Page 67 of Auctioned Mate

I held up my hand. “It’s my job to make sure people don’t die. And I failed you, Raven. I should have done better.”

The three wolves exchanged glances.

Rynar gestured to the hallway. “Why don’t we go check on your friend?”

“A good idea, friend. I haven’t seen him this morning.”

While Rynar accompanied me to Izdor’s room, I listened to Raven explaining the chain of events to the other men. The England brothers—but they weren’t related by blood. Perhaps it was a friendly bond that kept them close, much like the one I shared with Galanthia and Izdor.

Rynar rested his hand on my shoulder. “I understand how you’re feeling.”

“Then you understand that I need to take my punishment seriously.”

“Juriah, you don’t have to trade harm for harm in this world.”

I sighed. “No, but the least I can do is atone for my mistakes.”

“You can do that here. You don’t have to leave.”

“I didn’t say I would leave.”

He smiled. “But you didn’t say you wouldn’t.”

“Time can heal wounds. I should head up to the mountains and seek meditation. That always worked back in Estaria.”

“What about Macy?”

I paused near her room, watching the way the women took care of her. Galanthia read to her from a book while Etta monitored her health with glowing fingertips. Seeing her receive such tenderness made my heart warm over—and then I grew cold again, realizing how much I had let her down.

Rynar pulled me into Izdor’s room. My friend was sleeping off the damage done to his body. What had those monsters done to him?

I sat in the closest chair and watched as Rynar sat down in a chair next to me. He folded his hands together. “Everyone wants what we have.”

“Yes, that has come to my attention. You suffered at the hands of these selfish earthlings, so I’ve been told.”

He nodded solemnly. “I’m not sure what they had that witch do. I’m not sure what kind of torture they did either. But they hurt him badly, Juriah. He needs you to be strong for him.”

“I shouldn’t have let this happen.”

“The more you beat yourself up, the more useless you become to your mate.”

I stared at him. “What did you just say?”

“You and Macy are meant to be together.”

“I knew that much, but I would have never considered her a mate…” I rubbed the bridge of my nose. “Is that why I feel so drawn to protect her?”

He nodded. “From what I can tell, yes. Raven said she used herself as bait to save your friends. That’s the kind of sacrifice made by love.”

“She nearly got herself killed.”

“And she would probably choose to do it again and again.”

I grunted. “I wish she wouldn’t. It makes it difficult to protect her.”

“So, don’t leave her behind to go on a meditation journey. Beating yourself up won’t fix the past. Being with her, though—that can change the future.”

Izdor looked so unbothered while he was sleeping. I leaned forward to take his hand, sensing his energy was healing much faster now with Etta’s attention. He would wake up soon. They both would.

---