Page 42 of Shifter and the Succubus (The Pack #1)

As happy as Jason was to be back out in the field again, especially since they had captured the smugglers, he was relieved when Misha pulled into Griffin’s estate.

He wanted to know how the conversation went between Sabrina and Lucas.

Of course, Misha and Kyle were interested as well, so they couldn’t be deterred when he tried to send them on their way.

They headed into the lab, only to find it empty. Sabrina’s car was still in the small parking area, so they walked over to Griffin’s house and found Sabrina drinking coffee with Bea and Griffin.

“How did the stakeout go?” Sabrina asked before Jason could get a word out.

“We caught the smugglers, but they swear they didn’t know that they were smuggling the drug we found,” Jason said.

“Baxter insists he doesn’t know much about the people they were making the delivery for, so we still have some work to do,” Misha added.

“Do you believe him?” Sabrina asked Jason.

“I do.”

“At least you caught the smugglers. You’ll find the buyers as well,” Griffin said.

“Do you want something to eat or drink?” Bea asked.

Misha nodded.

Kyle shook her head. “Stay focused, Mish.” She turned to Sabrina. “Did you tell Lucas you aren’t leaving with him?”

He wasn’t surprised Kyle blurted the question out. But Jason was proud of her for calling Lucas by his name and not some unpleasant nickname.

Bea and Griffin sat up straight and started asking questions at the same time.

Sabrina held up her hands to quiet everyone down. “Lucas and I spoke, and we came to an understanding. I’m staying here.”

The last of Jason’s stress dissolved.

“Thank goodness!” Misha said.

“I don’t have to kick Lucas’s ass,” Kyle announced. Jason swore she sounded a little disappointed at that.

After a few minutes Misha and Kyle left and Sabrina called it a night as well. Jason walked with her to the door. He realized with a start that he could go home to his apartment as well if he wanted.

“Come home with me,” Sabrina said.

Her tone had his heart speeding up but not in a good way. He nodded and walked right out the door with her. He’d text Bea later and let her know he wasn’t coming back tonight.

The stress that had dissolved earlier wormed its way back inside. There was something she wasn’t telling him. He wanted to know what was wrong, but she drove quietly on the way to her house as if collecting her thoughts, so he didn’t ask. They arrived at her home and went inside.

Jason took her hand and led her over to the couch, his patience and sanity wearing thin. “Tell me what’s going on, Sabrina.”

She let go of his hand, and he wanted to grab it and hold on tight. “I’ve been feeling tired lately, and earlier I got a little dizzy. Lucas decided to run some tests. My blood shows the marker we find in our clan members who have the Fade.”

A boulder landed on his chest, and he couldn’t pull air into his lungs. “Is he sure?”

She nodded. “He ran the tests three times.”

Jason’s stomach threatened to rebel. “Is it because you gave me your energy?”

She grabbed his hands. “No. It has nothing to do with that. We don’t know why the virus presents itself. It’s not contagious; it just seems to appear at random.”

He squeezed her hands and tried to form an answer, but his thoughts blurred.

“Listen. We have time. Lucas is already working on it.”

Of course she tried to comfort him.

“Does he have ideas?”

“He does. He just hasn’t had a guinea pig to try it on yet.”

“Sabrina.”

She laid her hand on the side of his face, and he leaned into it. “I am going to fight this. We are all going to fight this. The Fade can take a year or two before…”

“Before it’s fatal,” he whispered when he wanted to rail against the unfairness of it all.

“Yes.”

She had a determined look in her eyes, and he knew what she was about to say and didn’t like it one bit.

“Let’s get something straight. Before you try to tell me to back away or some such crap, I’m telling you it’s not happening.

Everything in this life is a gamble, Sabrina.

I will take every day I can get with you.

Hell, since you’ve known me, I’ve almost died three times, which makes me a worse bet.

So if you think some sickness is going to scare me off, you are sadly mistaken. ”

She blinked at him. “Well, I guess I won’t bother trying then.”

“I’m not leaving you.”

“You can’t be with me twenty-four-seven.”

“Watch me,” he growled from the depths of his chest.

She kissed him on the nose of all places. “I plan to work, silly man. There are people who need me, and I need to keep busy.”

He wanted to argue with her, but if he tried to wrap her in Bubble Wrap and take away her work, it would hinder rather than help. “You have to promise me that you will take it easy and not work all hours.”

She smiled at him. “Yes, Dr. Watson.”

“I love you, Sabrina. I’m here for you.”

“I love you too.”

And there it was. She had hinted at it in the past, but she had finally said it.

In the span of minutes he’d heard the best and worst words in his life.

He would hold on to the good—she loved him—and be the strength and support she needed.

It was nothing short of what she did every day for the patients she cared for.

He would be her partner and advocate. And he hadn’t exaggerated about staying with her.

They would have to drag him away kicking and screaming.

He held her as she rested against his side with her head on his shoulder.

He held her as her breathing evened out and she fell asleep.

And he kept holding her as he started putting plans together in his head.

Sabrina had spent her entire life saving lives.

There were so many people who loved her and owed their health and lives to her. They would want to repay her.

Time to call in the troops.