Chapter Nineteen

Rylan

I watched Pearl’s chest rise and fall with her even breathing while she slept, the sheet barely covering her nakedness. Just looking at her made me want to sink into her. The lust I had for my mate wasn’t something I was ashamed of, even though it seemed to occupy my mind more than anything else. I couldn’t get enough of her taste, her smell, the way she sighed when I entered her, like I was the only thing she needed.

My thoughts revolved around her, but there was something tucked away in the back of my mind that I’d been ignoring. Until now. My wolf was restless, pacing back and forth in my head, urging me to think about our pack. He understood that time stood still here, but the call to duty weighed heavily on him. I couldn’t ignore his insistence any longer.

As much as we both wanted to remain here wrapped up in our mate, we both knew that it just wasn’t possible. There was work to do back home, and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t itching with anticipation. I wanted to get to the bottom of what my aunt had done to my cousin then figure out a way to save him and every other wolf under her thrall. It wasn’t an easy straightforward task, but I was nevertheless looking forward to the challenge.

I turned away from my enticing mate, knowing that if I stared at her too long, I’d be waking her up for another round. She was exhausted, and honestly, I was too. Not that I’d ever get tired of loving her.

My skin felt tight, and the urge to shift and run for several miles was in the forefront in my thoughts, but I wouldn’t leave Pearl, even though I knew it was safe here. She was the most important thing to me, and part of me wished she would stay here where it was safe, but I trusted the Moon Spirit. I needed Pearl by my side for whatever was about to come our way.

“You’re thinking really loudly,” my mate said, wrapping her arms around me and resting her head on my shoulder. “Is it time?”

I sighed, knowing that it was but also hating it. This bubble that we’d created was everything, and I didn’t want to leave it.

“I think so.” The words tasting like ash.

Pearl tightened her hold on me, and I could feel her reluctance and her agreement. It was time to get back to reality. Our pack needed us.

“We don’t have anything to wear,” she pointed out, making me smile ruefully.

“I remember where I left our clothes,” I assured her with a chuckle.

Explaining where we had been to out pack wasn’t going to be easy. The Moon Spirit said that it would seem like only minutes had passed when we got back, which meant that in a few minutes, Pearl and I had completed the mate bond and were well sated.

That couldn’t happen in just a few minutes, that was for sure.

“Are you ready?” Pearl asked, her concern coming through the bond. She was worried about me and still feeling hurt that I had ignored her before.

I hadn’t been ignoring her, just trying to keep her safe. I’d still protect her, but I needed her by my side more than ever. We were a team, partners, and I needed to start seeing her in that role.

“Yes and no,” I admitted, bending so my head rested in my palms. I didn’t want this to end but knew that it would eventually.

“I feel that.” She inhaled deeply while nuzzling my shoulder.

We sat in silence for several minutes, neither of us willing to break the serenity that surrounded us. My wolf nudged me, knowing that it had to be us. I scrubbed my face with my hands before running my fingers through my hair.

No time like the present.

I patted Pearl’s arms that were still wrapped around me. When her hold loosened, I stood and stretched. My muscles pulled and burned, but it felt good. Turning, I offered her my hand; she took it, and I helped her stand. Interlacing our fingers, I brought her hand up and kissed it. She tasted incredible, and the need I had for her bubbled to the surface. I tapped it down and locked it away. There would be time for more when all of this was over.

* * *

Leaving the cabin wasn’t easy, and I could feel Pearl’s sadness to see it go. I led her through the trees in the direction we had entered, recalling the directions the Moon Spirit had given me and following them in reverse.

I thought that we’d feel something once we left, but the transition felt like we were just walking through the forest. The smells were the same, as was the temperature. The air didn’t seem different either.

When we came to the stream, I pulled my mate to me and kissed the top of her head, taking a moment to appreciate the place where we decided we were ready. I smirked, remembering her anger that was justified but also adorable.

We continued our trek and soon arrived at the place where we’d left our clothing. I’d spotted the pile when I went after Pearl and took my own clothes off and shifted so I could track her. We dressed quickly then headed in the direction of the safe house hand in hand. Neither of us spoke, choosing instead to draw comfort from our mate bond.

The pack bond was there, and I could once again access each member through it, but I refrained. Each member deserved privacy, and I would respect that unless I had reason to believe that one or more of them were in danger.

The sloping roof of the safe house came into view first, followed by the face of my second in command, Deacon. He frowned as we approached, probably sensing that something was different about us.

“You’ve completed the mating.” It wasn’t a question, more like an observation.

