Balling my hands under my chin, doing my best not to tremble, I whispered, “If you’re here to take me to Lucien, I can’t today.”
The bed dipped as he leapt over me and settled his enormous warm weight against my spine. I whimpered as the motion jarred my head.
He immediately stilled as if he knew he’d hurt me.
Gritting my teeth against fresh nausea, I turned to face him. He watched me, head cocked, ears pricked. Leaning down, he pressed his velvet muzzle against my temple with a surprising gentleness.
Tears stung my eyes.
“Whisper.” My voice broke. “It hurts.”
The panther rumbled a deep, vibrating purr as if he understood. Lying down, he slung a heavy front leg over me.
I froze as he nuzzled my hair.
I choked on a sob as he settled close.
He offered such comfort. Such protection. Suchkindness.
With a gasp of absolute gratitude, I clutched his fur. His claws unsheathed, catching on the covers as he kneaded me.
For the first time since I lost everything, I had someone hold me while I shattered.
I didn’t have to pretend I wasn’t broken.
Didn’t have to suffer alone.
I couldn’t help it.
I cried.
I gave in to huge wracking sobs that made my head splinter but somehow felt so, so good.
Whisper growled, the rumble like an earthquake in his chest.
His sandpaper tongue tugged my hair as he licked me.
I cried harder.
“ROOK!” Laura’s voice rang sharp with panic. “Get off her, you vile beast!”
No.
What?
What was she doing here?
Whisper snarled, loud and vicious. Launching to his feet, he stood over me, bristling and violent.
My vision faded in and out as I rolled over and gawked at the girl who’d been dragged into this mess like me.
Laura’s face turned ghost white, her eyes round with terror. “Get off her! S-Stopeatingher!”
Eating me?
Whisper rumbled a bone-shattering growl, fangs bared, and black gums wet with saliva.
“Oh, fuck. Oh, fuck. Oh, fuck.” Her voice turned shrill as her gaze flew around my room.
