Page 61 of Forced Plus-Size Mate

Even in the face of the violence we just suffered, both of us smile in that moment.

This is the promise of our shared bond. The knowledge that whatever the future brings, we will face it together.

Chapter 19 - Amanda

The hours between Decker’s attack and dawn seem to pass very slowly. All around us, we can hear cries from injured wolves, angry outbursts from those who were betrayed by friends, and, worst of all, laments for the dead.

I sit with Body in the main living area, curled into a loveseat with a cup of hot tea wrapped in my hands. Immediately after the retreat, everyone was too injured or shocked to react, so it took some time before recovery efforts started.

Body and I weren’t of much use, with him still recovering from multiple wounds and my powers depleted from the attack and from healing him. I overextended myself for sure, and Body almost got himself killed.

“How are you two?” Fiona asks, stopping in front of us. Before I can answer, she reaches over and touches my forehead, tilting my head back so she can look into my eyes.

The gesture is so comforting and motherly, it almost brings tears to my eyes.

It’s not familiar, though. My mother sure as hell never touched me like that.

“You’re not feverish, and your pupils look good,” she says. “Do you think you can drive? You should go home if you can.”

“Yeah, I think so. If Body’s okay.” I turn to look at him and see he’s fallen asleep, curled up against me with a sweet, innocent expression on his face.

Fiona smiles. “You two will be okay. Go home and rest. A couple of the witches have neurological damage. They extended themselves too far.”

“Who?” I demand, struggling to get up. “I have to help!”

Fiona easily holds me down with one hand, glaring. “Nell and Zoe. I don’t want you anywhere near them.”

“Nell? She’s my best friend! Let me go!”

“No. The last thing we need is you healing them and giving yourself an aneurysm. You’d probably do it spontaneously, without even trying.”

“Yes, probably,” I agree stubbornly. “But I’m the strongest. I can heal them and survive.”

“I really don’t think so, but it doesn’t matter. Both of them told me they don’t want anyone else endangering themselves to heal them. They will recover on their own. It will just take time.”

I struggle with myself for a moment, desperate to argue but knowing there’s absolutely nothing I can do. In the end, I angrily wipe away my tears and shake my head, giving Body a shove.

“Hey, what… where?” he stammers.

“It’s okay, sleepyhead. We’re going home.”

“Oh. Okay. Fiona! What’s going on?”

She looks down at Body with a steady gaze, her face drawn. “There have been casualties, and we have a lot of people injured. That’s why we need anyone who’s healing but not fully functional to go home. We need to focus on healing the ones who are critical, counting the dead, and…”

“And?” Body asks.

“Giving comfort to those who are not going to survive,” she finishes.

Body turns his eyes away, his face twisting with pain. “They’ll pay for this!” he hisses.

Fiona shakes her head. “Don’t think about that now. Just get home and heal. We’ll call you with any updates, and the details for the funeral.”

Body nods, and I take his hand, squeezing it. He looks up at Fiona once more, but there is nothing left to say.

I help him up, and we go out to find Body’s truck. The sun has only just risen, the pale light leaving the edges of the world blurry and out of focus.

Or maybe that’s my concussion talking.

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