Fated for the Alphas: The Complete Collection (Nine Book Paranormal Romance Box Set) (18 page)

***

“I’m here, Lia,” Ronan said. “I’ll always be here.”

She recoiled, crying out. Her eyelashes fluttered, but she didn’t wake.

Gently, he laid a hand against her forehead. Her skin was cold and clammy.

“Please wake up soon,” he whispered. Pushing her toward the center of his bed so she wouldn’t roll off, he draped a heavy fur over her. Ronan kissed her on the forehead, but she flinched at his touch. His heart felt like it was being torn in two. He had only heard stories of Bitten people, and most of them ended in madness or death.

“Please don’t die,” he said, “or go mad. Please remember me when you wake up.”

She thrashed in the furs, her legs moving like she was running from something. Ronan wanted to reach out and comfort her, but his touch would probably just fuel her dark dreams. He wished he could help. He would give anything to be able to dive into her nightmares and rescue her. But she had to Turn just like everyone else had. Alone.

Standing in the doorway, he looked back at her. He didn’t want to leave her, but nothing could help her now.

“Don’t worry,” he whispered, to her or himself he wasn’t sure. “Everything will be fine.”

***

She was lost in a world of pain. Her skin was pulling, wrenching, twisting. Incandescent agony filled her to the very marrow. She could feel her bones grinding together, setting her nerves ablaze. There was the awful sound of her tendons stretching, then snapping back into place. She screamed for someone to put an end to her misery, but her tongue lolled uselessly in her mouth. She heard claws scrabble against stone, like some poor creature was desperate to free itself. Lia blinked her eyes open, though the light almost blinded her.

A paw lay in front of her face. She clenched her hand and the claws twitched.

She passed out again.

***

Her eyelids were heavy, but she opened them anyway. It felt like she was crawling out of knee-deep sludge. Her body ached like it had gone through some kind of gauntlet, where no one went easy with their blows.

Lia lifted an arm to rub her eyes, but gave up when her muscles started screaming. Maybe she’d just rest here awhile.

“You’re awake?” someone asked. “I thought you’d never get up. We all did. Ivy said you’d die, and horribly.” She spoke like she was telling Lia that it might be slightly cloudy today.

“Water?” Lia rasped. She would have said please, but two words seemed too much to handle at the moment.

“All right.” The woman poured water from a jug. She held out the glass, but pulled it back before Lia could reach it.

“Hold on,” she said, twirling her light blonde hair. “Let’s make sure you’re not insane first. Who am I?”

Lia looked closer, squinting. The woman did look familiar. Was it someone Lia was supposed to know? Had she lost her mind?

The woman looked at the ceiling, as if hoping to find patience there. “I’m Blossom. Honestly. How could you not know me?”

“Have… have we met?” Lia asked, though her throat tried to rebel at every word.

“No, but surely you’ve heard of me. Everyone’s heard of me.” Blossom gazed at her, as though she were very disappointed. “I guess you can have some water, though.”

Lia drank it greedily. It was crisp and cold, and the best thing she had ever tasted.

“Not so fast,” Blossom said. “Drink slower, or you’ll get sick and Ivy will get mad at me. I don’t want to clean up puke. It’s disgusting.”

Lia did her best to drink slower, though she had the urge to steal the entire jug and down it all. There seemed to be a fire within her that one glass of water couldn’t quite quench.

Blossom watched as Lia finished her glass. “That’s enough for now. You can have more in a few minutes, if you’re still thirsty.”

Lia lay back. Sitting up required far too much effort. But she knew she would want water in a few minutes, or now if Blossom would cooperate. Her tongue felt like sand in her mouth.

“Okay,” Blossom said. “Look at me. This is very important.”

Lia looked over. Hopefully, Blossom would be able to tell whether Lia was okay. She hoped the painful part was over, at least.

“Are you watching?”

Lia nodded.

“Good. Keep watching…” Holding Lia’s gaze, Blossom shifted into a wolf. Lifting her head, she turned as if to show off all her angles.

She shifted back. “What do you think?”

“Oh…” Lia wasn’t quite sure what this had to do with her, unless it was a test of some kind. “Um, you shift really well.”

“But what color would you say my fur is?”

Lia blinked. Was she still dreaming? “I don’t know, maybe light yellow?”

Blossom huffed. “I’d say it’s more of a champagne.”

“I was thinking that,” Lia lied, “I just wasn’t sure what to call it.”

