He kisses my hair and mutters something I can't hear before returning to the estate.
The fight is dying down fifty feet through the trees from us. I keep glancing towards the estate and hoping Nicholas can appear. And when he emerges, I rise to my feet, rushing towards him. He's bloody, but none of it is his. I take him in and throw my arms around him. He holds me tenderly and kindly.
" I'm sorry I was late, and I'm sorry he almost took you," he apologizes.
" I'm fine," I assure him. My body still trembles, but being in my mate's embrace makes me feel ten times better.
He takes my hand, and we enter a small clearing away from the injured warriors and camps. Lily and Blade emerge through the clearing, and behind them, a frowning Knox.
Lily takes one look at me and sprints towards m
