Page 93 of The Alpha's Fallen Spell
But I’m too late. The blade slides between Erik’s ribs with a wet sound that makes my stomach lurch. Erik staggers backward, crimson spreading across his shirt.
Michael advances, weapon raised for the killing blow. “Should have minded your own business, Commander.”
The gun is steady in my hands. I don’t hesitate, don’t think about right or wrong or consequences. I just know that Michael is about to kill Erik, and I can’t let that happen.
I pull the trigger.
The shot is deafening in the confined space. Michael’s expression shifts from madness to surprise as the bullet hits him center mass. He looks down at the growing red stain on his chest, then back at me.
“Well,” he says conversationally, and then he collapses.
The gun is shaking in my hands as I stare at him, realizing what I’ve done. I killed him. I actually killed someone.
“Fiona.” Erik’s voice is strained but urgent. “Fiona, look at me.”
I tear my gaze away from Michael’s body to find Erik leaning heavily against the counter, his hand pressed to his side. Blood seeps between his fingers.
“Oh no,” I whisper, rushing to him. “How bad is it?”
“I’ll live,” he says, though his face is pale. “Are you hurt?”
“I’m fine.” I press my hands over his, trying to stem the bleeding. “We need to get you to a hospital.”
“No,” he says firmly. “It’ll heal.”
I want to argue, but the look of determination on his face stops me. Instead, I help him to a chair, my hands trembling as I grab towels to press against the wound.
“I killed him,” I say, the reality of it finally hitting me fully.
“You saved my life,” Erik corrects ne, his green eyes intense despite the pain.
I stare at him. “Why?” I whisper. “Why are you here? I told you to leave.”
He meets my gaze directly, and he shrugs. “I’m not going anywhere, Fiona. I’m here to stay.”
The words hit me harder than I expect. Forcing my eyes away lest he see the tears in them, I scowl. “You’re such an idiot. Come on. We have to wash your wound properly. Can’t do that down here.”
I help him up the steps to my apartment and lead him to the bathroom.
“Take off your shirt.”
Erik’s lips twitch. “Are you trying to take advantage of me?”
It takes me a moment to understand what he’s implying, and while no amount of flirting by anyone has ever worked on me, this ridiculous question manages to fluster me.
“You wanna clean your own wound?” I demand, refusing to show him how his words got to me. “Be my guest.” I shove the soft towel into his hand. “I’ll be outside.”
His laughter is low as he grabs my wrist to pull me toward him. He must have forgotten his own strength because when he yanks me, I go stumbling into him. My chest is against his, our faces inches apart as I stare at him, his hand curled around my wrist.
And for a moment, as I gaze into his eyes, I feel bewildered—even more so when I see the heat there.
Chapter 16
Erik
Fiona’s scent washes over me, familiar and nostalgic. My wolf stirs in excitement at our proximity. Her body is pressed to mine, and I feel her breath catch when she looks up at me. Her wrist is still in my hand, but I loosen my grip immediately, afraid I’ve pulled too hard—forgetting for a second how fragile she must still feel.
“I’m okay,” she says quietly, but her voice is tight.
