CHAPTER 21
Rue
“Gods, it reeks of sex in here,” a feminine voice I’d recognize anywhere mutters, yanking me from my slumber.
Disoriented and half-awake, I groggily sit up in bed, glaring at Arya. She smirks as her hands curl around the edge of the curtains. I open my mouth to protest, but sunlight blasts me in the face as she throws them open, the window following seconds later. The room warms instantly. Damn Louisiana heat. It’s fall. We should be getting a hexin’ break from the heat, but nooo.
“Could’ve warned me, you know,” I groan at her, covering my bare breasts with my arms once I’ve recovered from my blindness. I glance to either side, noting the guys are gone.
She rolls her eyes, not caring about my nakedness in the slightest. I forget it’s different for shifters. They’re starkers around each other all the time.
“And where would the fun in that be?” she taunts. “Now get dressed, babe. I’m forcing you out of this den of debauchery. My brothers have had you to themselves long enough. You need some girl time, even if we can only walk the property since your mates are being insufferable about”—she makes a talking gesture with her thumb and fingers as she finishes the sentence—“letting you out of their sight.”
A spark of excitement ignites within me at the prospect of getting some fresh air. I’ve been getting a little stir crazy. I recognize their need to keep me safe, which is why I haven’t complained. Especially because I’m fairly untouchable holed up in Slade’s mansion. Someone would have to be extremely powerful to get to me now. But sometimes you need to gossip with a girl about everything going on in your life.
I shuffle out of bed, the promise of fun coursing through my veins as I get dressed, throwing on a pair of jeans, booties, and a flowy top hastily. Once clothed, I throw my arms around her and squeeze her tight. “Gah, I’ve missed you.”
Her hazel eyes—so like Caylix’s, it’s uncanny—sparkle with amusement. “I’ve missed you too. It’s not fair my brothers get to hog you all to themselves.” She pauses. “Okay, sort of. Since they are sharing you with someone else.“ She pulls back, a knowing gleam in her eye. “You managed to shag–I mean, bag the Slade Dumont? Giiiirl, you better spill the tea and tell me all about it.”
My cheeks warm, and my lips split into a grin. “Oh, Arya, you have no idea. He’s everything. As obsessed with me as I am him. The way he looks at me like I’m the only person in the entire world worth anything is... indescribable. Not to mention his touch ignites every nerve ending in my body.”
Arya feigns a dramatic swoon. “You’ve got me all hot and bothered just hearing about it,” she replies, fanning herself with her hand. “I’ll admit, I wasn’t certain of him at first, but I’m glad you’ve got him in your corner. How’s my brother and the other two bozos getting along with him?”
I chuckle at her theatrics. “Honestly, better than I ever expected. They still have their disagreements and I’m sure they always will, but when it comes to me or my needs, they’re already so in sync. Especially, ahem, in the bedroom, if you know what I mean.” I waggle my eyebrows at her.
Arya bursts into laughter. “Oh my gosh. You’ve got them wrapped around your little finger, don’t you?” She shoots me a conspiratorial wink. “All right, enough chit-chat. Let’s get out of here before they change their minds.”
As we make our way outside, Slade steps out of his office and waves at me, his phone to his ear. I’m not sure where the wolves are, but if I had to guess, they’re around here somewhere, watching.
The oppressive humidity clings to my skin like a second layer, but I ignore it. Instead, I take a deep breath, savoring the scent of nature that fills my lungs. The property surrounding Slade’s mansion is covered with trees turning various shades of oranges and reds. It’s breathtaking, and a perfect backdrop for our much-needed girl time.
We stroll through the trees on the edge of Slade’s property, our footsteps crunching on fallen leaves. The sound is soothing, a reminder that life is as vibrant as it is ever-changing. Arya keeps up a steady stream of chatter, catching me up on all the latest supernatural gossip. It’s a welcome distraction from the chaos of my own life.
Despite Lance being conveniently missing, no one has issued an official missing persons report yet, which is interesting. It likely means his mother and the council know whatever the hex he’s up to.
As we pass a small clearing, I catch sight of a small figure standing amidst the trees. Arya notices my line of sight. “Mauve is on guard duty with Ian today. Isn’t she so fucking hot in her fatigues?” She grins at me, missing the man who phases to a stop behind her mate. He’s tall and broad-shouldered, with a wild mane of matted hair. His red eyes meet mine, and for a moment, time seems to stand still.
