Page 40 of Ruined Wolfsbane

“Goddammit.” He groans at whatever he sees on my face. “I take it back. Lying would’ve been better for my self-control.” I open my eyes at that, a small grin pulling at my mouth.

With one last heated look, Malachi uses my hair to tilt my face back down. I’m pressed against his chest again when Sebastian asks me, “Can you take off your shirt? Or do you need help?”

“I think I need help. Moving my arms isn’t the easiest today,” I reluctantly admit, hating that I need assistance. I’ve had to do everything for myself for so long. It’s hard to accept help now.

“I’ve got you,” Sebastian tells me before I feel his warm hands at my neck. With gentleness that surprises me, given how gigantic he is, Sebastian removes my shirt. I hear it softly thud on the ground, followed by Sebastian backing up a step.

“Fuck,” he exhales raggedly.

“Is it worse?” I ask, even though I can already guess the answer.

“Yeah, pretty girl, it is.”

“Lovely,” I mutter into Malachi’s shirt. Sebastian chuckles at my sarcasm.

“Is there blood in your urine, Briar?” Xander asks, seemingly out of nowhere.

“Um, yes.” I feel awkward discussing bodily functions with Xander, which is ridiculous. We all pee. It’s still weird to discuss it with a hot guy who also happens to be my professor. Because my life isn’t complicated enough. “Why?”

“The worst bruising on what we can see of your back is concentrated on your kidneys. With that type of damage, I’d be surprised if you didn’t have internal bleeding.”

“Does she need a doctor?” Malachi questions, panicked.

“No. She is standing right here. And she doesn’t need a doctor. I’m fine. This isn’t my first rodeo,” I snip. He doesn’t get to decide what happens to my body. I’ve had enough of someone else making decisions for me.

“Briar’s right. There isn’t much a doctor can do for it other than observation and fluids. As long as she takes it easy and drinks enough, she’ll be fine.” I’m surprised Xander agreed with me. I figured he’d be on Malachi’s side.

“Have you been taking it easy?” Malachi demands.

“Not really. Some jackhole threatened to go to the dean if I didn’t come to school today. Instead of resting, I had to walk six miles to WHU and go to class.” I look up at Malachi when I finish. His eyes are closed, and his mouth is twisted in a grimace.

“I’m an ass. I’m sorry, Briar.” Malachi leans his forehead gently on mine.

At his apology, my earlier annoyance drains away. “It’s okay, Malachi. I’ll be fine. Just trust me?”

“I’ll try,” he whispers, voice scratchy. “You two have looked long enough. It’s my turn. Hold her, Bastian.”

Malachi releases me and gently shoves me into Sebastian’s waiting arms. Sebastian also wraps his large hand around my throat, since there’s nowhere else unbruised to hold me. My back comes into contact with his bare chest and abs. Everything in me lights up at the contact. I’m hyperaware of every place our naked skin touches. Warmth pours off him like he’s a massive space heater.

When Malachi gets a good look at my torso, all emotion drains from his face. He’s scarily blank. The emotions that were crashing in his eyes a minute ago are gone, replaced with cold emptiness. “Who did this to you?” Malachi asks, voice barely above a whisper, yet it cracks across the room like he shouted.

At his question, I briefly close my eyes, regret flashing through me. As much as I want to, I can’t answer his question. My life isn’t the only one on the line if I share. “I can’t tell you,” I respond with the same quiet volume, only my whisper sounds meek and afraid.

“Who fucking beat you?” Malachi roars. I flinch back into Sebastian, hunching my shoulders and lowering my head. Even though I know Malachi won’t hurt me, my body still curls in on itself, anticipating a hit.

“You need to calm down,” Xander says evenly, putting his large body between Malachi and me. “You’re scaring her. She doesn’t need to be yelled at right now.”

I can still glimpse Malachi’s face over Xander’s shoulder, and I see the moment Xander’s words register. Malachi’s face crumples. He seems to snap out of his haze from seeing my bruising. Now, he just looks devastated.

My heart squeezes at how destroyed he looks. I want to go to him and reassure him, but I’m shaking like a leaf, unable to turn off my fight-or-flight response.

“You need to take a walk, Kai. Come back when you’re in control.” Xander claps his older brother on the back in silent support.

Nodding, Malachi steps around Xander to head to the door. When he reaches the door, he turns back to me, eyes drawn and sad. “I’m sorry, Briar,” he rasps.

CHAPTER 18

BRIAR

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