Chapter 49
Chapter Forty-Nine
Hayden
My heart is still pounding from the moment that virus—I refuse to call her a witch—put her hand on my omega. Then when she threw the bowl of ritual ingredients at her… It was like I became a different person. My vision went a hazy red and all I knew was protect.
Now that she’s gone and my omega is tucked safely away with my beta, I can finally take a breath.
I glance at them one more time, reassuring myself and my alpha that they’re okay, then I stalk back through the trees to the clearing.
Jayce is hot on my heels, his breathing shallow and muscles bunched with aggression.
“Don’t touch anything you don’t have to,” I direct. “Let’s gather Siobhan’s things. I’ll call into the forest service tomorrow to report the table and whatever else is left behind.”
Jayce grunts in acknowledgement and stomps over to Siobhan’s ring light, beginning to dismantle it. Her phone is lit up on the ground and I scoop it up, then realize it’s still open to the live stream.
“Oh.” I switch the camera around and address the tens of thousands of people watching.
Holy shit, that’s a big number. “Hey everyone,” I say, trying not to sound like I’m ready to punch someone in the throat.
“Not sure what all you saw, but we’re taking care of Siobhan.
Helen left without further incident, but she left all her things here, so we’re cleaning up what we can.
Siobhan is shaken up but fine. She’ll probably need a few days away from socials after that, I hope you all understand. Thanks for being here to support her.”
I ignore the comments and questions streaming in, click the red end button, then tuck her phone into my pocket.
When I look back up and take in the scattered herbs and the bowl that’s rolled away from the table, fury slams through me.
I clench my jaw and every muscle in my body tenses as I stare at it.
There are crushed herbs strewn in the dirt, crystals that are tipped over or thrown from the table.
The red haze starts to descend again, and I force it back.
Never have I felt such seething rage. I want to hunt that virus down.
I know how to save a life, which means I also know how to take one.
Which veins to nick, where to put too much pressure.
I stomp on the ritual bowl to break it, then kick the pieces under the table.
I don’t want to touch anything, but I also know these are mostly Siobhan’s crystals.
I whip off my shirt, then use it as both a basket and to protect my hands while I collect the crystals from the table and surrounding dirt.
My heart pounds in my chest, slow and steady but so fucking loud it’s all I can hear. Murderous is a new emotion for me, one I didn’t think I was capable of until now. I’ve never considered harm instead of healing, but I’ve also never seen someone I love threatened like that before.
I freeze while crouched down, halfway to scooping up an amethyst tower.
Love.
I love her.
Of course I do.
I blink down at the purple crystal. Did it do this to me? I don’t remember what amethyst does, but I’m blaming the rock for my current epiphany. I scoop up the meddling crystal and carefully set it into the t-shirt pile as I straighten.
I need to tell her. But do I tell her tonight?
It might make her night better… Or would it be tainted by everything else that’s happened?
I’m not used to feeling uncertain like this.
Not since Siobhan came along and threw everything I thought I knew into question.
My role as an alpha, what an omega needs, how to meet her wants and please her.
My alpha is riding me hard, wanting to claim our mate now more than ever. But if I’m doubting, then it probably isn’t the right time. I need to focus on her, not me.
Get her home, tuck her safely into her nest. Help her do whatever cleansing or protection she needs to do before bed, then snuggle everyone until they all fall asleep.
I nod and glance at Jayce who is putting the last piece of equipment into the bed of the truck.
“All set?” I say.
He grunts in reply, his shoulders so tense they’ve got to be hurting. My heart twinges; I haven’t been taking care of him the way I should be either. I can’t let him down, too.
“Come here,” I say, striding over to him.
Jayce all but falls into me, and I clamp one hand on the back of his neck, knowing that helps settle him. I brush my lips against his temple, then he rests his forehead against mine with his eyes closed.
“Breathe, Jay,” I murmur.
He sucks in a shaky breath, then lets it out slow. His shoulders relax the tiniest amount, so I encourage him to do it again. Again. Again.
“She’s okay,” he finally mumbles, hazel eyes looking black in the dark of the forest.
I nod, keeping my gaze locked with his. “She’s okay. Aury’s okay. You’re okay. I’m okay.” We take a deep breath with each statement.
He sniffs once, then straightens and pulls me into a tight embrace. I press as close to him as I can get, our bodies molding together, and lean into his strength while he leans into mine.
“We’re okay,” he whispers, then scent marks my cheek with his.
“Let’s get our girl home.”