Wave upon wave of unyielding, searing torment rips through my body, gripping my muscles mercilessly as I cry out.
Need to be quiet – they’ll find me –
“Shhh.” Cool, damp cloth across my brow.
“Tristan,” I sob. “Tristan, it hurts.”
Not Tristan. Tristan left me alone.
“Jax,” I wheeze. “Please.”
But he left me, too. Gray, Logan. All of them left me alone.
Anguish tightens its grip, my back bowing as hands press me back down.
“Come on, now,” a voice demands softly. “You can do this.”
My head shakes wildly. I can’t do this.
“Mama.” The sob slips from my lips. “Mama, please.”
Help me. It hurts so much.
Warm fingers curve around mine, gripping me tightly. “Hold on,” the voice demands. “The fever will break.”
It won’t. I’m dying. I can feel it.
I can see them all, standing there with cold eyes.
“Why did you leave me?” I beg. “Why didn’t you come?”
Tristan takes a step forward. “You need to wake up,” he orders, his eyes sweeping over me. “You can do it.”
“I can’t,” I whisper. “Something is broken inside me, Tristan.”
His hands land on my shoulders, shaking me gently.
“I’m not Tristan,” he murmurs. “You need to wake up.”“
7
SIENNA
My eyes fly open on a gasp, Tristan’s face still swimming in my mind as I turn my head blindly. The room around me is dark, and my hands shoots out in a panic as I scramble back. Something crashes to the ground and I flinch as the door opens, a broad figure filling the space.
My whine rings out as I press myself against the cool wall.
Low light fills the small space, and I squint at the male in front of me.
“Hey,” he says, leaning against the door. “You’re awake.”
I take him in as my eyes begin to adjust. He’s tall, broad-shouldered with chestnut curls tight against his scalp. Deep brown eyes watch me carefully, and he eases back a step.
“How are you feeling?” he asks gently. “You’ve been in pretty bad shape.”
I glance down at the bed I woke up in, taking in the blankets, the chair to the side. I’m still wearing my Mating Ceremony gown, if you can even call it that. It’s ripped to hell and there is zero sign that it was ever the pale blush color that Logan handed to me.
I take a deep breath. Can’t think about him now.
