Chapter 24

Chapter Twenty-Four

Elias ushered everyone inside. There were a lot of people, though, and it was very crowded. It was also eerily silent except for the sniffles coming mostly from Suzette and Leah. It broke Elias’s heart that his mate had gone through such a fright one week into their union.

Olivia cleared her throat. “I could sense them from over a mile away. It took a while for them to arrive. When they grew close, I finally scented the other four. I knew two of them were Surge and Thorn. I knew they were hunting their rogue brothers and would not let them harm us.”

Damon held her close, still rocking her back and forth while he rubbed her back. “What did Surge communicate after the others left?”

“He said he was so very sorry. He was confident the rogue bears were injured enough that they would not get away this time. They would be captured. He will return as soon as he can to reassure us.”

Damon kissed her forehead. “Good girl.”

Elias knew he was holding his mate too tight. It was a habit with him. He needed to know she was living and breathing. He couldn’t release his grip as he glanced around the room at the other Alphas, stopping when he noticed Felix had a hand on his side and was wheezing.

Leah must have noticed, too. “He’s hurt, Daddy. I saw the bear take a swipe with his claws.”

Elias reluctantly set his mate down and rushed over with the others to check on Felix.

Gavin grabbed Felix’s shoulder and guided him to the kitchen. “First aid kit?”

“I’ll get it,” Leah said as she ran from the room toward the bathroom.

Elias helped Gavin pull Felix’s shirt over his head. The two men were brothers. Felix was older by twelve years, but they were still close.

Felix winced as he looked down. “It’s superficial,” he said. “Nobody freak out. It’s not deep. I can tell.”

A long claw mark stretched from the side of his chest down to his abdomen. Elias held Felix’s arm out of the way so Gavin could get a better look. Gavin was a healer. He would know what to do better than anyone else in the room. The rest of the Alphas backed up to give them space.

Leah rushed back in with a first aid kit in her arms. It was almost too large and bulky for her, but she set it on the table and opened it up. “Anticeptic? Gauze?”

Elias stared at her for a moment. She was all business and not squeamish at all. He was impressed.

Felix’s face was tight, but he didn’t make a sound while Gavin pulled up a chair and began cleaning and then stitching the long wound. “How the fuck are you going to explain this to your mate?” Gavin joked.

Elias chuckled. “That’s right. How much longer do you have before your ceremony?”

Felix rolled his eyes. “A year. It will be healed by then.”

Gavin lifted his gaze as he finished stitching. “It will be a long ugly scar. Hopefully she’s not the overly sensitive type,” he teased.

Felix swatted at his brother’s head.

Leah gasped.

When Elias turned his head toward her, he found her covering her mouth. Eyes wide. He hurried to her side. “What is it, Little one?”

She was staring at Felix as she lowered her hands. Tears slowly ran down her face.

Felix winced. “Oh, shit.”

“What?” Elias glanced back and forth between his mate and Felix. What the fuck was he missing?

“My sister,” Leah finally whispered.

A murmur spread around the room.

Elias stiffened as he pulled his mate into his arms. “I’m sorry, Little one. No one is supposed to reveal who their future mate is. We fucked up.” He rocked her slightly back and forth, rubbing her back. He was covered in blood, but he wouldn’t let go. They would clean up in a while.

She sniffled and shook her head. “It’s okay. I was just startled.” She pushed on Elias to turn around in his embrace. “You better be a good man,” she ordered, staring at Felix. “My sister is all that is light and good in the world. She has worshiped the thought of you with stars in her eyes for years.”

Felix came closer and dropped down to crouch in front of her. He took her hand and held it loosely. “I swear to you I will treat her like spun gold, Little one. You have my word. I’ve never set eyes on her, but she is already my heart and soul.”

Leah nodded before she turned back to wrap her arms around Elias.

Heavens, what a day.