Page 45 of Of Wolves and Wives

A flash of red catches my eye. To the right, I see her. Floating in the water, suspended in a fantasy that has her smiling, she slowly dies. I surface for a moment, sucking in a breath before diving toward her. The moment the water closes around me, I pulled into another fantasy. One that’s a more intimate fantasy of Rose and me. It’s harder to fight off, but I manage to.

Instead of surfacing again, I kick toward Rose. She sinks deeper and deeper into the waters, her face pale and her hair worked loose from its braid. My fingers finally reach her. I snag her before kicking toward the surface. Dragging her toward the path from before, I push away more fantasies that attempt to lure me away from safety. Each one is harder and harder to not give in to.

Finally, I reach the path. I stare at Rose, limp in my arms. Her lips have turned blue as I drop mine to them in an attempt to resuscitate her. She doesn’t react. Her chest refusing to rise for me no matter how much air I blow into her lungs. Fear clenches my heart that she’s gone, that I was too late. I press my ear to her chest, my hand on her stomach, as I listen for a heartbeat. The baby kicks, hitting my hand and jolting my heart.

I return to her head, trying again to revive her. This time, she coughs. I help her sit up as she vomits murky brown water onto her lap. She sags against me, and I don’t hesitate to pull her into my lap, clinging to her.

“I thought you were gone, lost forever,” I whisper.

Pressing my lips to her forehead, I feel her tense. Reality hits me, and I realize that I’ve overstepped. Shame washes over me as I move away from her, but she surprises me. Her arms wrap around me as she pulls herself to me.

“I’m so sorry for everything I’ve done,” I say as more apologies spill from me.

My words blur together until she reaches up to press a finger to my mouth, quieting me. Our eyes meet, and she gives me a small smile. Her eyes swim with unshed tears, and I feel my heart-shattering.

“I know you never meant to hurt me,” she says, her voice rough and quiet. “You must have had good reason for doing what you did.”

“I thought so at the time, but–”

She cuts me off with a press of her lips to my cheek.

“That’s enough,” she whispers. “For now.”

We’re interrupted by Pierce calling out to us. Reminding us that we need to find shelter and food before dark. We don’t have much time.

31

Rose

Leaning against Rykker, we follow the others away from the swamp. My fingers grip his shirt as I stare ahead. I can’t shake the memory or whatever that was of my mother. I’m haunted by the sensation of being hugged by her. Of being loved so unconditionally. The only thing keeping me from turning back and letting the swamp take me is the kicking in my stomach, reminding me that I can’t do to this babe what was done to me.

Finally, we stop in a small clearing. Once Rykker sees me settled, his shifts and takes off in what I can only hope in search of food. I watch his disappear before my eyes land on Lyra. She’s paler than usual, sweat beading on her forehead as she winces.

“Lyra?”

She shakes her head at me, pressing the back of her hand to her mouth. I glance to where Pierce stands, watching with a frown. He makes no move toward her, so I do. Pressing a hand to her forehead, I wince at the heat radiating from her.

“You’re burning up,” I whisper.

She nods. Then says, “My stomach aches. I’m starving. And my throat is raw. But more than that, I’m burning elsewhere. I need, Rose.”

It takes me a moment to realize she’s talking about sex. Her pregnancy symptoms must be peaking. I know too well how desperate she must be feeling. My eyes move toward Peirce. Am I willing to share my mates? His eyes meet mine, and he seems to understand what I’m thinking. He balks and shakes his head.

“No,” he firmly tells me.

“Why?” I ask. “You don’t seem to mind sharing me with the other two. But you won’t take another female?”

Peirce snorts. “I do mind, Rose. Especially when it comes to the Grey Prince taking you. But that’s completely different. Sharing is one thing. Taking another woman just doesn’t feel right. Not when I love you and only you.”

“Then what about Rykker and Heath?”

“That’s different.”

I frown. “How?”

“They’re your fated mates. As much as I am. If you don’t want to choose or are unable to, then who am I to be the one to make you? Besides, the two of them are the closest thing to family I’ve ever had. Until I met you.”

“Fated mates?”

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