“Leah…”
He didn’t know what was going to happen next, but she was safe in his arms. That had to count for something. Because if it didn’t…well…he wasn’t sure what he’d do.
BRAM
“I cannot believe you let yourself get hurt like this, Bram. I thought you were faster than a couple of measly humans.”
Bram winced as Charlotte stung not only his pride but also his side as she cleaned up his wound. She had gentle hands, but every time her skin brushed against his, he stiffened, unable to control himself. He hoped she just thought it was pain from the gash on his side and not the strike against his soul that it actually was.
“There were more than a couple,” he grumbled. “And it’s a lot harder to only slightly maim them with my strength, I’ll have you know.”
Charlotte let out a snort, but he saw the worry in her eyes. He reached out for her wrist without thinking. They both froze at the contact, but he didn’t let go. He’d already reached out, so he may as well deal with the consequences.
“I’m okay, Charlotte,” he said softly. His wolf nudged at him, wanting more, but he ignored it. “We found Leah and got the information we needed. I’ll heal.”
Bram had never seen anything like it. Ryder had jumped through fire, literally, for the woman he claimed was not his mate. He might want to deny it, but Ryder would have to face the truth eventually. Bram knew how that felt far too well.
He’d known for too long that the woman in front of him was his. His wolf had wanted to claim her ever since they’d both been old enough to understand the full consequences and joy of mating. He knew her wolf wanted him, as well. And when he and Charlotte had fallen for each other and subsequently into bed to cement their bond, their worlds had shattered.
The bond never came, and now Bram was left alone and broken. He’d never known of a couple who’d gotten it wrong like they had. Perhaps it was just heavy attraction between them, but he wasn’t sure that was the case. All he did know was that every day he and Charlotte remained as close as they were, they were only delaying the inevitable.
They weren’t mates.
Or they were, but without a bond, which was just the same in the long run.
“Bram,” she whispered.
He let her go before sighing. “I’m fine, Charlotte. Leave me alone for a bit, okay? I just need to think.”
“Think about what?” she asked.
He met her gaze and pulled himself back from running a hand through her dark hair. “Just go.”
She pressed her lips together then backed up before turning away. He closed his eyes once she’d let the door close behind her. Damn it.
He wasn’t enough for her. Something was missing, and he didn’t know what, but there had to be an answer. And having them side by side in pain wasn’t it.
I’m not enough, he repeated to himself.
He would never be enough.
As always.
Chapter Ten
Leah closed her eyes, willing her body to stop shaking. She’d been back at home—Ryder’s home—for almost half an hour now, and yet she couldn’t make her body stop shaking like a damn leaf. She was safe. Ryder was safe. The rest of the Pack members were safe. The men who’d taken her were now in custody of the human police. Until the laws changed, she was still a citizen—witch or no—and the Humans First group had kidnapped her. The fact that Ryder and the others had been in control enough to let the human authorities take over, rather than doing what they wanted and taking out the price in the others’ flesh, told her how much each step cost.
The drugs were out of her system thanks to the water they’d given her during the car ride back to the den. She’d been able to at least heal that part of her quickly. She still needed to work on the few cuts and abrasions on her skin, as well as the burns on her shins.
She shuddered a little more violently this time.
Goddess, she’d almost been burned at the stake. It was like the Middle Ages all over again. She’d heard horror stories growing up, as well as seen it done in movies, but she’d never thought in a million years that it would happen to her.
And yet, her people were dying from it because of the Humans First group. The authorities were doing their best, but in all reality, she knew she couldn’t trust them fully. Not when the lines of the law were blurring for some. Just because the police had said they would take care of it, this time, didn’t mean they would the next. It was up to each individual officer and detective, and with the way the world was changing, she wasn’t sure she could put her faith in them.
Leah licked her lips and winced at the taste of smoke on them. She wasn’t sure she’d ever look at a campfire or s’mores the same way again. If she hadn’t been drugged, she would have probably been able to douse the fire and save herself, but her captors had rendered her unable. It killed her that she’d been so defenseless. She hadn’t reacted quickly enough during the chaos of the bombings and that had cost her.