“You did good this time.”
“I think I’ve got it.”
He didn’t release Susie, however. Instead, he cradled her in his arms knowing her wolf would benefit from the proximity. As before, Kiara poured out a capful of the green liquid. Only this time, she had to force Susie’s elongated jaw open in order to get the liquid into her mouth.
But Susie was still unconscious, and the spelled potion dribbled out.
Kiara poured out a second capful. “Warren, tilt her head back. She might end up inhaling some, but it won’t hurt her.”
Warren angled his body to allow Susie’s head to fall back a little. Kiara tried again. This time, the liquid went down Susie’s throat. A gurgling sounded, then a cough.
Warren felt the wolf’s bones begin to ease back into a normal human shape. Susie groaned then her voice caught on a sob. She came fully back to consciousness. Though her eyes were still shut, she began to cry.
He heard Kiara breathe a deep sigh of relief. Tears tracked down her cheeks. She took hold of one of Susie’s hands.
Susie’s breathing evened out though her lips were still slack. When she opened her eyes, they rolled around. She blinked over and over. Her cheeks quivered. “Is Ralph dead? Need to know. Just tell me.”
Kiara squeezed her hand. “Ralph’s fine. He was able to save nine of the wolves.”
At that, Susie burst into tears again. She rolled into Warren’s chest who in turn held her in a tight embrace. He met Kiara’s gaze and saw that more tears tracked down her cheeks.
Instinctively, he reached out a hand to her. When she took it, he pulled her close to them both in a very wolfish group hug. Kiara’s arms surrounded him as well.
For one of the few moments of his life, Warren felt the entire universe pull into alignment. He’d done some good tonight and saved several wolves. He’d comforted one of Julio’s victims and knew he’d be returning Susie to a man she loved.
But it was the feel of Kiara’s arms pressed against his shoulders and back that sent a warm wave of feel-good straight through his chest. For the oddest moment, he wished to hell he could stay right here and never leave. It seemed disloyal to his pack, since Kiara’s refuge porch had nothing to do with his care of his Caldion wolves. Yet, he couldn’t recall the last time he’d felt this way.
He heaved a sigh as he continued to hold Susie close. Her sobs still shook her body.
As his gaze met Kiara’s once more, he watched a soft smile form on her lips. She dipped her chin slowly, very wolf-like. His heart swelled.
Dammit, this felt like love, like everything he’d known with his wife so many years ago.
Chapter Six
Thoughts of Tonya and how much he’d once loved her rushed through the moment like a dream turning suddenly into a nightmare. What had been peace, became turbulent.
Kiara’s voice was suddenly in his head. Dial it down, wolf. Whatever has hold of your thoughts, it’s not helping Susie.
My wife.
The words left his mind before he could stop them. No one knew about her, or where she was, or what she’d done.
Your…wife? Kiara grew very still and why wouldn’t she? He hadn’t been forthcoming, with her or anyone. Tonya was an off-limits topic, yet he’d brought her forward like he couldn’t help himself.
Susie, maybe because she’d sensed something was going on, had stopped weeping and slowly eased away from them both then moved to stand in front of him. Kiara followed her lead.
Warren felt like twelve kinds of fool as he met Kiara’s gaze.
Wife? She reiterated. Her lips parted and moved slightly. She appeared to be forming question after question on her lips, but nothing came from either her voice or her mind.
No one knows. She’s not well, not since her alter transformation.
When Susie listed on her feet, Warren caught her elbow and steadied her. He then guided her to sit in one of the wicker chairs on the porch. “The others will be here soon.”
He returned to Kiara and once again used his telepathy. We can talk later.
She nodded.