Bracken listened, occasionally nodding.“It can be so difficult when we love someone.With the love comes worry.What if something happens and you’re not there to stop it, to help?”He patted my knee.“You know what that’s like.You were in a tizzy when he wouldn’t let you help him with his Alpha challenge.You knew the former Alpha would try something, but Declan had made you promise to stay out of it.”Sighing, he looked up at the clear blue sky, knowing he’d made his point.
I picked up my backpack and stood.“I need to talk to a woman.You men always stick up for each other.”
Bracken stood as well.“I am always firmly on your side, my dear.You know that.I even offered to drive you into the woods so we could both spell any wolves trying to kill your man.”He tapped his pockets.“He’s so kind and seemingly well-adjusted, it’s easy to forget that he’s spent most of his life moving like a nomad, always alone.To now have a partner, a child, a home, it must be terrifying realizing how easily it could all be ripped away.”
I reached out and squeezed his arm.We both knew he wasn’t only talking about Declan.In Bracken’s case, his family had disappeared in the night.
He patted my gloved hand and strolled back to his RV.Over his shoulder, he said, “Oh, the architect stopped by today.Charming woman.We have the plans decided and construction will start soon.”He lifted a hand in farewell as he walked away.
I went in, dropped my backpack by the door, and went upstairs to shower.Sliding my phone on the counter, I peeled off my dirty clothes.I knew I needed to deal with all the missed calls and messages, but later.
I put the pearl next to my phone but decided that couldn’t wait.It was too great a gift.I went back into the bedroom, found my jewelry kit in the closet, and brought it back.It had been a while since I made jewelry, but I could easily drill a small hole and attach a bale.I made short work of it, hung it on a long white gold necklace, and placed it around my neck.When it hit between my breasts, I felt a magical charge run through me.Perfect.
Later, when I left the bathroom, clean, conditioned, and mostly dry, I found Declan on my bed again.I felt his eyes on me as I opened my closet.
He waited until I was dressed in my comfiest loungewear before he said, “Can we talk now?”
Instead of sitting on the bed, I moved my clean laundry and sat on the lone chair I kept up here.
“Okay,” he said, scratching his cheek.“You’re still angry with me.”
I held up a hand to stop him.“I’m over here because I need to tell you something and you’re going to be pissed.”
Brow furrowed, he waited silently.
“Bracken reminded me that I really don’t have a leg to stand on in this argument.”I folded my hands in my lap and sighed.“Yes, your possessive attitude pissed me off.”
When he opened his mouth, I held up my hand again.“But, I was viciously reminded that when you were going to your Alpha challenge and I wanted to help—because I love you as much as you love me—I was unjustly and cruelly forbidden from interfering.”
“Adverbs are working hard today,” he muttered.
“Anyway, I knew Logan was going to pull something, but you made me promise.”I blew out a breath again.“A promise I broke.”
Since he looked more confused than angry, I continued.“I did a kind of astral projection, I guess.”Pointing at the bed, I said, “I touched the pillow you’d used, found you, and stayed with you through the whole thing.”
Shock had replaced confusion.“You saw everything?”
I nodded.“He had a sniper in one of the pines.He was supposed to shoot you the moment you stepped into the ring.”
“Wait.I remember hearing a shot.”He sat forward, his expression darkened.
“Yeah.I almost missed that one.My consciousness was there on the field with you, but my spell-casting body was here.I cast a spell to jam the rifle, but nothing happened.I was panicking, terrified you were about to be killed, when the spell finally made it to the pack grounds.”
Declan rubbed his forehead, so I plowed on.“When that didn’t work, Logan dipped his claws into poison before meeting you in the ring.He slashed your chest, knowing the poison would finish the job for him.”
“I couldn’t stand,” Declan said, his face still in his hand.“When I vomited black muck, I was able to shake it off and fight.”
“Right,” I said.“I pulled the poison from your blood.There was a delay because the spell had to travel.”
He nodded, still not looking at me.“What else did you do?”
I thought about it.“That was it.I watched to make sure no one else was cheating, though.When I saw everyone bowing to you, I checked out so I could bake you a cake.”I braced, waiting for the blowup.
He stood, walked around the bed, and sat on the edge directly in front of me.“So, even though you promised me,” he began, staring into my eyes, “that you wouldn’t interfere, you broke that promise to save my life.Twice.”
Still braced, I nodded.
“In that case, I’d think you’d understand why I was pissed when you left without me.I can’t astral project.You were surrounded by cops who are hostile to you, who pissed in your damn water bottle.Yeah, Osso was with you, but he’s not exactly a caretaker and he has his job to do.He could easily be called away from you.Then if you have a vision, you’re at the mercy of those assholes.”
