Page 79 of Wrapped in Their Arms

ButBrightwas already knocking.

“My lady?Areyou well?”he called.

Silence, except for a choked sob from within.

That was enough forBurn.Hedidn’t do gentle—not when someone he cared for was hurting.Hebanged his fist on the door, making it rattle in the frame.

“Noelle?Baby?Whatthe fuck is going on—are you okay?”he demanded, heart pounding in his chest.

There was a pause, then a thin, trembling voice.

“I don’t… don’t know.”Herwords trailed off, muffled by sobs.

Burn’s patience snapped.

“That’s it—I’mgoing in.”Hetried the handle and found it unlocked—thank theGoddess—then pushed his way into the room withBrighton his heels.

The room was dim, lit only by a soft golden glow from the bedside lamp.Noellewas a small, lonely figure in the middle of the enormous bed.Herhair was a wild halo around her lovely face, and tears shone in her big brown eyes in the dim light.Thered nightgown she wore clung to her curves, almost translucent in places, especially over her nipples which looked dark and tight beneath the sheer fabric.

When he saw her tearstained face,Burn’sheart twisted in his chest with a fierce need to protect—to fix whatever was wrong.

He scanned the room quickly—no sign of theTrollox.Infact, there was no sign of any intruder.Reliefflooded him, making his knees weak for a split second.

She’s alone.She’ssafe.

But even so, it was clear something was very wrong.

Bright moved forward first, kneeling on the bed beside her.

“Noelle, sweetheart, what is it?What’shappened?”Hisvoice was gentle, coaxing.

Burn came up to sit on the other side of her.Hewanted to pull the curvy little human into his arms, but he held back—uncertain what was the right thing to do when she was so upset.Hisheart burned inside him.

Gods, she looks so fucking fragile right now.I’ddo anything to take her pain away.Anything.

Noelle sniffled, wiping her face with the coarse sheet, but still not meeting their eyes.

In the lamplight,Burncaught a glimpse of something glistening on her chest—golden drops at the tips of her nipples.Hisbrows drew together.

What the fuck?Isshe… leaking?

“Talk to us, baby,” he said, trying to soften his voice.Itstill came out rough, but there was nothing he could do about that.“Areyou in pain?Didsomeone hurt you?”

She shook her head, a fresh wave of tears making her shoulders shake.

“No,I… it’s not that.Ijust…Idon’t know what’shappeningto me.”

Burn exchanged a look withBright—his friend’s hazel-green eyes were filled with concern and confusion.Burnfelt out of his depth.Ifthis was a physical threat, he knew what to do—fight it or kill it to protect the woman they both cared for.Butwhen the threat was something he couldn’t see, couldn’t fight…well, what could he do?

Bright, as always, was better with words than he was.

“You don’t have to face this alone,” he said quietly, reaching out—slow, gentle—to take her hand.“We’rehere for you,Noelle.Whateveris happening, we’ll get through it together.”

Burn knew theLightTwinmeant every word—and he spoke for both of them.Heonly wished he could put his own thoughts into words as well as his best friend.

I swear,I’lltear down this whole fucking house beforeIlet anyone hurt you, baby.I’llkill every monster in this galaxy ifIhave to,he thought.You’reoursnow.Andwe’re never letting you go.

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