“And do you have a solution?” Julien asked, his voice breaking on the last word. “Or at least a plan to work toward one?”
Her eyes flashed with white light as she glared at him. “Of course. I’m working on a plan and gathering magic from others to help. It’s tricky to reverse spells like this one, as it’s keyed to the energy of another witch—one who is dead and can’t be forced to revoke her magic.” The scent of Jewels’ magic exploded through the room, and my nose wrinkled. “I have what I need for now.”
When she met Hunter’s gaze, she swallowed roughly, and her magic faded away. “You’re lucky I like your pack, Alpha Hunter,” she breathed. “I wouldn’t do this for just anyone.”
When I stole a quick glance toward Hunter, I found his expression neutral bordering on bored. He responded with a grunt, so I elbowed him, and his eyes widened in astonishment as if no one had ever thought to strike him.
He wasn’t the only one either, as the others stared like we were a new phenomenon popped up from the depths of the underworld. “What Hunter meant with his alpha grunt is thank you,” I told Jewels, forcing a smile. “We really appreciate everything you’re doing to save Kellan.”
Her expression turned shrewd as she ran her gaze over me, searching deeper in a way that had my skin prickling. “You’re welcome. I’ll be in touch soon.”
When she left, the scent of magic completely faded, and all of us breathed a sigh of relief.
“Do you mind if we sit with Kel for a couple of hours,” Tyson asked as he settled into the chair. “We need to catch up with our little rocket.”
Hunter swept me up into his arms as he headed for the door. “Take all the time you need. Myviciouslittle omega needs to eat and rest. She won’t leave him alone, but if you’re watching over him…”
Julien and Tyson were smiling broadly as they watched Hunter alpha-handle me like I was a bag of potatoes, butwhatever they thought of his actions, they kept it to themselves. “We’ve got a lot to catch him up on,” Tyson said, shrugging off his jacket and pulling over another chair from Kellan’s desk. “You take your time with dinner andwhatever else.”
Before I could protest, or give Kellan one more hug, Hunter exited the room with me firmly contained in his arms. “I’m fine,” I protested. “You’re being a big, overprotective alpha. Which is unnecessary.”
Hunter ground to a halt, and I gulped at the surge of heat and dominance that poured off him. “You were kidnapped right out from under me,” he bit out, slowly, deliberately. “Taken and held hostage. Attacked by a fucking witch. And now you’re not eating or sleeping properly. Don’t make me fail as your alpha more than I already have, Emmeline. Don’t ask it of me. Not even for you will I let you keep spiraling into an abyss of darkness.”
Whoa…Whoa!“You’re not a failure,” I said, swallowing hard to keep my voice clear. “Not in all the time I’ve known you. You keep us together and safe, Hunter. Don’t think I haven’t seen all you do. I’ve seen it, and I admire you for it.”
I wanted to be the one who cared for him as well, but it was hard when eventuallywewould come to an end. One day they’d get sick of this half-bonded-quintet situation we had going on. They’d get sick of my trauma, drama, and issues.
They’d get sick of me.
“Will you eat for me, Emme?”
Deciding this wasn’t a battle worth fighting I nodded. “Yes, I’ll eat and rest. Kellan will be okay with his brothers for a few hours.” It was a reassurance for myself as much as anyone else.
A purr of satisfaction lit up Hunter’s chest. “That’s my good girl. Come on, Florence has been helping Gerald prepare their best dishes in the hopes that you’ll eat.”
That alone had me wanting to eat whatever was offered. These shifters showed me in their own ways that they cared, and I wouldn’t throw it in their faces.
Not even when grief was my driving force, leaving my stomach in a shambles.
I’d force the food down, no matter what it took.
CHAPTER 14
EMME
When we reached the dining room, the table was already set, and I was relieved to see a glass of wine in my usual place. If there was ever a night for wine, it was this one. Thankfully, I’d burn it off long before I returned to Kellan—I wanted to be as alert and coherent as possible in case anything went wrong through the night.
As I headed for my usual seat, Hunter all but lifted me and whirled me around until I sat in the chair right beside his, at the head of the table. By the time my head stopped whirling too, he’d retrieved my wine. “I need you close tonight,” he said with that same quiet intensity he’d been wearing like a cloak all evening.
Before he sat, Hunter poured a generous shot of Glenfiddich forty-year-old single malt into a whiskey glass, sinking into his chair as he sipped his drink. I joined him by sampling the deliciously crisp white wine.
During my second sip of wine, the door swung open, and Florence rushed into the room, her face ashen. “Emme,” she burst out, wringing her hands together. “We’ve been so worried since you were taken. And now Alpha Kellan is hurt.” Her voice broke and I remembered the day she told me how much she enjoyed working with these alphas, moving from the South justto be with them. I’d seen her love for them that day, and I wished that she didn’t suffer with us now.
I stood to give her a hug, her devastation bringing my own strongly to the surface once more. “Thank you for caring,” I rasped, my throat aching until I almost couldn’t get the words out. “We’re going to bring him back. I don’t care what it takes.”
She sniffled roughly before her professionalism kicked in and she pulled away. “I have all the faith. He’s a fighter, our Alpha Kellan. I know he won’t give up if that means leaving you behind. He loves you, Emme. Don’t forget that.”
I was sniffling now, but determined not to cry in front of Hunter again. Kellan had never said those words to me, but his actions spoke much louder than three little words ever could. “Thank you.” It was a whisper and a sigh in one sentence.
