She and her mom hustled up to see Thyme, whose new wounds were healing from the venom. “I don’t think you need to stay under any longer than the original four hours,” her mom said. “It’s just another hour, honey. I’m sorry you’re in so much pain, but you’re alive and that’s what matters.”
“Brilla?” Thyme whispered between clenched teeth.
“Dead,” Promise said.
“Good,” she said, wheezing then letting out a soft sob.
Karly took her hand and gave it a squeeze. “Remy’s on his way back, you should be able to shift soon after he gets here. They’re okay. Everything is going to be okay from now on.”
Thyme let out a sigh and sob combo, and then went quiet.
Reika and Promise went into the house to get dressed.
“This is the craziest healing ever,” Promise said.
“I know, right? I’m glad you’re okay. Rio is going to be bummed she missed out on all the action.”
“That’s what she gets for not wanting to go see the movie.”
“Yep.”
“We’ll have to go see the movie another night. I really want some popcorn,” Promise said.
“Me too, with extra butter.”
The first thing Thyme did when the wolves from Remy’s pack told her she could shift was scream at the pain, and then she shifted. She nearly passed out as she changed forms, because she was so tired and her body felt like she’d done a few dozen rounds with a semi-truck.
But feeling her body entirely healed? That was worth all the pain.
Well, she would have rather not been shot in the chest by damn hunters in the first place, of course.
She hopped a few paces and then turned to see Remy standing on the patio.
He smiled at her, looking relieved as hell but also exhausted.
Now that she was in her shift, she felt energized, but she suspected soon enough the exhaustion would creep back in.
She pranced up to him like a show pony and he dropped to his knees and pulled her close, burying his face in her neck. He shuddered and growled softly.
“I almost lost you there, Thyme. Let’s not fucking tempt fate again, okay?”
She let out a yowl of agreement.
He chuckled and leaned back, brushing tears from his cheeks.
“I’ve got so much to tell you,” he said. “But after you’re back to human and we can talk. Just know that you’re safe now, for good.”
She gave him a questioning merow?
“They’re dead, sweetheart, so we’re all safe.” He ran his fingers gently up her nose and then scratched behind her ears, which her wildcat adored.
He released her and stood. He turned to his mom and gave her a hug, and then hugged his dad and thanked Jenna and Logan, and Promise and Reika, for their help. Thyme had come to know those people over the last few hours, even though she’d been in pain and unable to really talk the whole time. She was thankful for their help and intervention.
“I’m going to shift and run around with her,” Remy said.
“You’ll come visit us soon?” Karly asked.
“You bet,” he said. “We’re going to get settled in town soon, but we’ll make time to come for dinner.”