Chapter 487

“Baby?” I felt a cool cloth on my forehead. I wanted to answer, but nothing worked. My body was frozen, my skin still hot, my mouth dry, and my eyes swollen. “I’m here,” I felt my mother wiping me down, the cooling cloth bringing some peace. “That’s my girl. You have to finish this. We don’t know how to… wake up, baby.”

“Here.” I felt something press against my lips, then cold water trickled down my throat. Instinctively, I swallowed, again and again. The relief was instant, and I moaned, greedily drinking more.

“Baby, I know you’re tired, but you need to finish the ritual with Rick.” She was being kind, but I sensed the underlying panic.

I cracked an eye open, blinking several times before I could see her face clearly. “Mom?” She nodded.

“You’ve done so well, baby, but you have to finish it.” She rubbed the cool cloth over my face, rousing me further. I blinked again and nodded.

“I’m okay,” I sighed as she helped me to my feet. “I can finish.” I wobbled slightly before steadying myself. I waved off my mother and Toya, took a deep breath, and turned to Rick. “Okay, Rick.” I grabbed the knife, pressed down, and it slipped out easily. I channeled my power into him. “I command you to heal.” My words were unwavering. He had to heal; otherwise, he would die.

There was silence for a few seconds, and I worried his wolf was too weak, when Shelly leaned close to his ear. “You better do as Amy told you, or I’ll be so fucking pissed.” She was silently crying, yet insistent. “You better believe if I have to raise our pup alone, I’m going to track your ass down when I die. You don’t get to leave. Do you hear me? You better heal yourself, you selfish bastard, or I will curse you every day and make sure Abby grows up to love fruitcake.”

His neck skin began to knit together, and everyone held their breath. I pushed more power into Rick, giving his weakened body the strength to heal. Finally, after what felt like forever, he took a deep breath, and his eyes fluttered open.

“You wouldn’t dare give our girl fruitcake.” His words were soft, but Shelly dissolved into tears.

“You are damn right I would have, just to spite you.” She leaned in and kissed Rick repeatedly. “You asshole. You scared me.”

My mother looked around. “I think it’s time for bed.” Alannah and Ternen nodded. “Toya, can you show the couple to your bedroom? I’ll take mine upstairs. Shelly… are you okay to help your mate?”

Shelly looked up and nodded. “Yeah. We’ll be fine down here.”

My mother smiled. “Good. We’ll all see each other in the morning, and we can talk about today.” Everyone nodded. She started up the stairs. “Goodnight.”

We passed Wendy, watching the girls, and Lynn, who nodded. “Goodnight, Luna.”

My mother kissed Lynn’s cheek. “Goodnight, sweet girl. Remember…”

Lynn nodded. “He can’t hurt me again.” She offered a faint smile. “I know.”

“But you’ll feel better when he’s dead.” Lynn nodded and returned to her room.

My mother closed the door. “Bed or bath first?”

I sighed. I wanted to sleep, but I was covered in sweat. “Bath.”

“Okay.” She set me on the counter and ran the water. “I know you had to do what you did, but never do that to me again.” Her eyes welled. “You scared the shit out of me, Amy.”

“I’m sorry,” I leaned against the mirror. “But—”

“But you couldn’t not save him,” she finished.

“Yeah…”

“You know you can’t save everyone.” She turned off the water and lifted me into the tub.

“I couldn’t save Carl,” I looked away. “But I could save Rick for Abby.”

She watched me for a few minutes before kissing me. “Call me when you’re done.” She arranged some towels and my robe, then left me alone.