Page 28 of Off-Limits Mate

I watch her, just to see, just to make sure that I don’t miss anything.

She doesn’t answer. I can hear her heart beating. It makes one thump. Then another.

Then nothing.

In the silence, I start howling.

I’m still howling, yelling, screaming at the unfairness of the world when I hear Nolan gasp. I don’t notice at first, but when I hear him start to yell, I stop.

The room is… bright.

Considering that this room is dug into the side of a mountain, it’s never bright. There’s one artificial light, but barely any leaks in from the small, dim windows. So why is it so fucking bright in here?

The light seems like it’s kind of seething around us, a swirl almost like a bubble, or a bunch of bubbles. Behind the light, I can see Nolan holding a hand up against his face, keeping his eyes shut against the brightness.

The light is focused around Amara and me. I also feel… powerful. Like even though I was in a fight, I could run a marathon right now. The numerous cuts and bruises, and even the nasty gash that Nolan gave me on my right bicep, all seem to fade.

I look down. They’re literally fading. Before my eyes, the cuts are closing, until there’s nothing but fresh, healthy skin underneath.

I’m shocked. I look at myself for a second before a thought hops into my mind.

If I’m healing…

No. I’m too scared to look. Too scared to glance down and check on the hole in Amara’s thigh, where her blood poured out onto the floor. Because if I can heal from this, but she can’t…

I take a huge breath. I have to know. I look down.

“Thank you,” I whisper to whatever power there is.

The hole in Amara’s thigh is slowly, but clearly, getting smaller. I feel my cheeks get wet then, and I watch until the deep wound in her perfect skin is gone.

I look at her. Her face is still pale, too pale, and I lean in to see if she’s…

Slumping back, I tuck her closer to me, breathing in the smell of her as I hold her close.

She’s breathing. Each breath rattles in and out of her chest slowly, like it’s painful. The air is shallow. If I’m not right next to her, then I can’t hear it. It’s faint, but she’s breathing.

I press her close, kissing her forehead.

“Come back to me,” I whisper. “Please, Amara. Come back.”

Chapter 13

Amara

I’m warm.

That’s all I can think. I’m warm and cozy, and I feel… good.

I mean, I feel really good. Like I could scale a ten-foot wall in one jump. Especially if Jasper was on the other side.

Jasper.

I miss him. In my heart, I feel this kind of… connection to him. Like I can feel his feelings. And he’s really worried about me.

Shoot. I should tell him that I’m fine. That I’m cozy and warm and happy, and that I’m actually pretty good. Except, I guess, that I miss him.

I try to make my lips move, but they feel like they’re really far away from me. Like my body is somehow disconnected from my mind, which is weird. Am I drunk? No, I don’t think I’m drunk. I think I’m….

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