Page 75 of Replaced Mate

I was stuck.

I'd stay stuck in this body forever, and the wolf would hurt someone because that was what all fallen wolvesdid.

I slipped into nothing without even realizing it was happening.

When I came back to myself, Aria was leaning over me with wide eyes. I could feel her hands running all over my bare chest and neck like she was trying to reassure herself I was really there.

"You're okay, Sariel, you're okay,” she said. “He let you out."

I realized I was wheezing in short breaths, so I forced myself to take a full inhale, rolling onto my side.

Her heart was racing. I didn't like that I could feel it in tandem with my own, her fear and shock twisting into me so deeply that it might as well have been mine.

"You started screaming." Aria’s face was pale when she spoke. "You were screaming, and I couldn't get to you, and… and I think your angel called him back. I'm so sorry, Sariel; I never dreamed that would happen."

Because it was supposed to bemybody, and that damn fallen-blood had decided he should be the one in charge. My angel had rarely taken over like that, and when he did, I was usually stillthere, just riding passenger in my own body. Being completely disconnected from myself was a disorienting experience, to say the least.

"Is that what it used to be like for you?” I asked. “Did you just disappear?"

Aria rubbed her eyes when I asked, shaking her head vehemently. "It was like I fell asleep all of a sudden."

Once she put it likethat, my heart began to slow, and I compared it to what I'd experienced. Falling asleep made sense; I could understand why that was the comparison she'd used.

I didn't personally remember screaming, but her trembling hands as she rubbed my shoulder let me know she must not be exaggerating.

"I'm—"

"Donotapologize,” I choked out, halting her as I sat up, then realized we were both completely naked out in this field. "It's not your fault that I panicked."

She was still blaming herself, but she nodded her assent and hastily grabbed our clothes from the small pile we'd made.

Everything ached—I had to keep reminding myself I wasn’t in the cage anymore, otherwise the sheer panic would start to flood me again.

I was out. A little different, now that we'd sealed the bond, but still whole and stillme.

"Let's go get some sleep," Aria murmured when I managed to get my jeans pulled back up.

I pulled her into my side with an arm around her shoulders. The move soothed her instantly—like she really thought I would be upset with her over my own issues—and her arm looped around my waist in turn.

Let's try again when I'm running on a little more rest,I said.It's been a hectic few weeks, and I could sleep for a solid month.

Aria’s giggling let me know that she'd already put the panic attack from her mind.

When we climbed into bed, I wasn’t sure whether I was glad she wasn't worried anymore or angry that she wasn't showing more concern. My angel pointed out how asinine that was.

I tried to relax enough to sleep, but all I could think about was how it had felt to suddenly just… stop existing. Although Aria comparing it to sleep had worked in the moment, now that I was trying to get some needed rest, it was the most horrifying thing I could think of.

We didn't try again.

Things returned to normal, and life went on, but every attempt to lure me into getting comfortable with my wolf was brushed off immediately. I was running low on excuses, and Aria knew that was all they were, but she thankfully left it alone. After all, she'd spent most of her life denying her wolf, so maybe she was even more sympathetic than I fully realized.

Our routine made everything feel a little less out of control, and I was more than happy to fall back into it.

24

FINDING THE CURE

ARIA

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