Page 14 of Cursed Wolfsbane

“Yes, child?”Dido’s disembodied voice responds.

I accidentally alpha commanded Xander. How do I fix him?

A tinkling laugh rings out softly in my mind.“Do not worry, child. Every young, powerful wolf alpha orders someone unintentionally at least once. Simply say that the command is lifted, and I will direct your power accordingly.”

Breathing out a sigh of relief that we can fix this, I ask one more question.Will I eventually be able to do stuff like this myself? Or will I always have to ask you for help?

“You will learn. It simply takes time. I will always be part of your wolf, but you will learn how to call on her without me as an intermediary. All you need is practice.”

I nod to show that I heard her before remembering that she probably can’t see me move. I huff out a quiet laugh at myself.I’m going to unfreeze Xander now.

Blinking my eyes open, I focus on Xander’s form frozen on the edge of the hospital bed. “You can move now,” I tell him. My voice vibrates with a resonance that must be the alpha command. I’ve heard Malachi use it a few times but never knew what it was.

As soon as I lift the order, Xander slumps on the bed, no longer held up by anything.

“I’m so, so, so sorry, Xander. I didn’t mean to, I swear. I had no idea that would happen, and I won’t ever do it again. Really, I’m super sorry—” I rush out.

Xander cuts me off. “It’s fine.”

I stare at the floor to avoid the anger I’m sure I’ll find burning in his gaze. I don’t look up at his voice, unsure of what I’ll find when I do.

“Look at me when I speak to you, Briar.” At his sharp order, my eyes snap to his. Instead of the volatile emotion I expect to find, all I see in his mossy eyes is understanding. “I’m not mad at you, sweetheart. I can’t count how many times I’ve been alpha commanded by Kai growing up. It happens.”

Malachi chuckles and rolls his eyes over Xander’s shoulder. My eyes bounce back to Xander’s face as I look for any signs that he’s secretly furious with me. I figured he’d be pissed that I tried to control him, even if it’s accidental, but I don’t find anything other than concern for me in his gaze.

“C’mere,” Xander tells me softly while holding his arms out, shocking me again with his gentleness. I hesitate for a moment before cautiously stepping into his embrace. He tenderly wraps his arms around me, and I lay my head on his shoulder. My arms wind around his neck, and I hold on to him lightly, trying to be mindful of his healing wound.

I soak up his old pines and ocean spray scent as I try to battle back the tears pricking the corners of my eyes. It hits me again just how close I came to losing him. It doesn’t matter that he doesn’t even particularly like me. I still care about him so much it makes it difficult to breathe. “I’m so glad you’re okay,” I whisper to him.

“It’ll take more than a bullet to take me out, sweetheart,” Xander murmurs into my hair. Butterflies dance in my stomach at him calling me sweetheart twice in this conversation.

I huff a laugh into his neck at his nonchalance. The man’s acting like he didn’t almost die. But I don’t think any of us can forget just how close he came. “How about you try to avoid getting shot regardless?”

“I can do that.” Xander presses a kiss to my forehead and lets his arms drop from around me. I reluctantly step back, immediately missing the feel of him holding me.

“Here are your clothes, twinnie. Doc said you’re all good to go. Get dressed so we can watch pretty girl shift.” Bastian throws a wadded-up ball of fabric at his twin. Xander deftly catches the bundle with his injured arm, not even wincing at the sudden movement. I guess Xander heals as fast as I do.

That makes sense, since we’re all apparently wolves.

I would ask if my life could get any weirder, but the universe’s answer to that question is always a hard yes, so I won’t bother inquiring.

I follow everyone else out of the room. Once in the hallway, I sag against the white brick wall. Closing my eyes, I lean my head back against the cool surface. Footsteps thud softly to my right before a warm body brushes up against mine. I don’t have to open my eyes to know it’s Malachi. His smoky scent gives him away.

“How are you holding up?” Malachi rumbles.

I open my eyes and tilt my face up to look at him. His dark hair has gotten long enough it’s falling in front of his navy eyes. It makes him look softer and younger, less like he has the weight of the world on his shoulders. “I’m fine. You don’t have to worry about me.” I’m not the one who got up close and personal with a bullet yesterday.

While he’s trying to check in on me, I don’t miss the tiredness pinching the corners of his eyes. I think we could all use a break from the craziness of everything. Unfortunately for us, I don’t think that’s going to happen anytime soon. We’re heading to Hawthorne Grove in a few weeks, and who knows what new and horrifying revelations we’ll find there.

Fun times. For no one involved.

Malachi shakes his head at me. “I always worry about you, Briar, since the day I met you. Nothing’s going to change that.”

I look down at his sweet sentiment, unsure how to respond. I don’t have time to stew on it because Xander chooses that moment to stalk out of his room. “Where are we doing this?” he asks his dad.

“In the backyard. If everyone’s ready, let’s head out.” Uncle Vale checks to see if anyone has any objections before heading down the hallway. The five of us follow him like obedient little ducklings. No one says much of anything. All of us are too lost in our thoughts to make conversation.

A few minutes later, we burst out into the fresh air. I suck in a deep breath of the cold fall air and tilt my face up to the warm sunshine. Goose bumps form on my arms underneath my green crewneck sweatshirt. It doesn’t bother me, though. I’m just happy to be outside after spending so much time in the infirmary.

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