“No, he can’t make me, but I understand from your king that he has complete control over your life, so I will honour his request.”
Shannon’s eyes shot open at B’nar’s clever words. We both grinned. B’nar at Blue’s furious stare, me at Shannon’s. Shannon was as fiercely independent as any other female in our circle, and my friend knew she’d rebel against his statement. Unfortunately for her, she was still facing my way. And just as I wanted, it meant the first thing she saw when she woke was me.
“He doesn't control me. He never will.”
My grin stretched, grateful for the defiance in her eyes. It had been sadly lacking recently. And even if it was there because she was furious about being stuck with me, I didn’t care. I’d do everything I could to keep it there.
“Glad you're back with us, Shan.”
Confusion flitted through her gaze at my gentle tone. Her cheek warmed as I held her gaze. Her fingers curled around my wrist as she tried to move my hand from her face, but I heldit against her skin, unwilling to let her go. My eyes narrowed. Even sweaty, pale and ravaged by the demons of her past, she was fucking beautiful. I’d never allowed myself to dwell on how fucking gorgeous I found her, but now I couldn’t seem to stop. Her lips were dry and cracked, but I swore to myself that once she was healed, they were mine. She didn’t realise it yet, but that mouth would never taste anyone else. “But let me be clear. Until our king says otherwise, your life is mine.Youare mine. So when I tell you to do something, you will obey.”
“No, I won’t.”
The fierce return of her fire stoked my relief and awakened another baser part of my personality that she’d never met. My grin was no-holds-barred Fae and downright predatory, especially as my wolf perked up at the challenge in her tone. “Yes, Shan, you will.”
Her eyes flashed, her wolf taking a peek at me. I stared them both down. Her throat bobbed as she swallowed, her wolf disappearing. “Or what?” There was a bit of a wobble to her words, and she bit her bottom lip.
I’d never seen that move from her before, but fuck me if it didn’t make my dick twitch in anticipation of the hunt. All my good intentions of letting her go when she was well again had disintegrated. Now, it was all about getting her well, so I could claim what was mine. “Or I’ll have fun reminding you who you belong to.”
Her eyes widened as I slid my hand away, her mouth clamping shut. I took advantage of her stunned silence to kiss her forehead and straighten, looking at Blue. “I’ll take your advice and head back to my rooms while you spend some time together.” I flashed an enquiring look at B’nar, who nodded.
I tilted my head and peered down at Shannon. “The door is open, but you will not try and escape. You are not strong enough to survive in Faery alone. There are bigger and far more evilpredators than me out there. Just remember that. The medical staff B’nar has kindly organised will continue your care, and you will allow them to do their jobs and accept every part of your treatment.”
I’d hoped for more mutiny, but she just looked exhausted again. Her head rested back on the pillow, and she nodded.
“Good.” I walked to the door, then hesitated, looking back at her and then Blue. “If you see your father again, you must tell the staff. They will give you some medication to help with hallucinations. It’s the alcohol withdrawal. He’s not really here, Shannon.”
Her face paled even more, and she closed her eyes, looking defeated.
“Don’t worry. I’ll take care of her and tell them if anything happens.”
I nodded at Blue, grateful to her, but I didn’t trust Shannon to speak up if her bastard of a father was destroying her mind more than he already had, even if it was just a memory or hallucination. She was as vulnerable to him now as she had always been, making him as powerful as if he was standing right beside her.
“Okay. I’ll be back in a couple of hours.” I hesitated for a moment longer, still unwilling to leave her. Shannon squeezed her eyes shut again. This time, I let it go. One win was enough, and more than anything, I was just fucking relieved she’d woken up. I didn’t want to push her any further.
Chapter 10
Shannon
My recovery was slow. For the first few days, my brain was foggy, and it was scary as hell. I didn’t know who or where I was some days. Stone’s face swam in front of mine, along with others I didn’t recognise. Fear was my constant companion, but it always took a back seat to my fatigue when Stone was close. He settled me and my wolf enough that I could relax and know no one would hurt me while he was around.
My father’s ghost would often be by my side telling me how useless I was, that this was all my fault, that the gorgeous male sitting beside me would never respect me and definitely never love someone as worthless as me. My ability to block out his sneering smile and his words was pretty well nonexistent. Maybe because deep down, I knew he was right. On my worst days, I found him impossible to ignore and almost drowned in self-loathing.
Somehow though, when my father wouldn’t leave me the fuck alone, Stone always knew. He’d demand my attention, make me get my weak body off the bed, make me eat or drink,give me a book and demand I read to him. Basically, he’d irritate me enough I’d curse his arse to hell and back. But he never left. Never lost his temper. And never once insulted me.
Today was a bad day. Rationally, I knew Daddy dearest wasn’t right next to me. But that didn’t help. The scars I carried ran deep.
“He’s not here, Shan.”
A warm hand landed on my forearm. Involuntarily, my whole body relaxed. His touch did more to relieve the shadows in my mind than any medication or clever treatments the Fae had. My wolf immediately settled, and I released a sigh, squeezing my eyes shut and trying to hide the wetness in them.
“I know that. Really, I do. It’s just…he seems so fuckingreal….”
“Hey.” Stone’s gentle command washed over me. And that’s what that one word was, a command to open my eyes and look at him. Part of me wanted to comply, but the other part, which had been fighting all my life for independence and control, wanted to do the exact opposite.
Still, I was too tired to fight. When I turned my face his way, I drowned in his mercury eyes. Mother Wolf, he was so intense. Yet, I couldn’t look away. I didn’t want to. That commanding stare had gotten me through the worst periods of my life. Not just recently, but when I’d fallen apart after surviving the fight rings and hated myself so much, the only reason I had to go home was to look into those eyes and make them flash with fury at me. He’d been my anchor for so long; even when I thought I was pushing him away, he’d been the one that kept me breathing….
“He’s not there.” His repeated words were firm, soothing my growing anxiety.