“We have,” I confirmed, pulling Pearl to my side.

Now that we were back, I couldn’t ignore the need to have her close. Touching her was both a comfort and a curse.

“Anything to report?” I knew that there wasn’t but still needed to ask.

“Estella is asking to see Ledger.” A muscle twitched in his jaw.

So far, it had only been Deacon and I interrogating Ledger. The Moon Spirit advised me to include Pearl. Maybe Estella could help too. If anything, she was family.

“I’d like to talk to her first.” I tried not to read too much into Deacon’s look of astonishment.

“Oh, all right,” he murmured, turning to lead the way to the outbuilding that was my cousin’s temporary prison.

I kept Pearl pressed against me; each step we took toward potential danger had my instincts screaming at me. My wolf balked at the idea of her being anywhere near a threat, but he also understood that she was our partner, chosen by the Moon Spirit. She was our other half, and we couldn’t keep her in a cage, no matter how badly we wanted to.

Estella stood by the door that led to the cellar built into the hillside. Her wolf was beside her, pressed against her leg, like she was trying to transfer her strength to her human half. I had no idea if they could do that since they were separated.

“Estella,” I greeted, giving her a kind smile. She returned it but it wobbled with nerves. “Deacon says you want to see Ledger?”

“Yes, I…” She trailed off, looking frustrated as she tried to find the words. “I think I can be of help.”

Pearl squeezed my hand, but it wasn’t necessary since I could feel her emotions like they were my own. She thought it was a good idea to include Estella. I wasn’t so sure, but I trusted my mate. Plus, Estella is Tamra’s sister, so her insight might prove to be invaluable.

I took a moment to reorient myself. It had been three days since the attack, not including the time Pearl and I had in the other cabin. I’d spent hours with Ledger, trying to get through to him. He never spoke, and I wondered if he even knew where he was. He didn’t acknowledge my presence in the room or anyone else’s. Freeing him from his mother’s control was the right thing to do, but somehow, along the way, it appeared that Ledger had lost himself.

“I haven’t had much success with him,” I admitted, hating that I didn’t know how to help him. “He’s free from Tamra’s influence, but with it gone, there may not be any Ledger left.”

“Have you tried speaking to his wolf?” Pearl’s brows furrowed with worry and concern.

“I can’t seem to reach him.” I shrugged.

“Interesting,” Estella mused, reaching down and stroking her wolf’s head behind the ears.

I glanced at Deacon, curious to see what his reaction to Estella’s request was, and I wasn’t surprised to see him visibly upset. We hadn’t spoken about whatever this was between the two of them, but he was definitely feeling some sort of way about her. I made a note to speak to him after this, one on one.

Opening my mouth, I intended to ask how Ledger had been since I’d been gone, then I remembered that time had paused here. It had only been a few minutes, but it felt like weeks had passed.

I shook my head in an effort to get it screwed on straight.

‘It’s something we’ll both struggle with for a time.’

Pearl was right. I’d need to explain everything to Deacon eventually, but now wasn’t the time.

“Let’s all go in,” I suggested, dropping her hand and stepping toward the door.

“Are you sure that’s wise?” Deacon asked carefully.

“Nothing else has worked so far. Time to mix it up.” I grabbed the door’s handle and pushed it open.

The space was just as I’d left it. The floor was dirt, as were the walls and ceiling with wood support beams. It smelled of earth and stale body odor. Ledger was in the same position he had been in since I put him here. He sat in the corner, his wrists manacled and raised above him. His head lulled on his neck, like he didn’t have the strength to keep it steady. His green eyes were open but distant. It looked like he wasn’t aware of anything going on around him.

A pang of worry stabbed my chest. Did I do this to him? Was this my fault? In trying to save him, had I made whatever Tamra had done worse? Every other wolf seemed to recover perfectly except for him. There had to be more going on.

Everyone squeezed into the small space, the temperature instantly rising a few degrees. Ledger didn’t acknowledge our entrance. He just continued to stare, his eyes glazed and unfocused.

“Ledger?” I asked, speaking firmly, trying to jolt him, but he didn’t react.

I had no clue what else to do. I’d removed the control and freed him, but it didn’t appear like he was free at all. I didn’t know how to help him, and desperation returned in full force. My mind whirled as I tried to come up with something, but my thoughts were interrupted when Pearl stepped to my side. She was a soothing presence, her touch calming the sea of anxiety I was trying to navigate.

‘The Moon Spirit said I could help.’

I had no idea how she was going to do that, but I was willing to give just about anything a shot.