Page 85 of Entombed By Blood
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Silas
The ghouls findme not long after I collapse. They put me on edge at first, but when they don’t immediately pounce on me and start trying to eat my limbs, it becomes pretty obvious they’re Frost’s sentries. I slouch back against the cold trunk of the tree and grit my teeth against the pain once more.
Vane’s stupid ass stunt almost killed me. My leg—already mangled before the fall—is now shattered. My ankle is twisted at the wrong angle, and I’m pretty sure my shoulder is dislocated. I was in such bad shape after I hit the water that I almost didn’t make it back to the surface, let alone manage the rest of the trek to the Echo Lake Pack. I already know that Gideon is going to tell me it’ll be days until I’m healed.
The circle of ghouls tightens as I struggle to gulp in oxygen. My ribs are cracked, and breathinghurts. It’s not as bad as it could be. Some rest, some food, and I’ll be back to normal… eventually. For now, all I can do is wait and try to ignore the dead, rotting smell that accompanies my protectors.
Even after decades of living with Frost, the ghouls still freak me out. Although they’re protecting me, I don’t trulyfeelsafe until I scent Gideon on the wind. Not long afterward, I hear him and Frost calling for me. As if hearing my alphas’ voices is the permission my body has been waiting for, my mind gives up the fight to stay conscious.
I have vague memories of being carried through the forest over Gideon’s shoulder. Of the pack’s scents surrounding me like a comforting blanket. Of hushed silence, soft sheets, and the muted scent of antiseptic. The pain is like a dull background noise. I don’t have to acknowledge it as long as I don’t wake up.
Until the rich, iron taste of blood fills my mouth.
I suck in a breath and release it on a pained yelp. My spine arches, and agony races up from my thigh, blasting apart my peaceful, comfy place. I snarl and writhe, trying to escape whatever is happening to me.
Then—as suddenly as it began—it stops.
The pain fades like it was never there in the first place.
“What are youdoing?” Gideon’s voice is so loud it hurts my ears.
My eyes snap open just in time to see our black-haired beauty’s expression of terror as she’s ripped from my side and tossed across the room. The smack her body makes as she hits the wall triggers too many memories, making me roar in answering fury.
I launch my body from the bed and place myself between her and our alpha like a shield. My bandages catch on the bedpost and rip, but I pay them no mind. My instinct wants me to protect the weaker pack member, and nothing else matters.
“Don’t touch her!” I snarl.
Of course, the challenge from a subordinate triggers Gid. His own answering growl threads through the room.
“Silas, what—” Finn runs into the room, wearing only a set of loose sleep shorts. His glasses are askew as he stares at the scene before him, and he straightens them before he speaks. “Well, nice to know that you’ve got super-healing powers. When were you going to share that with the group?”
Our omega’s words are like a bucket of cold water over the heated tension. Gideon’s eyes narrow and a small crease appears between his brows as he stares at my leg in disbelief.
“Why is my doll on the floor?” Draven’s voice is arctic, the words clipped as he takes in me, standing between Evie and Gideon.
“It was a misunderstanding,” Evie mumbles, pushing to her feet. “Gideon thought I was hurting Silas.”
Her cool hand rests lightly on my shoulder and I deflate, sagging as my energy leaves me. Our alpha is still staring at my leg like it’s a trick, and I glance down, steeling myself to look at the contorted limb.
Only it’s completely healed. I have the silvery scars from where the lycan’s teeth dug into me, but they’re almost gone. They must be weeks old.
“How long was I asleep?” I ask, incredulous.
“Two days,” Gideon whispers. He whirls back to the vampire who’s hugging the wall behind me. She looks like she’d give anything to become invisible. “What did youdo?”
His voice practically drips with accusation and I sense Evie shrink further into herself behind me.
“Watch. Your. Tone,” Draven snaps, crossing the room to join me. The two of us form a defensive line between our girl and the raging alpha.
Finn places a gentle, soothing hand on the alpha’s shoulder, and Gideon’s posture noticeably droops in response to the omega’s nearness. “Maybe we should give Evie a chance to explain?” he suggests.
Gideon’s nostrils flare as he sucks in a deep breath, then gives a terse nod.
“I’m sorry if I harmed you,” he grits out. “I believed you were harming my beta. I was mistaken.”
There’s a long, tense moment where everyone waits for Evie’s response.
