Raj stood then, placing his hands out and addressing the council. “We’re old wolves. Wolves don’t like witches and magic, but we must admit that Aurora’s gift and magic has benefited our pack greatly. Now my granddaughter shares that gift and we too must trust that it is for the benefit of our kind.” His words rippled through the space with the power of an Alpha. I had to resist the urge to bow my head.
Griff shrugged in agreement as my mother glared at him.
“Tell us every detail from the vision, Anya,” my grandfather prompted. I looked at my mother who nodded beside me.
So I did, I described the awful scene I witnessed. The wolf caged in the pick-up truck, the girl being whipped and cracking out her teeth. I told them everything Nahuel had shown me and only left out the part about Gavin being my True Mate. It felt too intimate to share in this setting. When I was done, my father thanked me and dismissed me as the council figured out what to do.
Walking back to the house, I saw everyone was outside waiting for me. Waving, I faltered as dizziness suddenly hit me and the fever raged to life inside of my body making me fall to my knees. My breathing hitched as heat flushed my cheeks and my heart raced. Jaxon ran to my side as I saw Gavin stumble in front of me as well. Flushed, looking sweaty, Gavin met my eyes. A pulsing need burned inside my belly to touch him. Reaching out, he clasped my hand and that’s when I drifted into the blackness.
Chapter Five
I came to, groggily, a pounding in my temples that threatened to make me sick. Then I felt it, a soft, warm hand laced with mine. Peeling open my eyelids, I looked over to see Gavin. He appeared to be sleeping soundly, breathing even, cheeks flushed and a light sheen of sweat upon his brow. I looked up and saw my mother and father standing at the foot of my bed. My mom’s eyes were ringed red; it looked like she had been crying. My father stood arms crossed like a sentinel, wearing a wild expression.
“Anya.” His voice was gruff. “Are you okay?”
I winced, and licked my lips. Suddenly, a raging thirst took over me.
“Water,” I croaked.
My mother dashed out of the room and returned quickly with water as I reluctantly let go of Gavin’s hand to sit up and drink.
“What happened?” I asked after wetting my throat.
My parents shared a look. “You have both been unconscious for about twelve hours. When we tried to separate you, you got worse.”
What the? I looked at Gavin again, he had 24-hour scruff and messy hair. He was shirtless. As I scanned his torso and the tan tight muscles, I had to suppress a moan. I’d never been so attracted to someone in all my life.
My mom cleared her throat and I snapped out of my trance.
“That’s not all. I tried to contact Nahuel and he never came.” My mother told me, concern in her eyes.
My mouth dropped open. “What? Has that ever happened before?”
Nahuel was my only hope that Gavin and I weren’t ticking time bombs slated for death. I needed to learn more about what was ailing my mate and me.
Suddenly, Gavin groaned beside me and opened his eyes, squinting. I handed him the water glass and he met my eyes. His eyes flashed yellow for a brief second as our fingers touched and I watched as he took a swig, placing his lips where mine had just been.
Sitting up, he looked around the room, at my parents, and then me. “Didn’t expect my first time in your bed to include your parents,” he joked and I saw my mom suppress a grin. My father on the other hand, didn’t look so happy.
“He’s funny. I like him,” my mother declared and Gavin blushed.
Looking at my father’s grim expression, Gavin cleared his throat. “I tell jokes when I’m nervous,” he offered, and that finally got my dad to give a half smile. I slipped out of the bed and saw that I was wearing my short soccer shorts and a tank top.
My mother met my eyes. “You were both burning up, got hotter when we tried to separate you. I think you need to stick close together. Whatever is ailing Gavin, affects you, Anya, and it’s worse when you’re apart.”
I tried not to meet Gavin’s gaze but the sexual tension was getting to be stifling. “I need to go for a run or a walk or something. Clear my head.”
Gavin stood, shirtless and in gym shorts. “I’ll come.”
I nodded and my parents shared a look before silently leaving the room.
‘Don’t stray too far. If Nahuel shows up, you need to come back quickly,’my father told me.
I could feel Jax near; he must in the basement. My parents would update him. I needed air, trees, nature. I didn’t bother changing, my skin was still hot with fever. Stalking barefoot out of the house, Gavin trailed behind me.
It looked to be mid-morning; the sun shone through the trees making small shafts of light on the blades of grass.
I was about to strip down and shift when I realized Gavin couldn’t shift with me. Instead, I slipped on flip flops that were piled on my porch as Gavin did the same. Wordlessly, we walked to the back of my house and the thick trees that rested there. I wasn’t sure what to say or do. My wolf was dying to touch him. At that thought, his hand slipped into mine and I smiled. Ducking into the woods, hand in hand, we walked for a few minutes before he finally spoke through the matebond.
