Chapter 21
CHAPTER 21
T he fight was over, but the tension lingered in the air. Sebastian's men were retreating into the woods. Sadie stood, watching as Kile knelt on the ground, breathing heavily, his head bowed. Her heart had been in her throat the entire time in fear for Kile.
Eric and Cole had been by her side, standing guard over her as well as ensuring no one interfered in the fight between Kile and Sebastian. Their presence warned any of Sebastian’s remaining men that this fight was between their alpha and Kile, no one else.
Eric moved toward Kile, his expression hard but filled with relief. Sadie felt an overwhelming urge to run to him to ensure herself he was okay. But as she stepped forward to do just that, Char's wolf slammed into her, sending her tumbling to the ground.
Sadie barely had time to process what was happening before Char’s wolf lunged toward the woman who had struck Sadie earlier. Sebastian’s mate’s scream cut through the night but was quickly silenced as Char’s jaws closed around her neck with a sickening crunch.
Sadie’s stomach lurched violently. She turned her head away, bile rising in her throat as she heard the sound of tearing flesh. Her hands shook uncontrollably, and she forced herself to take deep breaths, trying to keep from vomiting. She managed to stand with Cole’s help.
When she finally dared to look back, Char stood in her human form, her naked body heaving with exertion. Her face was splattered with blood, her eyes cold. Her mouth was red, still wet from the kill. The woman now lay lifeless on the ground, her throat torn open in a savage display of dominance. Seeing the wicked-looking knife still in the dead woman’s hand, her eyes shot up to Char.
“Thank you,” Sadie whispered, realizing the knife had been for her and this young girl had saved her life.
Char’s gaze shifted to Sadie. “Don’t thank me. I’ve been wanting to do that for a long time.” Char wiped her mouth with the back of her hand and then nodded. “The bitch deserved it and more.”
“That was impressive.” Cole cocked his eyebrow at Char, keeping his eyes on her face. “But you need to shift, Char.”
Char nodded, did as Cole ordered, shifted, and then laid down but kept her head alert. It was a much different world, one Sadie had only glimpsed until now. There were no rules, only survival.
Suddenly, all of it became too much. The violence, the blood, the sheer savagery of it all. Sadie felt her body slump as the shock and fear she had held back for so long finally caught up with her. She slowly went to the ground, her body shaking uncontrollably.
Sadie felt strong arms wrap around her. Kile pulled her into his chest, holding her tight against him as she buried her face in his skin. He was all she needed at the moment.
“It’s over,” he whispered, his voice rough from the fight but filled with tenderness. “You’re safe now.”
Sadie nodded against him, clinging to him as if he were the only thing keeping her tethered to reality. Her world had been turned upside down, but she found comfort in his arms in the chaos.
“He’s fucking gone,” Alex growled, making his way toward them.
“Who?” Eric asked, standing alert.
“Colton,” Alex hissed, his eyes narrowing dangerously. “The bastard was tied up. Someone must have untied him.”
“Lily!” Sadie gasped, not knowing what to do.
“Go,” Kile said, his face a mask of pain. “I’ll get Sadie back.”
“I’m not leaving you here unprotected while you’re hurt.” Eric cursed, then looked at Alex. “Could you pick up a scent?”
“No, and we are wasting time.” Alex frowned, then glanced at Char before talking again. “Let me go ahead, and I’ll send someone back with a truck. The road runs next to this area about a half a mile.”
“Come on, I’ll go with you,” Eric said, then looked around at everyone else. “Ten of you come with us, and the others stay here with Cole and Kile. Stay shifted. Search the area for the bastard.”
“Alex,” Sadie called out, her voice tinged with fear for her sister. “Please hurry.”
Alex nodded, then took off with Eric, and the rest followed. Sadie looked at Kile, staring off with a frown. “Are you okay?” She whispered, her eyes searching his battered face. She knew he was naked but kept her eyes on his face.
“I hate feeling weak. I’ll be fine once I shift for a few hours.” He replied, then reached up and touched her bruised and swollen cheek. “Did he do that to you?” He growled, his eyes narrowed in anger.
“No, his mate did,” Sadie replied, then touched his face and gently brushed the blood-caked hair out of his eye. “Thank you for coming for me.” She whispered, realizing that this man had literally fought to the death for her and won.
“I would walk through hellfire for you, Sadie,” Kile said as he watched her closely. “Why did you take off alone? Do you not trust me to keep you and Lily safe?”
“I didn’t think.” She admitted looking away from him, feeling guilty that she was the reason he was in pain. “It’s been a long time since anyone has watched out for us. I’m so sorry, Kile. I never meant for you to get hurt. I was trying to find Lily.”
