Everything was bright white. Every time I tried to open my eyes, salty tears made me shut them. There were spotlights positioned all over the room.

The wolves said it had something to do with making sure the bear knew where to find me. It was a trap. A clear trap, but it wouldn’t stop Oliver. I heard the fight outside the window. There were howls and growls. I heard screams and wailing. But I was powerless. My arms were now tied to the wall the same way my ankles were. I had to lie here helplessly while he fought off an entire pack of wolves to save me.

And why?

Because I had killed their leader. It was my fault. Not his.

I wasn’t sure the tears sliding down my cheeks were because of the light. It was the pain of this moment. Of where I had taken us. Of the danger Oliver was in because of me.

The screams stopped.

I didn’t know whether to be relieved or even more scared than before.

My body tensed with fright. Every part of me was rigid with fear. I heard the door open and felt the footsteps as someone walked toward me.

“Savi,” he whispered.

One by one he turned off the spotlights.

It was a few seconds before I could open my eyes. Everything was spotty when I began to regain my vision, but I didn’t care. I felt Oliver’s hands wrap around me as he untied the ropes.

“I’ve got you.” He dropped to his knees.

“You’re ok?”

He winced, looking down at his side.

“Oh my God. You’re bleeding.”

I bent to look at his wound. It was ragged and the edges of his skin were torn in jagged edges. He was going to need more than a few stitches. His beautiful skin was covered in blood.

“I need to call 9-1-1 for you.” I looked around for a phone. “I have to get you to a hospital.”

There was no way I could drag him a foot, much less carry him out of here. He leaned against the wall.

“I just need a minute,” he panted.

“No. You need blood. Wait, can you get blood? Can they treat you?” I felt panic take over. What medical category did he fall into?

“Call Grayson.” His eyes began to close.

“Ok. You’re going to be ok.”

I searched his pockets until I found his cell phone. I scrolled through the numbers until I spotted the one for his older brother.

I tried to shake him, but his head rolled to the side.

I pressed the number for Grayson and prayed the clan dynast would know what to do to save my mate.

* * *

I waited in the hallway outside a set of French doors. Oliver was on the other side with Grayson and a witch. An actual witch. At least that’s what I was told.

I nervously bit my lip, waiting for someone to tell me what in the hell was going on.

Grayson’s mate walked up the stairs, holding two cups of tea.

“I brought this for you,” Sienna offered the delicate china cup and saucer.

“I don’t think I can drink anything.”

“Why don’t we sit in the study down the hall? I promise as soon as there is news Grayson will find us.”

I didn’t want to budge.

“I promise. He knows you’re here,” she prodded.

“All right. I guess sitting wouldn’t be the worst idea. Thank you.”

I followed her down the hall. We were at the Hawthorne estate in Promise Lake. It was built like a maze. There was room after room. All were elegant and beautiful. But it was hard to appreciate Oliver’s family home when I knew he was fighting to stay alive.

“Can you tell me anything about what’s happening in there?” I asked. “I feel like I’m drowning in all this newness.”

“I don’t know much. But I do know the coven Grayson called in to help is the coven that preserves their shifter magic. If anyone can help him, it’s this witch.” She put a hand around my shoulders and squeezed gently. “I’m new to this too. But I trust Grayson with my life. And he’s not going to let anything happen to his brother. I know that.”

I smiled weakly. “You’re human too?”

She nodded. “As human as I can possibly be while being fated to a bear shifter.” She laughed.

It did sound absurd. I had to laugh too.

“Until I see him and hear his voice I don’t know what I’m going to do.” I couldn’t drink the tea. I placed the cup and saucer on the coffee table.

Sienna glanced at me. “Why don’t I set you and Oliver up in one of the suites at the other end of the house. You can have your own wing. And while the witch is working on him you could take a shower maybe? I can bring you some clothes.”

“I don’t know. I don’t want to be that far from him. He might need me.”

“Honey, he’s going to need you. But you to have some strength and energy for him. You can stay as long as you need to while he recovers. I promise there is lots of privacy in that wing of the house. He’ll appreciate you getting things ready for him.” She eyed my clothes again.

I looked down at what I was wearing. Shit. I looked like a garbage lady. I had been picking out lingerie for my sexy night with Oliver in my bedroom when I was attacked by the pack. I had on a pair of boxer shorts that were a little big and an old T-shirt from high school. It wasn’t exactly my best look. Add to it I had sweated in them and been tied to a dirty old floor and I needed to burn these clothes. The clan dynasta was right.

I nodded agreeing with Sienna. “I think that would be good. But if anything changes, even if I’m in the shower, you’ll come get me won’t you?” I looked at her eagerly.

“Of course I will. I’ll be there faster than a bear.” She winked.

“Ok.

“You’re going to love the Hawthorne estate. It’s the most beautiful house in Promise Lake.” I followed her through the corridors. “I have been redecorating, so I’m a little partial.”

Sienna made it sound as if we weren’t leaving for a while. Maybe that’s what we needed. A place where we could be safe. A place with family. Somewhere we could have privacy, but we weren’t isolated. I had put Oliver in so much danger. I wanted all of that to end.

The dynasta showed me the suite. “This is our room?”

Room was the wrong word. There were at least six rooms on the other side of the entrance. Two bedrooms, a living room, an office, a sitting room off the master bedroom, and the most luxurious bathroom I’d ever seen.

The master suite had a king-sized canopy bed that spiraled toward the ceiling. I walked in slow motion through the rooms. I spied the white marble tub that was three times as wide as the one I had back at the cabin.

“Why don’t you take a bath?” Sienna suggested. “It might relax you.”

“Maybe I will.” I smiled. My body hurt. Hot water might be the only thing that would cure it.

She placed my tea on the counter. “Ok. You settle in and then we can make a list of what you and Oliver need.”

I noticed the designer robes on the back of the door. Everything was already here. I realized Sienna was just trying to keep me occupied while I waited for Oliver’s prognosis.

“Thank you.” I smiled.

“I’m glad you’re here, Savannah. Welcome to the family.”

She pulled me into a hug. “We’ll catch up more when Oliver gets some rest.”

She closed the bathroom door behind her and I heard her heels fade as she left the suite.

This was unbelievable. I started the hot water and poured a cap full of bubble bath under the stream of water. I peeled the clothes from my body and threw them straight in the trashcan. I never wanted to see that skating shirt again.

I touched one toe to the surface of the water before letting my body slip fully into its warmth.

I slid under the water, soaking my hair with the aroma of white tea. Despite how worried I was, the bath did start to work. I felt better—soothed in the same way I did when Oliver was near. And that’s when I heard his voice.