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Page 13 of A Twist of Luck (Shifter City Fated Mates #2)

CHAPTER 13

EMME

T he next time I fell asleep, it was in the chair, my head resting on the bed beside Kellan, my hand wrapped tightly around his. When voices jerked me awake, I had no idea how long I’d slept for, but there were heavy shadows lining the walls, with just two oyster lamps on his bedsides casting light around the room.

I wiped a hand over my face and shook myself awake as voices and steps grew louder. I was relieved to see Hunter’s head pop through the doorway first. “Are you okay if Jewels, Tyson, and Julien check in on Kel?”

It took me a beat to even remember who Tyson and Julien were, since Kellan had only mentioned them a few times in passing. His brothers . Along with the witch, who would hopefully have some answers.

“Of course,” I said, jumping to my feet and backing up a few steps. “Has Jewels figured out a counterspell yet?”

I hated the lines of stress on Hunter’s face as he shook his head. “Not yet. She needs to do a few more tests and take a sliver of his essence to confer with others in her coven.”

When he stepped into the room, I was moving toward him before I thought about it. Hunter represented comfort and protection, and my body needed a dose of his particular brand of care.

There was strain in my legs and back from hours of sitting in a chair, and I hoped my healing would kick in soon. Hunter didn’t show any sign that he noticed my stiff gait, his focus on the tray of food on the dresser. “While they’re here,” he said, “you’re going to eat a proper dinner.”

He leaned down, and I shivered at the sensation of his breath brushing over my lips. “My wolf is losing his shit, little omega. You will let me take care of you, or I will force the issue.”

Damn him. Hunter probably read romance novels as well, but his were definitely of the dark, obsessive variety.

“Let’s hear what Jewels has to say first,” I replied, desperate for even a flake of hope that Kellan would wake up. “Not to mention that this is my first time meeting his brothers. Do you think they’re going to hate me for what happened to Kel?”

Hunter’s eyes flashed gold and he rumbled, a deep, spine-chilling sound that sent goosebumps over my skin. “Not if they value their lives.” He wrapped his hands around my biceps and dragged me closer. “Don’t ever say that again. This is not your fault.”

I could promise not to say it, but that didn’t mean I believed it. When I remained silent, he huffed out his annoyance, but for a change, didn’t push like a bull at a gate. “Come on, let’s hear what the witch has to say so I can get you fed.”

He pulled me back into his body as he called out, “Enter.” Ah, the arrogance of an entitled alpha who had to fear nothing and no one.

My gaze fell to the bed, and the rise and fall of Kellan’s broad chest. Well, even alphas weren’t immune from death. It was just harder to kill them.

Jewels wandered through first, bringing with her that tinge of rotten eggs. Magic left its mark, even when it wasn’t dark. I’d heard that dark magic smelled like decaying corpses and was easy to recognize. Hopefully I never experienced the difference.

The witch was followed by two large shifters, and I immediately knew which was Julien with his alpha energy, and which was Tyson, who was clearly a strong beta. Both looked like Kellan, just with a different variation of blond hair and blue eyes.

Jewels made her way to the bed, while the Jackson brothers approached Hunter and me. Julien, who looked a few years older than Kellan, had dirty-blond hair and eyes in hues of midnight blue. “Emmeline,” he said softly, his gaze running over me, and I wished I didn’t look such a wreck for this meeting. “I’m honored to finally meet you.” I stiffened as he reached out to hug me.

Hunter rumbled his annoyance. “Family or not, if you touch her, I will rip your fucking arms off.”

Julien shot Hunter a grin, unperturbed, though he did back away. His smile reminded me of our easygoing Kellan, which hurt my heart like a shot straight through it.

“I’m happily mated, Alpha Hunter,” Julien reminded him. “You know that. I’d just like to meet the shifter who changed my brother’s existence. I owe her everything for the happiness she’s brought Kellan.”

Hunter grunted. “No problem with that. Just show your gratitude from a distance.”

Julien held both hands up in surrender. “Fair enough.” He winked at me, and I shot him a warm smile, relieved he didn’t appear to hate me on sight.

“I’m so happy to meet you,” I said, including Tyson, who had dark blond hair and a greener tinge to his blue eyes. “Both of you. Kellan is an extraordinary shifter, and I know that must have come from having a wonderful family.”

“Wait until Mom and Dad meet you,” Tyson said with a chuckle, rubbing a hand over his handsome face. “They’re going to drive you crazy with all the hugs and love. Their baby finally finding his romantic match is their dream.”

He sobered and slowly turned toward the bed, where Jewels was running her hands above Kellan’s chest, her eyes closed and lips moving.

