Page 57 of The Wolf's Prince
That finally seemed to bring Soren back.
He shook himself, seemed to really look at Andrey and Nikolai for the first time since the attack, and sagged.
“Nik, I am so sorry,” he whispered, pulling him into a proper embrace this time. “I failed you both.”
Nikolai shook his head.
“No—”
“It's the truth,” Soren sighed. “You are both here because of me. I should have protected Andrey like my own. After all, he is my family now too.”
Nikolai squeezed his eyes shut, holding onto Soren a little bit tighter.
“You did protect him. You got that beast off him before anyone else could. Thank you for acting so fast.”
He looked down at Andrey again, tears now stinging his eyes.
“What will happen to him now?” he wondered aloud.
“Nothing,” Soren said, patting him. “He will heal and be okay.”
“How can you be so sure?” he asked, then reached up, gently touching his own mark which was on display above the wide collar of the cotton shirt he wore. His whole outfit was shifter clothes today. They wore the collars of their shirts lower, perhaps to show whether one was mated or not.
“Kamon's bite was nothing like ours,” Soren said firmly. “Your brother will be fine.”
Despite himself, irritation filled Nikolai.
“How can you say that while he's laying here unconscious?” he demanded. “With his throat torn open.”
Nikolai shuddered.
“I have to take him home as soon as he is awake. He needs a human doctor.”
Soren stiffened and pushed Nikolai back far enough to see his face.
“Do not joke with me Nikolai,” he warned. “We just mated. You cannotleavethe next day.”
Nikolai pursed his lips, choosing his next words with great effort.
“Soren,” he began calmly. “I am taking Andrey home. Humans do not heal as quickly as shifters. He might not heal at all if he remains here.”
Soren opened his mouth to argue, but Nikolai pressed on.
“Now, you have two options. You can join me, as youshould. Or you can remain here.”
Soren's expression hardened.
“Nikolai, you can't make that kind of demand of me. Not now. You have no idea what's going on here.”
“Then explain it to me,” he snapped. “What exactly do you think is more important than my brother's life?”
Soren glanced around, and Nikolai followed his gaze, realizing that they were being listened to. They were surrounded by shifters after all and Nikolai knew their hearing was better than any human’s, not to mention the fact that the grounds had been quiet ever since Kamon had been dragged away.
“I must talk to Alpha Jin,” Soren finally said, squeezing his hand. “After that, we will discuss how to proceed.”
With that, he pushed to his feet.
Nikolai watched Soren walk away, feeling numb.
