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Chapter 11

“Sloane! Stay with me.” Dallin held her in his arms as he cut their palms, released his healing energy, and joined it with hers.

He cursed himself. He’d been so caught up in his own selfish desires that he hadn’t noticed Sloane was struggling. The poison had weakened her, and he hadn’t been paying attention.

This was what happened when he tried to be normal and believed he could have a relationship with this incredible female. He screwed up and risked her life. He didn’t deserve her.

Dallin held Sloane close, her naked body pressed against his. His heart wouldn’t settle, and it felt like it was about to burst out of his chest as her eyes remained closed and her breathing labored. He couldn’t lose her. He promised he’d save her, and he wouldn’t fail her now.

Sloane’s breathing eased after a few minutes, but her eyes remained closed as Dallin’s healing energy went to work, pulsing into her in a continuous warm wave.

He released his tight hold and grabbed the sheets from the bed. He covered her body with them, before lying down next to her, making sure he never stopped feeding her his energy.

Sloane moaned softly and her fingers flexed around his hand.

“I’m right here. That’s it. Take everything you need from me,” he whispered. “I’ll keep you safe.”

She pressed against him, her warm, soft body making his cock harden with longing. But he ignored it. If he’d been paying attention to Sloane’s well-being rather than giving in to his own lust, they wouldn’t be in this situation. He’d have noticed she was weakening and done something about it, rather than greedily feasting on her body like a starving idiot.

He kept pulsing his energy into her, feeling himself grow light-headed, but not caring. So long as Sloane was stable, that was all that mattered.

“I’m okay,” she muttered. “The pain has gone. You can let go of me.”

“I’ll never let go of you,” he said. “You scared me. One minute, you were fine, and the next.” Dallin swallowed, the horror of what could have happened leaving him speechless.

“I didn’t notice the pain. I was feeling good having you with me. And it hit me so quickly that it took me by surprise.” Sloane wriggled her hand out of his grip. “That’s enough of your energy. I’m feeling better.”

Dallin nestled beside her, tucking her close against him, his heart still racing.

Sloane muttered something under her breath, and her eyelids fluttered closed, her face contorting with pain.

He grabbed her hand and continued feeding her his energy, despite her feeble protests. It seemed that every time he let go of her, her pain came back and she lost consciousness.

“You’re always taking care of me,” she whispered.

“That’s what I’m here for.”

“I liked what you were doing to me. I liked it a lot. I just wish it didn’t take me almost dying to convince you to touch me like that.”

Dallin closed his eyes and gritted his teeth. He’d tried so hard to resist Sloane and pretend she simply annoyed him, but it was a lie. He wanted her as his mate.

She reached up and smoothed a finger between his eyebrows. “What’s got you thinking so hard?”

“I’m thinking about how to fix this problem.”

“The Siblet poison?”

“No, I mean what’s going on between us.”

She was quiet for a moment. “You see me as a problem?”

He shook his head. “Not you. I’m the problem. You know I’m different.”

“I do. And it’s one of the things I love about you.”

Dallin stared at her. Did she just say she loved him?

Sloane gave him a weary smile. “It can’t be that much of a surprise. At first, it was more of a lust thing. I mean, look at you. Muscles, grumpy stares, brooding eyes, sexy pout, and that growly voice. It sends a quiver through me every time you talk.”