“She’s in there,” Lucas said. He didn’t know how, but he just did. Panic and rage coursed through his veins, and his wolf which had been silent for days was now on full alert, its hackles raised. “I need to—” A loud, deafening boom drowned out his words as part of the building collapsed. “I said—let go, Papa!”
Grant held him back, using all his strength to keep him in place. “Son, you can’t! You’ll get yourself killed.”
“I don’t care!” he growled. “I need to go to her!”
“Son, you’re—”
“Do you think she is still in there and alive?” Daric asked.
“Yes.” He knew it. She had to be, because he couldn’t imagine living in a world without her in it. “Daric, I—”
“Go.” It was Cross who spoke. He was already unbuttoning his shirt. “I’ll be right behind you.”
Daric nodded at Grant who let go of Lucas reluctantly.
Lucas didn’t even wait. He let his wolf out, his clothes shredding to bits, and headed straight toward the building as soon as all four paws landed on the ground.
He pushed his wolf, but it really didn’t need any more encouragement. It was sprinting toward the front of the building, focused on getting inside. However, it skidded to a halt. The front door was ablaze and the heat from the flames made it too dangerous to get any closer.
No! He had to get inside. The wolf took a few steps back. Maybe if they could knock it down—
A growl made the wolf turn its head. A large, white albino wolf stood behind, its red eyes staring straight at them. Cross.
The albino wolf focused its stare on the door. Lucas wasn’t sure what happened, but suddenly, the panels flew off its hinges, leaving the doorway clear.
He didn’t waste any more time. His wolf sprinted inside, not caring if the smoke was burning its eyes and lungs or if the flames singed the tips of its fur. The inside of the warehouse was huge, but thankfully, it was gutted out so there was only one main space. Setting down low on its paws to avoid the smoke, Lucas glanced around.
There.
A figure lay on the floor, about ten feet from him. Sofia! The wolf scrambled toward her. She lay on her side, her face on the dirty floor. The wolf sniffed at her and licked her hand.
I need to get her out of here, he pleaded to his wolf. Let me come back.
The wolf growled, keeping its claws tight on their shared body. Please, he begged. I promise I won’t let her go, ever again.
He felt the wolf rear back and then tuck itself deep inside them. The change was so quick, he felt dizzy, but he quickly recovered and scooped Sofia into his arms. I love you, he said silently. Please don’t die. She was soft in his arms, and he felt her labored breath. He had to get her out of here.
Something brushed against his thigh. Cross! He was still in wolf form, and was brushing his flank against him. “Cross, shift back. I need you to—”
The air whooshed out of his lungs as a coldness crawled over his skin. He wasn’t sure what was happening until he looked around and saw that they weren’t inside the burning building. They were across the street in the abandoned lot, surrounded by the people they had left earlier. Twice now, Cross had used his warlock powers in wolf form. He didn’t even know that was possible.
“Lucas!” Astrid came running straight at them. “Is she …”
He looked down at the woman in his arms. Her eyes were closed, and soot covered her face. Quickly, he lay her on the ground, opened her mouth, pressed his lips to hers, and then pushed air into her lungs. “Sofia,” he said. “Please.” He brushed her face with his fingers, and he felt the trickle of tears down his face. “Don’t die.” He did it again, willing every atom of his being to fight. “I need you,” he said between breaths. “I need you and our baby.” When he felt her body jerk and cough, his heart soared with hope. “Sofia.”
Sofia hacked and coughed as she continued to dispel the smoke from her lungs, and he lightly tapped at her back to help her. When she looked up, her eyes were unfocused, but after a few seconds, they became clear with recognition. “Lucas?” she rasped.
He let out a cry of relief and gathered her into his arms. He kissed her hair, moving to her temple and then down her cheeks. “I love you,” he murmured before he captured her mouth with his. She went still, unmoving, and he moved his lips away, peppering her cheeks and forehead with his kisses instead.
“Lucas,” she gasped when he pulled away. “What happened? I was—”
“It doesn’t matter,” he said. “None of it matters.”
“But—” She ran a hand down her face. “I … you … you hate me,” she choked out. “You said you would … that … Pappoús and …”
Fear and sadness clouded her beautiful slate-colored eyes. At that moment, Lucas swore to God that he would do everything in his power to never see that expression on her face again. “I was wrong. I made a mistake. I should have listened to you and believed you and …” He took her hand and kissed it. “I’m sorry. Please forgive me. I love you so much.”
She stared at him, her mouth parted. “I … I’m sorry I didn’t say it back right away. I just wasn’t sure at that time.”
“And now?” Please, he thought. Please love me. It would crush him if she didn’t, but he would understand, especially after what he did and the names he called her.
“Now, I’m sure.” She
