Page 42 of In Bellamira's Chains

“Fuck you,” I ground out through clenched teeth.

Perrin’s face came into view, but he didn’t touch me. “I’m going to lay Elera on the bed and cover her, okay? But I’m still here. I’m not going anywhere.” I nodded, and tears fell, but I believed him. I knew he would keep his word, keep Bellamira’s word that I would be safe, at least in the end.

I watched him pick her up with care and place her on the other side of the bed with a blanket over her. He fixed Mistress Belle’s dress, then sat beside me, keeping my focus on him.

“You’re going to be okay, Hazelle. I’ll make sure of it.”

I moved as much as I could, holding my hand out to him. As he took it, I said, “Thank you,

Perrin. Thank you.”

Chapter twenty-three

Bellamira

My eyes blinked open, and a film coated them. Rubbing my eyes, I took a deep breath, trying to remember where I was and what we were doing.

Then it all came back to me, and I jumped up, falling to my knees. My body was still in a daze and needed time to recover.

“What happened? Where are they?” I screamed as I looked around, unable to see much besides a body crumpled on the floor beside the bed.

“They’re okay, Bella. Mostly. They’re alive at least.” He helped me to a standing position, most of my weight leaning on him. I kicked off my stilettos, refusing to keep them on and behave like a newly born fawn.

“Where are they?” I demanded. “And why are you shirtless?”

“They’re with Cat.” I breathed a sigh of relief, knowing the only person she’d protect more fiercely was Layne. “I’ll explain the rest as we go, but first, ignore Bram. I’ll take care of him for you.”

As much as I wanted to argue and demand I slash him myself for whatever he had done, I needed to see that my pets were all right with my own eyes, feel them breathing in my arms.

“Fine, but make it hurt.”

“How does an unwanted knot in his ass sound?”

“It’s a start.”

We walked down the hall before entering an equally robust room, but this one had a crying

Hazelle in Perrin’s shirt hugging an unconscious Elera. Layne was near them, trying to get Hazelle to calm down and drink water while Cat stood across the room, giving them space.

“Hazelle,” I breathed out, and she sat up at the sound of my voice.

“Mistress Belle!” She scurried off the bed and threw herself in my arms. She nearly took us all down, but thankfully, Perrin held us both up.

“Are you all right?” It was a foolish thing to ask. Of course she wasn’t, but I needed to know the extent.

Her head shook against me. “No, he—” The tears came harder now. “But I didn’t give in. I screamed at him and told him to fuck off. I didn’t stop until Perrin came in.”

“I’m so proud of you, Hazelle.” I held her closer to my body, noticing that her bloomers were gone. I knew she had them when Bram had her get on the bed, but the rest was blank. “I’m so sorry I couldn’t protect you.”

Hazelle sniffled against my shoulder but didn’t say a word as Perrin helped me across the room to the bed where Elera lay.

“Is she okay?”

“As far as I can tell, yes. Bram said she’d be out for a bit but would be fine.”

“And we believe him?” I sat down with Hazelle in my lap, eyes on my Beta.

Perrin sighed and ran his fingers through his hair. “Yes, sadly. I don’t want to go into details with Hazelle here, but he broke down. He didn’t really have control of himself given Hazelle is his fated mate.”