Chapter 61
Elodie
It was silly, eavesdropping on your mate.
I was a grown-ass woman, barely revived from the battle earlier, yet here I was, eyes squinted shut and shoulders tense as the question hung in the air between Valens and Savvy.
They were behind me, so I couldn’t see them, but the room was small, and I could hear them easily.
“Of course, I love her. She’s… everything.”
Tears sprang to my eyes, and it wasn’t because I was sore from fighting all night. I fought back a sniffle that would give away my listening.
“Then I love her too. I want you to know that. She’s family now.”
Goddess, how did I get so lucky? Savvy had meant what she’d said before, about us being sisters. Somehow, that was almost as awesome as Valens professing his love so casually, like it was as obvious as the moon in the sky.
“Thank you. I knew you two would be friends once you got to know each other.”
I heard what sounded like hugging, and then she left after one more jab about him not paying attention to any good gossip.
The door clicked shut, and he climbed in behind me, wrapping an arm around my waist as he settled in close.
“You little minx. How long have you been awake?” His hot breath tickled my ear right before he nipped it lightly with his teeth.
“Just… a little while,” I hedged. It wasn’t a lie.
“You need to sleep. You were completely drained out there. I was worried you were dead.”
I shook my head, rolling so we were nose to nose. “Not dead. Just… exhausted. Brielle needed a power boost. Her omega gifts allow her to pull energy. Usually, she taps Kane’s reserves, but given he was the one nearly dead…” I shuddered at the gruesome memory.
“So it’s true, then? You helped her save his life?”
Deep discomfort at that statement filled me. I hadn’t done anything more than any other maiden would have. “If you think a battery helps build a house because it’s attached to a drill… sure, I guess I helped save his life.”
“Don’t downplay it. You could have died.”
I bit my lower lip. He was really angry, and he’d never been angry at me before. Upset and hurt when he thought I didn’t want our bond, yes. But angry? That was new.
I had bad history with angry men. It put me on edge, even though he’d never given me reason to believe I had to worry.
“Brielle would never hurt me on purpose. But… Valens, you know I’d gladly give my life for theirs. My calling—”
“Has changed! You’re not a maiden anymore. You don’t owe anyone your life, not even me.”
I managed a small nod, though I didn’t fully agree. “I know I don’t owe it, but still, I’d gladly give it.”
He rolled to his back, his frustration palpable. “Am I going to spend the rest of our lives trying to keep you from throwing yourself on your sword for someone else?”
“I hope not. That sounds depressing.”
He groaned, scrubbing a hand over his face. We were both tired, and the conversation should probably wait for… well, it was already tomorrow. Later today, at the earliest.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t even think, I just reacted on instinct. For what it’s worth, I think if you were in my shoes, you’d have done the same. They nearly chopped his head off. Brielle was frantic. If he dies… we’re all screwed.”
He was quiet for several long moments, so quiet I almost thought he had fallen asleep. But when he answered, all the anger was gone from his voice. “You’re right. I probably would have done the exact same thing in your shoes. Tell me what happened? From the beginning?”
So, I did.
There wasn’t much more to tell, but I relayed every detail I could remember. By the end, I was yawning all over again. The night really had taken a lot out of me. I still wouldn’t have changed it.
“Can you promise me one thing?” he finally asked.
“Anything,” I blurted without hesitation. He shook his head at me, stroking a damp tendril of hair back from my face with such tenderness, it made my chest ache.
“Don’t be careless with your life. Don’t take unnecessary risks. We’re a team, and I need to know you’re on the same side with me. I want to live a long, happy life with you. And if you die… I can’t even think about that kind of pain. I’d follow you into the afterlife.”
I wanted to hang my head in shame. I hadn’t even considered what would happen to him if I’d died.
We hadn’t exchanged bonding bites, so at this point, he’d live even if I died.
But still, I had been so focused on saving everyone else, I’d forgotten that I wasn’t alone anymore.
I had people. His promise to take care of Bence was also a weight of responsibility in my mind.
My instincts had nearly destroyed all that.
“I promise. And I’m sorry.”
“Never apologize for being you.” He stroked his thumb over my bottom lip, and I nipped it.
A thought occurred to me. I’d told him all about my adventures, but he hadn’t shared the rest of his. “Have you heard anything about Fiona?”
“No, I haven’t. She was still alive when I got her to Olivia and Leigh. I know that much.”
“Can we go check on her?”
