Page 114 of Blade's Battle
“Boy, you’re bossy when you’re riled.”
“Tess!”
“Fine, let me think this through.”
“Stop thinking and find some make-up before Blade arrives.”
Tess blew out her cheeks. “I owe you big.”
“This isn’t about duty. It’s about saving Blade. I’m not going to let him go feral.”
Tess nodded. “You’re right. Sorry, I want this for both of you, but I’m worried what the bond will do to you.”
“Empirical evidence shows the odds are in my favor that I’ll be helped, not hurt, by the blood-bond. Evidence also shows that Blade needs the blood-bond or he’ll go feral. It’s my scientific conclusion that this blood-bond must take place as soon as possible. There, now we have a logical basis upon which to commence with Operation Make Anna Look Alive.”
“Wow! Ever the romantic. As the maid of honor—that whole matron term has got to go—I think we’re going to have to talk before your honeymoon about how to turn a shifteronin bed, not off.”
Anna smiled. “That’s something a little ass-wiggling will accomplish just fine.”
* * *
BLADE
Blade was pacing. It helped. Old habits and all. If he could touch Anna, that would calm him and his wolf. Damn wolf was determined to take over though. If he gave into his wolf, to snag even a few minutes of relief from his incessant whining, there would be no coming back this time. Frank was laying down the rules now. Anna was awake and asking for him, and Blade was standing by the pile of wood he’d been chopping, putting up with a lecture before heading to the lodge.
“You make one move toward Pryce, me, Tess, Damien,anyone, and I’ll haul your ass out of there so fast you’ll wish you were dead.”
“Already there, brother.”
“No, you’re not, and for Anna’s sake, don’t talk like that.”
He was right. Pearls of wisdom from Frank of all shifters. Blade had truly sunk to a new low.
“I need to see her, Frank. Can’t wait any longer.” Talking was getting difficult again. Each hour, his wolf drained more of his focus. Damien had given him simple tasks over the past few days to keep his mind off of Anna so he could concentrate on reining in his wolf. The tasks hadn’t helped, not in the least. He knew it, they knew it, but the chores kept him busy, kept him from attacking.
No one got between him and the lodge. The pack was more than aware of what was happening. Secrets never lasted long in a pack this size, except the one his Anna had been hiding.
He tried to push the door to her room open, but someone was leaning against it on the other side. A few whispers and some shuffling and then the door swung open, with Tess’s smiling face welcoming him. Hers was not the smiling face he needed to see right now.
Blade brushed past Tess and the whole world seemed to disappear the second he spotted Anna. His Angel was sitting up in bed, smiling. Gorgeous blue eyes lit up for him. Her face appeared slightly drawn as if she needed more rest, but otherwise, she looked good, healthy. She even had a bit of color to her cheeks, not that sickly pallor of yesterday. A towel lay wrapped around her shoulders, sopping up the water from her still dripping wet hair. Tess must have helped her wash.
One single breath, and her fragrant scent, sunshine, and flowers, washed through him, allowing all the tension and fear to drain away. His wolf faded into the background, retracting his teeth from where he’d had them embedded in Blade’s soul ever since Blade had been dragged from her room.
“Hi,” Blade said, stopped in the doorway.
“Hi.” Her voice was soft but as clear as her eyes.
“Can I come over?”
“I don’t bite. Though I hear you might.”
He raised a brow. “A joke or suggestion?”
Her eyes glanced to the side, and he suddenly realized Tess and Frank weren’t the only shifters in the room. Damien and Pryce were there too. So much for privacy.
“Get over here,” she said.
He leaned over and kissed her head, only to receive a frown. “Out of practice already, Blade?” Her frown transformed into a glorious smile. “Good. That means you haven’t found anyone to take my place.”
