Page 100 of Rogue Games

Blake emerges from the trees and nods, like that’s a perfectly reasonable statement. He has a mate. He gets it.

“So, she’s awake?” Blake joins me as I walk back toward the packhouse, grabbing a change of clothes from the stash we keep near the bridge for the border patrol.

“She is,” I state, trying to keep the excitement from my voice. “Wyatt’s with her now. She should be able to leave the clinic tonight if her healing keeps up.”

Her wounds knitted back together quickly after Maggie poured bag after bag of my blood into her body. I would have drained myself dry if that’s what it took to keep her alive. A chill runs down my spine as I remember those first few hours, the fear, the not knowing, as I lay curled up around her, just waiting to see if she’d pull through.

And then the relief, so great I wanted to sink to my knees and weep, when Maggie told me she was healing quickly and that, barring an infection, she was going to be okay.

I’ve never been as scared in my life. Not for myself when Dad was on a rampage, and not even for Maya when she was beaten black and blue, because as bad as that was, I never doubted we’d pull through.

This was different. The image of Jamie’s blood soaking into the earth in a wide arc around her small body will stay with me forever. If the only way I can make sure I never have to experience that again is to keep her permanently by my side, that’s what I’ll do.

It’s a quick walk, but the fresh air helps to clear my head and loosens some of the tension I’ve been carrying like a weight on my chest since I saw Jamie lying on the ground.

“You’re allowed to be happy, Dean. About Jamie being okay, and in life. You know that, right? Don’t deny yourself. Life is too short.”

With a supportive pat on the shoulder, he veers off, going in search of his own mate who arrived yesterday to join him for the rest of the games.

While I agree with his supportive words, I’m not really sure that I do know that.

Have I ever been happy? Do I even know how to be?

I stand and stare at the front of my packhouse, a fine building, but one that up to now, has held nothing but terrible memories for me.

Maybe it’s time I started replacing the nightmares that echo around this place with the dreams that up to now, I’ve been too afraid to allow myself to have.

Instead of going straight back to Jamie, I take a detour, knowing Wyatt will stay with her until I get back.

46

DEAN

“Absolutely no way.” Wyatt’s anger hangs heavy in the air, and his tone leaves no room for argument.

Except of course, she does. Argue that is.

“Wyatt, I’m almost better. The wound is closed, I’m not going to get an infection. I just need to get some space.”

I’m surprised she hasn’t left already. Weak as a kitten but stubborn as a mule, I half expected her to have moved from the clinic to her bedroom before I got back. If Wyatt had to step out, that is. I was also confident her protective brother wouldn’t let her unless Maggie approved it.

Lingering outside, I lean against the wall and smile. It’s quite nice to hear her giving someone else hell for once.

“You’re not going wandering around with a hole still in your fucking neck. You only woke up a couple of hours ago. I mean, where are you planning to go? Do you know where you’re going to sleep tonight?”

That makes me pause. Where else would she sleep but her bed or mine?

“I’ll find somewhere in Grey Ridge. They seem like a nice pack. I think there’s a small hotel in town. When the games are over, you can come and bring me to our new pack.” There’s a smile in her voice, but it doesn’t quite ring true. She’s forcing out a joke to hide her sadness.

“You don’t have to leave.” Wyatt’s tone is gentle. He’s genuinely worried. “He wouldn’t want you to. Not when you’re still healing.”

Jamie sighs. “I know that, Wyatt, because he’s a good man. But that’s just guilt. Which is why I have to do it now while he’s gone. Rip off the Band-aid. It’s the best thing for everyone here. He can focus on the games, then maybe someday… I don’t know.” She trails off. “But for the next few days, it’s best if I’m not here to distract him. The pack needs this, Wyatt, and all I’ve done is create havoc.”

Stunned, I dig my hands into my hair and tug the strands in frustration. This woman is going to be the death of me. But if I didn’t know before that she has the pack’s best interest at heart, I do now.

Closing the door beside me to make some noise, I walk quickly to the entrance of the clinic and step inside.

Jamie’s sitting on the edge of the bed, fully dressed and wide-eyed, when I stride into the room.

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