Page 134 of Mated to the Wolves

Everything hurts. An intense second wave assaults my body, threatening to rip me apart from the inside and I scream. Darkness slips over me. I fight against it.

Pitching forward, I’m caught by strong hands.

“It’s over now, Brat. Time to come back to us.”

“Don’t make us worry, Princess, or we’ll take it out on that pert little ass of yours.”

“Open those hazel eyes for us, sweet one,” Kirk presses his lips to my forehead.

“Ylva, it’s time to wake up.”

A warm hand palms my face. I struggle with the heaviness of my lids.

“There you are.” Fell brushes his thumb across my cheek.

“Let me see those eyes.” Kirk tilts my head back and forth.

Blinking, awareness returns. “What happened?”

Bo’s voice is two octaves too high. “You scared the shit out of us.”

“Here,” Fell props my head up and presses a water bottle to my lips.

I take a sip. The cool water moistens my dry throat.

“Not too much,” Kirk pulls the bottle away. Sighing, I rest my head against Fell.

I feel lighter. “It’s gone.”

Slumped in a chair, Calista is pale with dark circles under her eyes. She meets my gaze.

“Took more energy than I anticipated. It was a nasty bit of magic. Whoever did this is dangerous and ruthless. They’re not going to stop. Odds are they’ll attack you directly now.”

“They already have,” I sit up. “We’ve fought shadow beings twice now.”

“Were they solid?” Breath quickening, she straightens. Her eyes round.

“No, but they were able to interact with us.”

Bo smooths his hands down his thighs. “They hit like a Mack Truck.”

Cal glances at the others. “Were there any signs before they arrived?”

Cadoc nods. “The scent of rotten meat.”

“Temperature drops,” Kirk rubs my back.

“I can sense them,” Fell’s admission is almost too low to hear.

Calista straightens. “You’re going to need protection. What’s coming is vicious and deadly.”

“Why are you helping us?”

“I don’t want the person behind this in power. They possess a ravenous hunger for control that won’t be easily sated.” She inhales. “This is about more than your pack. It’s a small battle in an unavoidable war. Remember that I decided to stand at your side.”

“You speak in riddles, witch,” Cadoc slaps the couch cushion beside him.

“Not everything is written out in black and white. I’ll cast a protection spell to tide you over while I create a talisman. You’re going to need it.”

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