And he absolutely fucking was. He’dbuilt an unfortunate reputation for himself, and he hadn’t reallyexpected the purebreds to trust him outright.
“You okay, sweetheart?” heasked. Mytan walked next to them, making worried, whining noises.Trinity reached out to grab hold of his fur.
“I am now.”
“I couldn’t feel you,” hesaid. “I didn’t think you were dead, but it was like my whole heartwas cut out.”
“I think it was whateverthey drugged me with. Even after I woke up, I couldn’t really feelyou that much until the effects wore off.” Her voice was rough, andhe guessed that Veltris’s rough handling of her, and maybe even thedrug’s effects or thirst, were contributing to it.
“You’re safe now,” hesaid.
“Thank you.”
“You’re my mate, Trinity.I’d die for you.”
She hugged her arm around his neck alittle tighter. “I don’t want that to happen. I just gotyou.”
He chuckled and kissed the top of herhead. “I’d one hundred percent do anything to ensure yoursafety.”
“Even bending the knee to amale you don’t trust?”
“Absolutely. And it’s notthat I don’t trust Veltris, it’s that he’s still running on theassumption that I physically harmed Gemma. I didn’t treat her well,but I never laid a hand on her. Or allowed anyone elseto.”
“I know.”
“Did Veltris hurt you?Aside from what he did in the clearing?”
She didn’t say anything for a moment,and Wrath’s beast rose up in him. It was only through sheer forceof will that he didn’t hand his mate over to one of his males,shift, and slaughter the entire purebred pack.
“He slammed me into thewall,” she said finally. “My head hurts still, and whatever thedrug was they used to knock me out, I’m still feeling groggy.Mostly, though, he scared me. He used me for bait. He planned tokill both of us. If Gemma hadn’t helped me escape, then youwould’ve ridden into the purebreds and killed them all. I know thatfor a fact. Veltris might have the numbers, but they can’t beatBlood Wolves in combat like that.”
Wrath grunted. “I’m sorry you werehurt.”
“I think it had tohappen.”
“What do youmean?”
“Gemma finally got Veltristo understand the truth of her abduction. He wouldn’t listen. Hewas using what happened to her as fuel to gather the other packsagainst you. He didn’t want to believe that you were honorable,because his whole life he’s been told that Blood Wolves areabominations.”
Wrath mused on that while they walked.She was probably right. He certainly hadn’t behaved as if he hadany honor, but being with Trinity made him want to be a bettermale. She deserved his best.
“There are a lot of thingsI wish I could take back,” he said finally.
“Hindsight’s funny likethat.”
“I’m thankful Gemma came tohelp you.”
“Did you know Veltris’sguys were the ones who took me?”
“I was ninety-nine percentsure, but I couldn’t find your scent. I was afraid to lose timetracking down Veltris if he hadn’t actually taken you. Mytan wasable to pick up your scent.”
“Are Jet and Creekokay?”
“Magnus and River took themhome. They were still unconscious when we found them. Mytan wokefirst. They were breathing and unharmed, so I’m sure they’ve rousedout of it by now. Whatever that drug was, it was powerfullyeffective.”
She hummed but didn’t say anythingmore.
Wrath could tell she was exhausted, sohe carried her the rest of the way to their territory. Magnus metthem at the entrance to the tunnels.
“I can heal her, but itwould probably be helpful for her general feeling of well-being ifyou’d take her for a dip in the pool,” Magnus said.
Wrath nodded, stepping inside anddirecting Magnus to gather towels and clean clothes. He followedthem to the bathing pool but didn’t enter the cavern.
“We didn’t lose anyone?”Magnus asked.
Wrath carefully set Trinity on herfeet. She winced and let out a shaky breath, then straightened.“No, thank goodness. I’ll tell you and the others about it after weget Trinity healed and settled.”
“Of course.”
“Speaking of the others,Creek and Jet are awake and well, I trust?”
“Yes. As soon as they wereawake, they wanted to join you, but I wouldn’t letthem.”
Wrath smiled. “Thank you.”
“I’ll be waiting in yourchamber,” Magnus said. “I’m glad you’re both okay.”
Wrath nodded. The healer left, andWrath looked down at Trinity. Her sapphire eyes were brimming withtears that spilled over her cheeks. He wiped them away and gave hera gentle kiss. “You’re safe now.”
“I know.” Her voice wasthick with emotion. “I was trying not to cry in front ofeveryone.”
“Why would you dothat?”
“You told me once in ourdreams that crying was a sign of weakness. I don’t want our pack tothink of me as weak.”
He inwardly cursed his callous words.“That’s the alpha in me talking, sweetheart. Or, rather, thebefore-you-came-here alpha talking.” He smiled at her, and shesniffled and gave him a half-smile. “I don’t think crying makes youweak, and the pack won’t think so either. You just went through amajor trauma. You were running on adrenaline before, and now yourbrain has a chance to think about what nearly happened. That wouldshake up anyone.”
Tears again spilled over her cheeks.“Thank you for coming for me.”
“Sweetheart, I will alwayscome for you.”
ChapterFifteen
The next morning, Trinity woke restedand feeling like herself again. She rolled to her side and smiledat Wrath. He was awake with his head propped on his upturned hand,studying her.
She gave him a kiss. “Goodmorning.”
“Morning,” he said. “How doyou feel?”
“Fantastic, actually.” Thenight before, after she’d had a long soak in the hot pool, she’dexperienced Magnus’s healing powers first-hand. His hands glowing asoft golden color, he’d laid them on her, and her skin had prickledpleasantly and warmed. She’d watched her wounds heal before hereyes; it had been incredible to witness. “How does Magnus’s powerwork?”
“It’s akin to magic. It’shereditary from the father’s side, and only males have the power.He’s got an abundance of healing power within him, and when he layshis hands on someone, he pushes the power into them, and it causeswounds to heal. He can heal most things.”
“It’s incredible. There’s alimit to the power, though?”
Wrath nodded. “Each time he heals, hehas to rest because the strain of healing drains hisenergy.”
“I’ll be sure to say thankyou.”
“Of course. I alreadythanked him, but he considers it an honor and duty.”
She snuggled into him and smiled whenhe held her close. She
