Total pages in book: 48
Estimated words: 44411 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 222(@200wpm)___ 178(@250wpm)___ 148(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 44411 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 222(@200wpm)___ 178(@250wpm)___ 148(@300wpm)
Damon held her close, still rocking her back and forth while he rubbed her back. “What did Surge communicate after the others left?”
“He said he was so very sorry. He was confident the rogue bears were injured enough that they would not get away this time. They would be captured. He will return as soon as he can to reassure us.”
Damon kissed her forehead. “Good girl.”
Elias knew he was holding his mate too tight. It was a habit with him. He needed to know she was living and breathing. He couldn’t release his grip as he glanced around the room at the other Alphas, stopping when he noticed Felix had a hand on his side and was wheezing.
Leah must have noticed, too. “He’s hurt, Daddy. I saw the bear take a swipe with his claws.”
Elias reluctantly set his mate down and rushed over with the others to check on Felix.
Gavin grabbed Felix’s shoulder and guided him to the kitchen. “First aid kit?”
“I’ll get it,” Leah said as she ran from the room toward the bathroom.
Elias helped Gavin pull Felix’s shirt over his head. The two men were brothers. Felix was older by twelve years, but they were still close.
Felix winced as he looked down. “It’s superficial,” he said. “Nobody freak out. It’s not deep. I can tell.”
A long claw mark stretched from the side of his chest down to his abdomen. Elias held Felix’s arm out of the way so Gavin could get a better look. Gavin was a healer. He would know what to do better than anyone else in the room. The rest of the Alphas backed up to give them space.
Leah rushed back in with a first aid kit in her arms. It was almost too large and bulky for her, but she set it on the table and opened it up. “Anticeptic? Gauze?”
Elias stared at her for a moment. She was all business and not squeamish at all. He was impressed.
Felix’s face was tight, but he didn’t make a sound while Gavin pulled up a chair and began cleaning and then stitching the long wound. “How the fuck are you going to explain this to your mate?” Gavin joked.
Elias chuckled. “That’s right. How much longer do you have before your ceremony?”
Felix rolled his eyes. “A year. It will be healed by then.”
Gavin lifted his gaze as he finished stitching. “It will be a long ugly scar. Hopefully she’s not the overly sensitive type,” he teased.
Felix swatted at his brother’s head.
Leah gasped.
When Elias turned his head toward her, he found her covering her mouth. Eyes wide. He hurried to her side. “What is it, Little one?”
She was staring at Felix as she lowered her hands. Tears slowly ran down her face.
Felix winced. “Oh, shit.”
“What?” Elias glanced back and forth between his mate and Felix. What the fuck was he missing?
“My sister,” Leah finally whispered.
A murmur spread around the room.
Elias stiffened as he pulled his mate into his arms. “I’m sorry, Little one. No one is supposed to reveal who their future mate is. We fucked up.” He rocked her slightly back and forth, rubbing her back. He was covered in blood, but he wouldn’t let go. They would clean up in a while.
She sniffled and shook her head. “It’s okay. I was just startled.” She pushed on Elias to turn around in his embrace. “You better be a good man,” she ordered, staring at Felix. “My sister is all that is light and good in the world. She has worshiped the thought of you with stars in her eyes for years.”
Felix came closer and dropped down to crouch in front of her. He took her hand and held it loosely. “I swear to you I will treat her like spun gold, Little one. You have my word. I’ve never set eyes on her, but she is already my heart and soul.”
Leah nodded before she turned back to wrap her arms around Elias.
Heavens, what a day.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Several hours later, after everyone was gone, Elias finally had his mate right where he wanted her, relaxing in the tub, her back leaning against his front.
He’d scrubbed both of them from head to toe in the shower first and then filled the tub with warm water so they could relax. He was playing with her fingers against his knee, staring at them absently, reminding himself how lucky he was to have her.
“Is Felix a good man?” she asked quietly.
“The best, Little one. I promise.”
“He seems…older.”
Elias chuckled. “He is. He was stunned when your sister was born with his mark. He’d believed for many years that he’d been skipped. I think he was in shock after her birth and didn’t allow himself to fully process until recently. Unlike me, he has his house ready way in advance. He’s excited.”
Leah turned her head to look at Elias, smiling. “Thank you. That makes me feel better.”