Chapter 213

I floated suspended in this blissful darkness for what felt like hours. Nothing could touch me here. Not the weight of exhaustion pulling me down or the agony squeezing at my muscles and bones.

It was a reprieve, but one thing about reprieves is that they never last too long.

At first, it started in small flashes. An explosion of light here and there, a flicker of pain, a whisper of voices just outside my minds reach.

Eventually, those flashes became longer and more drawn out. The light became blinding, tinted with colors and shapes that moved. Voices took form, names flashing in my memory as I began to recognize them.

Each time I gathered the strength to open my eyes, it was sucked away by some

intangible force. With each sensation that returned, my least favorite was my dry throat.

I couldn’t seem to keep my eyes open for long enough to drink anything, but what I wanted most was some damn blood. A few times I swore I saw the outline of

Asher’s face, always hovering over me, silently protecting me from any and everything.

When I gathered the strength to keep my eyes open for more than a few seconds, the first thing I latched onto was a feminine voice.

It’s high pitch and friendly tone struck my memory at its core and dredged up a familiar name.

Cassidy.

Asher’s voice was thrown into the mix, tight with unease that twisted my empty stomach into knots. It rumbled miserably, as if it knew I dared to think about it.

“What’s going on?” I asked, but my mouth was so dry it came out as a crusty groan.

Asher was at my side before I could blink, moving so fast it startled me, but I was too weak to react. His hands roamed my arms, shoulders, and finally, my face. Each caress of his calloused hands was unbearably soft, bringing on such gentle sparks that my eyelids fluttered, and the darkness reached out with loving hands to suck me back in.

Thankfully, he pulled away before I could pass out again and promptly shoved something small and skinny into my mouth.

Without knowing what it was my throat worked to pull. When the taste of blood hit my tongue, rich and tangy, all thought was lost. I kept going until the winded.

straw sputtered and ran dry, but I wasn’t nearly full.

“What’s going on?” I asked again.

This time my words weren’t garbled nonsense. Cassidy hovered nearby; her shoulders lax with relief.

“What do you remember last?” Asher asked, clasping our hands together.

My heart began to flutter when he pressed my hand to his lips and waited for my response. A dull ache spread across my forehead as I followed the dwindling breadcrumbs in my memory that led me back to what happened before the darkness held me in it’s grasp.

“Um, I remember going to the safe haven and meeting Tristan’s mother. I sort of remember using magic to protect the land, but that’s where things get hazy.” I admitted.

“You did, you protected everyone. There’s now a force field over the entire safe haven, but you didn’t stop there. You fixed all of the damage the witches had done. Every house, every car, the sidewalk …even the streets look brand new.” He exhaled, shoulders stiff and rigid.

There was amazement in his voice, but his expression was pinched. Those eyes of his I adored so much were shuttered with worry.

“That doesn’t explain why I’m now lying -in bed back at home.” I pointed out, lazily looking around our bedroom. “Wait a second. I passed out, didn’t I?”

Asher lifted his head, nodding slowly.

You did. You’ve been out of it for four days now.”

My heart just about seized in my chest.

“Four days?!”

and Rowena stop by.

do anything to wake you up, but Rowena was certain

alleviate his grimace. When the crease in between his eyebrows smoothed out, I mustered

else is going on, isn’t it?” I took one glance at Cassidy, remembering the feverish way they spoke

pursed his lips, but it was Cassidy that spoke first.

his brother, even though there’s no reason to be.” She said lightly, an

the window and the perfectly creased workout clothes she had on, I assumed she was on her way to training when she stopped by. Her gym bag rested on the floor, the chord of her headphones hanging out

from him. He asks for a leadership position, then pulls this stunt. It doesn’t make

from Brandon in four days?” I frowned, my eyes darting between the two of

shook her head, her blonde

ago. He said he’d just gotten back from fighting the witches and wanted to kick back and have fun. He said something about near death experiences and wanting to get drunk, but that’s your brother. Obviously, I told

in a smirk that made me wonder exactly what Brandon had done all those years

didn’t seem as amused but managed

remember.” He

didn’t think to tell any of us where he was.” She explained,

does sound like something Brandon would do.” I laughed lightly.

to check in and let mom know he wasn’t dead in a ditch

expression, my eyebrows inching closer together and lips

heathen at the best of times, but if there was one thing he cared

hasn’t called this time?” I asked.

even sent a text.”

planted her hands on her hips and shook her head at us.

could see the two of you worrying

of stress lately, but maybe you’re being just a touch overprotective. You know how your brother is, and you know that sooner

pinching the bridge

of his headache rippled across the bond and made my

gym bag and slung it over her shoulder, waving

He’s probably just partied too hard and lost his phone in the toilet again.” She snorted, shaking her head

glad you’re finally awake,

I’ll let Chris know you’re doing alright. See you guys later!”

shouted our goodbye’s as she left, but our eyes were

second the front

a deep breath once I was settled against his chest, snaking

about this?”

Are you talking about

“My brother.”

gut. A big part of being Alpha is relying on your intuition, right? It hasn’t led you wrong yet. So, what’s your gut telling you?”

long

telling me that something isn’t right.”

lips flattened into a thin line, and when that crease on his forehead returned, I placed my fingers against it hoping it would disappear. When it didn’t, my skin began to crawl with unease.

asked, staring off into the

tried to open myself to whatever

was warm, almost annoyingly so. It carried the scents of the outdoors, of the forest and soil. To anyone else,

you held your breath for too long and your

Asher loosened his

of the warriors

Zeke’s are both on lock down. The only ones going in or out

it wasn’t my growing determination that forced me onto my feet, then it

the refrigerator. Then, I’m going to go and get some damn answers. Are you in?” I

smile curled at his lips as he placed his hand in my

“I’m in.” 1

a sandwich, I was finally

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