“Really?” Blossom seemed much happier now. “You wouldn’t call it cream, or maybe chiffon?”

Lia shook her head. “No, definitely champagne.” She licked her lips. “This is making me thirsty, though. Do you think I could have some more water?”

Happily, Blossom poured her another glass. “I like you, Lia,” Blossom said as she watched her drink. “I’m glad you didn’t die.”

Lia smiled. She hoped she could stay on Blossom’s good side, at least while the shifter controlled the water.

She heard footsteps outside. Ivy walked in, looking a bit startled to see Lia.

“Blossom!”

“Yes?”

“Didn’t I tell you to come get me if the patient woke up?”

Blossom frowned, as if trying to remember. Then her face lit up. “You did!”

“Then why didn’t you?”

“Oh. Sorry. Lia distracted me. She wanted to see what color my fur was.”

Ivy rolled her eyes. “I’m sure she did. And did you ask Lia how she’s feeling?”

Blossom turned to Lia. “How are you feeling?”

“Fine.” Lia spoke to Ivy, who actually seemed to know what she was doing. “It just feels like I’ve been trampled by a herd of deer. All with very sharp hooves.”

“That’s normal,” Ivy said. “Just lie back for now. Blossom, can you—”

But Blossom was braiding her hair, and didn’t seem to hear.

Ivy sighed. “I’ll do it. And Lia, I’ll tell the Alphas you’re awake.”

She left the room. Blossom trailed after her, still playing with her hair.

“Bye, Lia,” Blossom said.

Lia waved halfheartedly, sinking into the furs. She wasn’t sure she was ready to see Kane and Ronan. She had the terrible feeling that they’d be upset with her for passing out and scaring them.

“Lia!” The shout sounded like it came from the bottom of the stairs. Seconds later, Ronan bounded into the room.

“You’re awake!” He wrapped her in a tight hug.

Lia wheezed as air was forced from her lungs.

Instantly, he let go. “Sorry, are you okay? Ivy just told me that you might be sore. I’m an idiot.”

“I’m fine.” She laughed. “Just… let’s leave the hugs for tomorrow.”

Ronan flashed her a roguish grin. “I can do that. For now, kisses only.” He leaned in, about to make up for the lack of hugs when Kane walked in.

Ronan’s demeanor instantly changed. He sat up, like a steel rod had straightened in his spine. He looked at Kane, his gaze like ice. Lia could have sworn the temperature dropped a few degrees.

Kane froze in the doorway when he saw his brother. Nervously, he glanced at Lia. He clasped his hands behind his back, looking over his shoulder like he wanted to retreat. Taking a breath, he opened his mouth, then closed it again.

“What do you want?” Ronan snapped.

“I wanted to see how Lia’s doing,” Kane said quietly.

“She’s fine,” Ronan said, “unless you plan to Bite her again.”

Kane backed away, looking smaller than Lia had ever seen him. “I’m glad you’re okay, Lia. I’ll… I’ll see you later.” Turning, he practically fled.

Ronan’s shoulders relaxed. He let himself sit, and Lia realized that he’d been half-crouched and ready to spring.

“Do you think you’re being a little unfair?” Lia asked.

“You were out for three days.” Ronan lay back on the bed, deflating like he was letting go of the accumulated stress. “Ivy said she’d never heard of anyone taking so long to Turn. And I don’t think you would have, not if you’d only gotten one Bite.”

“I survived,” Lia said, though the soreness that reached to her bones made that feel like a half-truth at best. “Maybe you shouldn’t be so hard on him.”

Ronan stared at the rock ceiling. “On the morning of the second day, there was a point where I thought I’d lost you. You weren’t responding to anything, I could barely find a pulse. It’s hard to forgive him for that.”

“Can you try?” Lia asked. “For me?”

Ronan frowned.

“Look. I’m in the pack now, right?”

“Not yet,” Ronan said. “You still have to be bound to the pack. That’ll happen this afternoon.”

“All right, I’ll be part of the pack soon.”

“Yes.”

“Well, when I join the pack, I want my Alphas ready to lead. Not ready to tear each other to shreds. Is that too much to ask?”

“No.” Ronan rolled over, draping an arm over her. “I’ll talk to him. Apologize.” He sighed. “He was afraid too, though I don’t know if he’d admit it. First, he thought he’d killed you. Then, after it was clear you’d live, he thought you’d be furious with him. Which, by the way, it’s okay if you are.”

