Page 54 of Wolf Touched

“She needs to eat something soon, though the IV fluids I gave her should help tremendously,” Dru said from somewhere above my head. “I’m surprised you’re already up. You lost a ton of blood, and you’d be dead if it weren’t for Divin—er, Skylar.”

“And look how that left her,” Raffe growled. “You shouldn’t have let her do that.”

Lucy snorted from somewhere near my feet. “Like anyone could stop Sky from doing something she was bound and determined to do, especially when it comes toyou.”

“In fairness, seeing you like that and watching that gooey shit work isn’t anything I want to see again.” Adam sighed. “It was pretty awful.”

“And speaking from experience,” Josie added, “when your fated mate needs something, the other half will give it to you, no matter the consequences. Put yourself in her shoes, Raffe.”

“I’m with him on this one.” Dave scoffed. “The number one priority is keeping you safe. We’d rather die than have something happen to you.”

Part of me didn’t want them to know I’d woken up. From the sounds of it, for once, we were all sitting aroundand talking. We weren’t running away or looking for resources. We were discussing risking our lives for each other, but there wasn’t an imminent threat.

How much longer are you going to pretend to be asleep?Raffe’s voice popped into my head, and his arms tightened around me.Not that I’m complaining. Octavia, Dru, and Fane have been hovering around you, so I suspect they’ll try to steal you away from us once you’re moving again.

Busted.I guess I can’t pretend anymore since you foiled my plans,I teased.I’m just glad you’re awake and sitting up.A wave of emotions slammed into me, and a sob built in my chest.

Great, I’d gone from being somewhat content to trying like hell to swallow a sob. The pressure built, making it hard to breathe.

Hey.He leaned down, kissing my forehead.I’m right here. I’m not going anywhere.

I opened my eyes and took in his strong jawline, full lips, and caring eyes.

“What did I tell you?” Keith whooped. “All he had to do was kiss her, and boom, her eyes are fucking open.”

“He kissed herforehead.” Fane chuckled. “I don’t think that counts.”

“True love’s kiss knows no bounds,” he countered.

I turned my head begrudgingly and saw Keith sitting on the raised tile edge of a fireplace across from me. I lifted a brow. “Someone is obsessed with fairy tales and Disney movies. Bambi is one of the first references you ever made to me. There’s a theme, and you always bring it up first. I believe you’re a closet fairy-tale lover.”

He tilted his head back and puffed out his chest. “Please.”

“She’s right, man.” Adam shrugged from his spot besideKeith, leaning against a gray-green wall, staring out a window. “You do bring it up often.”

“What do you expect when animals come to her like that?” Keith raised both hands. “Not that I’m complaining. It’s quite badass. She saved our asses throughthatconnection, or whatever the hell it is, but still, that’s straight out of the storybooks.”

I blinked and took in the living room. Josie was sitting next to Keith on the tile with Dave beside her. Lucy sat next to me and Raffe in the middle of a gray leather couch with Cat-Keith in her lap and Fane on her other side. Octavia was perched on a single seat in one corner, and the TV above the fireplace was on, but the volume was muted.

The screen showed the house we’d been staying at the night before, with firemen and police surrounding it.

My semi-peaceful moment was over. I tried to sit up and wobbled a little. Raffe pulled me to his chest, steadying me.

“Be careful. You have an IV, and you gave me too much blood.” He arched a brow, daring me to say something.

I kept my mouth shut … for once. Anything I said would either annoy him or make the air smell like sulfur. It was best if I took my constitutional right and pleaded the fifth. I glanced down and noted the IV in my arm full of clear liquid. Dru was hydrating me and giving me sugar to give my blood a boost. I probably wouldn’t have been awake if he hadn’t done that.

I nodded to the television. “What are they saying?”

“They’re mainly confused about how no one heard or smelled the fire until the house had nearly burned down.” Octavia rubbed her mouth. “And, of course, the medical professionals came on record, claiming that the neighbor thereporters interviewed on-site must have been suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning.”

Out of every plausible situation, that was the best one. The older man hadn’t been hurt or in danger, and they didn’t think he was crazy. I only hoped nothing changed those assumptions even if they aren’t able to determine how the fire started.

I suspected they’d never figure it out, but the supernatural world could still be at risk.

Dru came up beside me, and I propped my head on Raffe’s chest as he removed the needle and tubing. The sound of Raffe’s steady heartbeat and strong breathing made everything worth it, including the stress, fear, and uncertainty. If we hadn’t come here, he wouldn’t have made it.

“I’ll get you some food.” Octavia stood and headed out of the room. “You and Raffe should both eat something.”

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