The relief on Kellan’s face lit up the room. “I can’t believe I missed the naked pack bonding.Fuck. We better repeat that again, minus the almost dying part.” His smile grew and grew as he looked between us. “Tell me the truth, though…”
We waited as he dramatically paused, and I found myself delighted by his stupidly mischievous smile. “You missed the group chat the most, didn’t you?”
Hunter snorted and shook his head, and I felt like light pierced through the darkness of my soul once more, allowing me to pretend for a short while that I wasn’t a literal living nightmare.
Kellan shot us all an indulgent expression. “Don’t worry yourselves, Daddy Alpha and Scary Shifter. Golden Boy is back, and all will be right in the world as soon as I have my phone in hand.”
Hunter reached out and grabbed the device off the dresser, handing it to him. “You might want to check the current message thread. Our little omega was pouring her emotions out in messages. I don’t think she realized she posted them in the group chat rather than privately. They’re well worth a read.”
I’d read them more than once, needing the hit of purity that was Emmeline Anders. Between Emme and Kellan, my dragon scales would be greener the next time I shifted. That was what happened when there was light in your soul.
Even if it was borrowed light that I’d never truly keep.
CHAPTER 28
KELLAN
Pretty Girl: Hey, Golden Boy. I’m lying next to you, and I wish you were awake so we could chat. I could really use a dose of your positivity and humor. This fucking sucks. I can’t believe you jumped in front of that magic for me. If you ever do that again…
My left arm tightened as if to bring her closer, but she was already sprawled across my chest. As close as I could physically get to her without this shit turning awkward and weird…though…Tempting.
My sweet, perfect mate. I’d fucking stand between her and anything. She could never stop me from doing it again and again.
Pretty Girl: Okay, so maybe threatening you when you’re possibly dying isn’t exactly appropriate, but just know, I’m very mad at you. We’re in a fight, okay. And right now I’m winning and you’re losing, so I need you to wake right up. Immediately. Like now. Please…
My heart thudded roughly in my chest, the ache so acute that I would have rubbed my sternum, except both hands were occupied with the two most important things in the world. Emme and her thoughts.
Pretty Girl: Okay, so, let’s talk about something else because I need my mind off what’s happening. I’m sorry about the bike… my poor, pretty baby. I’m assuming she got totaled when they blasted us, and I never even got a chance to tell you how much that gift meant to me. Along with the helmet and jacket. Goddess, it was more than anyone has ever done for me, you sweet, beautiful shifter, and I need you to know that it broke me. In the best ways.
I’d already sent out a few messages to get her bike replaced, and this time I’d be the one to give it to her. I needed to absorb her emotions in person rather than via security footage that Sladereluctantlyshared with me after. Greedy fucking dragon.
Focusing on the phone again, I savored these messages, saving them into another private chat. These tiny snippets were glimpses ofmyEmme, and she was never this open normally. I was experiencing the tiny cracks in her chest as she bled out her emotions.
The fact that I’d almost died and missed this was unacceptable.
Turning my face toward her, I breathed in her scent, letting my wolf calm. He was prepared to escape from my skin and storm Silver City until we tracked down the fuckers who almost stole me from my mate. I understood why my pack hadn’t done anything while I was unconscious and on death’s door, but now there was nothing to stop us.
I pressed my lips to her brow, and again between her eyes, and down her perfect, cute little nose, tracing each of her freckles. I had them memorized by now, and as I pulled away, it hurt to see her normally rosy tanned skin so pale. Even during rest, exhaustion lined her features, and I wished I could erase everything I’d put her through.
Or go even further back and start with her mom.
Unfortunately, reversing time wasn’t one of my talents, but I could ensure that the rest of her days were filled with so much love and happiness that it drowned out her past until she couldn’t hear it at all. No matter what it took or who I had to destroy along the way.
Tucking her against my chest once more, I returned to the phone.
Pretty Girl: The witch didn’t have good news, baby. But I know you’re strong enough to fight. To stay here with me. It’s not just me either. Finley is a mess, and our two stoic alphas are keeping up their usual gruntiness, but they’re struggling as well. We all need you and your sunshiny ways. YOU HEAR ME, GOLDEN BOY. Do. Not. Fucking. Leave. Us.
At the start of her next message, my heart skipped a few beats, and I was fairly sure it was about to pound out of my chest as I read on.
Pretty Girl: I’ve told you this many times in your unconscious state, but I love you, Kellan Jackson. I think I fell in love with you the first day you stalked me in the forest, shifted into one of the hottest golden men I’d ever seen, and all but flopped your penis out in front of me like it was just a regular Tuesday. It is a really nice penis, btw. Anywho. You’re not going to die, and I will delete all these messages in that case, but I have to put it in writing. I love you. You’re one of the best things that ever happened to me. The end.
The tightness in my chest overwhelmed me as the heat in my eyes rivaled the fire of my previously fought magical battle. “I love you too, pretty girl,” I whispered, dropping the phone by my side and wrapping her up with both arms. “I love you so much it hurts. You’re the other half of my soul, and now I need you to wake up so I can tell you that.”
My emotions were a swirling pit of warmth, love, and despair, and I wasn’t sure how to let them escape without howling to the heavens. It almost slipped free when I felt the slightest movement in my hold…
“Kellan.” Her rasp was barely audible, but I heard her. Choking back avery manlysob, I was just so goddess-be-damned thankful she was awake.
“Baby,” I breathed, joy piercing through my chest until it felt like my heart was as tattered and bleeding as hers had been in her messages. I rocked her back and forth, before pulling away to see her eyes slowly open. “Are you okay?” I demanded, assessing her vital signs, which were all stable. “Do I need to call in healers?”
