Chapter 10
TEN
Taylor
I don’t think I’ve ever been this happy.
The thought sneaks up on me while I’m curled against Reyes on the uncomfortable clinic sofa, watching Landry sleep peacefully in the hospital bed. Sunlight spills through the window, warming the room, and for the first time in days, I can breathe without panic clawing at my chest.
She’s safe. We’re both safe. We’re going to be all right.
Reyes presses a kiss to the top of my head, his fingers threading gently through my hair. “You okay, mate?”
I tilt my face up toward his and smile. “Yeah.”
His expression softens instantly, as if that one word means everything to him.
It probably does. I still don’t fully understand fated mates or shifters or any of this insane new life I’ve somehow stumbled into, but I understand Reyes.
I understand the way he looks at me like I’m precious.
The way he touches me carefully, reverently, like I’m something to treasure instead of a burden. No one has ever loved me like this.
Landry shifts in the bed with a groan, blinking awake slowly. The second she sees me, she smiles.
“Morning,” she rasps.
“Morning. How are you feeling?” My voice still sounds a little hoarse, but the ache is gone from my throat.
Reyes warned me that would happen. As soon as he bit me, I absorbed some of his shifter healing properties. Already, my vision and hearing are better. The marks on my wrists and ankles are almost healed, and my voice is stronger.
Landry clears her throat. “I’m okay.”
“I’ll get you some water. And I’ll see if Christian is in yet,” Reyes says, pushing to his feet.
I smile up at him as he tucks his jacket around me. He leans down, kissing me quickly before he leaves the room.
“You two are so cute!” Landry whisper-shouts.
I laugh. “I know. It’s sickening, right?”
She shakes her head. “It’s good to see you so happy and in love.”
I blush, looking down at my fingers twisting in my lap. “I’m still getting used to it.”
She raises an eyebrow. “To your boyfriend being a wolf?”
I told Landry all about Reyes, shifters, fated mates, and him saving me when he went to get us lunch yesterday. She took it better than I did. I thought she’d claim I needed psychiatric help after I told her my boyfriend could turn into a wolf.
“Yeah, it’s all still so wild, but it’s more than that. He’s obsessed with me. I never thought I would find someone so…”
“Perfect?” Landry finishes.
I laugh. “Yeah, he is perfect. He’s so great, Lan. I can’t wait for you to get to know him better.”
“Well, hopefully I can get out of here today and do just that. Who knows, maybe I’ll find a fated mate shifter of my own?”
“I hope you do.”
“Knock, knock.” Dr. Christian pokes his head into the room.
Reyes is right behind him with two glasses of water, and I smile as I take one from him. He stands next to me, rubbing my shoulders as Christian looks over Landry.
“Well, you look a lot better today. The fluids helped. I think you’re ready to be discharged and sent home. Reyes has my number in case you need anything, and I’m always here. If something changes or you start to feel weak or lightheaded, come back immediately. Otherwise, take it easy for a bit.”
“I will,” Landry promises.
Christian hands me discharge papers, which I stuff into my pocket.
“I brought some clothes,” Reyes says. “They’re out in the car. I’ll be right back.”
Landry swings her legs over the side of the hospital bed as Reyes runs outside, and I help her stand.
“Take it easy,” I warn her.
She sighs. “It feels good to stretch my legs.”
We haven’t talked about the kidnapping or what happened to her when we were separated. Not yet. But we will. Soon. When she’s ready.
“Thanks,” I tell Reyes as he returns with the bag of clean clothes.
“Take your time. I’ll be right out here. Let me know if you need anything else.”
“I will,” I promise him.
Landry dresses, using me for balance as she tugs on her underwear and pants.
“I don’t have any shoes for you,” I say, searching through the bag.
“That’s okay.”
“We’ll get you a new pair.”
Landry sinks onto the bed, looking tired.
I step out of the room to get Reyes. “She’s dressed but tired. Could you carry her to the car?”
“Of course, mate.”
