24. Ledger
Chapter 24
Ledger
I can barely hear anything over the sound of my thundering heartbeat and the heavy thud of my paws on the forest floor as I search for any sign of her. But I strain my hearing, extending every one of my senses past their limits for the slightest sign of my missing mate.
My wolf is damn near feral, snarling at every snapped twig or rustle of leaves, out for blood. What if she’s hurt? Or if some suicidal bastard finds her before we do and puts his hands on her?
I’ll rip them off and stuff them down his throat until he chokes to death for daring to touch her, but that doesn’t undo the damage they might have done before I find them. I don’t want revenge, I want her. Happy and whole, and back in my arms where she belongs.
Arson might have been onto something with that strapping her to his back idea.
The breeze sends the leaves into a frenzy and I bristle, whipping my head to the right. Digging my claws in, I come to an abrupt halt, ears perked and inhaling a deep breath, eyes fluttering shut for the briefest moment as I sift through the myriad of scents to see if it’s just wishful thinking, but no. I’d recognize my mate’s sweet scent anywhere. But the coppery tang of blood clinging to it has my heart plummeting to my stomach.
I tear through the woods like the hounds of Hell are on my heels, crashing through the foliage without a second thought to the brambles tearing into me or the random shifters out stretching their animal’s legs that startle and leap out of my way. Finally, the light is visible through the tree line, and I put on an extra burst of speed.
Across the empty stretch of lawn is a familiar shock of teal hair that has my heart skipping a beat.
Ever.
The relief nearly brings me to my knees as I sprint across the grass and come to a skidding halt at the base of Seraphina’s legion’s porch, shifting back seamlessly without missing a single step. Chest heaving and eyes wild, I yank her against me and kiss the ever-loving hell out of her.
For a few weightless moments, everything else ceases to exist. My mate’s scent envelops me, the sweet scent of strawberries and peaches with an undercurrent of citrus. Like summer, and sunshine, and mine. I band one arm around her lower back, holding her captive while I cup her cheek with the other, reassuring myself that she’s really here. Alive, and safe, and back in my arms where she belongs.
With a ragged exhale, I kiss her once more before forcing myself to pull away before my instincts can completely take over and I wind up claiming her right here where everyone can see. Sucking in a shaky breath, I hold her out in front of me, searching for injuries, and immediately hone in on the slice down her forearm.
A chainsaw roars to life in my chest. “What the hell happened?”
“Honestly? Fuck if I know,” she says, and after worrying I’d never hear that voice again? I can’t even be annoyed at how nonchalant she sounds, I’m so relieved she’s okay.
My ears perk as inside the house, Leo groans. “For fucks’ sake, Ledger, warn a man to stay away from the windows next time! Nobody wants to see your dick flopping in the breeze. Get out of here before I get the hose.”
Nostrils flaring, I snarl at the front door, “We’re leaving.” I may respect the gargoyle most days, but that slice down Ever’s arm has Seraphina’s scent all over it. As far as I’m concerned, they’re all on my shitlist now.
“Ledge-ooph!” Ever huffs as I throw her over my shoulder, storming off down the road unabashedly naked. I don’t give a shit if I scar the entire street for life with my pale ass. The only thing that matters is that Ever’s alive.
“Took years off my life,” I growl, hand tightening on the back of her thigh. “We’re going home and staying there until we figure out a way to make sure whatever the fuck just happened never does again.”
Because one thing's for sure, if Ever disappears on me again? Even Seraphina's legion won't be enough to save this city from my wrath.