Free Azure (The Silver Series Book 5) by Cheree Alsop

again.
    “ We patched you up and
carried you back. Nora was so exhausted Brian carried her most of
the way.”
    “ Brian?” I didn't hide my
shock. He was always the most volatile against Hunters, and he
didn’t bother to conceal his disapproval of Nora every time our
paths crossed.
    Traer smiled. “She tried to refuse his help.
I think that's what won him over.”
    I laughed, then grabbed my side as pain
knifed through it where the branch had been. Something twisted deep
inside and nausea rolled through my stomach. Bright spots danced at
the edges of my vision.
    Traer's eyes darkened with concern and he
unwrapped the bandages. I twisted gingerly to see the wound. The
skin where it had been was pink with healing and would leave only a
round scar the size of a golf ball where the stick had protruded,
but he didn't look satisfied. “You were pretty messed up. All I
could do was put things as close to right as I could and let your
body do the rest.” He hesitated like he didn't want to tell me
something, then sighed and gave in. “I spoke to your mom about it.”
He rushed forward to fend off my frustration. “Your mother said
there are cases where such wounds heal, but not as they should.
Only time will tell if you've truly recovered.”
    I pushed myself up slowly, ignoring the
throb in my side. “Then I guess we'll leave it to chance.” I forced
a smile, but Traer didn't return it.
    He put a hand on my bruised chest. “You
should probably take it easy. Being unconscious for two days
doesn't exactly scream optimum health.” He glanced down at the
bruises. “Those should have healed by now. Rest is your best
bet.”
    I gave a true smile at his concern. “Have
you ever been able to convince me to listen to reason?”
    He rolled his eyes and shook his head.
“No.”
    I stood up from the table, then stumbled
when my knees threatened to give out. I caught myself on the edge
of the counter and threw him a look I hoped was confident. “I'm
famished. What's for dinner?”
    He sighed and led the way out of the room. I
followed faster than my body wanted to keep up. I would pay for it
later, but the wolf side of me refused to show weakness. I didn’t
know whether it was survival or stupidity that kept me walking when
I wanted more than anything to go to my rooms and sleep, but I
forced my feet to keep moving and followed Traer to the
kitchen.
    A surge of energy ran through my body at the
sight of Nora and Seth chopping vegetables on the counter. Thomas,
Brian, Drake, and Johnny sat on various surfaces around the kitchen
talking and joking around. I leaned against the doorway and watched
Nora reach over and adjust Seth's grip on the knife.
    “ Remember that you're
slicing a cucumber, not someone's neck. Hold it softly, like
this.”
    The other werewolves laughed and Seth turned
bright red, but he gave her a grateful smile and proceeded to slice
more gently. Johnny glanced over and saw us watching. His eyes
widened and he jumped off the counter and cleared his throat. The
others noticed and rose, too. Brian nodded at me, a slightly
embarrassed smile on his face.
    Nora said something to Seth, noticed he
wasn't paying attention, then followed his gaze to me. Her eyes
widened and the green of them sparkled in the kitchen light before
they filled up with tears. “Oh, Vance,” she said. She rushed over
and threw her arms around my neck, hugging me so tightly I had to
force my fight or flight instinct down so I didn't hurt her. She
then stepped back and looked at me, a slight blush to her cheeks as
though she realized she had crossed some unspoken line between us.
“How do you feel?” she asked, still with an edge of excitement.
    “ I've been better,” I
replied honestly.
    Traer lifted an eyebrow, but I ignored
him.
    A hush had fallen over the kitchen. Nora
seemed unaware of it. “I'm so glad you're awake.”
    I glanced at the others and they all turned
away and pretended to be occupied with other activities.