“She was sold to the farm you were all kept at because she helped me. We’ve been looking for her ever since,” the woman says, letting out a little sigh.
“Is she... okay?” I grunt, my eyes not leaving the screen. Not even to blink.
“I’m definitely not a doctor, but from my understanding, it’s a hormone imbalance. A pretty bad one, at that.”
“They gave... her drugs,” I grunt, remembering the terrible, dark weeks when she was kept away from me. “They hurt her.”
“Yeah, that’s what I assumed,” the woman sighs. “But she got helped just in time. We managed to stabilize her. And considering all that her body’s been put through, according to the records we were able to find at the facility, she’s in surprisingly good shape. I think it’s because of the bonds she has with you and her other mates.”
A satisfied growl vibrates through my chest. It eases the knot that hasn’t left me since Mirabelle got sick.
I did help.
“We did a blood test, you know,” the woman says, flipping the camera back on herself and running a hand through her long black hair.
My growl turns frustrated when I lose sight of Mirabelle.
“Sorry, but I have a meeting I have to run to soon,” she says, pursing her lips. “I’ll make sure you see her soon, though. Promise.”
“You really think that’s a good idea to promise that, Reyna?” Madden asks, flipping the camera back on him alone.
“I do. Those blood tests I mentioned? They confirmed that Mira’s bondmates are her fated mates. The compatibility there leaves no room for anything else other than them being her scent matches.”
The words “fated mates” and “scentmatches” float through my brain. They carry obvious importance, based on the way Madden’s shoulders stiffen and his eyes go wide.
“Oh wow.”
“Yeah, exactly.”
“Okay then,” Madden nods.
“I’ll call Stone, make sure the police who’re waiting back at the hotel know to change their approach if Mira’s other mates make their way back,” she says.
“Thanks, Reyna,” Madden says before the call ends.
The room feels even more silent, even more empty when the call ends, my only link to Mirabelle severed.
“Stone is one of Reyna’s bondmates. He’s the police chief,” Madden explains, pocketing his phone.
“That woman... is she your mate?”
“Reyna? No, not at all, she’s my mate’s best friend, though, so our packs are pretty close,” he explains.
All these dynamics, all these people are confusing. Does Mirabelle being friends with someone make their pack my friends?
“Would you be willing to talk to your pack mates if they show back up?” He asks.
I swallow hard, remembering Mirabelle on that video call. She looked like she was sleeping peacefully. Not in pain. Not like she has been for the past week.
“Fine,” I grunt.
“Great,” Madden says, nodding down to my restraints. “Let me take those off you, then. Thanks for working with us.”
CHAPTER 55
Mirabelle
Iwake up slowly. To the feel of soft fabrics and even softer murmurs.
