Page 46 of No Harm No Howl

“We were talking and drinking when it suddenly hit me,” Gia replied.

“What’s that?” Marina asked curiously.

“See, I have been fighting tooth and nail against this mating because I wanted my career. I wanted to stand on my own two feet to make something of myself. I didn’t want to end up barefoot and pregnant with a dozen kids running around, and my identity totally lost to my mate and kids. I’ve seen it happen so many times,” Gia said.

“So, what made you change your mind?” Gerri asked.

“I realized that what I wanted mattered to Russ. That with him, I could achieve my goals and then have a family or do both at the same time. Being with him, being his mate, didn’t mean I had to give up anything, and I realized all that I had to gain.”

“It was like a lightbulb lit up above my head. Once I knew that I could have it all … well, I jumped on it, so to speak, and insisted if he was serious about being my mate, we would have to get married first.” Gia laughed.

“He was right. I was the one who had demanded that we get married. Before I had my memories back, I couldn’t think of a single thing on earth that would have ever made me demand I marry anyone. Now, in hindsight, it all makes sense. Once I knew what I’d be getting, I had to have it. I wanted him and that life more than anything in the world.”

Gia’s heart swelled. Her smile reached from ear to ear. She opened up her mating connection and let the love she had for her mate to spread to him … to give him the strength he needed to get through the battle.

Just as she opened her eyes, a bright light flashed in front of her, and a burning that she had never felt before tore through her body.

Damon had made it inside with Russ right behind him … but not close enough!

“Gia!” Russ’s voice filled her ears as she dropped to the floor.

“No!” Gerri and Marina shouted.

TWENTY-SIX

RUSS

Russ’s heart shattered when he saw the silver bullet pierce Gia’s stomach. She fell hard and fast, the silver immediately stopping and dropping her in her tracks. Before he could check to see if she was okay, he shifted into his wolf form. He didn’t usually wolf out inside his home but was done playing. The fucker would die … NOW!

Before Damon had a chance to turn and defend himself, Russ was on him. Damon’s warm blood coated his fur as he ripped his trachea from his throat.

“Russ!” Gerri shouted. “We need your help. Get over here now! We have to save Gia, and we can’t do it without you.”

That shook the fight from him, and he quickly shifted back to his human form. He sprinted to Gia’s side. “What can I do?” he asked.

Marina paused her chanting. “I need you to hold her hand, and I want you to pour as much power as you can spare through your mating connection. She needs all that you can give her. As her mate, you can help heal her as I ease the bullet out of her body.”

He swallowed hard and closed his eyes. Picturing his power as part of his body, he imagined the energy running down to his fingertips.

“Just a minute. I’m almost there. Hold onto your power for one more second before you release it into her,” Marina said.

“Gerri, I need you to get me a warm washcloth and some dry towels,” Marina said.

Gerri ran to the bathroom and was back within seconds with a stack of towels, one of which was wet.

“Here. Hope this is enough.” Gerri set the pile on the floor and knelt beside Gia.

“Russ, I’m ready for you. I will pull the bullet out with magic. I need to concentrate on the spell. When I say now, I want you to push your magic into her. Gerri, I need you to place the dry towel over the hole as soon as the bullet comes out. Hold it as tight as you can. Do the two of you understand?” Marina asked.

“Yes,” they replied in unison.

“Good. Ready. Now, Russ.”

Marina began her chant. From his fingers, Russ imagined his essence pouring into Gia, where he held tightly onto her hands.

The second Gerri saw the silver bullet pop out, she grabbed one of the fluffy white towels and pressed it into Gia’s stomach, holding it against her friend as firmly as she could. Closing her eyes, Gerri whispered a prayer that Gia would be okay.

Marina’s chant grew louder and louder. Russ felt the pressure in the air change. The hairs on his arm stood on end as a gust of wind swirled around the room. Everything in his psyche told him to stop the witch, but Gia would likely die if he did. He had to fight his nature, tooth and nail, to do what needed to be done to save his mate.

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