"He's right, Sage." Dad acknowledged. "I'll take him there. You take Ivy home. Then we need to talk."
Mom frowned. I knew she disagreed heavily with this, but she had to see that Nolan was in the wrong. Ivy shouldn't get her way all the time. To be honest, it hurt that she always took Ivy's side. She never seemed to agree with me. "Alright. Let's go, sweetheart." Her arm wrapped around Ivy's shaking frame as they walked out behind Dad. I'm the one with the broken hand, and yet, she's catering to Ivy, once again.
Blaine shut and locked the door behind them. I sighed, walked into the living room and collapsed on the comfortable couch. Suddenly, I just wanted to sleep. I lifted my hand and inspected it. The bones were crushed, and loose within the skin. I poked my hand, feeling the bone fragments cutting against my flesh. I winced and wondered why it was taking longer to heal than usual.
Blaine kneeled in front of me with a first aid kit. He pulled out a bandage and took my hand, gently. "I'm so in love with you." He caught me off guard.
My heart flipped, and the corners of my lips curled into a smile. "You are?"
"Of course. Your sister is selfish, conceited and an attention whore. Don't listen to her. I'm not going anywhere." He started wrapping my hand in the bandage. "You're my soulmate."
My cheeks warmed. I melted on the inside with every word he spoke. I literally was the luckiest woman on the planet. "I love you." I paused realizing how good it felt to say that out loud.
I squeezed my eyes shut as he tightened and clasped the bandage in place.
"I've loved you since the moment I laid eyes on you. As mates should, but I've been waiting for you to say it first. With everything that happened in your past, I didn't want to rush you." He put the leftover bandages in the first aid kit and set it on the floor before cupping my face and pressing his soft lips to mine.
I smiled against his lips. "Thank you."
"Stop thanking me. I'm sorry I wasn't here when he showed up." He pulled back and sat next to me.
I glanced down at my hand and played with the bandage. "Don't be sorry. It was good for me to face him."
He took my bandaged hand in his. "Does it still hurt?"
"The bandage helps. I can't feel the fragments moving around anymore. It should heal up by tomorrow."
"I can't believe that bastard wanted to mark you." He let my hand go, put an arm around my shoulders and pulled me into his chest. His lips brushed against his mark.
I shivered and goosebumps started to spread across my arms at the tingling sensation his lips brought. "Honestly, it was my fault he got the upper hand. When he told me that Ivy was pregnant, I was surprised, and I let my guard down."
"It wasn't your fault."
I leaned my head against his chest and closed my eyes. "I love you," I whispered. The sound of his heartbeat lulled me into a dreamless sleep.
"One more time," I murmured against Blaine's naked torso.
The bed was a mess and I loved it. The twisted comforter hung off the sides and the fitted sheet bunched at our feet. The fabric smelled of us, and the animal inside me couldn't get enough.
"We've already done it three times this morning." He leaned back against the pillow and chuckled.
I planted a kiss above his heart. "Are you complaining?"
His lips quivered, his hands gripped my hips and flipped me over. He hovered inches above me, his minty breath fanning over my face. "I'll never complain about this."
I giggled, wrapping my arms around his neck. I pulled myself up, brushing my lips against his. "I love kissing you."
A loud ringing made me groan, and we broke apart. I glanced over at the end table. My phone lit with Xavier's name.
Blaine let out a low growl.
I snatched it up, sliding my thumb over the screen. "This better be important. I told you, Blaine and I are taking the day off."
"It is. Can you and Alpha Blaine meet Liv and me in your office?" Xavier's panicked voice came through the receiver.
I sat upright, swinging my legs over the side of the bed. "What's going on?"
"It's about the Lockhart pack. Liv knows some things... Just meet us there as soon as possible."
"Be there in five." I ended the call. "I knew there was something up with that girl."
"She knows about Lockhart. That's not a coincidence," Blaine said, pulling himself out of bed.
I stepped into a cotton dress while Blaine put on his clothes. "I know."
"Since she's more than likely a traitor, what are you going to do?"
I paused. I hoped, for Xavier's sake, she wasn't. "I'm not sure yet. She's still Xavier's mate."
Mates were sacred, two halves of one soul. When one mate caused trouble, the other suffered too. It's just how it worked, and I knew Xavier needed her.
"Let's go." Blaine came up beside me, kissed my forehead and lead me out the door.
We drove to the pack house in less than two minutes, a benefit of living so close. As we walked down the hallway toward the office, we bumped into my mom.
"Sophia, honey!" She smiled and grabbed my hands.
I winced, pulling my wounded hand back and let it fall to my side. "Hi, Mom. Sorry, we have some pack business that needs our immediate attention."
"Okay, but really quick... Ivy's been distressed, and I'm worried about the baby. Is there any way you could lift Nolan's sentence early?" she asked, not breaking my gaze. I bristled. She was still
