Three Days Later
I don’t know how long I was in and out of consciousness, but the first time I opened my eyes, I felt extreme pain all through my body. After that, everything was dark around me and cold. I saw Micah’s face the second time, but he disappeared when I tried to touch him. The third time I came around, I could hear Micah’s voice, but I couldn’t see him. It was as if something kept dragging me down, keeping me away from him.
“Raelynn?”
The voice in my head jolts me awake. I take in a deep breath and look around the room. I’ve never seen it before, but everything around me smells like Micah. The closet door is open, and I can see his clothes. Then, on the floor are two of my suitcases, filled to the brim with my things. It looks like I missed out on a lot. I don’t even remember getting to where we are.
Scanning the room, I focus on the dresser where two pictures catch my attention. One is of Micah and his brothers, and the other is a beautiful blonde hanging on his back. The smile on her face is one I know all too well. Faith.
Lying back on the pillow, I breathe in Micah’s scent. His comforter is a navy quilt, all thick and warm. I pull it up to my shoulders and exhale a sigh of relief. I don’t sense the darkness trapping me against my will. All I feel is … free. And most important of all, I’m aware of Micah in my mind, like he’s a soothing essence keeping me safe. There is no more of Soren’s evil.
However, the memories of everything that happened come flooding back. I remember going over the ledge with Soren and feeling my body break when I landed on the ridge. The pain was so excruciating I thought I was going to die. Then, as if he was my guardian angel, I saw Micah’s face and tasted his blood. It brought me back to life. That is what a true mate can do.
Our bond feels like nothing I could’ve ever imagined. It’s better. Micah is mine. He’s my true mate. I don’t know how I ever could’ve doubted the magic between us. I shouldn’t have, but Soren had a hold over me. How? I don’t know. That’s what scares me.
The sun shines through the window, and I turn my head to face it. It feels warm against my skin, and I soak it up. Then, narrowing my gaze, I focus on the mountains in the distance. They’re large and majestic and not the same ones in South Dakota. There’s only one other place we could be. Wyoming. I’m where I’m supposed to be.
Closing my eyes, I smile and think of Micah.
“Hey. Can you hear me?”
I can hear Micah rummaging around downstairs, but then his steps pound up the stairs. A few seconds later, the bedroom door opens, and he peeks his head inside. “Good morning. You’ve been out for three days.”
Eyes wide, I sit up and peer down at my body. I’m in one of Micah’s T-shirts. My body is clean, and there’s no sign of the gashes I knew littered my body. “Three days? I can’t believe it took so long to heal.”
Micah sits down on the bed and leans in close. “You almost died, Raelynn. You were hurt pretty bad. Honestly, I’m shocked you’re awake.”
“What happened?” Thoughts of Stark and Dany pass through my mind, and Micah holds up a hand.
“They’re okay. They’re here in Wyoming and staying at a cabin just a few minutes down the road.”
“And Soren?” I ask, swallowing hard. My gut clenches with the thought of him still being alive.
A burst of anger resonates through my and Micah’s bond, but it disappears quickly. “He’s dead, Raelynn. He didn’t survive the fall. As soon as I got you back to your place, Stark, Dany, and I packed up everything and left South Dakota. A friend of mine has a private jet, and he had us picked up within a couple of hours.”
Thoughts of the Black Hills pack come to mind. Did they try to fight knowing I killed their alpha? I was friends with many of them, only now, I don’t know if any of that was genuine. Are they all evil like Soren?
“What about the Black Hills pack? What if they come for revenge?”
Micah shakes his head. “They’d be stupid to come here. My niece alone could wipe them all out by herself with her fae magic.”
To have that amount of power is mind-boggling. Not to mention, she’s half-fae and half-shifter. A hundred and fifty years ago, everything was different, simpler even. The dynamics of our world is changing drastically. The rules aren’t the same.
“I’d really like to meet her.” I smile. “She sounds amazing.”
Micah cups my cheeks. “You will. Everyone here is excited to meet you, too.” His hands slide away, and he sighs. “I’m glad we finally get to talk. I’ve been searching for you for months.”