“I’m not mad,” she said. “You told me you both needed to be Alphas, and now you can be.”

“I guess so. I just couldn’t think straight when I thought you—when things looked grim. I wanted to protect you, but there was nothing I could do.”

She rolled over to face him, trying not to drown in his golden eyes. “I’m okay. I’m here.”

“I’m here, too.”

Pressing his lips to hers, he gave her the kisses he had promised. He drew her close, holding her for minutes or hours. Time always acted funny when he was around.

At last, Ronan broke away. “What do you want to do today?” he asked. “You’ll be bound to the pack, like I said, but that won’t take long. Would you like to rest until then?”

Lia wrinkled her nose. “Didn’t you say I’ve been asleep for three days?”

“Not counting the first night.”

“I think I’ve had plenty of rest, then.”

“I wouldn’t really call it rest,” he said. “That makes it sound peaceful. You spent most days writhing and screaming.”

“Sounds like fun.”

“You would know, wouldn’t you?” Delicately, he rested his hand on hers.

“I think it’s past time to get up.” Lia sat, trying to ignore her groaning ribs.

“Are you sure you should be moving?” Ronan held a hand out to steady her, like she was made of glass and would shatter if she fell. “Should I check with Ivy?”

“Just help me up.”

She must have sounded strong enough, or at least annoyed enough, because he complied. Lia swayed on her feet, wishing the floor would stay solid.

Ronan watched her for a few moments, stealing glances at the door as if hoping Ivy would burst in and restrain her patient.

“Are you sure you can walk?” he asked at last.

“I’m standing, aren’t I?” Lia tried not to wobble.

“Can I at least carry you down the stairs?”

She thought about it, and decided she didn’t want to risk breaking her neck. “I suppose you could.”

“All right, then.”

Before she could protest, he gathered her in his arms. It wasn’t so bad being pressed against his muscled chest, breathing in his scent. She could get used to this kind of treatment.

He carried her through the den and into the bright sunlight of the meadow. Lia shaded her eyes until they stopped hurting.

“Do you want me to put you down?” Ronan asked.

“I guess so.” Part of her wished she could curl in his arms for hours.

He set her down, letting her lean against him until she felt ready to stand alone. She took a few steps forward, wincing as grasses prickled the soles of her feet.

A breeze rolled around her, making Lia very conscious of the fact that she wasn’t wearing any clothes. But for the first time she felt free without them, not bare. She was with Ronan, and he loved her body. Why should she care what anyone else thought?

Tiny flowers had started to bloom in the meadow, and the air was alive with life and the possibilities of spring. Lia twirled, feeling like she could get drunk on the wind. She was glad Ronan had brought her outside. She felt brighter out here, stronger.

Ronan watched her, looking so solemn that she had to giggle.

“What is it?” she asked.

“It’s just that that’s the first time I ever saw anyone Turn. I wish it hadn’t been you. I didn’t know it was going to be that bad, and I didn’t know what I’d do if you never came back. I thought I’d never see you laugh or smile at me again. And now here you are. Perfect, as always.”

“That’s what you’re upset about?” she teased. “I’m too perfect?”

“You’re here with me,” Ronan said. “That’s the most important part.” Taking her in his arms, he kissed her soundly. He wove his hand through her hair like he would never let her go. Lia was fine with that. She never wanted to be parted from him.

When she had woken up and seen him running up the stairs, her heart still fluttered like it always had. But there was something else now, something deeper, a steady, satisfied thrum in her very being. There was no question now of whether he liked her, or whether she was worthy of him. He had claimed her, and she was his. Fate may have brought them together, but she would do everything in her power to keep him.

He leaned back, studying her. “Are you sure you don’t want to rest some more? Or at least eat something?”

“I want to stay out here.” Lia felt full of energy. If she had any more, she might burst. There was a restlessness inside her, something that wanted to be unleashed. She could feel it, pacing back and forth. She began to pace herself, though nothing seemed to dull the restlessness. If anything, it was growing stronger.

Ronan watched her, grinning. “You want to shift, don’t you?”

She stared at him. “What do you mean?”

“You were Bitten. You Turned. You’re a shifter now. By the looks of it, your wolf wants out.”

“My wolf?” Her head spun, but the feeling inside her stilled. If a wolf was inside her, it wasn’t confused. It was waiting quietly.