He passes me the car keys and goes into the room. “Is it okay if I carry you, sis?”
God, I love how thoughtful and respectful he is. He’s noticing how Landry tenses when strangers approach her, and watching him check in with her melts my heart. If I weren’t already in love with him, I would have fallen for him right there and then.
“Sure, bro,” Landry teases.
He smiles as he lifts her into his arms, and I open the door, waving at Christian as we leave. I run ahead, opening the car door and slipping into the backseat next to Landry. Her eyes are already growing heavy, and I suspect she’ll be fast asleep by the time we get back to the house.
“I made up the guest room for her,” Reyes murmurs as he starts the car and pulls out of the parking lot.
“When?”
“This morning, when you were in the shower.”
“Thanks.”
“My pleasure.”
My body heats as we share a look in the rear-view mirror. I want him. Want to thank him for all he’s done for my sister and me. I want to show him how much I love him.
The drive home only takes a few minutes, and I wait for Reyes to park and open the door before I unbuckle. Landry is fast asleep, and I support her head while he reaches in and picks her up.
“I’ll get the doors,” I say, jogging ahead to unlock the front door and hold it open.
“Be right back down,” Reyes tells me as he carries Landry upstairs.
I take a deep breath, feeling better now that Landry is out of the hospital and here with us.
When Reyes comes back down, I’m warming up the soup from last night and making us each a sandwich.
“Thanks, mate. I could have made us something for lunch,” he says, wrapping his arms around my waist.
“You’ve done so much for me. I want to take care of you, too.”
He kisses my neck, and I turn in his hold. My smile dies on my lips as I look at him. He doesn’t look happy. He looks almost… nervous.
“What is it?” I ask, instantly on high alert.
“I just… I wanted to talk to you.”
“About what?”
“Us. Our future.”
I relax and smile up at his handsome face. “What about us?”
“Are you happy here? I mean, do you want to stay in Night Grove Falls? If you don’t, we’ll move. We’ll go wherever you want.”
“I like it here,” I tell him quietly. “It’s scary with the cult, but I know you’ll protect Landry and me. I know that your job, doing something important like this, is what you want to do.”
“I can find another job, Taylor. I can’t find another you.”
“I want to stay.”
“Then we stay. If you ever change your mind—”
“I know. I’ll tell you, and we’ll move.”
“That’s right.”
“Good, now that’s settled, shall we eat?” I turn to grab a pickle, popping it into my mouth.
“There’s one more thing.”
“What’s that?”
I turn back to find Reyes down on one knee.
“Oh, shit,” I gasp.
“Taylor, I love you. I’ll always love you. Shifters don’t feel the need to get married; the bond is stronger than that, but I know it might be important to you. I can’t lie; I love the idea of my ring on your finger so everyone knows you're mine. Besides my bite mark,” he adds with a wicked grin.
I blink back tears. “I—”
His grin vanishes, and he looks panicked. “No, mate. Please don’t cry. I take it back.”
Closing the ring box, he shoves it into his pocket and stands, wiping away my tears.
“Yes!” I shout.
He stares at me.
“Yes, I’ll marry you,” I clarify.
Reyes sags with relief and pulls me into his arms. “I hate when you cry.”
I laugh against his chest. “I can tell.”
I wrap my arms around his waist and lean into him. This is the happiest I’ve ever been. Who would have thought that something so amazing would come from my being kidnapped?
“We can get married here. Night Grove Falls has some pretty spots,” Reyes says, lifting me onto a kitchen stool. “Or we could go to the beach? Maybe Hawaii?”
I stroke his cheek. “We’ll talk about it.”
He pulls the ring box from his pocket again, and I watch as he removes the ring and slides it onto my finger.
“When did you buy this?” I ask him, admiring the way the light shines off the diamonds.
“Yesterday, when I went out to get us lunch.”
“I love it,” I whisper.
“Good.”
“And I love you.”
“Ah, mate,” he sighs, nuzzling my neck. “I love you too.”