Page 46 of Loved By the Wolf

“Only what you see on my wrists.” I held them up. “And my ankles.”

“I’m so glad you’re here and not missing anymore. I don’t know how you held it together when I was taken. I was a bawling mess when I found out. Luc wouldn’t let me go with them. He wouldn’t even let Sandy go, and Sandy is a fantastic hunter. Said something about her being too invested. The two of us sat at home just waiting, and it wasn’t until quite a long time later that Brandon walked in with you in his arms. He wouldn’t let anyone touch you except Miti. Brought you straight to his room and closed the door. Miti did a good job cleaning you up. You’ll love her, Becca.”

“She seems wonderful.” I was getting sleepy and could feel my eyes drooping. “So much information, Jill. I don’t know what to make of any of it.”

“It’s okay. Let’s not get bogged down on the details right now. Just rest. You’re safe, Becca. I promise. No one will disturb you here.”

“Okay.” And for some reason I believed her.

Jill gave me another hug. “I’m going to go help Sandy with your dinner. You just rest.”

I think I hummed a yes before I allowed myself to drift off. For the first time in a long while, I finally felt safe, so I was going to take their advice and rest.

Brandon

A hand whackedme in the back of the head. Not hard, but enough to startle me. I turned around to see Miti staring at me with the sternest look on her face. I hadn’t seen that expression since she found me in the pantry scarfing down all the cookies Mom had made for the family get-together. “Grandma, what was that for?”

“Jill and I have calmed her down. She knows she’s safe. I’ve given her a sleeping draught so she’s going to rest now. When she wakes, Jill’s going to make food for her. Then, and only then, is it your turn to do some explaining.”

“Why can’t I go in and sleep with her now?” I stood up to make my point. No one was going to keep me away from her any longer.

But all Miti had to do was give me a look, and I sat back down. Her power was stronger than even Dad’s. It made me want to cower. I looked down and noticed my brothers doing the same.

“Brandon McCullough, you’ve made a mess of things with your mate,” Miti said firmly. “Of all the siblings, I thought you would be the one who had the most sense. I should have known, though, that the best child would have the biggest tendency to be a not-so-great adult.”

I looked up in shock at that statement. Jacob snickered next to me. Miti, however, was quicker at getting to him than I was.

With one pinched ear, he subdued to her whims. “Jacob McCullough, you mark my words that you will be next in line.”

He grumbled but kept his mouth shut.

“Your mates are precious. There is only one for each of you in the whole world. And for you to be truly happy and start a pack of your own, you need to acknowledge them. That’s not too hard to do, is it?”

We all shook our heads.

“I didn’t think so. And yet you, Brandon, have let your past cloud over the one you were born to protect.”

I could feel my face redden in shame. Becca was hurt, emotionally and physically, and all because of me. A surge of possessiveness shot through me at the thought of her all alone in my room, scared. I didn’t care what Miti said, she wasn’t going to stop me from going to her.

I stood up, fully expecting Miti to make me sit down again, but she just looked at me, willing me to defy her.

“All this talk is great and all, and it’s really good to see you, Miti, but I have someone I need to take care of.” I held up my hand to prevent her from talking. “I know she’s resting, and I won’t disturb her, but I need to be next to her. I need to see her.” I marched off before she could say anything more. I entered my room and closed the door behind me before leaning against it and letting out a breath. I listened to see if anyone was coming after me, but all I heard was Miti laughing and saying, “It’s about time.”

I smiled, thinking Miti always knew how to handle us and focused on the figure in my bed. She looked so small. Becca was sleeping on her side, with her red hair spread across my pillow. One of her hands was resting on the other pillow, and that’s the one I held as I slid under the covers next to her. I’d never been this intimate with Becca, and part of me wanted to get out of bed and sit by the chair and watch over her. But the thought of letting go of her hand was impossible. I would never let her go ever again. Becca was mine.

I ran my other hand across her cheek and smiled when she stirred and rubbed back. Not wanting to wake her, I closed my eyes and went to sleep, dreaming of my mate in my arms.

Becca

I feltsomeone warm next to me. The smell of sandalwood and citrus filled my senses, and I rolled closer, feeling an arm come around me in response. I loved this dream and could stay here forever, breathing in Brandon’s scent.

“I love you,” a voice said.

I smiled. I’d wanted to hear that for a long time. I didn’t want to ever wake up from this.

“I’ve always loved you, Becca.”

I snuggled in deeper and drifted off into a deep sleep. This was the best dream ever.

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