Reaching for Micah’s hand, I bring it back up to my cheek and lean into his touch. I would’ve left Micah alone without a true mate if I had died. His eyes darken, and he closes them, his voice echoing in my head. “I don’t want to think about that.”
“I’m sorry,” I murmur. Then, when Micah opens his eyes, I repeat it. “I am sorry about everything. I had an opportunity at the cliff, and I took it. I can be a little impulsive like that.”
Micah’s lips tilt up in a small smile. “Yeah, I know. You were the same way in the woods that night when you kissed me.”
Giggling, I rub my cheek against his hand. “How did you find us in South Dakota?”
Micah lets out a slow, deep laugh. “Crazy story. My friend, Chase, who loaned us his jet to get you and the others out, ended up finding his true mate with another royal arctic. Zayne knew she existed, but none of us did.” It all sounds intriguing, but Micah shakes his head when he sees my curiosity. “That is a long story. I’ll tell you all about it later. Anyway, she was our enemy for a time, but she came to her senses. Long story short, she’s the one who said she saw three royal wolves in South Dakota.”
A whistle escapes my lips. “What are the odds of that?”
Micah shrugs. “Fate, I guess. Although, I did waste a few months searching the wrong areas. But then, one day, I was close by Chase and his pack, so I thought I’d stop in and say hello.” He rubs his chest. “I don’t know … it just felt right.”
Taking Micah’s hand away from my cheek, I bring it down to my lap and intertwine my fingers with his. “We have a lot to talk about, Micah. I don’t even know where to begin.” I exhale long, and my gaze slips to our clasped hands. “I know I apologized for pretty much being reckless and throwing myself off the cliff, but there’s something even more important I should say I’m sorry for.”
Micah squeezes my hand. “What?”
My throat tightens with unshed tears.
Micah clenches my hand again, and I look up into his calm, blue eyes. “Talk to me.”
“I knew the connection to you was stronger, but I didn’t want to hurt Soren. What we had was different.” Micah’s gaze hardens, but I continue, “It was dark. He’d tricked me into drinking his blood, which in return gave him access to my thoughts and feelings. It wasn’t a normal connection; more like it used a true mate bond and warped it somehow. I can’t explain it.”
Micah nods. “It wasn’t the real thing, Raelynn. What we have is true. We’re still trying to figure out how he could manipulate you the way he did. Not just any normal wolf can share their blood and make it seem like a mate bond. No one I know has been able to do that, not even a royal wolf.”
Jerking my head to the side, I clench my jaw so hard it hurts. I feel violated in ways I never imagined I would. “It was so real,” I whisper. “After he took my blood, I could hear his thoughts just like a normal blood bond. It’s disgusting to know he was in my head.”
Micah places a finger over my lips. “It’s over now. He’s gone, and you’re with me.”
His finger slides down my lips, and he traces it over the curve of my chin; it sends shivers through my body. “What happens now?”
A smirk plays across his face. “Well, if you’re up for it, I know everyone’s dying to see you, especially Bailey and Faith.”
I lay my head back against the headboard. “Ah, my little sisters. It’s going to be strange seeing them all grown up.”
Chuckling, Micah glances over at the picture of him and Faith on the dresser. “It’s definitely been an adventure with them.” He turns back to me. “I’ll have everyone come over tonight. Then, afterward, we can do whatever you want. We have a lot of years to catch up on.”
And I’m looking forward to all of it. “I hope you’re ready for some sleepless nights,” I say, snickering.
Micah winks. “I can handle it. I’m just glad I found you.”
Holding out my arms, I lean forward and wrap them around his neck, breathing in the delicious scent of him. “Me too,” I say on a whisper. “For the first time, I don’t feel like I’m under a spell. It’s strange, but it’s as if I’m completely different now.” I slide my arms away, and the second I meet Micah’s eyes, he kisses me, his lips warm and demanding against mine.
“That’s because we’re finally together. It’s where we’re supposed to be, and it’s only going to get better from here.” He pats my leg and slides off the bed. “Once you’re dressed, come downstairs. We’ll spend the day together; that way we can talk. Then tonight, we’ll have everyone over.”
He walks to the door, and I smile. “Sounds perfect to me.”