Page 10 of Mated
Lilah shifts and looks at T.
His silver irises gleam. “You’re human.”
It’s not really a question, but I answer anyway. “Damn fucking right.”
He rocks back and scrubs his face. I expect him to appear haggard, upset. Instead he remains just as hot and frustrated as before. “Well, this just got fucking awkward,” he murmurs.
“Awkward how? And what do you mean super healing? How bad was it?” My head whips back and forth between them.
“Bad enough we portaled you as a human,” T says.
Portaled? What the fuck does that mean?
“Do you have shifter blood anywhere in your immediate family tree?” he asks.
Eyes wide, I nod. “Grandfather was a shifter guard for a plantation few towns over. But my parents are both human.”
T exhales. “Look, most humans with shifter blood lines can be changed by a fresh introduction of good ol’ shifter virus. If you have shifter in your family, and one that is recent, it would explain your healing.”
“So …” I peer between them, heart slamming, “I’m going to turn furry now.”
T nods, no change in his rigid expression. “Most likely. Full moon is still a few days away, but no shifter—bitten or otherwise—can resist the moon. We’ll know for sure then.”
Lilah grabs the dark-haired guy’s arm. “Ruin …”
He peers at her, and the look that flows between them is heated, loving, and too fucking tender for words.
I fight not to retch.
Love is a dream notion. A fantasy.
My parents were proof of that.
When I glance away, my eyes meet that pair of near glowing silver irises as T continues to just watch me in silence.
“Want to start with your name? Or why you were on private pack land?” He steps a pace closer as he speaks. That deep echo is back, and it rumbles through my body in waves.
“Nisha,” I say, almost in monotone, unable to look away. “Nisha Rawlins. I’m a firefighter in town.” I pause. “We’re still near Fallen Ridge, right?”
Lilah nods, smiling gently.
Thank god for that small fucking miracle.
“Caine,” she motions through the others to a dark headed, goth looking male barely visible at the door, “brought you here by portal with Tanner.” She jerks her thumb to T.
I appraise him.
Tanner.
It suits him and it nags at me, like I’ve heard it before.
“The silent one by the door is Gage. Horan is guarding this hall, and this mountain is Ruin. My … husband.” She fumbles the last word, hand on the dark-haired guy’s arm. “The guys and I are part of the Lock Lake Coven. We’re in town for a few days—camping.” Another pause. It’s a partial truth, and I have no idea how I know.
“When Gage and Tanner came across you on the creek’s edge, they got you here as fast as they could. I know it’s a lot to take in, but we have a few questions … Now that you’re awake and coherent.”
“Badges?”
Every male pulls a slim medallion out from under their T-shirts, and the Lock Lake crest of two swords and a wyvern glares back.
