“The wolf howl,” I whispered, thinking back to that day and hearing the mournful sound in my memory.
James slowly nodded, hearing my whispered words. “I talked to him that night. That’s when he told me about you,” he said.
James stopped talking and looked at his aunt and uncle. “He’s scared to tell you both. He’s scared of people knowing he’s gay.”
“We love him. We don’t care if he’s gay, straight, or purple! We just want the best for him!” his aunt huffed.
James turned back to me. “He’s also scared that you might find him lacking. He’s not as powerful as you, and he fears your size. He knows you can overpower him—”
“I would never hurt him, and I definitely don’t find him lacking!” I said, cutting James off.
“Good,” he said. He sighed, and his eyes shone with tears and pain. “Yesterday evening, Embry was attacked. He was badly beaten. He was near death and has been unconscious ever since. We have an idea of who’s responsible, but we don’t know for sure. We found him in an alleyway and brought him here. Lydia is a doctor and has been watching over him.”
I stood up, sending the chair flying behind me. “Where is Embry? Where is my mate?”
Aaran also stood and placed a firm hand on my shoulder, willing me to calm.
I didn’t want to calm down. I wanted my mate, and I’d destroy this entire town to get to him.
James stood. “Follow me. I’ll take you to him,” he said.
We went up the stairs and entered a small room. There, on the bed, was my angel. I raced to him and kneeled by his side. He was broken, beaten. Bruises and swelling marred his beautiful features. I growled low in my throat as I gently brushed my fingers over his face. Every part of him was injured. His arm was bandaged and in a pink cast.
I’ll kill whoever did this.For the second time in less than a day, I lifted my hand to cut my palm and gift my blood.
“No, Angus. You can’t. It will force the bond,” Aaran said, stopping me.
I snarled at him. “I need to heal him.”
“We’ll call Addison. Angus, you heard the Alpha: he’s scared of you. Don’t force him. He needs to get to know you,” Aaran said, pleading.
My brother was right. Since Embry was my mate, if he drank my blood, it would start the bonding process. It would heal him, but it would take all choice away.
I nodded. “Call Addison.”
“I’ll call him now. I’d offer my blood, but I think you would kill me if I did,” he said, grabbing his phone.
Damn straight, I would. Nobody’s blood but mine would go into my angel’s body. I stared at my mate while Aaran was on the phone.
Don’t worry, my angel. I’ll protect you, I thought.
The Angel’s Awakening
Embry
My head was fuzzy as I opened my eyes. The room was spinning.
Where am I? This isn’t my room.I looked around the space.Yellow walls? Sunflower curtains?James’s guest room. What was I doing here?
Then, the memories of the attack flooded my mind. I kept seeing Tom’s face twisted in anger as he told me to die. A tremor rushed through my body.Am I dead?
A loud snore caught my attention before I could answer that question. I turned my head to look. Seated in a rocking chair in the corner was a huge, stunning redhead.
My mate is here. How? When? I must be dead, I thought. I pinched myself.Ow! Felt that. How is he here? Oh God, oh God, does he—
“You’re awake, Angel,” a deep, sexy voice with a distinctly Scottish brogue said, stopping my rambling thoughts.
I heard movement and turned my gaze in that direction. I saw red tartan fabric and realized I was staring at his kilt. Raising my head up and up and up, I appreciated every curve.Man, he was tall!When I reached his face, he wore a gentle smile.
