Page 24 of Fire Touched

Carter runs a hand through his dull, lanky hair. ‘Actually, he came to apologise, and thanked me. For, you know.’ He gestures at his chest, where the knife had buried itself into him.

I blink. ‘Is it bad I’m shocked at that?’

Carter’s face cracks in a smile. ‘He was trying to do right by you. But no,’ he adds. ‘I certainly didn’t expect it. Maybe we’re all growing a little.’

‘Yeah, you’re not the arrogant bastard you are when I met you.’

Carter whips his head at me, mouth open in shock. ‘Ouch.’ But he smiles. ‘Yeah, okay, I’m a little different.’ He elbows me playfully. ‘And you’re certainly not the powerless outcast you were when I met you.’

‘Not powerless, maybe, but still an outcast.’ I offer a rueful smile. ‘We all are now. Thanks to me.’

Carter slides his hand into mine, and now, his skin is warm. ‘Katherine, I’m alive, thanks to you. I would have died if you hadn’t taken me away. You know that, right?’

I squeeze back, speechless. After a moment, I chance a side-ways glance at him. ‘Why did you do it?’ I whisper. ‘Why did you protect Moira, back at the estate when your uncle took her, when you didn’t even know her?’

A shadow of pain passes over his eyes, and I half-wish I hadn’t asked. Then he takes a breath and faces me squarely on the bed. ‘After a lifetime of living with him, I guess it was one thing for him to abuse me, but an innocent girl?’ He shakes his heads, back and shoulders straight. ‘Nope. I just couldn’t let him. That simple.’

I touch a hand to his knee. ‘Thank you. For protecting her when I couldn’t.’

For the first time in a long time, he seems to relax. After a moment, it slips away. ‘I can’t lead the Water Pack, Katie. I can’t… be the beaten down wolf who tries to take over. They’ll kill me.’

I wish I knew what to do to help. ‘What do you want to do?’

Carter looks around with a sigh. ‘I want to get out of this damn hospital.’ He unfolds his legs and gets to his feet. ‘Do you know who I can talk to about getting this place better protected? I won’t have any more blood on my conscience.’

‘I do, actually.’

‘The alpha? Or Elijah’s father?’

‘Nope. It’s time for you to meet a Starlight Witch. Elga. You’re going to love her.’

**scene break**

Elga studies us from her doorway, nose turned up. ‘I’ve had enough of egotistical young male wolves today.’ She waves us away. ‘Shoo.’

‘Ah, I see you’ve met Killian,’ Carter says mildly.

I shoot him a look, but he’s hiding a smile, hands in his pockets.

‘I have,’ Elga says. ‘Didn’t care for him.’

‘Hey! Both of you! That’s my mate.’

Elga smiles at me. ‘I won’t hold it against you.’ She jerks her chin at Carter. ‘Is he the other one? Your other mate?’

My eyes widen. ‘No—he’s—’

‘I’m just joking with you.’ Elga smirks. ‘The connection between you two is not so simple.’ Her silver eyes narrow at Carter. ‘Are you an arrogant asshole?’

Carter flushes and turns to me. ‘I was recently told, not anymore, no.’

Elga measures us.

Going out on a limb, I offer a sweet smile. ‘I’m sure Carter would very much appreciate one of your amazingly delicious cookies. Besides, you know you like me, what’s one more?’ I jerk my thumb at Carter who hides a smirk.

Elga chuckles. ‘Oh, all right, wear me down. I do like visitors.’ As Carter steps up, she points a finger at him. ‘I’ll have no inflated egos in here, got it? I’ll kick you out on your furry backside.’

I snort behind my hand. I do like her.

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