Chapter 40

Sigand I were seated at the table in the dining area when Talia walked by with Sage's tote.

"Where are you going?" Sig asked.

She continued walking. "Laundry."

"She should burn it." He watched her continue to the small room off the kitchen.

We sat in silence for a few minutes. When Talia returned, she brought three beers. After taking a seat and handing out the bottles, she gave us an update. "She's going to shower."

I nodded. Lycans had a heightened sense of smell. Too many days had passed since Sage had last bathed.

"She looks ill." Sig voiced my concern.

"She is ill. Very ill." Talia sipped her beer. "I can smell the infection."

"What did she say?" I asked as I made sure I didn't shatter the bottle with my grip.

"She's confused by your behavior, Bredon." She gave me a searching look.

"It was a shock to see her…like that," I admitted. In truth, I did not understand what I was feeling. I had planned to meet Sage at the bus terminal and force her to answer my questions before I allowed her into the SUV. However, as the time neared, I felt like I could not do it. The weeks of confusion about why she would not tell me where she was had turned into anger.

Now, I was in shock at how ill she was. She was a wraith, a human near her death.

"She's lost thirty pounds or more," Talia told us.

"She's too weak. My wolf registered it immediately," Sig added. "It is close to the end."

We were predators, but most Lycans would not bother with one considered too weak. We left them for the scavengers.

I had anticipated that the weeks of uncertainty would have taken a toll on her. But…the woman who had followed Talia from the bus station looked nothing like the Sage I had met and loved.

Sage had an energy about her. Her eyes shone with intelligence. Now, dark circles were beneath her eyes, her skin was dull, and her hair hung lank past her shoulders. She behaved as if each step took effort. Even her posture was changed. She tucked her arm against her left side protectively.

"Let her freshen up, fill her belly, and get a night's sleep," Talia offered.

I knew that food and sleep weren't going to cure Sage. It might be too late for intervention, and I was not ready to hear that. "Arrange for the healer"

I heard our guest slowly walk to the bathroom. Soon, the water was turned on.

"Do you have something she can wear?" Talia asked me.

"Probably."

The door to the bathroom opened. A few moments later, Sage stood in a towel at the end of the hall. "Could one of you help me with the bandage?" She didn't wait for one of us to reply before returning to the bathroom.

I looked at Talia.

"She is your Mate. She needs your help," she told me firmly.

Sig was staring intently at his beer bottle, not breathing a word. He knew I did not want him near my vulnerable mate.

I should not be excited at the thought of Sage needing my help. She was unwell, and yet my wolf rejoiced. "Can you find something for her in my closet?" I asked Talia.

"I'll hang it on the bathroom door." Talia knew not to interrupt my time alone with my mate.

I slowly stood and walked to the bathroom. I lightly knocked on the door and did not wait for permission before entering.

Sage faced the sink with her hands gripping the vanity.

The room was cramped, and her stink filled my nostrils. Somehow, I managed to close the door.

She watched me in the mirror. "I wasn't…I mean, I didn't mean for you to have to…help," she ended softly.

"What do you need?" I sounded gruff as I flexed my fingers because they wanted to stroke her body.

She lifted her hair and displayed her back. "Can you pull the bandage off? I can't reach it."

I took a small step closer. The skin surrounding the bandage was red and irritated. "It will cause you pain."

"I'm used to it." She let out a resigned sigh. "It wasn't so bad at first, but now…I can barely raise my arm."

I used one hand to hold the skin taut as I lifted the adhesive. Her skin was hot to the touch, and she broke out in a sweat as I worked it off.

Although she tried not to react, her body flinched several times.

"The bandage is stuck to your wound." I tossed what tape I managed to pry loose into the wastebasket. I could see where the seepage had discolored the gauze pad since it had last been changed.

She looked toward the shower. "Maybe under the spray?"

"Get in." I slid behind her and held the curtain back, allowing the steam to fill the room.

She gripped the wall as if she were worried that she might fall.

I closed the shower curtain, leaving enough room to see her in case she lost her balance. Next, I toed off my shoes, removed my socks, and emptied my pockets before pulling off my shirt. I climbed in behind her, still wearing my jeans.

She seemed unsteady as she pushed off the wall to make room for me. "Uh… Oh," she sputtered, slid a little, and got a mouthful of the water.

"I don't want you to fall." I wrapped one arm around her waist gently as she coughed and spit out the water.

I wanted to believe I was being helpful. I grabbed the soap, reached around her other side, and began rubbing my hands over it to make suds.

"You don't have to…"

"I do." I pulled her against my body, and once I was sure she was balanced, I began washing my mate's body.

At first, she stood stiffly, trying not to lean against me. As the minutes ticked by, her body rested against mine as slight tremors took over.

I rinsed the shampoo from her hair. "I need to work on the bandage."

"You can rip it off. It doesn't matter if it hurts." Her voice was low and breathy.

"It matters to me, Sage." I knew that it was my bite mark that was infected. This was my fault that she was suffering.

She placed her palms on the tile in front of her and leaned forward, allowing much of the water to flow over her upper back.

I started at the bottom of the bandage and slowly lifted it from her wound.

"Truly, Bredon, just do it. Rip it off," she urged. "Going slow is worse." She'd begun to shake slightly.

I didn't want to do it. However, I saw no other choice. I jerked the bandage upward and away.

She made a sound of pain and then rested her cheek against the tile with her eyes squeezed shut. She was breathing heavily.

I dropped the bandage and wrapped my arm around her belly, pulling her against me. "I'm so damn sorry, Sage."

Her tremors were more pronounced, and I worried that her legs might not hold her much longer. I lifted her into my arms easily. She rested her head against my shoulder.

I turned off the water and pulled back the curtain. After I climbed out, I sat her on the vanity. Using the provided thick towels, I wrapped one around her body and another around her hair.

When I was sure she could balance, I unbuttoned and unzipped my soaked jeans and let them fall to the floor. I stepped out of them and kicked them to the side. I grabbed a third towel and quickly rubbed it over my body. Then I picked her up again and carried her into my bedroom. I pulled the covers back and gently placed her on the bed.

She was too tired to pull the covers over her body, so I tucked the covers around her, covering her nude body.

"Thank you, Bredon…for everything," she whispered.

"Sleep, my darling." I watched her roll to her side, and in two breaths, she was asleep.

I dressed quickly and then cleaned up the bathroom. I dumped the towels and our clothes in the laundry room and returned to the table.

"How is she?" Talia asked.

"Exhausted." I frowned. "She is very weak." I turned to Sig. "I want the healer to see her tomorrow as early as they are able."

Sig pulled his phone from his pocket.

"My bite is making her ill." I couldn't look at them. "It is infected, and the area surrounding the punctures is inflamed."

"Should I share that with the healer?" Sig asked.

"Yes." The damage was done. It was my duty to do everything I could to help her.

Sig got up and headed to the kitchen to make the call.

"What can I do?" Talia asked.

"Figure out dinner. I'm unsure if she will wake, but if she does, I want her fed."

"On it." She pulled her phone from her pocket and began scrolling. "When Sig finishes his calls, I will continue with the laundry."

I sat back in the chair and drank my beer, hating that my only option was to wait.