“Yes, but you need to sleep first. Otherwise, you’ll be neighbors in the clinic.”
I yawned again, so wide this time my jaw popped a little. “Okay. Sleep sounds good.”
Too good. I could sleep for a week.
He pulled me back to his chest, and the steady thud of his heart lulled me into sweet dreams.
We woke a few hours later, and I felt better. Not a hundred percent, but probably eighty. Good enough to go check on Fiona, at least. I gently shook Valens, who’d passed out with a massive biceps covering his eyes to block the sun.
Seeing him like that made me want to do very dirty things with him, but the call of my pack outweighed that for now.
“If you don’t stop looking at me like that, I’m going to drag you down into this bed on top of me.”
“Like what?”
“Like you want to be my breakfast,” he said, finally moving his arm, his smoldering eyes connecting with my own.
Feeling saucy, I leaned down closer, whispering, “Does the big bad wolf want to eat me all up?”
“Fuck yes, he does.” His eyes glowed, and I noticed the guardian brand on his chest did too. But when he made a grab for me to make good on the promise, I dodged, giggling as I bolted just out of reach.
He growled, the sound low and sexy in his throat as he swung his feet to the floor. He was all rumpled from sleep, hair messy, eyes bright, muscles on display under tanned skin. Absolute male perfection.
And he had that look in his eyes, that look that meant he wanted to chase me.
“We have to go check on Fiona. Also, there will probably be another attack any time now, so we shouldn’t really—”
He charged, scooping me off my feet and carrying me right into the shower with him. Where he did, in fact, eat me all up. This time, I returned the gesture, and I greatly enjoyed making him lose his mind from my knees.
By the time we’d washed up and gotten re-dressed in our battle clothes, we were both grinning ear to ear and ready for second breakfast. I couldn’t even complain.
We decided to go down to the infirmary first and check in on Fiona. But when we got there, the place was almost a ghost town. Wolves healed fast, and Fiona was nowhere to be found. But Oli and Lucien were there, leaning against a counter covered in medical supplies and chatting.
“Elodie!” Olivia raced over to hug me, giving Valens a warm look before returning to Lucien’s side. “How are you guys this morning? Nothing you need me to look at?”
“We’re good. We just wanted to check on Fi.”
Olivia waved her hand in a “don’t worry” gesture.
“She’s good, thanks to you getting her here so quickly.
I was able to reverse the damage. She may be sore until her human side finishes removing the swelling, but there won’t be any lasting effects.
Reed, however, may never let her out of his sight again.
Prepare for hugging when he finds you two. ”
Lucien snorted his amusement from her side, but didn’t disagree. While it was just the four of us, I had a question for him, though.
“Lucien, do I need to do anything official to join the Hungarian pack? I know I mentioned it before, but… I’d like to have things settled.” Valens squeezed my hand supportively.
Lucien grinned. “You have to formally pledge in, since your bond isn’t complete yet. But that only takes a minute.”
“Can we do it now?”
His good eyebrow shot up in surprise. “Sure, if that’s what you want, but there’s no rush. You’ve always got a place with us.”
“Always,” Oli agreed, beaming. “I’m so glad you’re staying.” She clasped her hands under her chin, the picture of happiness.
Given all the gore I could imagine she’d seen yesterday, that was a testament to her good and kind nature.
He rattled off the pledge, and I repeated it. Then he offered a hand for me to shake. “Welcome officially to the Hungarian pack. We’re thrilled to have you.”
Valens growled when I shook his hand, and I swatted backward for him to hush. Lucien was mated and not at all interested in stealing me away.
Still, the primal part of me was happy that Valens didn’t even want another male to touch me. He was possessive in all the best ways, and it kind of made me want to drag him back to our room, but my stomach was growling pitifully.
“Breakfast time for you, Firecracker. We’ll see you two later.” Valens didn’t even wait for a response before tugging me out of the infirmary and up toward the kitchens.
We made it as far as the family wing before Gael stopped us in the hallway, fully dressed for battle. “Oh, good. Kane’s looking for you two. Can you head to his office?”
Valens sighed, and I elbowed him in the ribs. “Of course. We’ll head there now.”
Gael gave us a funny look but didn’t comment as he bustled off.
“Why is the world conspiring against me feeding you?” he muttered as I led the way to Kane’s office. It was pretty much the only room in the castle that hadn’t been repurposed to housing, feeding, or bathrooms for the army. There were wolves everywhere.