I frowned and Luka followed my line of sight before nodding. “War. Werewolf City is only now rebuilding. Are you okay?”
I looked down at my gown and pulled it up to reveal a giant puckered wound with over a hundred stitches. Pressing the gown back over my bare legs, I looked up at the surgeon. He was about forty years old with a little salt and pepper hair. “Thank you,” I told him.
I guess God wanted me to live another day.
“You’re welcome.” He nodded. “You should stay off your feet for a week. I’m still unsure what rate of healing you have, but a week to be safe.”
I nodded. Liv, Maz, Sterling … I needed to get back to the society in Spokane.
I was about to try to sit up when a gorgeous blond walked into the room and grinned at Luka. She was wearing cut-off jean shorts and a t-shirt that saidFragile Like a Bomb. Her long hair was braided over one shoulder.
“Can’t even stay out of trouble for a week?” she scolded Luka, and then pulled him into a hug.
“What can I say, I missed you guys,” Luka told her, grinning as he wrapped his arms around her. Jealousy spiked through me before a giant male followed in after her.
Holy hell.He was like a tatted-up Chris Hemsworth. Thishadto be the alpha. He reeked of power and … manliness.
“Stop hitting on my wife,” the male told Luka in a playful tone as she pulled away from their hug.
Luka shook his head, grinning as the big alpha pulled him into a bro hug and they rapped on each other’s backs. “Of all the girls you could bind yourself to, you chose a vampire hunter? Really, bro?” The alpha shook Luka as if that act might shake some sense into him.
I’d forgotten all about my desire to flee, now I was entranced by this little get-together. It was a side of Luka I didn’t really see. A side of werewolves I’dneverseen.
The girl looked over at me and noticed me lying there, watching them. With a soft smile, she approached the bed. “Hey, Aspen, I’m Demi. Sorry the place isn’t exactly top notch, but we’re working on repairs from what the war damaged.” She extended her hand and I took it in mine, shaking it gingerly.
Demi … that sounded familiar. I didn’t read much news about the werewolves. We had a weekly newsletter, but I skimmed it for vampire related stuff only.
Demi…
“Oh … Demi.” Realization dawned on me as I heard her name. “You’re the … you’re both.” I pointed at her mate. I’d read an article in the society email newsletter that covered their recent wedding. Sawyer was her husband’s name. It was of pertinent news to us because they were both alphas, and that might shift the political landscape, which could drive more supernaturals out into the human world.
“Werewolves?” she said. “Extremely good looking?” she added with a grin.
I snort-laughed and then grabbed my side, wincing at the pain. “Alphas.”
Demi nodded, trailing her finger across her leather wrist cuff. “I mean technically, yeah, but I’m pretty much in charge around here.”
“Hey!” Sawyer growled, causing Demi to grin.
Damn, they were so normal. It was hard not to think of them like me … but they weren’t. I liked her but I couldn’t stay here. I had to get a hold of Liv and let her know I was alive. No one in the society could know that I was in Werewolf City right now or my career would be over.
“Well, thank you for the help, but I need to get back.” I started to sit up, biting through the pain.
“Whoa. Chill. You need to rest.” Luka zoomed to my side and started to gently push me back onto the bed.
“Don’t touch me!” I snapped at him, and everyone in the room froze.
I looked at Demi and frowned. “I’m sorry. Could I speak to Luka alone please? It was nice to meet you, and thank you so much for your help in saving my life.”
Demi nodded, clearly catching on that there was more drama here than she understood, and waved Sawyer out of the blasted-open doorway.
Luka peered over at me like I’d grown three heads. “What’s wrong with you? The doctor said you need to stay off your feet for a week.”
Sage’s words from the car came back to me. Luka wasn’t concerned with me, he was concerned over my blood.
“Yeah, I can heal at home. I’m not staying in Magic City with a bunch of werewolves, no matter how nice they seem.”
His forehead wrinkled, his eyes narrowing to slits. “Wow.”
