Page 94 of Wicked Fate

“Fate no.” He grasped my hands. “That was out of your control.”

“Then how was tonight any different? Because if you feel guilty about tonight, then I need to feel guilty for each time you got hurt and I couldn’t protect you.”

The truck lurched to the right, and we drove past a weathered wooden sign that stated Blue Ridge Campground - Site 7 with an arrow pointing down a narrow gravel path.

A storm of emotions brewed on his face, but before he could respond, the truck crested a small hill, and my breath caught.

The clearing stretched before us, bathed in moonlight. This wasn’t a campground, this was a staging area. Dozens of vehicles—trucks and SUVs—were parked in a loose semicircle.

Wolf shifters and witches mingled all together. They all looked tired, but there was an edge of eagerness to them. Each one stared at our truck as Reid pulled up and parked.

The moment the engine died, Ryker captured my face between his palms. The love and affection he felt for me exploded into my chest.

You're right about all of it.His thumb traced my cheekbone.I'm sorry. It's just— Loving you this much feels like carrying my heart outside my body.

Before I could respond, Gage's face appeared, and he smiled as he lowered the gate of the truck. "You're really okay!" He jumped into the truck bed and pulled me away from Ryker, giving me a bone-crushing hug.

Ryker snarled and jumped to his feet, smacking Gage in the back of the head. He snarled, “She almost died not even an hour ago. Let her go.”

Gage released me with a sheepish grin, raising his hands in surrender. "Just making sure she’s real."

The truck doors opened and shut, and soon Reid, Sun, Briar, and Ashlyn joined us.

I scanned the clearing, noticing I couldn’t locate the two remaining members of our small pack. "Where are Xander and Kendric?"

"In the SUV at the end," Gage answered, nodding toward a black vehicle parked at the edge of the clearing. "Kendric’s not doing well, and Xander is trying to help slow the bleeding.

My stomach twisted. I'd been so caught up in my own recovery and the argument with Ryker that I'd forgotten how badly Kendric had been injured.

I stilled as a thought came to me. If I could heal myself, could I heal others? My memory went back to when Ryker was near death, and the warm magic that I now knew was fae had flared in me and pulsed out of my hands into him. If I’d helped Ryker, maybe I could help Kendric.

I jumped down from the truck bed. Greats Grandfather’s warnings echoed in my mind—I needed to keep my fae lineage secret. But Kendric's life hung in the balance.

Where are you going?Ryker asked and caught my arm.

I met his gaze steadily.I think I can help Kendric.

How?he linked.

I explained to him my hypothesis.

Okay, you should try, but we keep it a secret outside of our pack. Only the six of us know.He released my arm with a reluctant nod.

Deal.I didn’t like keeping things from our pack members. Doing so had caused a lot of problems after all.

I hurried across the clearing, my heart hammering against my ribs. The black SUV loomed ahead, its back door hanging open. Inside, Kendric lay across the backseat, his face ashen beneath his tan. Xander knelt beside him, pressing a blood-soaked washcloth against the jagged claw marks in Kendric's chest. The metallic scent of blood filled the confined space.

“I think I can help him, so can I take your place?” I lifted a brow.

Xander’s brows furrowed, but he moved out of the vehicle.I can’t believe you’re standing here. I thought we’d lost you.

Well, you’re stuck with me for at least a little longer.I took Xander’s spot and moved between the captain row seats next to Kendric.

His seat was leaned all the way back, and I placed one of my hands on the warm, soaked towel.

Kendric’s breathing was shallow, each inhale rattling in his lungs. The wound was worse than I'd realized—deep gouges that exposed muscle and bone.

Still, Kendric opened his dark eyes and gave a small smile.It’s good to see you unharmed, but I don’t understand how it’s possible. Either way, I’m glad I kicked some ass before I completely go out.

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