Page 69 of Savage Fate

A fallen log caught my leg, and I fell, smashing my forehead against a rock. Briny blood scented the air.

Footsteps hit the ground like a herd of elephants moments away from trampling me. I scrambled up, my limbs shaking and teeth chattering. My fear was so thick and heavy it threatened to drown me.

I’d rather face a herd of elephants than the monsters chasing me. If they got me tonight, I’d never see the light of day again…

My eyelids snappedopen to unfamiliar tan walls and frost crystallizing on the windowpanes that framed a wintery forest. The scent of pine hung heavily in the air, and a comforting presence lingered.

As I turned to the left, I expected to see Fane, but a shock jolted me when Saint was the one sitting by my bedside, watching over me.

Ice slid through my veins as the realization hit me. I’d never felt as safe and comforted by anyone except Fane Maverick.

Until now.

Was the fated mate bond working its magic on me?

Chapter

Twenty-One

I clutchedthe covers to my chest and tried to mask the panic pushing through my bloodstream. Fane was the only person that truly made me feel at ease.

Not Saint.

Was Fane here? Was that why I’d felt safe and content?

Saint gave a wry smile at my stunned expression. “Sorry to disappoint you. Fane still hasn’t arrived.”

Damn it.

“It’s fine. I just didn’t expect you to be sitting there.” I choked back the guilt and unease and scooted farther up on the pillows. “When did I get in the bed?”

“You nodded off after we returned from visiting Hailey.” He gave a noncommittal shrug. “When you passed out, I tucked you under the covers.”

“Oh.” I reached for the water on the bedside table, wincing as fireworks erupted through my body.

Saint grabbed the glass and passed it to me. “You’ve been through a lot, and it’s catching up to you. You’ll probably be sore for a few days.”

“Yep.” I slowly sipped the room-temperature water while attempting to ignore the throbs radiating everywhere. Fane could probably feel them.

Where the hell was he?

“I can get you a fresh glass of water.”

Before Saint stood, I waved off his offer and handed him the cup. “How long was I asleep?”

“A little over an hour.” He placed the water back on the bedside table.

“And you’ve been here the whole time?”

He shook his head. “Avery and I met with some of the patrols. No other Collective members were found near Blackwater Falls. They didn’t find any tire tracks from cars other than that van.”

A mixture of relief and disappointment filled my veins. I was glad The Collective wasn’t hanging around Saint’s pack to abduct anyone, but it would have been nice to capture one of the members to question.

And by question, I meant torture.

You do miss it, don’t you, Tate?

Memories of my time torturing inmates in Heldrok rushed forward. I should be filled with disgust over it. And I was. To an extent.

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