Free Rising Shadows by Bridget Blackwood Page B

here. The drive back to Bastien's place is quiet . Our place, now . Still hard for me to believe there is an us . Will there always be an us? Are werewolves monogamous? All my stuff is still at my old apartment. Unless Anna got rid of it. This is making my head hurt.
    We get back to the house and Bastien walks over to sit on one of the kitchen stools. His eyes aren’t as bright as they should be, dark circles have formed underneath. Tension in his shoulders has him rubbing the back of his neck absentmindedly. I stop in front of him and replace his hands with mine. Gently massaging the knots drags a moan from him. He rests his forehead in the center of my chest. His arms hug me around the waist.
    My poor wolf.
    “What are we going to do, Bastien? If the Fae won’t help, then we need to get back into Richland somehow and steal Keller a sample of the virus.”
    He grunts.  “Is your plan to make me stupid with your sweet hands so I’ll agree to anything? Because it’s working.”
    In mock disbelief I ask ,  “Would I do something like that?”
    Bastien pulls my arms down from his neck and slides his hands into mine.  “I haven’t known you long, but I would say without a doubt that you’d do anything to protect my niece.”
    I bristle at him calling Livia his niece. Why am I mad? She is his niece.
    Bastien pulls me onto his lap.  “Why are you upset? I can feel you pulling away from me.”
    I duck my face.  “It’s stupid. I’m possessive of her. She isn’t even related to me,” I mumble.
    Hugging me tighter, Bastien brushed my back with his hand.  “She is now. You are her Aunt through our mate bond. But you two are so much more than that. You didn’t give birth to Livia, but you love her as fiercely as any mother. Blood doesn’t always tie a family together.”
    “When this is all over will I lose her?” I whisper. Tears again? I’m such a cry baby.
    “No, baby. I won’t let anyone take Livia from you. Once she’s better she’ll live here with us. First we have to get her well again. I think you’re right about Richland. I’ll get a sample for Keller.”
    I jump off Bastien’s lap.  “Are you crazy?! Did you hear me at all when I told you what they do inside Richland? They could throw you in the tank with someone like me.” I’d be broken if he died. When did I fall in love so completely?
    Angrily, I stalk out of the kitchen. I’m angry at myself for being vulnerable, angry at Richland for what he did to Livia and I, and angry at Bastien for being chivalrous. Why’d he have to be such a great guy? This would be easier if he sucked. A tingle in my hands signals to me that my Arcana is kicking up into high gear along with my anger.
    Bastien doesn’t let me get far. He catches my hand and whirls me around to face him. Ah! He needs to stop with all the alpha male manhandling! Maybe. Not really.
    “Rachel, I’m sorry you’re mad, but I won’t let you go back there.”
    “Let me? How do you propose to stop me Mr. Macho?”
    He smiles at me so seductively my panties get damp. Traitorous girly bits.
    “I think we both know I am a clever boy,” he teases.
    Who can stay mad at that?! Hmph. He can think he’s won for now. I won’t stand by and watch him sacrifice his life for Livia and me. When I have the chance, I’m out of here. Keller will get his sample and Livia won’t die. Not if I can help it.

 
    CHAPTER 14
     
    Bastien
     
    I’m furious. Between lending emotional support to Rachel and trying to keep anger under wraps, I’m stretched thin. My niece is dying . I didn’t know she existed until yesterday, and now she may not live past tomorrow. My mate is in agony. It radiates off of her. When she broke down I wanted to rip something apart. I still do, but I need to focus on Rachel. She can't afford for me to go rogue.
    Loving her as is effortless as breathing. After our talk I put her into bed. She needs the rest. I have too much pent up energy to sleep. I pace the living