I carriedNess back to bed once we were done in the bathroom. As she slipped into a deep, satisfied sleep, I sat on the edge of the mattress and watched her. I ran my hand along her hair to remind her that I would be here.
If Alvin made another sacrifice tonight, Ness would be too tired to do much of anything. Her search across Lakesedge and our night together had sapped much of her energy. An exhausted body couldn’t do anything. I would gladly do this every night from here on out so long as it meant that my mate was safe.
The witch said that the curse Alvin had put over Ness was only escapable by death. The thought made me shudder. My dragon reared its head and snarled in warning. I wouldn’t let my mate die, but I’d also made a vow that I wouldn’t kill.
If I banished Alvin and the curse remained intact, we would have to live in fear of Alvin for the rest of our lives. My beast knew what to do. Even though I hated the thought, I knew, too. We couldn’t let Ness live like that.
She’d already suffered enough.
I had to become the Alpha that this pack needed. I had to step up and be the mate that Ness deserved.
Even if that meant taking a life.
Needing to focus on anything other than the decision I’d made, I reached for my phone. I wondered when my brother would show up. He had to be on his way by now. My phone had been on for days. I’d heard his voice the night that Ness had tried to kill me.
Morgan had answered my call that night. His response had been less than kind, but I’d been preoccupied. By the time I’d gotten back to my phone, Morgan had hung up. There’d been no use in hiding after that.
I didn’t let my thoughts linger on Morgan, either. The pack needed something good. They needed to know that better times were ahead. So, I called Bruce.
He was a little groggy when he answered but otherwise in good spirits. When I explained what I needed from him, he happily agreed. We were of the same mind. This wouldn’t be a celebration. It would be a wake, but one that would allow the pack to celebrate those that they’d loved and lost.
And, maybe, while the pack was together in a safe place, I would be able to hunt Alvin down once and for all.