Page 119 of The Wolf King's Mate

“I’m aware. Every wolf and woman in this city are going to want her to use that magic on them, their mate, or someone they’re related to. They all need to be more afraid of me than they are hopeful.”

Clay sighed. “Alright. Just?—”

“Nojusts.”

The hospital’s doors slid open.

I stepped through them, and the bumbling crowd outside went silent.

Phones lifted to take pictures or videos. That was good. I wanted the images of me covered in blood to circulate.

“Anyone who prevents those or their loved ones in actual need from getting into the hospital will spend the next month in jail,” I said, glowering at the crowd.

A lot of the people in it took a large step back.

Male werewolves stepped in front of female humans, as if they could protect the women from me.

If I wanted them dead, they couldn’t.

“The rumors are right,” I said flatly. “My mate somehow turned a dying human woman into a werewolf. We don’t know how. We don’t know why. Her life is currently hanging on the edge, and we don’t know if she’ll make it. Yet here I am. Forced to talk to you.”

As a whole, they took a few more steps back.

It wasn’t far enough.

“If Aspen can make more wolves without killing herself, she’ll want to do it. And if this is the cost every time, I will not allow it, and I will enthusiastically tear into anyone who would try to make her. If you want to challenge me over something that couldkillmy mate, go ahead.” I spread my arms wide, dominance pouring off of me. “I’ll enjoy watching every one of you bleed.”

I stalked back into the hospital.

If any of them spoke back to me, I’d have to kill them to make a statement.

Thankfully, none of them did.

When I stepped back into Aspen’s room, I made sure she was still stable before I finally stepped into the bathroom and scrubbed my hands.

It took longer than it should’ve.

I shouldn’t have let the blood dry for that long.

When they were clean, I finally went back to my mate’s side and put my hand on her face.

Her heartbeat grew slightly stronger again.

She wanted me close.

Fletcher leaned forward, his eyes on the heart monitor’s screen. The doctor had told us what to watch for so we would know if she was going downhill—and the opposite was happening.

“Your touch helps her,” Fletcher said, both surprised and urgent. “Get in bed with her.”

I already had her blankets and tubes lifted, but there was a bunch of medical crap connected to her.

He and Clay both came over and helped me lift things. A moment later, I was on my back on the tiny hospital mattress, with my mate’s fragile body on top of mine.

My neck contorted as I watched the screen and listened to her heartbeat.

Slowly, it grew stronger.

“Holy shit.” Fletcher’s palms were on the bed as he leaned over us, watching Aspen’s face.

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