When I pull back just enough to look at him, Wyatt’s jaw tightens, and his dark eyes scan me like he’s cataloging every inch of me for potential injuries. His hand moves to my face, gentle despite the tension coiled within him, and I soften.
“Are you alright?” He asks, more like he won’t believe it unless he hears the words straight from me.
“I am…I think,” I answer, voice sounding rougher than usual as I swallow hard. “Other than the sedative, they didn’t hurt me.”
At the mention of being rendered unconscious by them, anger flashes in his gaze, but he tempers it. His shoulders sag enough to be noticeable, and his forehead drops to mine briefly, like a silent moment of both gratitude and apology.
“I’m sorry,” he murmurs quietly, both vulnerable and remorseful.
At the words, something flickers in me, and I lightly push at his chest just enough to make him look at me again. “You better be. I didn’t ask for any of this.”
“I know.”
The words leave him simply, not seeing any reason in denying it.
“I’m still furious,” I add, even if everything else outweighs it. ”I’m tired of being used as leverage, and keep getting dragged into conflicts I didn’t even start.”
“As you should be,” Wyatt says, lacking any defensiveness while he continues to hold me, eyes soft with regret.
At his expression, knowing he’s being genuine, I falter and swallow hard. “But I’m…relieved at the same time. It’s annoying.”
Wyatt’s lips just barely pull at my tone, then he pulls me back in without arguing, letting a hand cradle the back of my head. “I know.”
Eventually, with some resignation, he pulls me up from the ground, bracing me through the slight shake still in my legs.
I catch the sound of approaching footsteps from behind me.
“Elena,” Roman says, cutting through the moment.
Turning in Wyatt’s arms, I see my brothers approaching with their usual composure splintered just enough to betray their worry. Even Nikolai, who isn’t one for showing much emotion.
Roman reaches for me first as the grip around me loosens, and he cups my cheek, looking me over like Wyatt did.His eyes are sharp with a faint crease between his brows. “Are you hurt?”
I shake my head. “I’m okay. Promise.”
His jaw clenches while relief and rage fight for their place in his features. Without hesitation, he pulls me in for a brief, yet fierce hug. His hand rests on top of my head, just like he used to when I was younger.
“I should’ve trusted my gut…I should’ve been harsher on both of you.”
Despite myself, I can’t suppress a quiet laugh at that. “I have the feeling that wouldn’t have done a thing.”
He scoffs, but there’s no heat in it as he lets the embrace linger a moment longer. “Figures.”
With his protective nature sated enough for now, Roman eventually lets me go, allowing Mikhail and the others to check in. They’re quieter but no less intense, making sure I’m still put together. I answer their questions automatically, well aware of their need to know everything.
As Ivan puts a warm hand against the back of my head, giving me the faintest of teasing ruffles, my attention focuses back to Wyatt, making sure he’s within view as Patch briefly talks to him.
And as observant as ever, Roman follows my line of sight, watching him for a long, deliberate stretch, as if coming to a silent conclusion. Then, he exhales and catches his attention.
“Take her home,” he says to Wyatt, not merely a suggestion. “She shouldn’t be here any longer than she has to be.”
Not needing to be convinced, Wyatt nods. “I will.”
For a beat, a new understanding grows there. While tense and fragile yet, it’s still real, and that seems like a decent place to start.
Eventually, we’re escorted off the rooftop, and Wyatt’s arm doesn’t move from around me. His jacket drapes over my shoulders, smelling like smoke, and as much as I want to ask why, I’m too tired to press. With the threat gone, true exhaustion settles inside me, making every limb heavier than usual.
I focus on the gentle brush of his thumb against my back all the while, grateful once we get inside the car, only for the doors to close and cut off the noise and cold. Finally, I release a heavy breath and allow myself to soak in the peace of it.
