Page 60 of Elemental Healer

“Has Lord Jeff bitten his Consort? And did he have her permission?” Patrick looked up at me with a hint of arrogance in his eyes. “She doesn’t seem to like him, so I doubt she’d give her permission or at least she’d feel like she had to give it.”

“What happens between me and my Consort stays between us.” I clutched the back of her chair to keep from tearing his head from his shoulders.

“Jeff.” Carmon shook his head from across the room.

Nate cleared his throat. “It is common knowledge now that Jeff and Tessa do not see eye to eye on their Consort bond, but that does not mean that Jeff is not an honorable man. I can tell you that he and Lord Carmon have both taken blood from me, and that if I were called upon to do it again, I would do it without question.”

“So,” Saber spoke up, “I guess the question is, how to police the drinking of human blood without permission?”

“We pay people for their blood donations already,” Grace said from behind Uriah. “Why can’t we ask those who want human blood to purchase it then? If it’s an emergency and blood is needed, if people can witness it, or if permission is given, especially written, then maybe that will suffice?”

Hours later we’d come to the conclusion that everyone needed a break. Patrick hadn’t been as helpful in the afternoon after I’d shut down his kiss with Tessa. He hadn’t stopped any conversations like Borgman had, but he seemed to have put a target on my head. Whether or not that made him the traitor was unclear, though.

We piled into the SUV with Drew’s crew, and he was racing out of the garage to get us back home and to his mate. It was agreed that everyone would travel different routes, some longer than others, so we weren’t all driving the same pattern all the time.

Everyone in the vehicle spoke their thoughts and impressions from the meeting as we drove through the city. However, as we left the city behind and the road became less busy, I turned in the passenger seat beside Drew and barked at the car. “I need everyone quiet now!”

Tessa looked at me with wide eyes, the same as everyone else, and I was sure I looked like a wild man with my pent-up emotions coming out.

“Are you okay?” I asked slowly, eyes only on Tessa. My limbs shook with a need to hold her. The possessiveness I felt gnawed at me to climb over the seats and people in my way to reach her, to hold her to me. I’d never felt as powerless as I had today, and it didn’t help that it was my mate, my Consort, that I couldn’t help.

She gave me a smile, but I could see the need in her eyes, the need to be near me as well. Feeling her emotions didn’t help either. However, we couldn’t stop the vehicle, and I wasn’t going to let her take her seatbelt off after yesterday’s accident.

“I’m okay, Jefferson. You came when I needed you.” Her smile fell, and her voice wavered a little. “I didn’t choose to kiss him. I need you to know that. Maybe another would have to fulfill the job, but I couldn’t.”

With hands holding the seatbelt across my chest so I wouldn’t break anything in the car, I gave her the best smile of encouragement I could.

“I know, Noodles. Do not doubt that I know that. I do not think anything less of you.”

Relief left her and washed over me. Had she really been so fearful I’d care less for her after what I’d witnessed? After what I’d felt coming from her?

Hold on, Jeff.Drew pushed comfort through our link, and I gave Tessa another smile before I turned around to watch for dangers.I know what feeling helpless is like. Red’s had contractions all afternoon, and I couldn’t even be with her. I can’t even take the pain away.

I’m sorry.At least Tessa was in eyesight and not in pain. I felt like a jerk. My brother was going through worse.

I didn’t tell you that to make you feel bad. I only wanted you to know that you’re not alone and I have your back.

If the link were there it would be easier. I wouldn’t have to wait until now to ask Tessa if she was okay and let her know I still care for her. It was hours ago Rico kissed my girl, and I had to let others care for her while she feared I thought less of her. She’s never kissed anyone other than me, and he did that to her!

When Traxx got his hands on Red after she ran away, he tried to create a bond between them to break our bond. He bit her and forced her to take his blood. She was so sick thinking I couldn’t love her after that, that I’d throw her away, that she threw up in my bathroom.

I gaped at him, mouth wide open.

Please keep it to yourself. Red wouldn’t want anyone to know.

You have my promise. I won’t say a word.

He nodded, but only I knew that’s what it was.Thank you. My point in telling you that was so you’d know that when I said you need to give her the love and time she needs, you’ll know I wasn’t just saying it. And, also from experience, when you bond with the girl, take her to a bloody bed so she doesn’t have to fight a bond challenge.

It wasn’t that funny, and the memories were tough to think about. So much had happened when Drew and Jazz bonded, but my pent-up emotions and the way he’d said it had me bursting out in laughter. As I laughed, not being able to stop myself, I could feel my emotions lighten and find release. Drew even got in a good chuckle when I snorted—something I never did—but I was laughing so hard it just happened.

“Mind sharing?” Her voice from the back of the SUV was a balm to my aching heart, healing it more than the laughter did.

Drew and I just shook our heads, and he actually laughed out loud when I lost it again.

It seriously wasn’t meant to be funny, man.

I wiped at the tears rolling down my face and shrugged at him.No, but I needed it.

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