Page 85 of Taming of a Wolf

The doctor smiles. “The surgery went great. Jace is in recovery now. I’ll let you know as soon as he starts to wake up, but he’s going to be fine.”

All the tension bleeds from Jamie’s body, and he slumps back into his chair. “Thank you so much.”

She squeezes his shoulder. “I know how you feel. I was devastated when my son broke his arm.”

My fingers curl. Jamie will accept a stranger’s touch before he accepts mine?

He hides his face in his hands, sniffling. “I feel so awful.”

“These things happen, Mr. Sullivan.”

Hopelessness claws at me. Jamie’s blaming himself for Jace’s injury, but it wasn’t his fault. How can I make him see that?

Once we’re alone, I sit down beside him and hand him a package of snacks. “Eat, pet.”

“Thanks…” Jamie tears open the package and scoops up a handful of nuts and raisins. His eyes fall shut as he chews, his head tilting like he’s on the cusp of sleep.

“Get some rest.” I squeeze his leg. “I will wake you when Jace is up.”

Forcing his eyes open, Jamie shakes his head. “I need to be there. I promised I would.”

I want to argue, but the tone of his voice implies he won’t take no for an answer. “The healer was right. This wasn’t your fault.”

Jamie swallows with effort, then crams the snacks in his pocket after only eating a handful. “I’m responsible for him, and because I wasn’t there, he got hurt.” His voice wobbles.

“You can’t always be there, Jamie.” I pull him to me. He’s stiff in my arms, and he doesn’t return my touch. Fear makes my insides tremble. Why is he pulling away from me?

“I should have…” Jamie’s throat clicks when he swallows. “I should have made him stay home.”

“No. You can’t restrict his freedom because something bad might happen.” My poor mate isn’t thinking rationally right now. Gods, I wish I knew what to say to ease his guilt. If Wulfric were here—

Jamie leaps up when another healer rushes up to us. “He’s waking up,” he tells us.

We arrive in Jace’s room and sit by his bed. Several layers of bandages cover his arm, but he sleeps peacefully, so he can’t be in much pain. I brush some dark hair away from his forehead. “Brave lad.”

Jace’s long lashes flutter, and he opens his eyes.

“Hey, bud.” Jamie leans over the other side of the bed. “Feeling okay?”

“My throat hurts,” Jace rasps.

The healer brings him a paper cup of water and tells us that Jace can go home. He gives Jamie and me a list of instructions and a bottle of medicine, but everything he says goes over my head. Jamie listens raptly, nodding or asking questions. I wish I could give the boy some wolf furs. That would heal his arm in no time at all.

Once Jace is up and dressed, Jamie escorts the sleepy boy back to the car. As we drive home, Jace falls asleep in the back seat. Jamie puts the car in park and slumps against the wheel. “Home. Finally.”

It feels like an age since we’ve been home. “I’ll get the boy.” Stepping out, I walk around to the rear passenger door. Movement across the street catches my attention. There’s a figure reclining against the window of a store. The burn of magic hits my nose, making my spine stiffen as my wolf growls low in my chest.

What is a witch doing here? They must be part of the coven that gave me trouble.

“Anders?” Jamie’s waiting by the door.

Tearing my gaze away reluctantly, I carefully maneuver Jace from the back seat. The figure hasn’t moved when I look up. Giving them a final glare over my shoulder, I follow Jamie inside. I help carry the lad upstairs, and Jamie unlocks the front door for me. “Wait,” I growl and hold Jace out to him. Frowning, Jamie takes him from me. I ease open the door just enough to poke my head inside and draw in a deep breath. The apartment is dark and quiet, devoid of the stink of magic. That doesn’t mean a witch hasn’t cast a compulsion spell to mask their presence and ambush us. “Stay,” I command Jamie, not giving him time to answer as I proceed deeper into the apartment.

Only once I’ve checked every room do I decide it’s safe enough. “Come in,” I say and take Jace from him and carry him to his room. Slowly, I lay Jace in bed. He grimaces, eyes fluttering. The poor boy must be exhausted.

“Are we home?” His voice still sounds scratchy.

“Aye. Safe and sound.” Hopefully, that witch across the street is just observing me. “Are you in any pain?”

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