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“Some people find that endearing and useful.”

“If it was useful, we wouldn’t be in this situation.” That shut me up. “I’ll get you the extra supplies and be on my way. I’ll be in touch to make sure everything is going okay. Call me if there are any issues.” Vaila met my gaze and glared.

“You’re going to regret that.” We would be pestering her day and night, making sure everything was fine. If we weren’t, Ellie damn sure would.

“I’d rather regret that than let her suffer for longer than she has to.” Vaila always surprised me. She was always professional, but there were times when she was so incredibly serious that it took me back. This was one of those times.

“You’ll hear from us plenty, Vaila, and thank you for doing this.” Odie finally graced us with something besides her back, but it was short lived as she quickly turned back to Mine. “And I don’t know if she’s mine, but I don’t think it matters.”

That’s how I knew she was without having true confirmation. Odie wouldn’t behave this way with anyone else. A need to shove her aside and take her place was growing inside me, and that was terrifying. I’d fight it for now, but I didn’t know how long I would be able to fight the urge to confirm that she’s mine.

With Vaila gone and Odie watching Mine, I checked on Ellie. It had been an intense morning, and she had been a little too quiet and out of the way.

I knocked on her door, and no answer came. Any patience I normally had for her was gone at the moment, so I pushed open the door to see her bundled in a ball on her bed, wrapped in multiple blankets. Her phone rested in front of her face with the light shining onto it, revealing her red-rimmed green eyes.

I closed the door behind me as I stepped into her room without a word from either of us. She put her phone down and let me sit on the bed before snuggling into my side.

More tears came, and when her small sobs stopped, I said, “She’s doing fine for now. If you’d like, I will take you in there to see her, but I need you to be prepared.” Ellie nodded against me, but she had no idea what I meant. “Ellie, she lost an arm and isn’t awake yet.”

“What!” she shrieked as she pushed up off of me. “What do you mean she lost an arm?”

“Oliver did too much damage, and with everything we have found out, a hospital and a surgeon was out of the question. Vaila did what she could.”

“Vaila? She took Mine’s arm?” Even more tears came as she collapsed back into me.

“She did, but everything will be okay. We are going to need your help since she’s an Omega now. You’ll need to help her control her pheromones.”

“But I can’t even—” she cried into my side.

“You can. She doesn’t need to wield them, but she will need to hold them in so nothing bad happens.”

“Okay, I can do that.” I wasn’t exactly happy that she had overheard our conversation, but not having to explain the whole thing again was a welcomed blessing.

“Thank you.” I held her closer, and soon, she fell into a much needed nap.

Odie would find a way to let us know when she was awake, and if she didn’t, I’m sure something breaking thanks to a rampaging Mine would do the trick.

For now, we would wait and rest. No one could prepare for the eruption of Mount Mine, and it would be both horrifying and remarkable to see.

Chapter 19

Mine

Everything felt heavy, and my brain was foggy at best. I couldn’t hold on to a single thought long enough for it to fully form besides knowing I was in some level of pain and everything felt wrong. It was like my body was one massive itch. The burning heat that had consumed me after Oliver attacked and Odie shoved something into my mouth was gone, but I’d prefer that over the itchiness.

My eyes didn’t want to open, and the lids refused to budge when I tried. I felt someone holding my hand, but I didn’t know who they were or why they were doing such a thing. All of this was irritating, and the itchiness changed to an overall raw feeling. My emotions, my skin, all of me felt exposed.

“Mine?” someone called out and stroked my arm, the smell of smoke and apples reaching my nose.

The voice caused a pang in my chest. It wasn’t unpleasant, but I didn’t exactly like it either.

“I know you’re tired, but please open your eyes so I know you’re okay,” they pled, and I wanted to do as they asked.

That thought confused me. I had no reason to reassure them that I was okay. To most people it wouldn’t matter, and once again, I thought about how it only mattered if I cared if I was okay. Why had there been so much grief and chaos since coming here?

I almost fell back into the darkness, accepting the rest I desperately needed more of, but I could do that after one little blink.

Opening my eyes was like lifting a steel beam, but the little strength I had was enough this time.