Blood Legacy

16

Evan slid a garbage can underneath me, and though I heaved, nothing but phlegm and bile came out.

"s**t, she's dehydrated." Evan's pale eyes deepened to a silver. "Did they not feed you or at least get you something to drink?"

Tears dripped down from my eyes as the last heave left my body. I sagged into the couch as Liam helped prop me up on my side. I tried to talk, but the pain seemed to take over, demanding deep breaths. No, they didn't.

"Are you f*****g serious?" Liam's loud voice startled me, making my shoulder throb. "In the last three days, they didn't give you anything? Maybe we should take her to the hospital or something.”

What? I'd been passed out for almost three days. It was a little crazy to believe. Every time I started to stir, they'd knocked my ass out again with some sort of inhalant sprayed into a handkerchief.

“You know we can’t. She’s a wolf, and it would make the humans suspicious. We both know our dads were behind this, so we can’t take her to the infirmary either. We have to get her to drink water." Evan stepped back and raced into the kitchen. I heard several cabinet doors open and close. He sounded like he was getting some medicine out as he filled a glass with water. Within seconds, he was heading back in. "She needs to sip the water slowly and take a pain pill. If we don't get both of those into her, she's going to get a lot worse."

"But you said she needed to wake up," Liam's voice growled. "Why would we put her back to sleep?"

"Because if we couldn't, she would be in a world of trouble. But we were able to get her to regain consciousness." He held the pill out to me, but it hurt so damn much that I couldn't move my arm.

"Take a few sips of water and sleep."

"She's in so damn much pain. I can feel it through our bond." Liam took the pill from his hands and placed it against my lips. "Here."

I opened my mouth, ready for anything to ease the pain.

"Are you sure it won't upset her stomach further?" Liam brushed his fingertips along my cheek.

"She's already in so much pain."

"It'll be fine. It'll help her sleep." Evan patted his friend on the arm. "I promise I would never hurt her."

Liam stared into his friend's eyes, searching for something. He must have found whatever it was he needed because he held up the glass of water to me that Evan had blessedly put a straw in.

Not wasting another second, I took a sip of the cool, refreshing liquid and didn't want to stop. I was so thirsty, but I didn't realize how much until this moment. The pain couldn't even prevent me from taking three large sips.

"Hey, easy there." Liam pulled the straw from my mouth. "You can't get too much water in your empty stomach or you'll throw up everything, making this whole thing a lot nastier."

He was right, but dammit … I was so thirsty, and the pain was all-encompassing.

"She needs some rest, and so do you." Evan stood and turned off the lights. "I'm sure she'll call for you if she needs you."

"No, I'm staying right here." Liam sat on the ground next to me and laid his head down to touch mine.

"Okay." Evan went to the front door and opened it. "I'm going to go check on the others and see what they found out. I'll be back soon."

"See you." Liam's eyes stayed on me as he waved his friend off.

As soon as the door shut, Liam turned his head so he was looking into my eyes. "I'm so damn sorry, Mia. If my father had anything to do with this..."

We're here together now. I hated to see him hurt this much. It was close to being worse than my own physical pain.

"That's not the point." He took my hand and lightly caressed my fingers.

It was so gentle I could barely feel it, almost as if he thought touching me too hard would make it all worse. I was amazed by how much he had changed in such a short period of time. He was the caring mate that I, at one time, thought he'd never be. I love you.

I love you too. He sighed and chewed on his bottom lip. Maybe by claiming you, I was being selfish. Look at what it's done to you.

Don't ever say that. His guilt crashing into me like waves through our bond was suffocating. This has all been worth it.

Being kidnapped, shot, and dragged through the wringer has been worth it for you? He arched an eyebrow, and the concern on his face made him look like a broken man.

He wasn't though. No, having my other half accept me and stand by me when I needed it means more to me than anything in this world. I wouldn't have it any other way.

If it hadn't been for Kai, we wouldn't have found you. He sighed and leaned over, kissing me on the forehead. Get some rest.

My eyes grew heavy, and thankfully the medicine was taking the edge off, dissipating the pain. What do you mean Kai found me?

He somehow caught your scent and found you. Liam gave me a sad smile. I guess I can't hate him much anymore. If it wasn't for him, there's no telling what would've happened to you.

I told you he's a good friend. I took in a deep breath that made my shoulder scream at me. I couldn't stay awake much longer. I was so damn tired. But he's not you. For some reason, it felt like he needed to know that. Ever since that party when I first laid eyes on you, it's always been you. My eyes closed as my head began to fade into sleep.

This will never happen again. I promise you. His voice could have been a whisper of my mind, and his lips on my forehead could've been my imagination. Either way, I had never felt safer than with him by my side.

"THERE IS no way in hell I'm going to leave her." Liam's voice was only a whisper but stern.

My eyes began to flutter, and I found Mr. Hale standing at the door, talking to his son. His hair was slicked back, and he wore his usual black suit. His stance was confident but aloof. The only hint of his annoyance was the light flush that was evident in his cheeks. "Of course you will. This isn't an option. You will be taking your place on the council soon, and you need to visit some cities."

"Look at her." Liam's voice was rough. "She got shot. Did you find out who ordered those men to kidnap her?"