Chapter 39

Eric.

I was too late. Again. I recognized that wolf running away as I approached - Nero. He liked torture a little too much. I knew Emily wouldn't have been left untouched, but when I got over to her, I was surprised she wasn't more damaged. Not to say the injuries inflicted weren't bad, I just expected a lot worse from Bruno. Perhaps Dylon ordered him to ease back. *But why?*

Our eyes met for a brief second before Emily passed out from the pain. As I looked her over, I first noticed her leg had been pulled from its socket. It was incredible she had been able to make it back this way at all. I knew I would need to pop her leg back in place before she shifted back. Luckily, the tear across her side was already closing.

I transformed and gently lifted her leg, causing her to whimper in her sleep.

“I'm sorry,” I whispered, placing a hand on her side.

I then quickly jerked the bone back into its place. Emily's eyes snapped open and her head jolted up as she howled in pain. But she quickly fainted again. This time, she was able to transform back. Her human form lay prone on the ground, completely helpless and pale, but so incredibly beautiful.

I tried to be respectful and not look at her naked form, but my eyes caught a glimpse of her breasts before I snapped my head up to look at her face. Her eyebrows were scrunched together as if she was having a bad dream, and I softly ran the back of my finger down her cheek. She let out a soft sigh and turned her head into my touch. My finger stopped at her neck and I felt a tug to mark her, but now wasn't the time.

I pulled my hand away and picked Emily up in my arms. There wasn't time to waste to get something to cover her up. Instead, I ran all the way to my house carrying her bridal style in my arms, stopping for nothing.

When I got home, I immediately brought her to my own bed and laid her gently down. I shuffled through the drawers until I found what I was looking for. I ran back to Emily's side and started wrapping her ankle and foot. Hopefully this would help with her recovery.

When I had finished, I pulled the covers up around her. I brushed her hair out of her face, my finger lingering for a moment longer than I had meant. I bent over and placed a small kiss on her temple before walking away and closing the door. She would likely sleep for a bit after such trauma.

***

Emily.

I slowly made it back to consciousness. I stretched my arms above my head, letting out a yawn. My eyes blinked a few times before fully opening. Black silky sheets? I knew whose bed this was. I turned my head and was a little disappointed when I didn't see him next to me.

I looked down at myself and noticed the scar on my side was fading. I shuddered as I remembered the burst of pain as the wolf had slowly run his claw through my skin and muscle.

After a deep breath, I moved my gaze down to my throbbing ankle. It had been wrapped, and I guessed Eric had bandaged it in hopes of quickening my recovery. I sat up and gently swung my legs over the side of the bed.

*Will my leg take my weight?* I paused. *Wait. Should I put weight on it?* Having never dislocated my ankle, I didn't know the best action.

But I didn't have to wonder much longer as Eric stepped through the door. “I wouldn't put any weight on that just yet,” he cautioned.

I nodded. *Okay*

He walked over and I followed his movement with my eyes, turning my head as he sat down next to me. Our legs touched momentarily and I saw him blush slightly before readjusting and moving away an inch. I wished he had stayed closer. His touch alone made me feel safer than anything ever had.

“How are you feeling?” He asked once he had finished settling on the bed next to me.

“Not bad considering,” I replied. “My ankle doesn't hurt nearly as much as it did before - now it's more like a dull throbbing. And everything else is perfectly fine.”

“Let me get you some ice for your leg,” he said.

I didn't really want him to go, but I couldn't get myself to stop him, so instead, I just nodded and put my legs back under the covers, laying back against his pillow.

When he came back, I thanked him, allowing him to place it on top of the wrap. And then I remembered Lily and Raina. They had been with me when we were attacked.

“How are Lily and Raina?” I asked.

“They are fine. Both are tough and received nothing more than a few bruises.”

“Then where are they?” My eyes searched the room as if they were hiding somewhere. But I could tell neither of them were here. I had gotten used to their scents and I couldn't smell them anywhere.

“Resting. They'll be around when needed. But you don't need to worry about them. Just focus on your own healing.”

His lips twitched up into an amused grin and his mesmerizing eyes looked at me like he couldn't quite figure me out.

“What?”

“I just can't get over how much you care for others. The first thing you do after getting beat up is to ask about others.”

I looked away and blushed.

“It's one of the many things I admire about you.”

“It's not that amazing,” I responded quietly.

“And I can't believe you still believe that. If there were more people like you, maybe the world wouldn't be quite so messed up.”

He placed his finger under my chin, lifting my eyes to his.

“I will make it my lifelong goal to convince you that you are amazing - the most amazing woman I've ever met.”

My breath caught in my throat as he leaned in, guiding my lips to his. I instantly melted as we kissed. My soul soared and my head spun. *I don't think I'll ever get used to this.*

He tried to pull away, but I moved my hand to the back of his head, weaving my fingers through his short hair, and pulled him back to me. It was so unlike me, but my body reacted before I could stop it. I kissed him like it was the last kiss I'd ever take. As if he was the oxygen I needed in order to breathe - without him, I would die.