Page 87 of Protected Promise

“They tried to kill me,” I blurted out.

“I know. They told me everything. And actually, the three remaining only wanted to request a formal challenge, not take you on in an unsanctioned way. Do you remember differently?”

I thought back to everything. I recognized the two as Cadence and Abby, the first to bail on the group attack plan. I huffed. “No, I guess not, but they didn’t exactly try to intervene much either.”

“I know that too. They say they were going to, right up until River killed Jasmin.”

I cringed at the memory. I hadn’t wanted to battle River after that either.

“Yeah, alright fine, but what are they doing here?”

He sat down on the bed next to me. “First, how are you feeling?”

I stretched and rolled over to lay on my back. “Fine. I don’t even hurt anymore.”

Landon looked so relieved it nearly broke my heart. “Good, great even. Your wolf must have finally healed the last of your injuries. Abby, Cadence, and even Clover have stuck around to assist with your healing. That’s what they are doing here, checking up on you.”

“Huh? Really?”

“Really. They’ve been by your side with around the clock care waiting for your wolf to take over. You were really sick, Kaitlyn. We weren’t even sure you were going to pull through. I’ve never seen a shifter run a fever so high. The bite on your thigh was very infected.”

I looked down at the spot I knew he must be talking about. It was where River had bitten me while still in my human form, breaking every wolf code in history. There wasn’t even a faint scar remaining. My wolf had thoroughly healed it through the night.

“So what did they do anyway?” I asked.

“Well, Abby is a trained nurse. Cadence is a healer.”

“A witch?”

“Yeah, a witch.”

“That’s so cool. Ugh, I hate that that’s so cool.”

“Don’t. She really came through for you, for us.”

“What about Clover?”

“She’s an odd one, keeps to herself mostly, but she’s an expert in herbs and plants. She made some salves to help battle the infection in your leg and keep the scratches on your back from becoming infected.”

I cringed. “I forgot about that part.”

“I’m so sorry I wasn’t there for you when you needed me,” he said softly.

I sat up and scowled. “Landon, this wasn’t your fault. It wasn’t Tobi’s fault either. Honestly, I’ve always said the Challenges were barbaric and archaic, but I think I needed them.”

“That wasn’t the Challenges, Kaitlyn.”

“I get that, but to them it was. It certainly felt like it when I was going up against River. There was no way I was going to let her beat me. My Pack was at stake. Not my position, Landon, my Pack. Something shifted inside of me. I wasn’t just fighting for me, but for you, and everyone here that we’re responsible for. I’ve survived living nightmares, but now I know for certain that I’m strong enough to face down my demons of the past, and any enemy threat to our family. Isn’t that what a pack truly is? A family?”

He hugged me. “I love you so much. Just don’t ever scare me like that again, okay?”

He squeezed me a little tighter. My arms froze in mid air as I moved to hug him back.

“You love me?” I whispered.

He pulled back and cradled my face. “So much. And it didn’t take almost losing you to know that. I just didn’t want to freak you out saying it too soon. But after this and watching you fight for your life these last few days, I don’t even care if that terrifies you, because it’s the truth and you’re going to have to get used to hearing it every single day for the rest of your life. I love you, Kaitlyn.”

His lips crushed against mine before I could even respond. A tear slipped down my cheek as I smiled against his lips and kissed him back.