Chapter 48

I would not allowdoubt to enter my head. Time was running out for Sage, and I had to do everything I could to keep her alive. It was my duty as her mate to see to her safety.

I would save her.

I knelt next to Sage's nude, prone body. Talia stood at her head and Sig at her feet. I began the prayer to the Goddess. "I beg of you, Goddess, to hear my prayer. Save my Mate. You have blessed me with a woman who is intelligent, kind, and brave…she's so brave. She will be an asset to the Lycans as we serve you in this life. Lady, hear my prayer."

Since Theresa had shared her research, I had been on edge.

I knew the answer to saving Sage was close. My wolf rode me hard, causing me to pace whenever I was still for longer than five minutes. While waiting for Sig and Talia to arrive with dinner, I glanced out the sliding doors and saw that the moon appeared to be floating outside my balcony. I knew then that She was the answer.

Sensing movement to my left, I slowly lifted my head.

Sig was studying Sage. He wore a curious expression. "She's not dead. I can hear her heart beating. But…she's not here."

I stared downward at my Mate. She was eerily still.

Talia frowned. "I think her spirit has left her body."

My wolf pushed to the surface to check on her. He wasn't alarmed, so neither was I.

"It is time to begin." I pulled my shirt over my head and dropped to my knees next to her body.

"What should we do?" Talia looked apprehensive. She understood this was our only chance to save Sage.

"Stay close." I did not know how to communicate that I would know what to do when the time was right.

Sig straightened. "We will watch over you both."

I closed my eyes and searched for my magic. My wolf was waiting patiently. He would guide me.

I pulled the bandage from her wound. The area around the puncture had turned black. I called to my wolf, and my teeth lengthened. I leaned over my mate and began to chew away the infected skin. The poison of the infection was bitter. It burned my tongue and throat.

My wolf stopped me from spitting it out. I needed to swallow what was cleared.

Next, I used my canines to widen the puncture, and I began to suck the poison from the wound. When my mouth and throat began to feel numb, I would pause, straighten, and look at the moon. Soon, the feeling passed, and I could continue.

I lost track of time. My nose burned, and my lips felt raw. The last thing I could think to do was to lick the newly exposed skin and larger punctures.

These were not light passes with my tongue. I pressed my rough muscle against the newly exposed skin, abrading the area to promote healing. I tasted blood, but there was no hint of infection remaining.

I sat back on my heels when I finished, panting loudly. "It is done." I gently lifted my mate's body into my arms, then sat on the blanket, cradling her to my chest. I was afraid to kiss her. I did not want the poison to touch her again. I could only rest my forehead to hers.

Time passed, and my wolf sensed that she was stirring.

I called to the moon. "Goddess, I have followed your directions. I, Bredon Redd, your servant, and my intended, Sage Isaacs, ask for your blessing on our mating. She is a magnificent gift and the other half of my soul."

Sage's head moved away from mine.

I loosened my hold, curious to see what would happen.

She looked around with half-open eyes. "Is it over it?" she asked sleepily, her words slurred. "I told Her that I wanted to be with you. To Live."

Her words caused my heart to thunder through my veins. I acted on pure instinct—a male claiming his mate. My wolf urged me on.

I twisted her body and bit her again, doing my best to match the prior puncture marks.

Sage flinched but didn't cry out.

I released my jaw and licked the droplets of blood away from her wound.

"I want to be your mate forever," she said. "Please, Goddess, please grant our plea." Her head fell back, and her body went limp in my arms.

For a second, I feared she was dead. However, again, my wolf was not worried, and that calmed me.

I continued with our petition. "Please, Goddess, bless our union."

It felt like I had touched a live electrical wire, but it was two hundred times more powerful. Every muscle in my body seized. My heart stopped.

Sage let out an anguished cry of pain.

Talia screamed, "What is happening?"

I had no idea, but I held my mate close as I changed forms.

In the elevator, Sig stood close. "Are you sure you can carry her?"

I glanced at my sleeping mate. "Yes." There was no way I would turn her over to another.

Talia watched me closely. "You are pale, and your muscles are straining."

"I need to rest, then I will be fine." I hoped I sounded sure. I trusted my friends; otherwise, I would never reveal a weakness.

Sig took the lead position as we walked back to my condo. He opened the door. "Do you want me to stay here tonight?"

I must've looked exhausted for Sig to make the offer. "We will be fine, my friend."

"As you wish." He gave a slight bow and motioned for Talia to walk before him.

She turned at the door. "We'll patrol the hallway."

"Thank you, sister."

I carried Sage to our bedroom. When I placed her on the bed, she began to stir, and then her body stretched.

"Hmmm. Bredon?"

I sat beside her. "I'm here, Mate."

"I feel funny." Her voice was soft.

I swept her hair from her eyes and then felt her forehead. "You are not warm."

"It's like I need to stretch and stretch forever." She lifted her arms over her head and straightened her legs.

I noted that she could move her left arm easily. "Does that help?"

"Not really." She grinned and moved a leg closer to me. "Now what?"

"I have no idea." I rested my palm above her knee, lightly stroking the soft skin of her inner thigh. I liked feeling connected to her. "How does the bite feel?"

She moved her left shoulder up and down. "It doesn't hurt, but I can feel the skin stretching. That's a good sign, right?"

"Right." I felt a degree of relief. I hoped that this worked. Already, her gaze was clearer, her voice stronger.

She fell quiet for a moment, then asked, "Is it weird that I'm hungry?"

I was overjoyed. She had not asked for food since we'd reunited. "What would you like?"

"Let's see what we have?" She slipped off the bed and opened the dresser drawer, then pulled out one of my t-shirts.

That made my wolf happy.

I followed me to the kitchen. "I might be out of practice, but I can cook."