Chapter 31

THIRTY-ONE

A pained cry echoed from the treatment room. The sound ripped through Talon’s chest, his scales threatening to break through his skin. The bond pulsed with Asher’s agony.

“One hour,” he growled at Bennett. “Then nothing keeps me from her side.”

In the secure war room, Levi had already assembled their intelligence team. Harlynn pulled up surveillance footage while Garrison and Devon reported to the clan elders. The evidence wall displayed everything they knew about Dimitri’s movements.

“The cold iron weapon was custom-made,” Levi said, laying out recovered fragments. “This level of enchantment requires serious resources. Someone’s backing him.”

Talon barely heard him. Every few minutes, fresh waves of pain rolled from Asher to him. His claws dug into the conference table, leaving deep gouges in the wood.

“Sir.” One of their trackers burst in. “We followed one of Revon’s men to their base camp. There’s intel-”

The table splintered under Talon’s hands. “Get me coordinates. Now.”

“Brother.” Levi’s voice carried warning. “You’re in no state to-”

“They targeted my mate!” Talon roared, his control finally snapping. “She’s fighting for her life because I failed to protect her! Because I let Dimitri live when he first betrayed us!”

The lights flickered as his power filled the room. “I will burn every hiding place he has. I will tear apart anyone who helped him. And when I find him...” His eyes glowed with deadly promise.

Another spike of pain from Asher drove him to his knees. Asher reached for him mentally, desperately seeking comfort through their connection.

“Go to her,” Levi said softly. “I’ll coordinate the search teams. Devon and Garrison are already moving to the base camp.” He gripped Talon’s shoulder. “We’ll find him. But right now, your mate needs you more.”

Talon made it back to medical in time to see Bennett emerge, looking exhausted. “The poison’s contained, but her recovery will be complicated. Her hybrid biology isn’t responding to normal shifter healing. We need to monitor her carefully.”

“Can I see her?”

Bennett nodded. “She’s been asking for you. Just... prepare yourself.”

Nothing could have prepared him for how small and fragile she looked in the hospital bed. Tubes and monitors surrounded her, tracking every heartbeat. The skin around the iron wound was still black, though the veins had receded slightly. Every breath seemed to cause her pain.

Her eyes fluttered open as he approached. “Hey, handsome,” she whispered hoarsely. “You should see the other guy.”

A sound between a laugh and sob escaped him as he carefully gathered her hand in his. “My brave, brilliant mate.” He pressed his lips to her knuckles. “I’m so sorry.”

“Not your fault.” She tried to shift and winced. “Though I vote we skip training for a few days.”

“You’re not leaving this bed until you’re fully healed.” He stroked her hair back from her face. “And after that, you’re not leaving my sight.”

“Overprotective dragon,” she mumbled, but squeezed his hand weakly. “Bennett says... my healing’s all messed up. Might take a while...”

“I’ll be here every second.” He settled carefully on the edge of her bed. “Rest now, love. I’ve got you.”

As she drifted into uneasy sleep, Talon’s phone buzzed. A message from Levi: Dimitri’s compound deserted but found something. Must have evacuated. He’s got bigger plans. This was just the beginning.

Talon looked down at his mate’s battered form, rage and love warring in his chest. Someone had hurt what was his. Had nearly taken her from him. His dragon’s protective instincts merged with his human determination.

They would find Dimitri. And this time, there would be no mercy.

He sent comfort and love through their connection, letting her feel his presence. She settled, turning instinctively toward him even in sleep.

“I’ll keep you safe,” he promised softly. “Whatever it takes.”

Dr. Bennett frowned at his readings, then checked them again. “This is remarkable.” He looked between Asher and Talon, who hadn’t left her bedside in hours. “The cellular regeneration rate has increased by forty percent in the last two hours.”