That was... surreal. I’d never seen Prudence in anything short of Audrey Hepburn style before, but there she was, no makeup and all pink velour. I very much needed to not have her turn around to show off the word “juicy” on her ass.
But thank goodness she was there, clothing notwithstanding. “Prudence,” I practically shouted. “We need your help. You know healing spells, right? You once said you could teach them to me once I got to the right skill level.”
She pursed her lips, not in annoyance, but something that looked more like concern, her eyes flitting all around me, but then met my eye. “Of course, dear. Healing isn’t my forte, but I can do it.”
“If you can just get it started, he should be able to do the rest,” Jillian offered. “We just need to keep him from dying before he can heal himself.”
At that, everyone in the hall went silent, realizing the seriousness of the situation.
Without another word, Prudence followed us into the bedroom where Cash lay, hopefully not dying, and started her work.
9
Jax
This was all my fault.
I’d left Reeve alive.
I hadn’t pushed Cash to join us on the west coast.
I hadn’t sent word to those I’d left behind once we were better settled, once I wassurethings were better for our pack than they’d been back in Idaho.
Because I’d convinced myself that they were fine.
Clearly, they weren’t fucking fine, and I’d never seen starker proof of my failures than Cash lying there unconscious while Prudence worked over him.
That was saying something, because I’d held my mate in my arms while he’d been burnt.
But Dakota hadhealed.
Dakota had healed. And I wasn’t remotely convinced that Cash would manage the same.
He looked horrible. He wasn’t getting better.
And all I could do was leave him in the hands of mages.
Of course, they were mages I trusted with my life. Pack.
Sure, Prudence might not be a wolf, but she’d taken care of us, and I’d never forget how much she’d helped Dakota when he was just learning about his magic. She’d been patient and kindand hadn’t hesitated to take him under her wing the moment I’d suggested he could use her help.
I owed her a lot. I just hated feeling impotent when shit was wrong.
Jillian didn’t come back, and with Dakota and Prudence busy, I set off on my own. Didn’t ask anybody to come with me. Not even Charles.
Instead, I stalked down the sidewalk back toward the motel, walking fast. I was still in the same clothes I’d been in for the flight, so stretchy pants and tennis shoes that made it reasonable to move at a quick clip. It still took a long time to get there, but out in the open air, I could breathe deep, search out familiar scents. Cash or Reeve orsomething.
The pack would take care of Cash back at home, and I’d neutralize the threat out here.
Only, by the time I got to the motel, somebody was there waiting for me.
Seth was leaning against the wall outside the closed door to the room where we’d found Cash, his arms crossed, his brow arched high as he looked me over.
“What are you doing here?” he asked.
My nose wrinkled against a snarl I barely held back. My wolf was riding close to the surface. We felt threatened.
It was no excuse to take it out on pack.
