Chapter Fifty-Four

Kerry

Demetria didn't fight when he guided her down to his chest, and they lay in the field together. Kerry's nerves were all over the place. The pack hadn't had a war in years. Though the wars before were over land, or rogues, this time there was more at stake— his second chance.

Demetria made circles against his bare chest with her fingertips. Neither of them cared that he'd lost his clothes in his shift. "I know I'm not her," she said softly. "She was a shewolf, and had a closer connection with you than I ever could."

"Demetria—"

"No," she said, sitting up on her elbow to look at him, "let me finish. I know you miss having that, or better yet, your wolf misses having another wolf." She brushed her fingers against his jaw. "I will do anything I can to make up for that. If you need me to run with you, pet you, I will be there for you. Always."

Kerry stroked her forehead. "I do miss my first mate, but where I use to ache for her, I don't anymore. My wolf aches to be near you. You're my future, and I'll do anything to protect you."

"Good, because I'm going to need it tonight."

She rested her head back on his chest, and before he knew it, they'd fallen asleep. His stomach woke him up with a start. He craned his neck, seeing the sun was high in the sky, past noon.

Demetria stirred and lifted her head, her hair a wild mess. "I didn't mean to sleep that long."

Kerry wrapped his arm around her and helped her to a standing position. "We needed that rest, now I need something to eat."

She dusted herself off. "Me too. There are some leftovers in the fridge." She started walking toward the trail, but then stopped. "Can a girl get a ride?"

Kerry laughed. "Of course."

He shifted, and let Demetria on his back. It felt oddly familiar and comforting to have her on him. He'd never had a woman ride on his wolf before, but knowing she felt comfortable and safe there made his wolf excited. He took them back into the woods, through the trail and toward his house.

Demetria climbed off when he bent down, and waited as he shifted. "I can get used to that, having my own chauffer. It's a definite plus."

Kerry smacked her butt on his way toward the porch. The house was eerily quiet when he opened the door, other than Demetria's footsteps going toward his bathroom.

He found himself something to wear. He'd just tugged on his shirt when he heard Demetria scream. The warmth from his body vanished, and his blood ran cold. He moved quickly into the bathroom, seeing Demetria hunkered down in the corner, staring at the mirror.

"What happened?" He stopped when he noticed Demetria's palms. They looked like the professor's hands after Ivory came to visit him in the cell. Kerry bent down in front of her and cradled her hands that looked flaming red. "Oh my God, what happened? Did Ivory appear?"

Demetria swallowed down the pain in her voice. "Yes, she branded me."

Kerry stroked her hands, then picked her up into his arms. "Do you need me to go get the pack nurse?"

"Just some burn cream. Do you have any?"

"No, I'll mind link with Axel and ask him to bring some. I'll get an ice pack."

Kerry sent a message to Axel, grabbed an ice pack, and pressed it to Demetria's hand.

Be there in a second, Axel replied.

"Why do they need to mark us?" Demetria asked, her bottom lip trembling in pain. "I don't understand it."

Kerry pulled her into his lap. "I don't know. They marked the professor, too. If it's just them, why would they need a mark to recognize who to kill and who to save?"

Demetria's gaze lifted to his. "Unless it's not going to be just them, Kerry. Maybe they are sending more people, things, monsters, than we think."

Kerry didn't let on that it scared him a bit to think they would somehow bring others with them. He cupped Demetria's jaw. "It's going to be okay."

His front door opened. Claire and Axel walked into the room. Claire gasped and raced over; Axel took the ice pack and gave the burn cream to Kerry. He began to rub it on Demetria's hand while Claire covered her mouth in shock.

"The blond witch did it?" Claire asked.

"Yeah."

"I call dibs on her," Claire said, locking her jaw. "I can't wait to rip her into shreds. I'm tired of the harassment."

Axel snaked his arm around Claire's shoulder. "Keep a level head going into this. We need to think straight."

Kerry gave Demetria a knowing look. "See?"

Demetria chuckled, though Kerry saw the pain in her eyes. "Let's call Cynthia and see if she can heal you," Kerry said. "Where is she at?"

Claire made a face. "Where do you think? Up my dad's butthole."

"Claire," Axel said. "Enough. He can't help it, just like I couldn't help it. You will eventually have to get over this."

Claire huffed, but didn't add anymore commentary. "I'll call him. Hold on," she said, digging her phone from her pocket. She walked out to call her dad.

Axel rolled his eyes."I'll be glad when they leave so Claire can get over this mated to her dad thing."

Demetria smiled. "She loved her mom."

"I know," he said.

Claire walked back inside. "They're on their way. What did Ivory say? Anything?"

Demetria took a calming breath. "She laughed, waved her hand, and branded me. There wasn’t really anything that needed to be said. They'll be here soon. The look in her eye..." Demetria sighed.

Cynthia walked into the bedroom in a rush of fury. She looked worried, with red cheeks and wide eyes. "Are you okay?" she said, rushing over and bending down in front of Demetria. She took her hands into her own, and stared at the burns. "Oh my …I can't take the brands away, you know that, but I can ease the pain."

Demetria nodded. "Thank you. I can't do it myself. It hurts too much."

Dan walked into the doorway and watched as Cynthia grabbed Demetria's hands tightly and began to chant over them. In a matter of seconds, Demetria's shoulders relaxed and Kerry noticed her pain lifted.

Demetria sighed. "Oh my gosh, thank you."

Cynthia smiled, but grabbed Demetria's face in between her palms. "We have four hours before sunset. We're going to kill both of them, Demetria. I promise you, no matter what, we're going to kill them."