Page 201 of Cursed Bonds: An Alpha's Destiny

Before either of them could object, I stooped down and put an arm under her back and knees, then cradled her to my chest.

“Jace, put me down,” she said. “You’re hurt.”

I shook my head and began to limp through the woods. “You’re my mate, and I’m the alpha. I’ll be damned if I let anyone else carry you home.”

She sighed, then twined her arms around my neck. I had to lean on Waylan while we made our way back home, my leg screaming in pain with every step. Kirsten rested her head on my shoulder, and soon she was fast asleep. The spell she’d used on Eren and her initial attempt to heal me had worn her out.

The sounds of battle were quieter as we walked, and when we emerged from the forest, we found we’d been victorious. Langston and Flynn were calling out orders to the others. Most of the ferals had been rounded up and penned inside a paddock my father had used for cattle. The wood was ancient but still sturdy. Noah, holding the last free feral in a bear hug, walked forward and tossed it over the side to join its friends.

Several of Eren’s pack sat on their knees, watched over by members of our alliance. We’d won. There were many still missing, though—Eren’s most diehard supporters and the lone wolves he’d brought in. They’d seen the writing on the wall and run. Soon, word would spread that their alpha was dead. They’d do their best to go far away. California, Alaska, I didn’t care where, as long as it was far from here because if I saw any of them again, I’d kill them on sight. The ones who’d surrendered were probably fathers who’d been forced into service when Eren took their sons. They still had a chance to redeem themselves.

“Oh my god!” a voice called out from the house. I looked up and saw Harley rushing toward us, Tinsley at her heels. “Kirsten? Are you okay?”

Harley reached us and gently pushed Kirsten’s hair aside.

“She’s okay,” I said. “A little banged up, and a lot tired. Other than that, she’s fine.”

Harley let out a sigh of relief, then turned her eyes to Waylan. “And what about you?”

“Wha… what about me?’

“Are you gonna ever kiss me? Because if you don’t, I’ll make sure you never walk again.”

A smile spread slowly across his lips. “Yes, ma’am.” He dragged her close and kissed her long and hard.

Tinsley touched my arm. “Let’s get you up to the house. Looks like you both could use a little healing. Come on.”

I did as I was told, hobbling up to the house behind her. Kirsten mumbled something unintelligible, then burrowed her face into my neck.

“Are we good?” Langston asked. “Eren?”

“He’s done. Forever. His body is out by the creek in the woods.”

He put a hand to his head and let out a laugh. He wasn’t happy a man was dead, just relieved it was all over, once and for all.

“What do you need from me, boss?” he asked, helping me up the steps.

“You and Flynn take charge. I think Waylan is a little preoccupied.” He and Harley were still making out on my front lawn as we spoke. “Make sure everyone gets home safe,” I continued. “Send a group out into the surrounding areas to try and flush out any of Eren’s men who didn’t run or surrender.” I glanced around, trying to see how many of our people were hurt or killed. “How bad?” I asked, and Langston knew what I meant.

“Could have been worse. No one died on our side. Lots of scrapes, bites, and a couple broken bones, but Tinsley has most of them patched up.” He winced. “Kyro did get his left pinky finger bit off. I don’t think magic can regrow a finger.”

“A finger is better than other things,” I said, and left Langston laughing on the porch.

I couldn’t get up the stairs with my injured leg and carrying Kirsten, so I settled her on the couch and collapsed into a chair beside her.

“Someone did a number on you,” Tinsley said as she worked on my leg.

“You should see the other guy,” I said.

The joke fell flat. The other guy had been a feral. Probably a teenager or older adolescent from the size of him. I’d killed him. I’d killed an innocent Eren had twisted to his own evil deeds. That would stick with me for a long time, and I wondered if it had been Alex. How would I be able to look Morgan in the face and tell him his brother was dead if I’d cast the killing blow? I pushed those awful thoughts aside and spent the next several hours watching over Kirsten.

When Tinsley had me mostly healed, I carried Kirsten upstairs, where I took up my post beside her bed, watching and waiting for her to wake up. The minutes turned into hours. Outside, the sounds of cleanup slowly faded until all I could hear were the snarls and yowls of the ferals. My body wanted to sleep, but my mind wouldn’t allow it. I had to be awake when Kirsten woke. I didn’t want her to wake up alone.

Eventually, in the late afternoon, she rolled over and yawned before smiling at me.

“Did that really happen?” she asked. “Or was it all a dream?”

“No, it happened,” I brushed her hair back from her forehead. “How are you feeling?”

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