20. Levi

20

Levi

D aisy? The sheep had a name? And Sofia knew which one it was?

Kellan and his family were great pet owners, and they were great farm animal owners who were loving and affectionate with every single animal and made sure they had every comfort a large animal could want, but he was pretty sure they had never named a sheep. The dogs, cats, and horses, yes, but not the sheep. There were just so many of them.

That Sofia had named a sheep was sweet, but at the same time, it made his heart ache. She had shown up to the ranch so alone that a sheep had been her only companion. Maybe she had related more to the sheep at that moment, because she had been considering living as a bear permanently.

How could he say no to that? Reluctantly, he shifted into his human form and yanked on his jeans.

He quickly assessed Daisy and soon figured out what was wrong. One of her ribs was cracked and she was bleeding. It wasn’t profuse, but it would need stitches, unless they could use a healing spell on her.

“Has Nora taught you a healing spell yet? Do you know one you could use for Daisy?” he asked.

“She taught me one for humans, one for dragon shifters, and one for Fae and witches. But not for a real animal. Do you think it would work?”

“I don’t know. The magic makes our body chemistry a little bit different. But we can try it.” He patted Daisy’s head. “I don’t think she’ll die if we delay it, but there’s a big risk of infection. She needs disinfectant, stitches, an antibiotic shot, and bandages. I can’t stitch her up right now because I need the equipment from my truck, and I don’t want anyone crossing the ranch to get to it. And if I go, then someone would have to stay with you. I know you can protect yourself, but you cannot be alone right now. Not even for a second.”

She nodded. “I agree. And I can’t call Nora over here. It’s too dangerous. I’m just going to have to try it. I’m not going to use one of the spells tailored for an animal. I’m going to try to make up my own.” She leaned over Daisy and put her hand on Daisy’s side.

He wanted to watch her work, but he had to keep a lookout. All around them members of his new clan were fighting wolves. Thank God it looked like they had the upper hand, or he would have to force Sofia to abandon Daisy. Daisy was important, but she could not come before one of the shifters.

Then he saw Liam looping restraints around several of the wolves at once. Levi let himself relax, just a fraction.

That was a big fucking mistake.

Out of nowhere, a wolf shifter leapt from above the barn. He was in human form and holding daggers.

In one giant leap, Levi transformed into his dragon and charged at the wolf, making sure not to get too far from Sofia.

Levi roared. “That is my mate ,” he yelled, even though the wolf could not understand him. “You will never have her again.”

The wolf must’ve understood something because he shot Levi a nasty grin. “My name is Koryak. And yes, we will. She came with me once before and she will do it again. The problem with your girl is that she’s naive. She has no idea how to live in a pack. She has no idea how to avoid taking advantage of people.”

He could not believe he was talking about her like that. How dare he?

Sofia might never accept him. But what she had given him was enough—she had acknowledged a bond and accepted him to the point that they could share their thoughts telepathically, even if they were never anything more than platonic friends, and that would be enough for him.

Levi easily knocked the wolf aside. He was a big guy, but compared to a dragon’s strength, he was nothing. He went sprawling.

Levi did not have time to deal with him though, because another one streaked toward Sofia.

She was bent over Daisy’s body on the ground. She had no idea a wolf was coming toward with his dagger outstretched. Levi dove forward and slid, spreading his wings out, he managed to deflect the shifter, but not before its dagger pierced his chest.

The fucker had stabbed him!

Sofia howled. “That’s my mate,” she screamed. She rose to her feet, arms lifted in the air as her magic swirled around her. She shoved the energy forward in the blast and hit every single wolf, flattening them to the ground.

They were all unconscious.

“Damn! That was some good work,” Brennan shouted from the other side of the yard. All around them, wolves were sprawled on the ground.

She flung herself toward Levi. “Oh my God. How bad is it? I can start one of the spells.”

“Sofia! Move!” He lunged forward. The magic had not kept Koryak down as long as the others. He had staggered to his feet, and had a dagger aimed right at Sofia’s back.

Levi shoved Sofia to the side, ignoring the red-hot streak of agony through his chest. The wolf was impaired too, and it staggered as Levi threw his weight against him. Levi yanked the dagger from its hand and raised it up.

“She’ll be mine soon enough. I’ll never stop.” He threw himself sideways, reaching for Sofia’s leg.

Levi brought the knife down and sliced right through Koryak’s jugular.

It was over. He was dead.

“Levi!” Sofia yelled. “Your chest. It’s gushing blood.”

“It’s not too bad,” he said through gritted teeth. “It will be fine. Don’t worry.” He let the knife fall from his hands.

“How can you tell me not to worry? You just saved my life and in doing so got stabbed by one of these assholes.” She looked down with horror. His chest was bare after shifting back and forth, and she could clearly see the stab wound.

Seconds later Nora came running over. “Do you remember the healing spells?” she asked Sofia.

“Yes,” her voice shook. “But would you mind doing it? I’m too nervous.” She held up her hands. They were shaking more than her voice. “I’ll be happy to do it but if I weren’t here, you could handle it.”

Levi’s vision became a little hazy. He was starting to drift in and out.

“Levi! Levi! Stay with us,” Sofia shouted right against his ear. It was loud, but he didn’t mind. She was his mate. She could yell into his ear if she wanted to.

Then Sofia’s hands were on his face and Nora’s hands were on his chest while she began to murmur the words to the incantation.

Levi heard Latin words mixed with English mixed with a few Gaelic. He was vaguely aware that Nora had developed a few of her own spells and that they were even more effective than the traditional ones. But all of that seemed very vague and far away as he let his eyes drift shut.

His mate was safe. His clan was alive. That was all that mattered.