Page 85 of Ruined Wolfsbane

Flipping the paper over, hoping there’s more information. There are only two words.

Vale – Key

Maybe the address leads somewhere, but right now it seems like I’ll never get my memories back. The locket had nothing helpful in it.

Suppressing a growl of frustration, I hand the rectangular scrap to Uncle Vale. “Know what this means?”

He reads both sides of the paper before looking back up at me. “I have an idea, but I need to check a few things first. You need to rest, so it’s time for everyone to clear out.”

Aunt Abbie pushes through her sons and wraps her arms around me. She kisses the top of my hair before moving out of the way.

Ava takes her place and gives me another suffocating embrace. “Get better, Rosie. I love you.”

“Love you too, Bun Bun.”

Aunt Abbie takes Ava’s hand and walks to the door. Emmy follows them out after one last sad glance at me.

“We’re staying,” Malachi growls.

“I thought so,” Uncle Vale replies with one side of his mouth turned up in a grin. He comes over to me and squeezes me tight. “I’m so glad you’re all right, Bumble Bee. We’ll talk more when you feel better. For now, just rest and get better, understood?”

I nod, too overwhelmed by the affection to say anything. My stomach flip-flops at being alone with the Wyldhart brothers. Nervously, I look over at them and see Malachi’s eyes shining with anger.

“We need to talk,” he rumbles.

CHAPTER 35

BRIAR

“Okay?” I question as I swallow convulsively. Malachi looks ready to murder someone. Hopefully, it’s not me. I earned at least a weeklong break from anyone trying to kill me.

While I’m nervous about what he wants to talk about, I still appreciate how good Malachi looks in his navy tee and jeans. His defined biceps strain against the sleeves of his shirt, and his broad shoulders look even bigger without a suit coat.

Malachi’s long legs eat up the distance from the wall to the hospital bed. He folds his massive frame in half so that his face is level with mine. Moving in until his nose bumps mine, Malachi growls, “Don’t ever fucking do that again.”

He spears one hand through my hair before slamming his lips onto mine. His other wraps around my throat. Using his hand in my hair, Malachi tilts my head exactly where he wants it. His warm lips slide against mine as his tongue demands entrance. I part my lips for him. His tongue invades my mouth, taking, claiming, punishing. Malachi steals my breath and makes it impossible to tell where he ends and I begin.

He kisses like he’s trying to permanently brand himself into my soul. So lost to the kiss, I’m all too happy to let him.

He abruptly pulls back from the harsh kiss, standing up fully. I gasp for air. He smirks at me, enjoying how much it affected me. Throwing a shaky arm over my eyes, I take a moment to collect myself. When I surface from my kiss-induced fog, I ask, “Do what?”

He sighs and rubs his palm over his face. “Almost get yourself killed. I thought you were dead when we found you,” he grits out, teeth grinding in frustration at me.

I roll my eyes. “I wasn’t trying to get kidnapped by Patrick. Why do you care so much?” They’re my professors, and I’m their student. Nothing about how they act around me makes sense.

Malachi doesn’t say anything for a long moment. His midnight eyes bounce between mine as he debates what to say. “We care because you’re our fated mate.”

“What?” I croak, figuring I must have heard him wrong.

He clenches his jaw at my confusion. “You’re. Our. Fate. Chosen. Mate,” Malachi says slowly, enunciating every syllable.

I open and close my mouth, probably looking like a fish, as I try to figure out what to say. “To all three of you?”

Malachi’s lips quirk up in a slight grin. “Yes, Briar, to all three of us. There have always been fewer females than males among shifters, mages, and other supernatural races. Women typically have more than one mate.”

I’m not even sure what to do with that information. I never thought I’d live long enough to have one relationship, much less three. “Are you sure I’m your mate? How can you tell?”

“I’m one hundred percent fucking sure.” Malachi pinches the bridge of his nose in frustration. He closes his eyes as he searches for the patience that’s in short supply when it comes to me. Opening his eyes again, he continues, “We all knew as soon as we caught your scent. You feel the connection too, so don’t try to argue with me about it.”

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