Page 82 of X-Clan The Origin

“I can, yes.” The V-Clan Alpha looked at me, his expression holding a note of curiosity. “But if he dies, his claim dies with him. It may hurt you. However, I can heal that pain. If that’s your wish. And you could go back into hiding as you once did as a Beta.”

I gaped at him. “What?” How could he say that?Because it’s what I would have wanted two weeks ago.

But now…

“Or I can heal him for you,” Kieran continued, ignoring my reaction. “What would you prefer?”

“Just like that?” I asked, my voice a whisper. “If… if I wanted my freedom…?”

“I would give it to you. The bounty only went out to a select few. They would be easily handled.”

Handled, I repeated to myself.As in killed.

“You would do that for me?”

“Yes.” He gave me a small smile. “I consider you a friend, Riley. Of which, I do not have many.”

I could believe that, given his history and title.

“So if I want him healed?” I hedged, hope blossoming inside me.Kieran can heal Jonas. He can bring him back. He can make my matewholeagain.

“I’ll heal him,” he answered simply. “But you need to choose soon. Or the choice will be taken from—”

“Heal him,” I interrupted, my heart skipping several beats. “Pleaseheal him.”

Kieran studied me for another moment, that small smile seeming to reach his dark eyes. “As you wish, little one.”

CHAPTEREIGHTEEN

JONAS

Unidentified Airspace

Fucking Kieran.When I came to, I was going to punchPrince Charmingright in the damn mouth.

He’d offered to let me die, something I’d heard yet hadn’t heard at the same time. I’d been lost in a daze, my soul trying to heal while my body denied the request.

But I’d been somewhat aware, my spirit tied to Riley’s being and latching onto her warmth. Her scent. Herpresence.

“If he dies, his claim dies with him.”

Riley had been startled. But when it’d come time to make a decision regarding my life, she hadn’t hesitated to ask him to heal me.

However, the offer nagged at me.

Hell,Kierannagged at me. His heroic bullshit and smooth-talking had Riley laughing while combing her fingers through my hair.

Kieran had told her that I needed to rest. He’d put me in some sort of stasis. But I had no doubt that he knew I could hear every fucking word right now.

“A bounty,” Riley said, her voice holding a touch of annoyance. “For an Omega.”

“Hmm,” Kieran hummed. “I had sensed your waning suppressants during our last week at the compound. Remember?”

“Yes.” She sounded disgruntled. “But I shouldn’t have needed another dose so quickly.”

“You shouldn’t have needed them to begin with,” he countered. “And I warned you last year that your wolf would learn how to metabolize them.”

“That’s why I was working on a more efficient serum, something I could have perfected had you helped me.”