Page 76 of Midnight Moon
He changed the subject. “Can you stand?”
I wiggled my feet, noting how most of the feeling had returned to my limbs. “I think so.” I released my knees and shifted my weight, preparing to stand.
“Let me help.” Chase bent and held out a hand.
I grabbed his forearm, and he grabbed mine. He braced his stance as I pulled myself off the ground.
I stumbled a step, but Chase steadied me with his free hand.
“Thanks.”
“You’re welcome.” He gave me a familiar smile.
I released Chase’s arm, returning his smile. Chase’s hand remained on my shoulder.
“I need to go back to my cabin,” I told him. “My father will be worried.”
“No.” Asher’s command reached my ears. He appeared next to us before I could blink.
I took a step back, startled by his sudden arrival, and nearly lost my balance. Chase gripped my shoulder and saved me from falling.
Asher’s eyes fixated on the hand on my shoulder. His nostrils flared.
Chase’s feet shuffled, but he did not retract his hold.
I took in the odd interaction with a frown. Then, I asked Asher, “No, what?”
Asher continued to glare at his friend’s hand. “No, you cannot go back to your cabin. You are too weak.”
“I’m fine,” I said, shrugging Chase’s arm off. I winced as the movement pulled a sore muscle in my shoulder.
Of course, Asher heard the pitiful sound.
His determined eyes met mine. “You are not fine, Blair.”
“I will be once I sleep this off.” Unless Asher had a magic potion that could cure me of my lingering pain, rest was what I needed.
“Say you return to your cabin; how will you explain your current state to your father?” Asher crossed his arms and raised a questioning brow.
“Um… thetruth,” I stated the obvious.
“Why? What could he do about it?”
I gaped at him.
Was he serious?
“I don’t know,” I replied incredulously, “but I can’t keep this a secret. Sorcerers are targeting my pack.” I waved my arms in the air. The movement made me wobble.
Chase reached out, but his arm was batted away.
Asher’s hand pressed against my back, but he pulled it away immediately. He grimaced like I’d burned him.
I didn’t let his unusual reaction distract me. “This is serious, Asher. My dad needs to know what’s going on.”
Asher gritted his teeth, clearly disagreeing with me. “I told you, Chase and I are investigating the situation. There’s no need to involve anyone else.”
“And I toldyou, if anything else happened, I would tell my dad!” I couldn’t believe Asher’s audacity. What would possess him to think I wouldn’t tell my father about tonight’s attack?
