Page 58

“You're supposed to be on bed rest.”

The ash clung to my fingers like guilt. It slipped under my nails and smudged black against pale skin, refusing to let me forget.

There has to be something we're missing from the crime scene. A witch that powerful and experienced couldn’t have been that careless.

I was kneeling in the wreckage, sifting through broken timber and cold stone, when his voice rolled over me like thunder.

“You’re supposed to be resting, Aegis.”

My chest tightened. The damn man had a knack for showing up like a haunting headache.

I didn’t turn around. Just dug deeper into the soot.

Maybe I’d find something—anything—that would make the gnawing in my chest stop. We’re missing something.

“Bed rest is for people who enjoy feeling like they’re in a coffin,” I muttered. “I’m not one of them.”

“That’s not what the doctor said.”

“The doctor doesn’t know what he’s talking about. I’m claustrophobic, not paralyzed.”

“How would you know?”

The words slipped out before I could stop them. “I don’t know. Maybe because I was a medical student.”

His boots crunched closer. The scent of leather, pine, and power wrapped around me like a chokehold.

“You were a what?” he asked softly.

I froze. Crap.

I stood abruptly, brushing soot from my jeans. “Forget it. Forget I said anything. Please.”

He stepped into my space, close enough that I could feel the heat radiating off him.

“Fine. But you’re still going back to bed.”

“No.” I folded my arms, staring defiantly at the ruined site.

“The hospital bed is uncomfortable,” I added.

“Then pick another bed. You still need to rest.”

“I said no.”

His jaw flexed, and his golden eyes gleamed like molten metal.

“You have two choices,” he said low. “Walk to a bed on your own. Or I carry you.”

I gaped at him. “What the hell is wrong with you? We agreed you’d leave me alone.”

“NO WE DIDN’T.”

“Yes, we did.”

He let out a harsh laugh. “Do you think I haven’t tried? I tried, Aegis. I tried staying away like you wanted. I let you push me off again and again. But all of that went to hell when I held your lifeless body in my arms.”

His voice cracked. Just barely. But I heard it.

A flash burned in my mind—me sprawled on the floor, blood soaking my shirt, his hands pressing down, his face tight with panic.

I shoved the memory away.

“I have realized that life’s too short,” he said, stepping closer. “So no. I’m done staying away.”

“Oh please... get over yourself,” I snapped, heat rising in my chest. “You’re practically immortal.”

“It’s the thought that counts.”

“You’re ridiculous.”

“And you’re stubborn.”

“You’re going to keep chasing me even though I don’t want you?”

His hand shot out, gripping mine before I could retreat.

“Say it again,” he demanded. “Say that you don’t want me again.”

I opened my mouth. Nothing came out.

“That’s what I thought.” His gaze darkened. “Do you know how easy it would be to compel you to tell me the truth? One word from me, and your lies would shatter.”

“Don’t.” My voice wavered. “Please don’t.”

“Then stop running. What are you so afraid of?” His tone softened. “I’m big enough. I can shoulder your pain. Your secrets. Whatever it is.”

“You don’t get it.” I shook my head, my pulse pounding in my ears. “I can’t.”

His nostrils flared. He stepped so close I had to tilt my head back to see him.

“Then hear me, Aegis,” he said, his voice low and dangerous. “You don’t get to leave me anymore. Since you won’t make a decision, I’m making one for us.”

My stomach knotted. “What does that mean?”

“It means we’re now officially together. You’re mine. I’m yours. Done.”

“You can’t just—”

“Watch me.”

My lips parted in outrage. “What if you find out something about me that makes you hate me?”

“I could never hate you.”

“You don’t know what I know,” I shot back.

“I’ll wait for you to tell me. I’m a very patient man. And when you’re ready, I’ll listen.”

The air between us felt too thick to breathe.

“What do you say?” His eyes searched mine.

I swallowed hard. “Have they caught the guards responsible for the attack?”

His brows rose slightly. Then he sighed, a dangerous smile tugging at his lips.

“Chicken.” He booped my nose.

“Cluck cluck,” I said with a smirk. “Now answer me. Please.”

“They’re in custody. They’ll be punished publicly. But I still want their heads.” His face trailed off in a molten mask of ill-managed rage.

“Calm down there, Hitler,” I said. “You can’t just decapitate people.”

He grinned, slow and terrifying. “Actually, I can. I’m King of all wolves. If I want to turn them into decorative heads for my throne room, no one can stop me.”

“You’re insane.”

“I’m intentional,” he corrected.

Before I could argue, he bent and hoisted me over his shoulder.

“Your Highness. Please put me down.”

“No.”

“Damien! Put me down!” I pounded on his back.

“You had your chance to walk. You took too long.”

As we passed through the pack house, all eyes turned. Emery’s jaw hit the floor. Zach pulled out his phone and took a picture with a smirk on his face.

“Delete that or I’ll feed you to a rabid pack of squirrels,” I snarled.

Zach laughed but hit delete. Or at least pretended to.

Damien carried me upstairs like I weighed nothing.

Wait. This is not the way to my room.

“Nope! No way!”

“I’m not staying here,” I said as he set me down in his massive room.

“You’ll sleep better.”

“I sleep fine alone.”

He leaned in. “This is probably the best time to tell you. I burnt every last bit of Wolf’shaven you brought.”

I froze. “What! Why?”

“You know why.”

Because you can’t stand the thought of losing me again. Aww.

“Whatever. I’m still not staying.”

“Fine.” He sprawled on the bed. “Let’s bet. Sleep in your room all night, and I’ll leave you alone. But if you come back, you’re sleeping beside me for three months.”

“Deal,” I said, stomping out.

Three hours later, I was outside his door.

The walls in my room kept closing in on me. I forgot exactly how much the Wolf’shaven lifted from me. And now I’m back to square one.

No. I’m stronger than this. I’m an Alpha.

I turned to leave.

“Just come in,” his voice called lazily.

I cursed under my breath and slipped inside. He didn’t move as I climbed onto the bed.

Placing as many pillows as I could find together, I built a pillow fort.

“What are you doing?” he asked.

I smiled proudly at my creation. “Creating some boundaries.”

He chuckled, low and dangerous, then with one hand, sent the pillows flying.

“Hey!” I yelped as he pulled me into his arms.

“Shut up and sleep.”

I struggled, but his arms were like iron bars.

“Damien—”

“Three months, remember?”

I sighed, glaring at the ceiling. His heartbeat thudded steady under my cheek. Warm.

I hated how safe it felt.

But I didn’t move.

I closed my eyes, and before I knew it—I was gone.