Deep breath out.
It’s over. You’re safe.
Focus on your breathing.
She didn’t know how long she sat there like that, tuning out the quiet conversation around her, but eventually, the blinding panic gripping her heart eased.
When her nausea finally disappeared along with the trembling in her hands, she opened her eyes, feeling no small sense of victory for overcoming her panic.
“I’m sorry,” Hunny replied softly. “I swear I’m not trying to make light of this mess or that I’m on Dante’s side. I’m not.” She sent Tank a pointed look before returning her attention to Nessa. “I just know that if the roles were reversed and someone was threatening to torture my mate unless I did what they wanted … I don’t think I’d react any differently. I’d do what it took to protect Henry.”
“You’d tell Murphy, though,” Zeke cut in without hesitation. “We all would. Dante should have known that our Alpha would protect his mate.”
Nessa smiled slightly at the conviction in Zeke’s voice. Clearly, he had absolute faith in Murphy. It was nice to see, after all the hardships her mate had endured, that he had someone fighting in his corner who wasn’t blood related.
“I don’t think anyone knows what they’d really do until they’re placed in that situation,” Nessa stated. “There wasn’t any winning for Dante, no matter what he decided. Jason was a sick bastard, and if he’d threatened to abuse Angela, to rape and kill her if Dante sounded the alarm, I’m sure he would have.”
“Putting you all at risk wasn’t the answer,” Zeke argued.
“No,” Nessa agreed quietly. “No, it wasn’t.” But just like when Murphy had discussed with her days ago, she didn’t feel any anger or hatred toward Dante. Just a wave of empathy that refused to abate.
An even bigger wave of sorrow rose at her thoughts for Murphy. Whatever choice he made regarding Dante, and now Marcus, that burden would hang over him for the rest of his life. “Murphy’s going to be okay, right?”
“You think Dante will try to hurt him?” Zeke asked with a frown.
Hunny shook her head. “That’s not what she means.”
No. No, it wasn’t.
“I’ve had enough of this talk.” Tank wrapped an arm around Hunny’s shoulders, pulling her firmly against his side. He nodded at Zeke. “You really going with Jasper to that vamp thing?”
“Yes,” Zeke replied, his upper lip curling with distaste.
“Why?” Nessa asked, turning in her seat to get a better look at him. “I thought you hated vampires?”
He grunted. “I do. If they all dropped dead tomorrow, I’d piss on their corpses with a smile on my face.”
Nessa grimaced, the visualization enough to bring back her previous nausea full force. “Ew.”
It was on the tip of her tongue to ask why he hated them so much, but given the animosity radiating off of him, she thought better of it. Maybe Murphy would tell her about it later.
“Oh! I think we should do a puzzle. Wouldn’t that be fun?” Hunny clapped her hands together excitedly, ignoring Tank as he grumbled irritably under his breath.
Nessa grinned, more than ready to take her mind off of things for a little while. “I’ve got a few in the hall closet. I’ll go grab them.”
Getting up, she beelined to her destination, but only one thing played on her mind.
She really hoped Murphy was okay.
Nessa woke to the feel of her comforter and sheets being peeled back, cool air sliding over her bare arms and legs as the bed dipped behind her. Before she could react, before her nerves could skyrocket at the sudden intrusion, the familiar fragrance of pine, sandalwood and vanilla hit her senses.
Murphy.
She turned toward her mate, her eyes seeking him out in the pitch-black room. His outline was barely discernible in the darkness, but she relaxed into the mattress when she spotted him, studying his silhouette for any signs of distress. From what she could tell, which wasn’t much, he seemed fine.
Physically, at least.
“What time is it?” Nessa asked groggily, watching Murphy as he settled into the bed. Immediately, she pressed against him, his warm body combatting the chill even as he tugged the blankets over them both.