Panicked, I open my mouth to scream and warn her, but it’s too late. Thankfully, Mauve notices him and dodges out of the way at the last second, avoiding the sinking of his fangs into her neck.
She’s not fast enough to move out of his claws’ reach, however, and they tear through her midsection, leaving a blooming red stain behind. All of this happens in the blink of an eye, half a heartbeat, and somehow my new senses makes it all slow down as if wading through jelly.
Arya shrieks as if she’s the one half eviscerated and shifts in an instant, her clothes flying off, as she reemerges as a giant gray wolf. In the back of my mind I notice her pattern is slightly different from Caylix’s, but similar. Her frame is also much smaller, but no less intimidating.
Her paws strike the ground with power and determination as she races toward them, lunging at the attacker, her jaws snapping fiercely. The creature, caught off guard, stumbles backward, its claws swiping at thin air. Arya’s growls fill the air, echoing through the trees as she fights with an unwavering ferocity. But the feral is fast, unnaturally fast and recovers in a blink, his gaping maw wide open.
I’m frozen in shock for a moment, unable to process the horrifying scene unfolding before my eyes. But the sound of Arya’s growls and yelps snaps me back to reality. With a surge of adrenaline, I pick up Arya’s shredded t-shirt and sprint toward them, determined to help my friend in any way I can.
My mind races as I drop to my knees next to Mauve, attempting to evaluate her injuries, but there’s blood everywhere. Without thinking about it too hard, I bundle up Arya’s shirt and press it to her wound, gagging when warmth soaks my fingers almost immediately. No, no, no. She’s losing too much blood, too fast. She won’t make it at this rate, even with accelerated healing.
I glance at Arya for help, but she’s still battling the feral, attempting to keep him away from us. I realize I’m not making the situation any easier as his fangs snap in my direction, but if I take my hands off Mauve’s wound, she’ll bleed out even faster.
Guys, I need you! I scream through our mental connection, hoping they get here quick.
A hand lands on my shoulder and I instinctively flinch, readying for an attack that doesn’t come. I turn to find the most stunning fae I’ve ever laid eyes on. Her silver hair is tied into a dual braid that reaches her hips. As loath as I am to admit it, she pulls off leather pants way better than I can and that’s saying something.
“I can help,” she states, motioning toward Mauve. But I narrow my eyes in suspicion, stopping her in her tracks.
In the distance, I hear a collective roar from my mates as they explode out of the mansion, sensing my distress through our bond. But me and Arya ventured further away than I thought. It’ll take them a second to get to us, even Slade. I glance back at Mauve, who’s pale from blood loss. A second we don’t have.
“Rue, there’s no time. Allow me to save your friend’s mate.”
I weigh my options for a split second, realizing that Mauve’s life is hanging by a thread.
With a reluctant nod, I step aside and let the silver-haired fae take control of the situation. She kneels beside Mauve, her hands glowing with a soft, ethereal light. The wounds begin to close under her touch, the torn flesh knitting itself back together before my eyes.
As the healing process unfolds before me, I can’t help but watch in awe. The fae’s magic is unlike anything I’ve ever witnessed, radiating pure power. She exudes an air of confidence, as if she has done this countless times, which is possible. I know absolutely nothing about this strange woman. Including why she seemed to be in the right place at exactly the right time.
Three wolves burst into the clearing, immediately jumping into the fray to help Arya. Slade phases to my side, pushing me behind him protectively. The fae ignores him as she continues to heal Mauve.
With strength in numbers, the wolves make quick work of the feral. Rhys and Caylix distract him while Kathan goes for his ankles, preventing him from phasing. Arya pounces, ripping his head from his body in one swift motion. I glance away from the grisly sight.
Once it’s over, Arya shifts back into her human form. She’s panting heavily as she sprints toward us, not a lick of clothes on her. Slade averts his eyes, removing his shirt in one swift motion before tossing it to Arya. She mutters her thanks as she slides it on before dropping to Mauve’s side, brushing some hair out of her mate’s face. Her eyes meet mine, filled with relief and gratitude, before turning to the silver-haired fae. She opens her mouth to say something, but is interrupted by three distinct growls as my mates shift.
“What the hell are you doing here, Dar’tha?” Caylix snarls.