Leaning his forehead against hers, he sighed. “You scared the life out of me,” Kile whispered, then pulled away, looking at her. “I will always look out for you. You and Lily have a home now. I know this is fast for you, but for me, it feels like I’ve been waiting forever for you. I love you, Sadie.”
“Trucks here.” Cole interrupted them, but Sadie continued to stare at Kile in shock. He loved her? “Larry was able to drive it through the woods. Sadie, come with me, and then I’ll help them get to the truck.”
“I can make it myself,” Kile protested. He then tried to stand, but his leg gave out, sending him back to the ground. “Fuck!”
“You need to shift, brother,” Cole told him as he helped Sadie to her feet. “She will be safe. I’m taking her to the truck, and you know Larry’s packing. So do as I say for once, you stubborn asshole.”
Sadie waited, looking down at Kile. “Go on,” he nodded toward the truck not looking at her. “I’ll be right there.” Frowning, she turned and started walking with Cole. She kept looking back only to see him shift. His wolf stumbled to the ground and just lay there. “Is he going to be okay?” Sadie’s voice shook with concern.
“He’s had worse, but yeah, he’ll be fine in a few hours,” Cole said as they made it to the truck. “Ride with Larry. I’ll stay in the back with Char and Kile.”
“But I can ride in the back.” Sadie stopped when he opened the door.
“Girl, let Cole take care of his brother,” Larry said, his tone gentle. “Ain’t no man wants his woman to see him weak. Come on.”
Cole nodded in agreement, helping her get up into the truck. “He’s going to be fine.” Cole reassured her as he closed the door then headed back to Char and Kile.
She watched as Cole bent, picking up Char’s wolf, and Kile stood walking slowly behind Cole. The closer they got, the more she could see Kile’s wolf staring at her. He then disappeared around the truck. She watched as Cole went to grab Kile and lift him, but his wolf snapped at Cole and then jumped up in the back of the truck. A loud thud sounded inside the truck as Kile lay down.
There were three pounding knocks above them. Larry put it in drive and started across the clearing toward the woods. “Hold on.” He warned her. “This is a bumpy ride until we hit the road.”
“Is Lily okay?” Sadie asked as they started on their way.
“She is good and well-guarded by Alex,” Larry said, then snorted. “I think that boy is smitten with your sister.”
“I think you’re right.” Sadie frowned and then realized she needed to let go and allow her sister to live her life. Not all men were Colton, and she needed to realize that.
Larry was right. The ride was bumpy and tight between some trees, but they finally reached the road. She couldn’t tell how many times she looked into the back, her eyes on Kile’s wolf. He was huge and beautiful. His black fur shined in the moonlight. She wondered if it was as soft as it looked. She sighed, then turned back around, watching the road.
“You okay, Sadie?” Larry asked, giving her a sideways glance. “You scared us all disappearing like that.”
“I’m okay.” She replied, then frowned. “And in my defense, I didn’t disappear; I was kidnapped.”
“I knew Kile would find you and bring you back,” Larry said, clicking on the turn signal and pulling into the long drive to the Sanctuary. “Don’t you break that boy’s heart disappearing again? There is a place here for everyone, even cranky old men.”
Sadie glanced at Larry, who was staring at her knowingly. “Thank you, Larry,” She reached over, patting his hand.
Getting out of the truck, she went toward the back but stopped when Cole stepped in her way. “Give him a little time, Sadie,” Cole said as Leeza ran up, grabbing him in a hug. “He needs to heal.”
Nodding, Sadie gave Leeza a weak smile as she and Cole walked away. Her gaze went to Kile’s wolf, who was walking in the opposite direction with his head hung low. At one point, he tripped but kept himself upright. The growl that escaped him reached her ears. She approached him, but the man who treated Char ran toward him and disappeared into a tent. Eric and Gemma were helping Char out of the truck, leading her toward the trailer.
Suddenly, she felt more alone than she had ever felt in her life. Shouldn’t she be with him? She wanted to be with Kile, but did he want her with him? Confused, she turned and was almost knocked off her feet when Lily threw herself at her. Alex was close behind her.
“I was so worried!” Lily cried, holding onto her sister. “I knew Kile would find you.”
Sadie hugged her back, but her words made her frown. Once again, someone showed trust in Kile, but she hadn’t. “Yeah, he found me.” She said, then let go of her sister and walked toward their tent. “Go do your chores, but stay next to Alex. I’m going to lie down for a little while.”
“Are you sure you’re okay?” Lily let her go, watching her closely.
“I’m fine,” Sadie said, trying to toss out a fake smile. She knew she had failed but didn’t really care. Once inside the tent, she fell to her makeshift bed, grabbed her pillow, and placed it over her head just as the tears began to flow.