Wolf's Fall (Alpha Pack #6)(45)
She sat with him for a while, until hunger forced her to seek something from the kitchen. Reluctantly, she left Nick’s side, knowing solid food would only temporarily stave off the need for blood. There wasn’t anything else she could do, though. Her stomach would reject any other blood—she knew that by the ominous sickness that roiled just thinking of drinking from anyone but her mate.
The cook made her a roast beef sandwich, rare. Calla devoured it and felt queasy afterward, but at least it stayed down. She thought she had things under control, and then her brother chose to make an appearance, sitting down beside her and giving her a piercing look.
“Are you all right?”
“I’m fine,” she said, trying a smile. It didn’t quite convince him as he eyed her in suspicion.
“You have dark circles under your eyes and you don’t look well. Not what I’d expect when I see my happily mated sister. Or is the mating happy?”
“My mate was just injured, in case you forgot, and that doesn’t thrill me. Besides that, we’re still working things out. Of course things aren’t perfect yet.”
“In what way?”
“That’s really none of your business.”
“Since when?” He leaned forward, his worry apparent. “We’ve always been honest with each other and I can sense you’re not being straight with me. What’s going on?”
Shaking her head, she pressed her lips together. Telling him the whole truth felt like she’d be betraying her mate, even if that wasn’t really the case.
“Sis, your lips are slightly blue,” he continued in a low, ominous tone. “In fact, you look like you haven’t had blood lately. Why don’t I see if Nick’s feeling better so you can feed?”
“No.” Her voice was quiet and miserable. “I can’t do that to him.”
Her brother was clearly confused. “Why not? He’s your Bondmate now, right? I mean, who the hell else are you going to feed from?”
“I’m his Bondmate, yes.” She took a deep breath. “But he’s not mine, officially. Not yet.”
He scowled. “What the f*ck does that even mean? You’re either Bonded or you’re not!”
“Nick claimed me, but I haven’t claimed him yet,” she hissed, frustration and sorrow warring with each other. “I can’t, until he’s free of his demons and can allow me to claim him freely, and share my joy.”
“Share your joy?” he repeated, voice rising even though she tried to shush him. “Does he realize that by being claimed you can no longer feed from anyone else, vampire or human? That you’ll f*cking starve if he doesn’t allow you to claim him?”
“No, and you’re not going to tell him,” she ordered furiously. “So help me, I won’t speak to you again if you do!”
“Why the hell not?” he yelled. “This is your life we’re talking about!”
“I won’t have my mate coerced into Bonding!” Bolting to her feet, she slammed a palm on the table, making the dishes jump. A couple of other coven members who’d been dining on the other side of the room quickly cleared out. “You will not interfere in this. Do you understand me?”
“Calla.” He was gutted; she could tell.
“I’m sorry. I know you’re trying to help, but I need you to stay out of my mating. He’ll come around under his own steam, or not at all.”
“But if he doesn’t, you could— No, you will die.”
“It won’t come to that.” She hoped. Tarron appeared so lost, she relented some and went around the table. Putting her arms around his neck, she gave him a hug and was immediately enveloped in his embrace.
“I love you, sis,” he said hoarsely. “Don’t let this go too long. You and Adrian are my only family, and you’re everything to me.”
She kissed his cheek, love swelling in her heart. “I won’t. And I love you, too.”
A twinge of hunger gnawed her belly as she made her way back to the infirmary.
* * *
Nick awoke the next morning, restless and irritated with the constant pain in his injured leg. To hell with this.
Seeing that he was alone for the moment, he made quick work of yanking out his IV line and ripping off every one of those damned itchy little stick-on circles connected to the heart monitor. Then he shucked his ugly gown and let his wolf free.
The shift was fast, due to centuries of practice. His wolf circled around on the bed, then flopped down with a sigh of contentment. Just when he got settled, a nurse rushed in, followed by Dr. Archer.
“You could’ve waited instead of scaring my nurse,” the doc scolded. Then he smiled. “But I’m glad to see you’re on the mend. I’ll check on you in an hour or so; then most likely you’ll be ready to go.”
The doctor left. Nick dozed for a bit, letting his shifter’s system heal the rest of his injury. He didn’t sleep very well, though, because he kept jerking awake and wondering where Calla had gone. Was she upset with him for leaving the way he did before they were called to Dallas? She didn’t seem as though she was when he last saw her, but his heart still ached at the thought.
The door opened and his mate pushed into the room. He raised his head and caught the full force of her smile, and the sight of her went straight to his soul. His wolf let out a happy chuff as she sat beside him and began to scratch his ears.