Chapter 52

Rose

Hours later, I stroke Mav's strong jaw. "Do you want to go talk to Cade now?"

"No." His answer is instant, and I can't help but grin. "But we probably should."

"Yeah." He gives me one more kiss and then rolls off the bed. I stare at him, taking in his strong body and wondering how in the world this man belongs to me.

"Keep staring at me like that and we're not going to get out of this room, Healer," he growls at me. Since I know he's not teasing, I quickly sit up and climb out of bed. I glance around for my clothes.

"Mav, where's my..." I turn to see his glowing eyes trailing over my body. I take a step back. "Mav, we have to go talk to—"

He growls and stalks towards me. But I turn and run into the bathroom, locking the door behind me. You know that lock won't keep me out, right, Mate ? he asks through our bond, his voice full of his wolf.

I can't help but grin; I know I will never tire of being able to talk to him this way. I know, but I'm hoping you will not break the door down. Now, give me a minute to shower and get dressed.

He absolutely didn't give me a minute, but now we're both showered so I guess it all worked out in the end. A few minutes later, he opens the door and puts out his hand to me. For the first time in hours, nerves get ahold of me. He closes the door and pulls me into his arms. "I've got you." He strokes my back before tipping my chin up to him. "I won't let anything happen to you."

My nerves ease slightly. "I know, Mav. It's just we have to leave our perfect little bubble and face reality now, and it's not a super great reality."

He gives me a wicked grin. "We can stay in here; I've got ways to keep your mind off all the problems."

I shove his chest lightly, laughing. "Come on. Let's go." He takes my hand, and we walk down the hallway. I can't help but look down at our entwined hands and smile.

"Cade said he's in the gym." When we get to the gym, he stops outside for a moment.

"You okay, Mav?"

"Yeah, just..."

"What is it?" I ask in concern.

"My wolf and I are having a hard time going in there. Just do me a favor and stick close, okay? We haven't exactly recovered from losing you yet."

My heart softens. "I will."

He leans down and kisses me tenderly. "Let's go." He takes my hand again, and we enter the gym. We take a few steps in, and the place goes absolutely silent. I stop where I'm at.

"Rose." Amber says my name in a garbled voice, and I stare for a moment.

"You didn't tell them I was alive?" I ask incredulously, looking up at Mav.

He doesn't look fazed in the least. "I was a little preoccupied," he says, meeting my eyes and giving me a pointed look. Knowing everyone in this room has wolf hearing, I feel my face heat up. He only grins and squeezes my hand. "Come on, let's go tell everybody you're alive."

"Um, pretty sure we don't have to tell them anything," I say dryly.

"You mated!" Sara squeals, and then we're ambushed. I think it's Sara and Sabrina at first, but after that, I'm not really sure. All I know is there are lots of tears and hugging before it's all over. Finally, Cade stands in front of us. He stares at the two of us, somber. Unsure what to say, I smile and try to lighten the situation. "So, I'm back."

He doesn't crack a smile, not even close. "I'm so sorry, Rose. I didn't keep you safe."

My heart tugs in my chest. "It's okay, Cade—"

"It's not. It's my job to keep my pack safe, and I failed and it almost cost you and Mav everything."

Mav puts his arm around me and pulls me into his side. "But it didn't, Cade. I'm right here," I tell him.

"I should have kept you safe."

I swallow against the emotion in my throat. "The fact that you even think that means the world to me, Cade."

His solemn eyes meet mine. "I won't let it happen again. You're pack, and what's more, you're family. And I protect my own."

The tears come in earnest now. "I've never had a family before." The words get stuck in my throat and only come out in a whisper. Mav pulls me closer, and Amber steps up next to Cade with Paige in her arms.

"Well, now you do," she says softly.

"I consider you all my family, too," I say with what's left of my composure. I make sure to glance up at Mav as I say it. He squeezes my side and kisses my forehead. Cade wraps his one arm around Amber and one around Mav, bringing us all in together for a moment.

"Well, this certainly brightens things up today," Amber says brightly, and I know she's trying to lighten the mood. "We should celebrate."

"Oh, um, I probably need to tell you a few things...all of you," I say, glancing up at Maverick. Amber stills at my tone of voice. "So I, um, sort of met with the wolf creator."

Cade and Amber's eyes both widen, and I look up at Maverick. "How about we go talk?" he says in a low voice.

A little while later, we find ourselves seated around Cade and Amber's table with cups of coffee for them and a cup of hot tea for me. After filling the three of them in on everything that happened, I sit back and take a drink of my now cooling tea.

"We're going to have to let the other packs know," Amber finally says, her face worried.

Cade nods. "Yeah. I'll start with Garrett. They've got the largest pack. We'll meet and see what he says and go from there."

Amber nods. "Okay."

"What did you get from the rogue?" Maverick asks as he crosses his arms over his chest.

Cade levels a look at him. "I'm not sure if talking about it so soon is a good idea."

I glance up at Mav and take his hand in mine. "It's okay. We need to know."

Cade glances at Amber before looking back at us. "He said there was a healer at the facility they were at, and she healed one of the wolves." I suck in a breath at his words, and Cade gives me a reluctant look. "The vampires had her do it, so they would know what she was capable of."

I put my hand over my mouth and feel like I'm going to be sick. "So, the vampires know that the healers can heal their wolf creations now too?" Mav grinds out.

