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I walk outside to see two men chest to chest with Logan and Las.

Elijah’s brothers.

They smell similar to him. One has brown hair and the other blonde, similar to Elijah’s. They are built the same too. Their faces are filled with longing and confusion.

“You are his brothers?” I ask and their heads snap my way.

“We are. Who the hell are you?” the brown-haired one growls.

I walk calmly to stand in front of them. I have to squeeze between the protective lions.

“I am your brother’s mate.” I pull my shirt, showing them Elijah’s mark. “He is mine.”

They look from me to each other. “Where is he? We want to talk to him.”

“Now you want to talk to him?” I laugh. “Where were you when he was thrown out of the only home he knew? Where were you when he had a psycho girl stalking him, or the vampire that joined her, and eventually turned the girl? She came back to kill him and almost succeeded.” I step closer, my head tilting. “These are our friends. They became Elijah’s family once the one that was blood gave up on him. You will be polite to them. You will treat everyone here with respect. My mate, your brother, is lying in bed, injured, with no sign of waking up soon. So sit your ass out here or go to town, and when Elijah is healed and ready, he will find you.”

“You can’t make than decision for him,” the blonde brother snarls.

“Saylor,” Elijah rasps. I turn so fast I almost fall. He’s braced against the front door, his hand wrapped around his chest. There is blood dripping down his arm where he pulled out the needle “Here.”

I almost sob as I do as he commanded. I raise my hands to put them on his chest, but pause, not wanting to hurt him. Instead, I cup his jaw. “You're okay,” I whisper.

“Yeah, Kitty Cat,” he says, his voice weak. “I could be better. I need to shift.”

“Elijah.” His brothers walk to the bottom of the stairs. I swear I hear longing in his voice.

“Draden,” Elijah snarls, directing his anger towards the brown-haired brother. I move to his side and he rests his hand on the back of my neck. “Brae. This is my mate Saylor. If you ever talk to her with anything but absolute respect again, I will rip your heads from your body and bury them separate. Do you understand?”

“Yes,” Brae responds.

“Fine,” Draden agrees. “We have been worried.”

“Really?” Elijah scoffs. “For how long? Since I was eighteen? It didn’t seem as if you missed me at all.”

“There are things you don’t know.” Draden takes another step.

“I imagine there is. There are bound to have many things happen over so many years. Yet, I knew where you were. Did you not catch my scent until now? Why now? You both seemed happy enough when I tracked you down.” Elijah shakes his head. “I don’t want to hear your answers now. I need you to go. Saylor was correct. I will find you again when it is the right time for me.” He looks at everyone else gathered around. “Thank you for coming for me. For taking care of Saylor. But right now, I want you all to go. I need to be with my mate. I have to shift to heal the rest of the way.”

“Of course, cowboy,” Sally walks over. “Glad you’re upright.”

“Me too.”

“Please, Elijah,” Brae begs.

“What did I say?” Elijah asks harshly.

“We’ll be in town when you are ready,” Draden says, reaching for his brother.

Everyone stays still as we watch them get in their car and leave.

“I’ll take care of your mother and sister.” Sally squeezes my hand.

“Thanks, Sally,” I sigh. I move out of the way when I feel my family behind me. I hug my mom. “We’ll talk soon,” I promise.

“Take care of your mate,” she says, her sad eyes connecting with mine.

As she moves to join Sally by the car, May takes her place.