Page 91 of Mates: Posy

I woke up with my stomach clenched in hunger.

Opening my eyes, I looked around, but didn't recognize the bedroom I was in. I inhaled and smelled Posy, my brother, an unfamiliar she-wolf, and, faintly, Alpha Cole.

I think I'm back at Posy's house.

Making an effort, I rolled out of bed and opened one of the three white doors to find a bathroom.

Ah. Good.

After taking care of business, which took a while because every movement hurt, I opened the door beside the bathroom and found a closet stuffed with the bags from our shopping trip today.

Two for two.

I pulled out a short-sleeved t-shirt and sweat shorts, panties, a bra, and fuzzy socks with kittens on them. As I was headed for the bathroom, I heard a soft knock on the door and froze until I smelled Posy.

Whew. Not my mate. He’s thelastperson I want to see me in this condition.

I went to the door and opened it. She looked up, concern written all over her sweet face.

"Do you need help cleaning your wounds?"

"I don’t want to be a bother," I murmured. "I’m sure I can do it."

"It’s not a bother," she said with a sunny smile. "And you don’t need to be embarrassed. I saw your injuries when I helped change you into that nightie."

I bit my lip and looked away as shame reddened my cheeks.

"Don’t do that. I myself have looked just as bad or worse." She grabbed my hand and squeezed it. "I’ll tell you about Luke's mate while I help you, okay? I just sent her downstairs because dinner’s ready. She’s been standing guard at your door since we got back here."

My eyebrows flew up.

"Luke found his mate?"

"Yep!" Posy giggled and pulled me into the bathroom. "She's the king's beta!"

Oh, wow. What are the odds of both of us mating with members of the royal pack?

"What's she like?" I asked as Posy helped me out of my nightie.

"Strong. Confident. In great shape. Looks like she could kick the butt of most warriors in any pack. An Amazon queen."

I grinned. She sounded just right for my brother.

The grin soon turned into a grimace as Posy started to dab alcohol on my open wounds.

"Sorry. I know how bad it hurts, but we need to keep them from becoming infected until your wolf can heal you."

I nodded and clenched my teeth against the pain.

"How are the others? Did Peri and the twins get hurt?"

"They’re fine," she assured me. "No injuries. I hit my head and was out for a while. You were hurt the worst."

When she was finally done, I stood braced against the counter and tried to remember how to breathe. She wiped my tears away with a warm, wet washcloth and waited until I’d stopped wheezing to help me put on my clothes.

"Lilah, I want to thank you for your care and protection this afternoon." She looked down. "I panicked and froze, and you took action even though you were the target. You knew what they’d do to you if they caught you, yet you sacrificed your own escape to get me out of there."

She lifted her face and met my eyes with her tear-filled ones.

---