Cade's face is grim. "Yes, and so do the wolves that they've given their serum to—the ones that are stuck in wolf form."

Mav sits back in his chair. "So, none of the healers are safe."

"Yeah." Cade doesn't try to argue with him.

"Where's my phone?" I ask, patting my pockets, feeling desperate. "Where is it?" I ask, shoving my chair back.

"Rose," Mav says, standing. He takes my hand, or at least he tries to. I pull away from him.

"I need to warn them."

"Rose," he says again.

"I need to warn them," I repeat desperately.

He holds my hand still and puts his phone in my hand. "Here."

I quickly go to his contacts. "You have their numbers?" I ask in surprise when I find Wyatt's number.

His dark eyes meet mine. "Every one of them."

I don't waste any more time. I dial Wyatt's number and bite my lip while I wait for him to pick up. "Maverick," Wyatt says into the phone. "To what do I owe this pleasure." His voice sounds anything but pleased.

"Wyatt, it's Rose."

His voice instantly changes. "Rose? Are you okay?" Mav growls low, but I ignore him.

"Wyatt, I don't have time right now to explain everything but you need to keep Samantha close to you. She's in danger." I can barely get the words out for the fear that's flooding me.

It's silent on the other end. "What's going on, Rose?" I recognize that voice; he is not happy. The words get stuck in my throat; so much is flitting through my brain at breakneck speed, I can't get it all sorted.

"The vampires are going after wolves and injecting them with a serum of some sort," Mav says into the phone. "They can't shift back. They're targeting the young and weak or ones on the outskirts of the pack."

"Thank you for the warning, but what about my Sam?" Wyatt says roughly.

Mav meets my eyes, and I nod at him. "The vampires had a healer heal a wolf. So now the vampires know that the healers can heal the rogue wolves, and the wolves know. They're…," he pauses a moment, being careful with his words. "…desperate to be cured before they lose themselves to their wolves completely."

"So, they're going to come after the healers." Wyatt's voice is devoid of any emotion. "And so are the vampires, if they need the healers."

"Yes," Maverick agrees. His eyes meet mine, and I see the menace there. There's a small satisfaction somewhere deep in my spirit, knowing that he will do anything he has to, to protect me.

"Have you told the others yet?" Wyatt asks.

"We're about to," Mav responds.

"Keep me updated."

"Will do."

"Thanks for letting me know," Wyatt says, and I almost smile. At his core, he's still just a really nice guy. "Rose, is he being good to you?"

His question surprises me, and I glance at Mav quickly. I'm expecting him to get mad at Wyatt, but he studies me as he waits for my response. I smile gently, even though Wyatt can't see me. "Yeah, Wyatt. He is. We uh, mated."

"Congratulations. Are you happy?"

I beam at Mav when I answer his question. "I really am."

"Good. Sam will be happy to hear; you'd probably better expect a call from her wanting all the details," he says wryly.

I grin. "Sounds good. Thanks, Wyatt." We call Garrett next, and he puts Paul on the line as well. They knew a little bit because of Liam and Talya being in the dream, but we filled them in with everything else. Garrett and Cade make plans to meet up, and then it's time to make the phone call I'm dreading the most.

"Will you help me call Bryce?" I ask Mav.

"Yeah." He doesn't look any happier than I do.

I know Ava's really hard to get close to, and she's pushed him away time and time again. I've wondered how long the alpha will let her push him away. I bite my thumbnail while the phone rings, and Mav pushes it down gently.

"Maverick."

I take a breath at the sound of Bryce's voice. It's been a while. As nervous as I am to make this call, fear for my friend pushes me on. "Hi, Bryce, this is Rose, Ava's friend," I say, letting him know I'm on the call.

"Hi, Rose." If he's surprised, he doesn't let on.

"Um, so we called with some not very good news; but we felt you needed to know."

"Is Ava okay?" he asks suddenly.

"Oh, sorry, she's fine. I should have led with that." I take a deep breath and begin to explain everything we've learned. Mav and even Cade help until he understands exactly what's going on.

"So, you're telling me that not only are wolves stuck in their wolf form after my mate but vampires as well?" His voice is cold and dangerous. You'd be a fool not to hear the threat in his voice. "Where is Ava now?" His words are slow and distinct, and I have a feeling he's close to losing it.

"She's back with the Northwoods Pack," I tell him quietly.

"Not anymore, she's not." I'm not sure he even realized he said those words out loud. I bite my tongue, so I don't say something to enrage him. I don't think Ava's going to go peacefully with him, but they'll have to figure it out. I can't get her to do anything she doesn't want to do. He'll have to find that out the hard way.

"We're getting a meeting planned," Cade tells him.

"I'll be there for it."

We hang up, and I take a deep breath. "Do you think I should have warned him?" I ask Mav.

"About the blonde healer?" Mav asks.

I roll my eyes. "About Ava, yes."

"Nope. He's going to have to figure out the wildcat all on his own."

I grimace because he's not wrong. Eli throws open the door to the room, startling me. Cade doesn't look surprised. Actually, none of them do. "You knew he was coming," I grumble.

Mav gives me a guilty look. Sorry, I'll try to do better at giving you a heads-up. I'm not used to the bond yet.

"We've got something," Eli says.