Chapter 75 - END OF BOOK ONE

She seemed to be free of all outside forces. He sighed softly, releasing her before his sudden, unexpected surge of anger transmitted itself to Shaina. She had been hideously abused and the raw wounds in her mind would forever leave scars. She was an extraordinary young woman with rare insight and gifts beyond measure.

But the man who should have loved and protected her had been the very one to initiate and perpetuate the abuse. 

Alexander was careful to breathe deeply, wanting to appear completely calm and in control. He knew that Shaina would be terrified by any masculine displays of temper. 

Luther had already destroyed Shaina’s abusers one by one. He had taken the girl’s enemies as part of his little chess game with Alexander, to show he knew what Alexander knew. “Did you see anything in there that changes your mind about wanting to take me home with you and Miah?” There was a challenge in Shaina’s soft voice but her gaze had slid away from his the instant he released her. Alexander caught her chin in two fingers and tipped it up so she had to look at him.

 “You have an astonishing mind. I stand in awe of you and the things you have accomplished and the things you are capable of doing. I am honored you would want me to serve as your guardian along with Miah. Did you not see yourself through my eyes?” He asked it very gently. A faint flush of color crept up her face. “I’m not like that. Not like you think of me—courageous and brave and beautiful. No one else thinks that.” When he continued to look at her the color deepened.

 “Well, only Miah, but she doesn’t have a mean bone in her body. She would find something nice to say about a monster.” A small smile tugged at Alexander’s mouth. “You are very likely correct, Shaina, in your assessment of Miah. She would think the best of a monster, but she also is very astute. In you she sees what I see. You need to begin to see yourself as we do. We are your guardians, and you must learn to trust and rely on us. If ever you wish, you may examine my mind and I will share my thoughts with you openly.”

 “I wish to get out of this horrible place and go home with you and Miah.”

 “She was securing the doctor’s permission when we were interrupted.” Shaina bit her lip, started to speak, and then dragged the stuffed animal to her face. “Tell me, little one,” he encouraged softly. “In our home I will expect truth and respect to be given on both sides. If you wish to say something, I will listen and value what you have to say.” “You won’t believe me, but I know I’m right.” She dug her fingers into the plush wolf in her nervousness. Alexander gently placed his hand over hers and sent her a small wave of warmth and reassurance. “If you know you are right, Shaina, I will believe you.” She loved the sound of his voice, the accent she couldn’t place, the funny way he twisted his words. 

Mostly she loved the conviction in him, the way he made her believe him. “I don’t think the doctor is really good. Something’s wrong with him.” Alexander nodded. “He was very much in love with Miah and he was not happy when I returned. You see, Miah thought I was dead. I think the doctor is having difficulty overcoming his jealousy.” Shaina stared at him a long while, then shook her head. “It is more than that. I feel it when he touches me.” 

For a moment, the red flame of the monster danced in Alexander’s eyes and inside him, claws unsheathed. He took a moment to breathe before he responded. “What do you mean, little one?” His voice was quieter and more beautiful than ever. Shaina felt the air in the room grow still, as if the earth itself were waiting for her answer. Her long lashes swept down, concealing her expressive eyes. “When he comes in to examine me, he tries to hide it, but I know something’s wrong with him. 

He’s twisted. It’s more than jealousy, Alexander.” “I am going to secure your release for tomorrow evening. Miah and I will need to set things up at home so we can give you adequate care while you recover. In the meantime, Miah has hired a bodyguard for you. He is your guard, not a hospital employee, and he will ensure you are safe in our absence. If you feel threatened, you tell him to get you out of this place and take you to our home.” He pulled the key to the front door of Miah’s house from his pocket. Taking a thin chain of gold from around his neck, he secured it. “This is the house key, little one.”

 He placed the chain around her neck. “If you need to come home, you have the key.”

 He felt her relief. She was lifting the key, turning it over, and holding it to her as if he had given her something precious. Alexander stood up, towering over her. “Your room is ready and Miah has outdone herself.” He wrote the address on a slip of paper and tucked that into her hand also.

 A small smile shaped Shaina’s soft mouth. “I knew she would go crazy.” The smile faded from her face, leaving her wan and pale. “Do you believe me about the doctor?” There was an anxious note in her voice she couldn’t conceal. Alexander regarded her gravely, his black eyes serious. “I believe you, Shaina. I have felt the same uneasiness around him. Do not fear for Miah. I will do all within my very considerable power to keep her safe.” Shaina searched his face for a long while before her lashes drifted down and she subsided quietly in her bed, obviously satisfied with his reassurance.

 Alexander automatically scanned during his waking hours, and now he felt Bert entering the hospital. He glided away from the bed toward the door. A small gasp of alarm spun him around. “What is it?” he asked softly. Shaina was staring at him as if he were a ghost. Self consciously she forced a laugh. “Just now you reminded me of…” She trailed off. He deliberately grinned, a boyish, mischievous grin.

 “A rock star?” he asked hopefully. Shaina’s astuteness was far more than he had given her credit for. She managed a nervous laugh. “Not hardly, Alexander. A wolf. A big bad wolf.” She held up the stuffed animal, “lust like him.” He laughed with her but took great care to appear more human as he left the room with a reassuring wave.

Goodbye…see you again next time little witch.

END OF BOOK 1