She watched me grip the dagger and closed her eyes. “I trust you. Even if I didn’t act like it before with Abby.” I snorted and then cut into her. I cut deep, causing her to whimper. But I had to remove the brand before I could find the leech.
“Shelly?” I had to stop cutting because she was healing too fast.
“Yeah?”
“Tell your wolf to stop healing you. If she has to, tell her to go slowly. I need to remove the brand and then the magic beforethe skin grows back.” She nodded and then I started to cut again. But she was still healing.
Command her.Nix offered.
“I’m sorry. She said she can’t help it.” Shelly whispered.
I leaned over her. “I’m doing this for your own good.” I turned to Toya. “Get a towel.” She nodded and turned away. “Shelly. I command you to stop healing.”
I cut quickly, while she bit her lip to stop the scream that wanted to escape. Toya brought the towel back quickly. “Hold it here until I’m done. I don’t want her bleeding out while I finish this.” Toya nodded as I moved out of the way. Shelly had her eyes clenched tight as I slid by her head. “Okay Shelly, I know this is going to be hard, but just breathe normally.” She snorted, and I smiled. “As normally as you can.” I grabbed the bowl and brought it next to her head. “Breathe the smoke in as much as you can.”
“I can do that.” Rick came up beside Toya. He nodded at the towel, Toya looked to me and I nodded.
“You have to push hard against it.” Her voice was soft. “But try to be gentle.” She slid out of the way and Rick took her place. He pressed into Shelly’s armpit and she hissed. “I’m sorry Shell. I love you so much. You are doing great.” He leaned over and kissed her shoulder.
I wafted the smoke over her face, and I watched as the smoke started to relax her. “Good.” I placed my hands on her temples and then I turned in to myself.
Nix stood at the barrier, ready. “Get on.” I hopped onto her back and she took off. Megan running beside us.
I turned to my other wolf. “Are you coming with us?”
Megan nodded. “You are going to need the help.” I didn’t argue with her because I knew she was right.
We ran until once again the trees shifted to the trees in Shelly’s mind. Her wolf was waiting for me this time, and the anger was gone. “Welcome back.”
“Hello again.” I called as we ran past her. “What’s your name?”
She ran beside us. “My name is Shanara.” She ran a circle around us. “What are we doing? Why are you here again?”
“We are hunting something.” Nix slid to a stop and Megan ran a few steps away and circled back. Shanara kept running, but realized that we had stopped. So she ran back, skidding in front of us.
“What are we hunting?” Shanara sat and stared at Nix. As if she was waiting for a command.
Nix stared at the smaller wolf. “We don’t know, but I have a feeling you do.” I slid off of her back so I could get closer to Shanara.
“I don’t know what you mean.” She settled on her belly. And I knelt next to her head.
“Shelly was violated, and so were you. Your mate bond with Rick is sacred, but Vince branded you with a parasite. He’s been pulling your power from you, your power and strength when you needed it the most to protect your pup.” My words held her attention and I could tell she knew what I was talking about. “Something is here that isn’t supposed to be.” She looked away.
“I don’t know what you mean.” But I could tell she was lying.
“You love Shelly?” I made it a question, but I already knew her answer.
“Of course I do.” She scoffed.
“And you love your mate and pup.” She cut me a look.
“Obviously.” She shook her head. Already fed up with my shit.
“Then tell us where it is.” I ran my hand through her fur and she leaned into me. “You are tired, I know it. So am I. But we are all here to help you. To save you.”
She sighed. “It’s a waste of time. No one can save me.”
Nix growled softly. “Get up Shanara.” She shot to her feet. “I do not waste my time. I am here to hunt the thing leeching from you. And after you, I will do the same to the Omegas and then I will push myself, my human, and my wolf sister to the brink to save your mate. The least you can do is help us save yourself.”
