Mated in Mist (Talon Pack #3)(40)

Ryder looked up as she entered but didn’t say anything. Instead, he let his gaze trail down her body and back up again before settling on her eyes.

“You still have cuts and burns,” he said finally, his voice a bit raspy.

“I’m going to have to Heal your throat, too, brother. You have a bit of smoke inhalation.” Walker shook his head but went back to work.

Leah had started toward the two of them before she thought better of it. She cupped Ryder’s face with her hands since it was one of the only places where he didn’t have cuts or burns.

“Never do that again, Ryder Brentwood. Your family almost lost you because you literally jumped through fire.”

“You were going to die if I didn’t,” he growled, then let out a cough.

She pulled back before running her knuckles down his cheek. “You can’t die for me, Ryder. You can’t.”

“I didn’t die. Walker will Heal me, and we’ll get you in the bath so you’re healed, as well. Everything will be fine.”

It wouldn’t and she knew that. They were getting too close, letting emotions rule while they both knew they had to step back. They weren’t going to cement the bond, and every day she stayed with him, it would only make it that much harder to walk away. And yet she couldn’t leave. Not yet. She was torturing herself, but she couldn’t help it.

“I’m going to be about twenty minutes more,” Walker said casually. “Leah, do you mind getting us each a glass of water? I know we could use something stronger, but water should do.”

Grateful for Walker’s interruption, she gave him a nod then made her way back to the kitchen. She’d stopped shaking the moment she saw Ryder because then it wasn’t about her. It was about the man who’d risked his life for her. He’d saved her, and she didn’t know how to repay him. He and the Talons had saved her more than once now. She would be forever in their debt.

Roland would know what to do.

She stopped what she was doing and blinked. She hadn’t thought of her twin in a few days, though she knew he’d been in the back of her mind no matter what. It hurt to think that he wouldn’t be there to hear about what had happened. It hurt more that he wouldn’t be able to take a stand against not only Humans First but the Coven, as well. He had always been better with words than her.

She’d told herself when she left his grave that she wouldn’t allow Roland’s death to rule her life. But it still ached that she didn’t have him anymore. And now, Ryder had almost died, as well. It didn’t matter how many times she told herself that they wouldn’t be good for each other and that they would never mate; she knew if she’d lost him, she would have broken, shattered into a million pieces.

There was a reason the goddess had designed them to be optional mates, there would always be a connection because of it…until Ryder found another mate she supposed. But he’d told her he would never take a mate. However, no matter how hard she tried not to, she could only worry that maybe he’d meant that he would never take her as a mate. Maybe the next one would be the one that made him break his internal vow, the woman he’d want to bond with for eternity.

She didn’t like thinking she wasn’t good enough, but she couldn’t help it.

She hadn’t been good enough for the humans, hadn’t been good enough for the Coven. It was only fitting that she wasn’t good enough to mate the Heir of the Talon Pack.

Leah might tell herself that she didn’t want to mate with him because of the target she would put on his back, but now that she’d seen how the Pack worked, she knew differently. He would always be a target. For as long as there was the potential for war, he would always be in danger. Hell, he’d almost died for her, and they hadn’t even mated.

It would be good for everyone if she left and never came back.

And yet, she knew she couldn’t do that.

There had to be something wrong with her with the way she wanted him but he didn’t want her, but she’d deal with that. And since she’d given her word to help the Pack, she would do that. She’d take it seriously and learn to protect herself and others. She had to work past the fear that had put Roland and her at risk in the cave and find a way to make the changes for herself. It was all she could do.

She was a witch; she had the power.

She’d prove it.

She carried all three glasses back without a tray and set them on the coffee table once she made it into the living room. She handed Ryder his and set a soft kiss on his lips. She’d needed to say her thanks and, frankly, needed to touch him. There was no going back from what had happened, no hiding from his family. Not with how he’d apparently reacted when he’d heard she was gone. Brandon had let a few things slip in the SUV, and Ryder hadn’t been pleased. Yet she didn’t care that Ryder hadn’t wanted her to know he cared about her. Hadn’t wanted her to know that he had been frantic with worry searching for her.

The sheer fact that he’d jumped on the burning pile to save her from the stake told her that much. The rest was just reassurance.

Instead of commenting on her rapid thoughts, she held out a glass to Walker. The Healer triplet took the glass and smiled. He nodded in thanks and chugged down the water quickly, sighing after he’d finished.

“Would you like some more? I know it takes a lot of energy to Heal. How about some food?”