Page 27 of The Alpha's Shattered Bonds

With urgency, she maneuvered Logan’s bed nearer, positioning it so I could stand between him and Tyler, resting my hands upon them both.

My hands hovered over their fur, the fire of my witchcraft igniting once more. I took out the crystals from my bag that would help: the sikin and ivis, the warmth and energy of the sun in one, and the crystal that helped absorb magic into the blood.

“Kaumma ukigiruk kaumanik,” I whispered.

I moved through the motions swiftly, channeling my light into their forms, willing the warmth I felt for what they’d done for me to combat the oily slick of dark magic enveloping them.

I closed my eyes now as I concentrated on the aura of light flowing from the crystals. I pressed my hands more firmly to their fur, feeling the steady beat of their wolves’ hearts. I let the light and warmth gather around my hands and then pushed it into both of them. The oily slick of dark magic retreated like shadows retreating in the magnificent rise of the sun. I concentrated fiercely, unwilling to let the doubt of Darius and Linda dim my will.

Beneath my hands, the softness of fur vanished, and the smoothness of skin replaced it.

“Seraphina,” Tyler’s voice rumbled, rough yet comforting. His eyelids fluttered open. His bright blue eyes, like shards of sky, were half-open as he struggled to focus. The fierce lines of his handsome face softened, and a flicker of recognition replaced the momentary worry clouding his features. My heart fluttered at the sight, but I forced myself to concentrate.

“Tyler, you’re okay,” I breathed, relief flooding me as the last residue of dark magic clinging to him washed away. The awareness of his broad shoulders, muscular arms, and chest threatened to steal my attention, especially as the feel of his taut muscles beneath my palm sent a flutter of feeling through me.

But I turned my attention to Logan, who lay beside him. The younger warrior wasn’t quite as broad-chested as Tyler, but his muscular chest was just as taut beneath my palm. Logan groaned, his deep brown eyes blinking back the hazeof unconsciousness, his expression mirroring Tyler’s struggle. “What happened?” he rasped, the sound carrying both fatigue and bewilderment.

A remnant of darkness clung to his aura, and I whispered,“Kaumanik.”

The last invocation banished the lingering darkness, and I exhaled with satisfaction. I only sensed the warmth of my healing magic around the two warriors now.

As the realization that they were both all right settled over me, I felt myself teetering on the edge of exhaustion. It was as though the weight of everything—the battle, the fear, the worry—suddenly bore down upon me like a mountain. I fought to stay grounded, but it was no use. My body succumbed to the toll it had taken from the overwhelming exertion of magic I’d just worked. I felt like a rag being rung out of water. All my energy deserted me in one squeeze. My legs buckled, and my vision tunneled.

“Seraphina!” Both Tyler’s and Logan’s voices echoed distantly, filled with urgency. Their hands reached out to me, but darkness crept in, pulling me under, and I had no choice but to surrender to the void.

As consciousness faded, warmth enveloped me. Both Tyler’s and Logan’s strong arms caught me. Their presence cocooned me, their actions echoing with the same protective fervor they’d shown in shielding me from the killing curse. The familiar scent of cedar wrapped around me, but beneath it lingered a new, spicy aroma that set my senses ablaze. My heart raced, a bewildering rush of emotions flooding me. When Logan’s hand glided across my back, his fingers brushed the bare skin at mywaist. A jolt of electricity coursed through me, igniting every nerve with a startling awareness. It was as if his touch awakened something dormant within me.

In that fleeting moment, just before the darkness claimed me, the world shrank to him: the deep resonance of his voice calling my name, his warmth radiating from his touch, and his intoxicating spicy scent. Logan was more than my protector. He was my fated mate. The weight of that truth crashed over me like a wave, raw and overwhelming, as darkness finally dragged me down.

Chapter Twelve

Tyler

Three agonizing days had passed since Seraphina collapsed, slipping into an unconscious state after pouring herself into the monumental task of lifting the curse from Logan and me. Each hour felt like an eternity against the relentless tick of the clock that echoed in the dim infirmary. Unease gnawed at my insides. What if there was more to her condition? What if she had absorbed too much darkness from that vile curse, leaving her trapped in a slumber forever?

The silence of the infirmary grew oppressive. I had paced its confines more times than I could count, each turn a reminder of my conflicting emotions—a mix of relief that we had survived and a biting fear that the person who was most precious to me had left me again. I couldn’t lose her again.

As the sun set on the second day, a deep resolve gripped my heart: I could no longer remain at Seraphina’s bedside. I assigned Logan to guard her. The thought of him by her side gave me some comfort as I knew she’d be safe. It was staggering to think that before our journey up the mountain, I wouldn’t have trusted Logan with such a duty. He had long been one of my most trusted warriors, yet I knew his resentment toward Seraphina was longstanding and deeply entrenched. But I recognized the change in him. He had risked his life to save Seraphina when the Black Moon leader had cast that deadly curse. He had even admitted he respected her on themountainside. I knew that not only would he protect her but that if she woke while I was gone, she would wake to a comforting presence.

So, on the morning of the third day, I stood in the Council Chamber before my pack. The atmosphere crackled with energy. Aside from the warriors on patrol and Logan at Seraphina’s side, I’d summoned the entire pack. They stood in a half-moon shape before me.

The chamber’s walls, adorned with shimmering crystals, caught the light and cast vibrant colors across the room. The brilliance of the gems reminded me of Seraphina’s healing magic, pulling me out of the darkness and enveloping me with a powerful warmth. Longing shot through me—to see that warmth in her open eyes again, in her smile, and, if the Moon goddess would help me, in the warmth of her arms around me.

Yet, today, I had pressing pack matters that I needed to address. Glancing around at the Silver Moons, I announced,

“Firstly, I’d like you all to welcome the Silver Moon warriors back into our midst. The jedra herb from the mountain has successfully restored them to full health. I am pleased to say that that means the last of the illness has been banished.”

A roar of applause erupted, voices calling out in joy. Well-wishers reached out to shake hands with David, Harry, and Neave, but the time for celebration was limited.

“Which brings me to the real reason I’ve gathered you today.” My tone shifted, a palpable weight settling over the room, silencing the exuberance. “Our pack’s restoration of health wouldn’t have happened without the bravery, compassion, and talents of one woman—Seraphina.”

As I spoke her name, confusion and skepticism flickered across some faces. The worst offenders, as I knew they’d be—were Elder Darius and his daughter, Linda.

I injected iron resolve into my voice. “Seraphina risked her life to get that herb from a steep and treacherous cliff on the mountain so as to heal our pack. She risked it again, healing Logan and me from the Black Moon’s curse. It is time for all of you to recognize that Seraphina is one of our pack’s most loyal and devoted members.”

My words hung ominously, and I watched the expressions shift among the pack. Some averted their gaze, shame blanketing their features, while others exchanged wary glances, caught in the tension between loyalty and mistrust. Confusion and fear gripped them, and I could see the internal struggle etched in every brow furrowed in consideration.

Frustration bristled through me. I longed to announce to everyone that Seraphina’s parents were innocent. That all the blame and shame they’d heaped upon her over the years wasn’t only unjust because she wasn’t accountable for her parents’ crime but that they were innocent, too.

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