Elodie scrunched up her face, and Savvy whispered, “It’s just me. I wanted to check on you. But you rest, okay?”
Elodie mumbled something that sounded affirmative, and Savvy strode back over to me.
“I got the whole story from Dakota. It sounds like Elodie’s sacrifice saved the high alpha’s life. There are rumors going around that he was nearly beheaded. Brielle’s magic wasn’t enough. She leaned on Elodie, and he pulled through. Is that true?” Her whispered recounting of the gossip surprised me.
I hadn’t asked questions, hadn’t worried about anyone but Elodie. “I have no idea.”
She rolled her eyes. “You were there! Dakota told me you carried her off the battlefield.”
I shrugged. “I was only worried about her. My wolf didn’t give a fuck about anyone but his mate.”
Savvy studied me with those shrewd brown eyes so similar to our mother’s, arms crossed over her chest. “You really do love her, don’t you?”
Chapter 61
Elodie
It was silly, eavesdropping on your mate. I was a grown-ass woman, barely revived from the battle earlier, yet here I was, eyes squinted shut and shoulders tense as the question hung in the air between Valens and Savvy. They were behind me, so I couldn’t see them, but the room was small, and I could hear them easily.
“Of course, I love her. She’s… everything.”
Tears sprang to my eyes, and it wasn’t because I was sore from fighting all night. I fought back a sniffle that would give away my listening.
“Then I love her too. I want you to know that. She’s family now.”
Goddess, how did I get so lucky? Savvy had meant what she’d said before, about us being sisters. Somehow, that was almost as awesome as Valens professing his love so casually, like it was as obvious as the moon in the sky.
“Thank you. I knew you two would be friends once you got to know each other.”
I heard what sounded like hugging, and then she left after one more jab about him not paying attention to any good gossip.
The door clicked shut, and he climbed in behind me, wrapping an arm around my waist as he settled in close.
“You little minx. How long have you been awake?” His hot breath tickled my ear right before he nipped it lightly with his teeth.
“Just… a little while,” I hedged. It wasn’t a lie.
“You need to sleep. You were completely drained out there. I was worried you were dead.”
I shook my head, rolling so we were nose to nose. “Not dead. Just… exhausted. Brielle needed a power boost. Her omega gifts allow her to pull energy. Usually, she taps Kane’s reserves, but given he was the one nearly dead…” I shuddered at the gruesome memory.
“So it’s true, then? You helped her save his life?”
Deep discomfort at that statement filled me. I hadn’t done anything more than any other maiden would have. “If you think a battery helps build a house because it’s attached to a drill… sure, I guess I helped save his life.”
“Don’t downplay it. You could have died.”
I bit my lower lip. He was really angry, and he’d never been angry at me before. Upset and hurt when he thought I didn’t want our bond, yes. But angry? That was new.
I had bad history with angry men. It put me on edge, even though he’d never given me reason to believe I had to worry.
“Brielle would never hurt me on purpose. But… Valens, you know I’d gladly give my life for theirs. My calling?—”
“Has changed! You’re not a maiden anymore. You don’t oweanyoneyour life, not even me.”
I managed a small nod, though I didn’t fully agree. “I know I don’t owe it, but still, I’d gladly give it.”
He rolled to his back, his frustration palpable. “Am I going to spend the rest of our lives trying to keep you from throwing yourself on your sword for someone else?”
