Pulling into the front of her house, Justin was out of the car before Blake put it in park. He ran to the front door and turned the handle. It was locked. Justin took a step back to break it down right before Blake’s booted foot came cracking into the door, splintering the wood and effectively opening the door. Justin was the first to enter. He inhaled deeply, noting their scents were faint, mingled with some sort of feline, and that they lead outside.
Carter was hunched over in his wolf form heaving as Dee sat next to him stroking his heaving sides. When she looked up she had tears in her eyes, while fear ruled her expression. Seeing the look of devastation on her face made Justin want to join in Carter’s puking episode.
Inhaling deeply trying to control his anger he noted a bitter scent on the wind. He followed it to a dead rabbit on the ground. He picked it up by its ears and Dee ran at him at bat it out if his hand.
Her voice was whisper thin, “I think it was poisoned or something. He was fine before he caught the rabbit.” She choked back a sob as her son continued to dry heave. “Can you heal him?”
He looked to his brother and saw the small shake of Blake’s head. Using his healing ability on poison was dangerous. He’d only done it once before and was sick for two days. At one point they didn’t think he’d survive it because his blood pressure dropped as the poison slowly sank into his system. For some reason he didn’t heal well after poison.
A cool pale hand landed on his forearm causing a bolt of awareness. The scent of poisoned rabbit was replaced with the scent of his mate. Mango. He looked down at Dee’s strained expression as she pulled her hand back like she’d been electrocuted. “Well, can you?”
Going on instinct he rubbed his nose in her hair, inhaled deeply and kissed the top of her head. If this was the last time he ever heal anyone, and it just might be that last time, he wanted to at least do it with her sweet scent infusing his senses. “Of course, I’ll help you.”
Blake sounded indignant when he said, “Just, no, you can’t. The last time-“
Justin’s glare stopped him. “I’m doing it.”
Blake’s eyes narrowed. “I forbid you. Sorry, brother, I can’t let you do it.”
Before Blake could stop him, he lunged at Carter who was now passed out in wolf form at Dee’s feet. As his hand made contact with Carter’s fur, he immediately felt like there were a thousand pins and needles going through his system. He turned away from the boy and vomited once before the change overtook his body. It wasn’t a natural change that flowed with his magic; it was painful as the poison forced his change. He wanted to scream in pain, but knew it wouldn’t do anything other than upset his already pissed brother.
It took him five full minutes to change and every second of it was excruciating. He felt cool hands on his flank and heard Dee sobbing uncontrollably as she held onto her son while keeping contact with him. He heard his brother howling into his phone while yelling at…him. It wasn’t his fault; he hadn’t poisoned the rabbit, or the boy.
His senses dulled as darkness swept over his consciousness and his last thought was; I hope I survive to claim my mate.
Chapter 2
Delilah was sitting on the couch with Dee curled in her lap as she ran her fingers through Dee’s hair. Knowing women loved the comfort of getting their hair played with. Delilah didn’t mind helping her feel better. After all, that’s what alphas were supposed to do; comfort, protect, and love.
She knew Dee had an awful week. She also knew Dee, in part, contributed to the crappy week. Justin was obviously Dee’s mate according to Blake, but Dee was being…difficult. It wasn’t her place to intervene so she decided to simply be here and provide support.
When Dee began to purr Delilah stilled her hand. “Uh…is that you?”
Dee’s response was slurry with sleep. “Yeah.”
Delilah sat there for a few moments with Dee’s head in her lap. No one moved.
“What’s wrong, Alpha?”
“You’re purring.”
“And?”
“What does that mean? You’re not, like, turned on are you? Because I’m not into that.”
Dee snorted her laughter causing Delilah to feel more uncomfortable. “So…every time Mr. Boo snuggled into your lap, he was really trying to get into your pants?”
Delilah knew her eyes were wide with surprise. “Well, no, but you’re a cat.”
“I’m a lynx, one of the top feline predators. When was the last time Mr. Boo took down a deer for food? Calling me a cat is like calling yourself a dog. Are you a dog?”