“What fucking question is that? Of course.” I hissed.
“She’s one third demon, Kayden, and the rock salt bullets will dissolve fast with her wolf metabolism and vampire healing powers even with the cuffs and the Vetala in her system. She’ll try to get into your head and make you let her out.”
“I’m not an idiot. I won’t let her out. No matter what.”
He nodded again and glanced at Alec. “Hurry back. Two is better than one.”
“Just go find the goddamn thing, Asher.” Alec glowered at the parasite and then at the door. The pain etching on his face was the same on Asher’s and on my own heart. I was sure we all felt the same ache for the woman we loved. Watching Belle like this, finding out we might lose her, having to shoot and cuff her so we wouldn’t…
As they left, I cursed Damien for putting us in this situation. Banging the back of my head against the doorframe, I squatted and slid until my ass hit the floor.
Time crawled by as I kept watch while I knew my Belle was hurting in there, all alone. “I’m right here, sweetheart. I’ll never leave your side until everything is fixed. You’re not alone, Belle.”
Kayden...
My heart skipped a beat at the pain in her voice as she whispered in my head. “Yes, sweetheart?”
Why are you staying outside? Come in.
I swallowed the lump forming in my throat. “It’s better this way.” If I went in and saw her like that again, it wouldn’t be easy for me to keep her the way she should be for now. “But I’m still with you. I’m not going anywhere.”
Me neither, baby, so why don’t you just come in and hold me? I won’t try anything. I can’t even if I want to. I feel so weak. These burns really hurt, Kayden.
I ran both my hands through my hair and banged my head again. “I’m sorry, so sorry, but I can’t. Please forgive me. I love you so much, Belle.”
I love you, too, baby. I’m not mad at you. You’re trying to protect me as always, my sweet Alpha. I just want to feel your warmth. I’m so cold.
Dammit. We didn’t have time to dress her, so we cuffed her naked—even I was shirtless still. If her wolf wasn’t contained with the silver and iridium, she wouldn’t have been cold. How did we miss that when we left her naked, chained to her bed?
I hopped to my feet and unlocked the door. My heart squeezed the second I laid eyes on her. She was chained naked in the dark, trembling. Her hair a mess, her face sweaty, her moans quiet.
Fuck it. I couldn’t just leave her like that.
Without breaking the salt line at the doorstep, I hurried to the bed and wrapped my arms around her waist. “God, you’re shivering.” I rubbed her stretched arms, careful not to let the chains touch me. “It’s gonna be okay. I’m here, Belle. I’m so sorry.”
Thank you, baby. Your touch makes me feel better. Warmer. Less hurting. I never knew those poisonous metals could hurt that much.
I smoothed her hair off her forehead. “Yeah, they’re a bitch. I’m so sorry, but it’s gonna be over soon. I promise you.”
A little moan escaped her.Would you kiss me, Kayden?
My mouth bent to hers without hesitation. I tried to be gentle, but my kiss went deep. Raw like my passion for her. Despite everything, she looked so hot, vulnerable and helpless like this. There was something about a woman in restraints that brought out the predator in any man.
And I wasn’t a man. I was a beast. A predator from head to toe, and she was mine. My mate. My prey.
Fuck.
I dragged myself away from her. “This isn’t…”
Please don’t go. I’ll be so cold again.
I gulped. “I’m gonna get you some blankets.”
What about the pain? The blankets won’t take that away. I need your touch.
“Belle…”
Do you want me in pain, Kayden?
