Page 30 of Freed Wolfsbane

He clenches his jaw as his navy eyes bounce between mine before he deflates. “I’m sorry, Briar. You’re right that I can’t make that choice for you. I just can’t stand seeing you hurt again. I’ve seen you bloody and beaten and lying lifeless on the floor too many fucking times. I can’t do it again.”

My annoyance toward him softens at the pain and worry in his voice. “I’m sorry, Malachi. I promise I’m not going to get hurt. You’re going to be right there with me, I assume. So, the second I feel any pain, I’ll tell you, okay? And afterward I promise to eat a bunch and then go straight to sleep.”

Malachi lets out a humorless laugh. “If you think I’m letting you out of my sight anytime in the next century, baby girl, you don’t know me very well. Of course I’ll be there with you, and I guess that’s a reasonable compromise.”

“I never thought I’d see the day that the great Malachi Wyldhart compromises with anyone,” Bastian teases.

After flipping him off when their mom isn’t looking, Malachi leans down to press a quick kiss to my lips before he and Xander hop out of bed. Ava giggles at the show of affection. I smile at her as she scoots off the bed. I attempt to follow her, but Xander’s there to gently pick me up and set me on my feet.

If it were anyone but Xander, I’d probably complain a little. With him, I just smile and whisper, “Thanks.” I’m not as incapable of everyday things as my mates seem to think. I managed to do everything for myself and Ava with worse injuries than this, but I do appreciate their concern.

He gives me a heart-stopping smile that leaves me momentarily dazed. “Anytime, sweetheart.”

Shaking my head, I wander over to the closet to get dressed. In less than ten minutes, we’re all ready to go. I’m wearing a borrowed pair of baggy gray sweatpants and a cozy pale blue sweater. Xander was worried about tight pants putting too much pressure on my injury. So, here I am, wearing sweats that are at least three sizes too big. Oh well. I’m not trying to win any fashion awards.

We make it down the stairs and to the makeshift command center without incident. Ava skips off once we’re on the main floor after promising to come check on me later.

Malachi pushes open the double mahogany doors. I’m surprised to see probably fifty people milling around the space. All of them stop to stare at us as we walk in. My cheeks burn at being the center of attention. I duck my head and try to pretend there aren’t a metric shit ton of people watching me right now.

Before we can get very far into the room, a burly, black-haired mage barrels toward us. Rhys Gallagher’s hazel eyes are filled with concern as he comes to a stop in front of us. “Can I talk to you somewhere else, Briar?”

“Um,” I start but don’t get the chance to say anything else because Malachi butts in.

“What’s this about, Gallagher?” Malachi barks.

Rhys runs rough fingers through his dark hair. He opens and closes his mouth as he tries to figure out what to say before he shakes his head. Pulling out his phone, he types on it for a moment before turning the screen my way.

I know about your mage magic. I assume you don’t want every shifter here to know, so can we go somewhere else to talk?

My eyes jump up to his as my breath stalls in my chest.

Well, this isn’t good.

I’m pretty sure mage-shifter hybrids are frowned on by the mage council. Anyone found possessing forbidden magic, like mine, is automatically executed by the ruling mages. I’m also almost positive Rhys’s dad has a seat on the council, so there’s every chance they could already know.

It’d be cool if the universe would chill the fuck out and stop throwing things at me. That doesn’t seem likely to happen anytime soon, so I reluctantly follow Rhys out of the dining room. My steps drag as I prepare to find out what he’s going to do with that piece of information he shouldn’t even know.

CHAPTER15

BRIAR

We walk in tense silence to one of the rooms at the opposite end of the hall. The only sound is the rhythmic tapping of our shoes against the wood floors.

When we reach the plain mahogany door, Rhys pulls it open and steps inside what looks like a study. My boot-clad feet sink into the plush forest green carpet as I make my way to the center of the room where Rhys is. He has his hands shoved in his pockets as he stares sightlessly at the walnut shelves lined with vintage books.

Saint’s the last one to enter the room. He glances in awe at the giant gold chandelier in the middle of the ceiling as he walks over to stand behind me. “So what do you want, Gallagher?”

Rhys startles at Saint’s voice and seems to shake himself out of his thoughts. “I don’t want anything, McAlister. I’m not fucking extorting you, if that’s what you’re thinking. All I wanted was to check on how Briar’s doing.”

Malachi barks out a laugh. “I highly doubt you’re keeping a secret like the fact that my mate is the only known mage-wolf hybrid alive today to yourself out of the goodness of your heart. There are lots of people who would pay millions for that information.”

He lets out a disbelieving scoff. “I have more money than I know what to do with, wolf.” When Malachi still looks skeptical, Rhys sighs. “My sister has forbidden magic, okay? I’m not in the business of turning people over to the council. Your secret is safe with me, Briar.”

“Holy shit,” Saint breathes.

“Tell anyone and I will break every goddamn bone in your body before I slit your throat and watch you die choking on your own blood. Do you understand?” Rhys’s normally hazel eyes glow a deep blue as electricity skates over my skin. I smell the peppery scent of magic as the room fills with Rhys’s considerable power.

My wolf perks up as she senses an impending confrontation, and my stubborn magic begs to be let out. The last thing I want to do is fight with Rhys, so I try to lock everything down. I’m supposed to be more powerful than the average mage. With the amount of power pouring off him, I’m not confident I’d win in a confrontation.

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