly. “Continue, Jen.”
Jen rolled her eyes at the redhead and focused back on Alice. “You’ve been to hell and back. Maybe it’s the name, ‘Alice.’ It doesn’t exactly have a lot of positive connotations. Although Karen would be worse. Whatever.” She waved her own words off. “The point is, no one expects you to fix the world’s problems now. Just rest and heal.”
Alice managed a small but grateful smile. Jen was right. She couldn’t change the past. It was gone and done. Even if shadows of it would always haunt her.
Jacque shifted, drawing Alice’s focus to where the men had been relegated to one corner. Her eyes widened seeing the sizable group watching her with varied looks of concern, frustration, and barely leashed violence. She shrank back instinctively.
Kara followed her gaze, her expression softening. “I know they seem intimidating, but those are our mates. Their instinct is to protect us, and they get really grumpy when we don’t do what they say.” Her musical voice dropped gently. “Sometimes we indulge them just to make them feel a little better.”
Maxim.Remembering his name sent a jolt through Alice. With dawning wonder, she realized the warm brush of finality she sensed through her soul was their mating bond. Fully forged at last. She closed her eyes briefly, and she saw the thick golden cord that linked her to him. Her lids snapped open, and her eyes found and locked on the tall, powerfully built man who moved to Jacque’s side in response to Kara’s words. Even in a passive stance, he radiated coiled energy and intensity. But his stormy gaze was achingly tender as it met Alice’s own.
“We’ll give you two some time,” Jacque said quietly, ushering the other men out and steering the protesting females along. “We’ll be right outside if you need us.”
“Or we can stay and supervise—” Jen started but was cut off by a shove from both Sally and Jacque.
“Nope,” the girls said as they grabbed her hands and pulled her away.
The door closed softly behind them, leaving Alice alone with the stranger fate had destined for her. The one who had rescued her from the darkness. Emotion clogged her throat.
Maxim approached slowly, as if afraid she would bolt like a skittish fawn. “How are you feeling,Malishka?” His voice was a low rumble that teased along her senses. He had a distinctly foreign accent that she now remembered from the times when he’d spoken to her through the bond.
Alice cleared her tight throat. “Overwhelmed. Confused.” She hesitated. “Embarrassed, and more than anything, so grateful to you.”
Maxim’s stern features softened. Reaching the bedside, he sank down beside her hip with effortless grace. The heat and vitality radiating off him made her breath catch.
“You never need to thank me,” he said fervently, taking her hand in his much larger one. “I will always find you, always come for you. It’s my duty and privilege as your mate. And you need not be embarrassed.”
The sincere words pierced Alice to the core. But shadows still clung inside her, difficult to banish.
“You know Cain and I shared blood.” She forced the shameful words out in a pained whisper. “I can’t expect you to just accept that.”
Maxim’s jaw tightened briefly. But his thumb continued gently stroking over her knuckles. “The past is done. You are meant for me and I for you. That is all that matters now.”
Could it be that simple? Alice’s eyes prickled with relieved tears. After keeping her darkest secret, his easy acceptance felt like a balm to her battered soul. Even if a faint wariness lingered in Maxim’s stormy gaze, she knew he spoke the truth. And she would have to learn to trust him.
Maxim bent closer, expression intent. “There is still the matter of the blood bond with Cain,” he rumbled. “The healers are studying, attempting to find information in the archives. In the meantime, I can help. Iwantto help.” He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “My blood will keep you strong. The Blood Rites between true mates is sacred and powerful.”
Alice’s lips parted in surprise as his meaning sank in. Her cheeks heated at the thought of taking her mate’s blood so intimately. But longing rose inside her as well at the promised connection between them.
Maxim stared at her, and he no doubt saw all the different emotions play across her face. “The choice is yours,” he said gently. “I won’t push you faster than you’re ready. But know I’m waiting and willing when you desire it.”
