Page 134 of Cursed Bonds: An Alpha's Destiny

“Can you make some tea for him? Something to put him to sleep and ease the pain of whatever Eren has put him through?”

Tinsley thought for a moment, then nodded. “I think so. I may need to go in the backyard and see if I can find some mugwort. Everything else I need should be in the pantry.”

I nodded. “Thanks. Do it. Hurry, though.”

She vanished to the kitchen, leaving me with Tank and Morgan. The giant of a man gently set the boy down. The boy kept glancing around, still in the throes of fear.

“Is he gonna find me?” he whined, a terrified lilt to his voice. “Eren? Is he gonna get me?”

“No,” I said with determined finality. “He’ll never get you, Morgan. You are safe here. You have an alpha and a witch to protect you.”

His eyes widened. “I thought you smelled weird. Are you really a witch?”

“I am, and I’m not letting Eren get anywhere near you.”

“What about my brother? We have to save him.” Morgan looked at me with the hopeless desperation only a child could muster.

I brushed my hand over his hair and smiled. “We’ll do everything we can. I promise,” I said, careful of guaranteeing something I might not be able to actually do.

Harley came down the stairs with two pillows and a blanket. “Here you go,” she said, handing them to me and Tank.

From the kitchen, I could hear Tinsley working. The faint scent of steeping herbs wafted into the living room.

“Can I do anything?” Tank asked.

“Stay close to him,” I said. “Morgan, this is Hank the Tank. He’s gonna watch out for you while you’re here.”

He looked dubiously at Tank. “Is that really your name?”

“Uh, well, my real name is Hank. Tank’s a nickname. Kirsten calls me Hank the Tank. You can call me that, too, if you think it’s funny,” he offered with a bright grin.

“Oh, okay.”

The front door opened. I turned, expecting Jace. Instead, Reese, the doctor, stepped in. He looked grim.

“I came to check on him,” he said, joining us on the couch.

“Where’s Jace?” I asked.

“He’s talking to the other alphas.” He gave me a significant look, glanced at the boy, then back at me. “He got a phone call. From a certain person. If you know what I mean?”

Eren. That piece of dog shit.

“Jace wanted me to check him over, make sure there weren’t any other injuries,” Reese said. “Morgan? Can I check you out? My name is Dr. Dunnely.”

“That’s fine,” Morgan muttered.

Tinsley came out of the kitchen with a steaming mug. “I didn’t find mugwort, but there was milkweed right outside the kitchen door. That will do the job just as well. Here, sweetie,” she said, handing the cup to Morgan.

He took it with shaking fingers. “Does it taste bad?”

“I put some vanilla and extra sugar in it, and some mint leaves. It will make you feel better.”

He sniffed the cup and eyed her warily. “It smells like magic.”

Tinsley chuckled. “There are a few little extras in there as well, but trust me, it’s safe.”

“It’s okay, Morgan. You can drink it,” I said.

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