Page 26 of Freed Wolfsbane

When his wild emerald gaze lands on me, Bastian breathes out a sigh of relief. “Pretty girl! There you are. Holy fucking shit.” He bends over to place his hands on his knees as he tries to catch his breath. “We thought something had happened to you.”

“Fuck. I’m sorry. I forgot to text you guys.” Malachi sheepishly rubs a hand over the back of his neck as Bastian glares at him.

As Xander and Saint pile into the room, Bastian straightens up and practically runs to me. I have time to smile at my other two mates before Bastian snatches me from Malachi and hoists me into his hold, wrapping one arm around my back and the other under my ass.

I wind my arms around his neck and my legs around his waist, not caring about how my abdomen feels like it’s being stabbed by a white-hot fireplace poker. All I care about is feeling Bastian against me and inhaling his spicy citrus scent. It’s only been two weeks since I saw him, but I’m not really sure I believed I would see any of them again.

“Careful,” Malachi hisses. “She’s still injured.”

“Shit, I’m sorry, pretty girl. Did I hurt you?” Bastian’s voice is anxious as he pulls back to stare at me.

“No,” I lie, not wanting to make him feel bad.

One side of his mouth quirks up. “You’re not a very good liar.” With one last gentle squeeze, Bastian reluctantly carries me back to the bed. “Move,” he tells Malachi, who rolls his eyes but complies. Bastian sets me down next to Malachi and crawls in on my other side. When he’s situated, he slings an arm around my shoulders and pulls me into him.

I snort. “Only around the four of you it seems.”

He chuckles and glances at Dr. Stone. “So, what did the doctor have to say?”

“We haven’t exactly gotten that far.” I wince as I remember that Dr. Stone has been here the whole time, silently chilling out as Malachi and I have a heartfelt discussion.

That’s not awkward or anything.

Glancing between me and the doctor who is patiently waiting for me to let him do his freaking job, Bastian’s face lights with understanding. “Would you be more comfortable if Xander checked you over? He helps out in the clinic all the time, so Dr. Stone can just tell him what to do.”

I’m not sure how Bastian knew what was going on by just looking at me, but I’m grateful for his suggestion. The fear and apprehension that had been locking up my muscles and squeezing my chest drains away. “As long as you’re okay with that, Xander?” I ask hesitantly, unsure whether he’s pissed at me.

A soft smile pulls at his mouth, no hint of lingering anger darkening his green eyes. “Of course, sweetheart. Anything to make you more comfortable.”

Xander unbuttons the cuffs of his white dress shirt and rolls up the sleeves as he walks to the bathroom. I hear water running before he walks out drying his hands on a paper towel. “Where do you want me to start?” he asks the doctor.

“I planned to start with her general vitals before inspecting her abdominal injury.” Dr. Stone hands Xander a stethoscope and a blood pressure cuff.

Bastian hops out of the bed and reaches over to gently tug me so my legs are dangling over the edge. I raise my eyebrows at him. “I am capable of moving myself.”

He flashes me a grin before his face turns serious. “I know, but I haven’t touched you in two weeks, so indulge me, pretty girl.”

I huff but don’t protest any further. It’s kind of hard to disagree when he’s being so sweet.

Xander approaches me, the stethoscope around his neck. “Is it okay if I put the stethoscope under your shirt? I’ll get more accurate readings that way.”

I nod, and he rewards me with another smile. I’m not sure I’ll ever get used to seeing Xander like this, smiling at me instead of snapping.

He puts the earpieces in. One of his hands holds the bottom of my shirt down while the other slips under. His warm knuckles graze between my breasts before I feel cold metal pressed against my sternum. “Just breathe normally.” I do as he says. Xander nods to himself and moves the stethoscope to another part of my chest. “Now take deep breaths.”

After checking my breathing in a few other spots and taking my blood pressure, Xander quietly confers with Dr. Stone for a moment. While they’re talking, I notice Saint standing uncertainly in the doorway, not making any move to come closer.

“Saint?” I ask.

His head snaps up at my voice, his stormy gray eyes guarded. “Yeah?”

“Why haven’t you come over here?” I try to keep the anxiety from bleeding into my voice, but I’m not sure I succeed. I can’t help being worried that he’s still pissed about everything from the church.

“I didn’t know if you’d want to see me.” Saint speaks so quietly I can barely hear him.

My brows jump up in surprise. “What? Why wouldn’t I want to see you?” If anyone has anything to be mad about, it’s him and the Wyldharts, not me.

“Because I couldn’t narrow down the search area enough so we could find you faster. We clearly didn’t get to you in time, and I’m so fucking sorry.” He shoves a hand through his brown hair in agitation and refuses to meet my gaze.

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