I blinked, my brows drawing down. “What happened, Em?”
“Oh, he just got a bit overprotective, that’s all.”
“You need to tell me. He wouldn’t leave me like this. Not when I’m hurt.” My fingers twisted as a familiar anxiety set in.
Her hand came to rest gently over mine, her eyes softening. “Hey, it’s okay.He’sokay. Connor’s with him. And I will tell you, but you need a shower to get all that dried blood off your skin and out of your hair. It stinks. You also need to eat and heal, or you’ll be in no fit state to see him.”
My anxiety didn’t ease up even though I knew she was right. My body couldn’t heal without sustenance. “Fine. But you tell me what happened as soon as I'm out of this bathroom.”
Ember just smiled.
My legs shook like a damned newborn calf’s as I stood and walked slowly to the luxurious bathroom. My friends hoveredbehind me, but I managed to make it without face-planting. They even followed me through the door, but after being in bed for the Mother only knew how long, a girl needed some privacy. I turned and raised my brows. “You gonna watch me pee, too?”
Ember grinned while Blue snorted.
“Nope,” Ember said, her mouth popping on the P. “Holler if you need us.”
“Fine. But I won’t.” That might not be true, but I still wouldn’t ask. If Stone had been here, I’d have let him help me—always, but no one else.Isn’t that why you ended up so broken?a little voice asked. I blinked slowly and swallowed my pride—and fear of letting anyone else in. “Em? When I’m done in here, will you help dress my wounds?”
Her eyes widened a little, but she just smiled. “Of course.”
I was grateful. I didn’t want to make a big deal of me actually asking for help for once in my life. Neither of us acknowledged that it was bad that they still needed dressing when a shifter could heal fairly quickly.
My strength deserted me when I was out of the shower, so I didn't bother drying myself. I just wrapped the towel around my wet body and shuffled back to the bed.
“What happened, Em? Why isn’t Stone here? He’d never leave, not after what happened with his….with Vilderon. I need to know. Is he hurt?”
“No, he’s not. But him refusing to leave you is kinda the problem. He lost his shit when you were hurt. Went overboard with the protective mate behaviour and threatened just about everyone, including Connor and Vent. Connor said it was a mating frenzy, that Stone’s wolf was taking over after the threat and injury you suffered when he couldn’t do anything to stop it. You being injured while you're not properly mated and protected by his bond drove him mad. He wanted to keep everyone fromyou while you were vulnerable, especially unmated males like Vent and Lionel.”
I closed my eyes. “What did they do to him?” My eyes burned. He was strong and proud and already blamed himself for his father’s actions. Now Connor and Ventry had dragged him away. He’d hate himself for letting them do that, even though when they worked together, no one would stand a chance against them.
“Honestly, Shan, he’s okay. They had to knock him out to get him away from you, but I spoke to Connor this morning and Stone’s awake. He’s apparently being a moody fucker, but other than that, he’s okay.”
I doubted he was really okay if the emptiness in my chest was anything like he was feeling. “Fine. Then, let’s get some food in me so I can heal. Because once I am, you’re taking me straight to him. He’s been through enough. We both have.” I looked at my friends, grateful they were here, but also wishing it was Stone. “I messed up by running from him for so long. He helped me fight my demons, and still, I held him at arm’s length. It’s time that stopped, especially when it can all be taken from you in an instant.” I rubbed the red and inflamed skin of my healing wounds. “It sometimes takes staring death in the face to make you realise what you love and value most, what you’ll miss most.”
“And what is that?” Ember asked gently, but there was a knowing gleam in her eyes.
“Him,” I said simply, a smile overtaking my face. It felt good to admit out loud to my friends what he meant to me.
“Finally.” Blue rolled her eyes, but she was grinning, too. “I thought you’d never get there. Though I’m still sick of being involved with all this lovey dovey mush. It’s too messy by far.”
Ember threw a pillow at her. “For Mother’s sake, stop going on. No, it’s not. You’re just salty because you haven’t found your person yet.”
A brief flash of pain infected Blue’s eyes, but it was gone so quickly I wasn’t sure I’d even seen it. “Yeah, well, Shan has, so let’s get her healed so she can get all bitey and shit with him.”
Chapter 30
Stone
Freezing spray blew off the crashing waves, and I lifted my face to the wind, closing my eyes and enjoying the ache as it hit my bruised skin. Moisture dripped down my neck, absorbed by the thick fleece and waterproof jacket I wore. My jeans clung to my legs, the material soaked through and scratchy. It was unpleasant, but nothing about my cold skin, wet hair, or damp clothes came remotely close to the hollow sensation in my soul.
My wolf whined, the sound so despondent that I growled. “Shut the fuck up,” I grated out between clenched teeth, not wanting this aching sadness at being away from Shannon any more than he did. The mating frenzy had settled since I’d been forced back here, but at least I’d had time to reflect on what had happened with my father and Holt. Ultimately, Shannon had been right not to trust me with her bond. I’d let her down. She deserved better than to mate with an Alpha who couldn’t protect her. I squeezed my eyes shut and tipped my head back. Those thoughts had grown louder in my mind, but I couldn’t ignorethe pull in my heart to her or the fact that she was mine, and I refused to give up on us. If I had to beg for forgiveness for not protecting her, then I’d get on my fucking knees and do it. As many times as it took.
Ventry had asked if I wanted to take up my mantle as Lord of House Vilderon. One look at my face told him enough and he hadn’t mentioned it again. The thought of becoming Lord Vilderon made me want to break something—like my father. If only I could bring him back from the dead, I’d happily rip him limb from limb.
Ventry had cleaned up the mess left behind by my family and Holt. The staff who survived the Mades had been anxious about their fate, and the soldiers who had fought to protect House Vilderon were understandably unsettled. There had apparently been whispers of desertions and requests for transfers to different houses. Ventry had quickly dissolved my family’s title and had instated his younger brother Arrochar as High Lord. Lord Arrochar D’nar, or third son of, Ventris was now general of the borderland army and liaison to the crown with the dark Fae, who were tentatively seeking peace on that section of the border.
I’d been happy to walk away and never look back until Ventry had asked if there was anything I wanted from my father’s estate. There was only one thing. I’d searched through my mother’s possessions until I found it; an intricate ice diamond ring. It had a multifaceted blue-green diamond inset on the shoulders of delicate vines. I remembered her telling me it had once belonged to her grandmother. It was one of the prettiest pieces of jewellery I’d ever seen, and I could only hope that Shannon would do me the honour of wearing it.
