Page 43 of Love That Sass

Weylin joined her inside the spacious suite, standing back while she greeted her grandfather. The older man seemed to be having a good day as recognition sparkled in his warm chocolate eyes. So like Gwen’s, Weylin thought as he shook the man’s hand.

“I see my Gwennie has a fella. You do right by her, boy, or I’ll come looking for you,” Pop warned, only half-teasing.

“Don’t worry, sir. I promise to take care of her.”

“You guys, I am standing right here,” she complained, but her eyes were glossy and her smile wide as she held Pop’s hand with one of hers, and Weylin’s in the other.

“You did good, Gwennie,” Pop said, and prided filled Weylin as he watched her give her grandfather a kiss on the cheek.

They would not have the old man forever, but with his mood improved, and Weylin’s new connection to his mate, he could see the familial bonds tying the old man to Gwendolyn. Without knowing if it would work, he tried pushing a little light into that bond, hoping for the best.

They stayed there, playing cards, and later, Gwen read aloud to Pop from one of her infamous romance novels. Weylin had to remember to ask to borrow that one, since she skipped the steamy scenes. The three of them remained together until a nurse shooed them away with a report from the doctor that Pop’s health was improving, and he was quite comfortable in his new room.

It was early evening by the time they got back home, and Weylin growled contentedly as he lifted Gwen from the passenger seat. Sweetheart that she was, she’d worn herself out making sure her grandfather had enough of his favorite foods and easy access to the TV remote and nurses’ call button. She’d dozed off almost as soon as she got into his car.

“Mmm. Are we home?” she asked.

“Yeah, baby. Hey, do you feel okay?” Weylin asked, suddenly on alert.

Her skin was on fire, and his wolf had perked up almost immediately upon touching her. A cool, fall breeze rustled the leaves near his cabin, but Weylin took no time to enjoy the scenery. Something was wrong here.

“Derrick!” he shouted, knowing full well the Alpha would hear him across the patch of grass that sat between the Pack house and his cabin.

He hustled inside, placing her down on the sofa. Weylin started by removing her jacket, shoes, and socks. He ran a clean washcloth under the faucet and came back with it in his hands, pressing it to her head. Gwen moaned, curling up on the couch with her hands across her stomach.

“What’s happened?” Derrick asked as he pushed his way inside without knocking.

“I don’t know. She’s sick or something. My Wolf is freaking out,” Weylin growled, kneeling down on the hardwood floor beside Gwen.

“Hey,” Lucy said, hands on her belly as she walked over to them and felt Gwendolyn’s head. “She has a fever.”

Weylin growled helplessly as Lucy doctored his mate. Worry consumed him, and the beast inside was raging.

“Did you claim her?” Derrick asked sternly. His eyes glowed with his Wolf as he followed Weylin’s nod.

“Yes. But I’m not sick, Alpha. Fuck, we don’t get sick! Are humans allergic to the bite?”

“You bit her? Even though she’s human?”

Weylin nodded, swallowing down the bile threatening to out itself from his lips. Fear clenched his stomach, and his Dire Wolf was shredding him from the inside out. After everything, he’d finally claimed his mate, and what—he made her sick?

Shit. No. This couldn’t be happening.

Please, please be okay.

“I’m calling Thor. He might know something,” Derrick grumbled, pulling his cell phone from his pocket.

Weylin nodded, sweat dotting his brow. Gwendolyn moaned loud. Lucy was still holding her hand, her big blue eyes darted from Gwen’s prone body to Weylin’s drawn face.

“She feels so hot, Wey. I don’t know what this could be,” the Alpha fem said, looking concerned.

The pounding of footsteps reached the cabin, and Weylin moved in front of Gwen. He couldn’t help it. His Wolf was going nuts.

“Easy,” Derrick commanded, using his Alpha voice. But something freaky was happening.

Weylin growled at his Alpha, lowering his gaze, but snarling, nonetheless.

“You bit her when? Last night? During a full moon?” Thor asked, entering the house.

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