Page 10

PUCK

I stared down at the tray as if it were a calculus problem. Studying each item, I tried to discern if I was missing anything. I’d spent the morning googling foods that were easy on the stomach since Hera had said keeping it light after Wren woke was important.

Scrambled eggs. White toast. Applesauce. Oatmeal with cinnamon sugar. Roasted sweet potatoes. Ginger tea.

I crossed to the sink where I’d put a tiny vase of wildflowers. Who the hell was I? Wildflowers? I didn’t do this sort of thing. Not since Alice had fucked me in every way but the good kind. But Wren was…different.

There was no panic when I thought about letting her in. Only certainty that she was meant to be mine, and I, hers. Adjusting the flowers in the vase, I turned back to the island and nearly collided with Kingston as he stormed into the kitchen.

“What the—?” My words cut off as I saw the stormy look in his eyes. “What’s wrong? Is it Wren? Is she okay?”

Panic of a different sort grabbed me, not letting go. It wasn’t fear of letting a woman in; it was terror that something could happen to her now that I had.

“She’s okay.” King swallowed hard. “Locke’s with her. He’s getting her to drink something.”

I needed to get the food in there then. But when I really looked at Kingston, I knew my brother needed me first.

“Talk to me,” I said softly.

Pain like I’d never seen before swept across Kingston’s face. “She’ll never forgive me.”

Fuck.

I set the vase on the tray and turned to King. “It’s just going to take time.”

“I’ve only messed up this badly once before.”

I knew the time he meant. When he didn’t get his sister back before she was plunged into hell itself.

“King.”

He shook his head violently. “She’ll never see me the same.”

“Maybe not, but that doesn’t mean she won’t see you as something better. Something more real. None of us is perfect. I’m sure as hell not. But you can’t wallow. You have to prove to her that you’re here. That you’re sorry. And that you know who she really is.”

Because Wren was nothing like her father. Bastian Boudreaux was a cruel and heartless bastard. Wren had none of that in her.

King stared at me for a long moment, not even blinking. “Okay.”

I clapped a hand on his shoulder. “Good. Now, get with End on those new perimeter checks. Make our girl safe.”

Gods, that felt good. Right. Our girl. Just like she’d always been meant to be.

King jerked his head in a nod. “Take care of her.”

“You know I will.” Just like I knew what it cost Kingston to walk away right now. Even if it was the best thing for all of us.

As King headed for the garage, I grabbed the tray and moved toward Wren’s room.

She really deserved something more than the simple guest room we had her in now.

There was space on the third floor we could easily turn into a suite for her.

If Brix ever returned from his mission of death and destruction, I’d get him on that.

It would be good for one of the psycho twins to have a healthier outlet.

Walking down the hall, I heard voices beginning to rise. I picked up my pace and opened the door to Wren trying to get out of bed as Locke attempted to convince her to get back in it.

“You need to rest,” he pleaded.

“I need to take a shower,” Wren argued, grimacing.

“What’s going on?” I crossed to the bed, sliding the tray onto the mattress.

Wren’s jaw clenched. “I want to get clean.”

The tension in her words had my wolf on edge. “All right. We can do that. But why don’t you eat a little first? It’ll make you steadier.”

“I already drank the smoothie juice thing. I’m good,” Wren bit out.

Something was wrong, and by the look on Locke’s face, he knew it, too. I moved into Wren’s space, slid my hand along her jaw, and tipped her head back. “Talk to me, Birdie.”

Her skin, a little paler than usual, was now bruise-free thanks to Hera. But the scar on her face was a reminder of everything she’d been through over the course of her life. Just like I knew a smattering of new marks had been added to the tally beneath the loose tee she wore.

“I need to get clean,” she whispered. “I want them off me.”

Fucking hell.

It took everything in me to keep my grip on Wren loose and not let my fury grab hold in a way that could scare or hurt her.

I dropped my forehead to Wren’s and breathed her in, letting her scent of wildflowers and rain soothe my wolf. “These monsters don’t mark you,” I growled low. “You’re perfect just as you are.”

Wren shuddered against me. “Please, Puck.”

The please did it. The pain of that request…

“I’m going to run you a bath, but eat something while I do, okay?” I pulled back, studying the fierce creature. My mate.

Wren let out a long breath. “Okay.”

“Good. Because I worked hard on those potatoes.”

Her mouth trembled as if she were trying to smile but unable to get there. “Thank you.”

I brushed my lips gently across hers. “I’ll be right back.”

I tore myself away from her, needing to get it together.

I stalked toward the bathroom and heard Locke coaxing Wren back against the pillows.

It was too much. An overload of everything Wren was feeling.

If the mate bond had been cemented, it would’ve been worse.

I would’ve felt so much more of her pain and fear.

But I found I wanted that. Would’ve done anything to take some of it away.

For now, all I could do was run her a bath.

Turning on the water, I waited as it warmed, then plugged the drain.

As the tub began to fill, I poured in one of the healing tonics Hera had left us.

I got the sense that she’d gone above and beyond the kind of aid she typically provided because she respected Wren’s strength.

I didn’t care why. I was just glad she had. As the tonic fizzed in the water, I moved for the rose oil and dried petals. Even though it was daytime, I lit candles along the windowsill. Anything to promote peace.

As soon as the tub filled, I switched off the water and headed back into the bedroom. My gaze instantly went to the tray. Wren had managed a few bites of everything, but not enough. “You need more,” I ground out.

Wren’s hand moved to her stomach. “It’s too much. My stomach isn’t used to it.”

Locke glanced up at me, his gray eyes somber behind his glasses. “I think she’ll need lots of tiny meals for the next week or so. Just until her stomach gets used to food again.”

Because Wren hadn’t eaten in almost three weeks. We’d kept her alive via IV and the supplements Hera had given us. “Fine,” I growled.

“Bath?” Wren asked hopefully.

I jerked my head in a nod, moving to the bed. Locke and I worked together to lift her. Wren was so weak. As she stood, her legs trembled.

I couldn’t take it.

Bending down, I lifted her into my arms.

“Puck—”

“Let me take care of you,” I gritted out. “I need it.”

Wren’s mouth closed, the argument dying on her lips as I carried her into the bathroom. She felt lighter. Almost as if a strong wind could blow her away.

When we reached the bathroom, I gently set her on her feet. Locke was instantly there. “Let us help,” he said softly.

Wren nodded.

Locke’s fingers went to the hem of her oversized tee.

She lifted her arms, and Locke tugged the garment up and over.

I hadn’t seen Wren’s body since Hera put her into the healing sleep.

Some part of me had blocked the damage from my mind.

Now, it was all I could see. Angry scars crisscrossed her torso and arms, and countless new ones were raised and red.

Each one was a reminder of the torture Wren had endured.

One thought and one thought alone filled my mind.

I was going to help Brix rid the world of every single Death Walker. And I would make their ends a living hell. They would feel every ounce of pain Wren had.

And I would relish every second of it.