“Are they going to fly out here to Golden Claw?” I asked, knowing they remained in Thorny Gardens with the rest of their quintet.

Julien’s expression sobered. “We haven’t told them yet. I didn’t want them to worry before we knew for sure what we were facing here. But best believe, the second they hear, they’ll be on the next plane.”

“I’ll send the jet,” Hunter offered, more easygoing now that no one was trying to touch me. “Just tell me when you need it there.”

Julien clapped him on the shoulder. “Thank you. We’ll go sit with Rocket now.”

Rocket . There was a story there, and I wanted Kellan awake so he could tell me it.

The brothers wandered over to their brother and stood on the opposite side of the bed to the witch. While it wasn’t hard to tell the three Jackson boys apart, their familial connection was also obvious. My heart ached, and I silently prayed for Kellan to open his eyes.

Hunter remained at my side, supporting me with his hold, while we waited for Jewels to finish up her magical assessment. “It has progressed a little,” she said as she straightened. “Nothing to be concerned about. But we must decide on a plan and solution within a few weeks, or it’ll be too late to reverse the effects.”

“And do you have a solution?” Julien asked, his voice breaking on the last word. “Or at least a plan to work toward one?”

Her eyes flashed with white light as she glared at him. “Of course. I’m working on a plan and gathering magic from others to help. It’s tricky to reverse spells like this one, as it’s keyed to the energy of another witch—one who is dead and can’t be forced to revoke her magic.” The scent of Jewels’ magic exploded through the room, and my nose wrinkled. “I have what I need for now.”

When she met Hunter’s gaze, she swallowed roughly, and her magic faded away. “You’re lucky I like your pack, Alpha Hunter,” she breathed. “I wouldn’t do this for just anyone.”

When I stole a quick glance toward Hunter, I found his expression neutral bordering on bored. He responded with a grunt, so I elbowed him, and his eyes widened in astonishment as if no one had ever thought to strike him.

He wasn’t the only one either, as the others stared like we were a new phenomenon popped up from the depths of the underworld. “What Hunter meant with his alpha grunt is thank you,” I told Jewels, forcing a smile. “We really appreciate everything you’re doing to save Kellan.”

Her expression turned shrewd as she ran her gaze over me, searching deeper in a way that had my skin prickling. “You’re welcome. I’ll be in touch soon.”

When she left, the scent of magic completely faded, and all of us breathed a sigh of relief.

“Do you mind if we sit with Kel for a couple of hours,” Tyson asked as he settled into the chair. “We need to catch up with our little rocket.”

Hunter swept me up into his arms as he headed for the door. “Take all the time you need. My vicious little omega needs to eat and rest. She won’t leave him alone, but if you’re watching over him…”

Julien and Tyson were smiling broadly as they watched Hunter alpha-handle me like I was a bag of potatoes, but whatever they thought of his actions, they kept it to themselves. “We’ve got a lot to catch him up on,” Tyson said, shrugging off his jacket and pulling over another chair from Kellan’s desk. “You take your time with dinner and whatever else .”

Before I could protest, or give Kellan one more hug, Hunter exited the room with me firmly contained in his arms. “I’m fine,” I protested. “You’re being a big, overprotective alpha. Which is unnecessary.”

Hunter ground to a halt, and I gulped at the surge of heat and dominance that poured off him. “You were kidnapped right out from under me,” he bit out, slowly, deliberately. “Taken and held hostage. Attacked by a fucking witch. And now you’re not eating or sleeping properly. Don’t make me fail as your alpha more than I already have, Emmeline. Don’t ask it of me. Not even for you will I let you keep spiraling into an abyss of darkness.”

Whoa… Whoa! “You’re not a failure,” I said, swallowing hard to keep my voice clear. “Not in all the time I’ve known you. You keep us together and safe, Hunter. Don’t think I haven’t seen all you do. I’ve seen it, and I admire you for it.”

I wanted to be the one who cared for him as well, but it was hard when eventually we would come to an end. One day they’d get sick of this half-bonded-quintet situation we had going on. They’d get sick of my trauma, drama, and issues.

They’d get sick of me.

“Will you eat for me, Emme?”

Deciding this wasn’t a battle worth fighting I nodded. “Yes, I’ll eat and rest. Kellan will be okay with his brothers for a few hours.” It was a reassurance for myself as much as anyone else.

A purr of satisfaction lit up Hunter’s chest. “That’s my good girl. Come on, Florence has been helping Gerald prepare their best dishes in the hopes that you’ll eat.”

That alone had me wanting to eat whatever was offered. These shifters showed me in their own ways that they cared, and I wouldn’t throw it in their faces.

Not even when grief was my driving force, leaving my stomach in a shambles.

I’d force the food down, no matter what it took.