Page 63 of Hunted
Sadavir shifted back to human form and pulled me onto his lap, cradling me in his arms.“Shh...”
I didn’t realize I was sobbing until he spoke.His big hands soothed over my hair, and he wiped my tears away with a thumb.“It will pass.She’s strong.She’ll find her feet again.”
I tried to hold it back, but a broken sound escaped me.“She’s in so muchpain.I didn’t realize it would hurt this much.I...she didn’t want...but...Idid this to her.”
He just pressed a kiss to the top of my head and pushed some of his strong, grounding aura my way.“Tune it out, omega.Focus on me.”His voice was gentle as he urged me to press my face to his chest.To shelter there.“This pain isn’t yours to bear.She knew it was coming.It’s just her animal nature.She’ll work through it.”
I hated it.But I did what he said.I did my best to pull back from my connection to Robin, to dampen my natural attunement to the whole court and my healing abilities—my omega nature.Finally, I was able to draw in a breath.Then another.
I had known this was going to be hard.I knew my decision would have far-reaching consequences.But the burden wasn’t all mine to bear.Robin was suffering right now, yes, but largely by her own choice.Evenshehad seemed to agree that I should be bonded to Sadavir.This was what was best for me.And ultimately the entire court, including the wounded dragon who was probably trying to burn the theater down right now.
Drawing in one last calming breath, I straightened a bit and reached out to touch Sadavir’s cheek, some of my wonder returning at the way I could sense him now—not his exact thoughts, really...but the general tone of his thoughts and feelings.He was so strong and unwavering in his convictions.His current stoic concern warred with his elation, with the euphoria of our bonding and ourintenselovemaking.
“I love you,” I said softly, pulling back to make sure he could see my face as I spoke.“The night might have had a few bumps thanks to my other...attachments...but I want you to know that.I regret nothing.I’m proud to be your mate.”
He gripped my hand and turned it to press a kiss to the palm.“No regrets,” he voiced slowly.“We share everything now.Even our burdens.”
His words settled something inside me, and I realized that, for the first time in forever, I felt truly at ease.Even with everything I still had to face, all of the problems that still loomed over our heads—the constant anxiety and worry that had plagued me for so long was just...gone.I felt safe in a way I hadn’t before.Even though I had all of my other connections and my place in the court, the omega in me had needed this anchor.
I thought I understood what that meant before.But only now was I truly beginning to understand exactly how powerful a true mate bond really was.
Chapter 22
Josh
Idreamt of teeth.Not the slide of Acacia’s fangs into my skin—though that memory hovered, always, with Acacia’s presence, behind the thin veil of my resistance.This time, the blood wasn’t mine, and the voice that whispered inside me sounded almost kind.
Beautiful monster,it said.Remember who you are.
I reached out, my fingers slick with red blood that slowly turned bright blue before my eyes.The dream shifted, sharpened, took on weight.I slowly woke to reality, dizzy and confused.
A hallway in The Fox, all rough stone and polished wood, with plush deep red carpet—somewhere in the court’s private living area.Pale light from the sconces.Warm, sticky liquid on my hands.Not all a dream, then.My hand was covered in blood.
And it was blue.
Yukio slumped halfway down the wall, one hand pressed to his ribs, half of his sleek black hair falling out of its topknot, and the promise of frosty retribution in his blue eyes.Blood soaked through the pixie-cross’s shirt—not red like in the beginning of my half-waking dream, but deep blue.My nails were still extended—long, sharp, and inhuman.And they were coated with pixie blood.
