Page 14 of Mortals and Mayhem
When we reach the penthouse floor, Reed meets us at the door and shows us to the guest room.
“Lay her on her stomach, gently. Reed, can you bring me clean towels and a bowl of warm water. I need to clean these wounds before they get infected.”
Riley’s fist still grips Enzo’s shirt as he attempts to take a step back. A sad whine echoes through the room as he pries her finger from his shirt, his wolf clearly in distress over the idea of leaving her. Evident also by the torment in Enzo’s eyes as he takes two steps towards the door and looks back at her still form on the bed.
“Enzo,” I call out as he steps over the threshold of the bedroom door.
He waves over his head and calls out, “I’ll be back. I need to settle the wolf.” The front door opens and closes with a slam so hard the vibrations carry through the penthouse.
“He doesn’t need to break my front door,” Reed comments, coming back with a large bowl of warm water and an armful of towels. He places them on the empty nightstand and hands me a stack of washcloths I hadn’t seen tucked in his elbow.
“Thank you,” I say, taking the cloth and stepping in closer to inspect the damage done to Riley’s back and exposed limbs. Cutting away the torn and dirty fabric to get at her wounds, I drape towels along her body, an attempt to respect her modesty.
Thankfully, none of the lacerations are so deep they require stitches. I set to work cleaning and bandaging the wounds. I give her a shot for the pain; however, I’m not sure how effective it will be considering her recreational habits.
Just as I finish up with one of the largest cuts running from her shoulder down to the middle of the back, she lets out a soft whimper as I dab at the deepest part, sealing it shut with a butterfly bandage.
“Why is she whimpering?” Enzo bursts through the door with a growl.
“She’s okay. It was just a deep cut on her back, but she’ll be all right.”
His nostrils flare as he scents the air. His eyes glowing gold, an indicator his wolf is pushing to the front again.
“Help me get this shirt on her,” I tell him, trying for a distraction from his—and her—distress.
Enzo helps me to carefully slide one of Reed’s shirts onto Riley and settle her into the bed, still on her stomach. He pulls a chair over to the side of the bed and settles himself in, keeping watch over her while she sleeps.
I exit the room, quietly pulling the door closed behind me. I can hear the sigh of relief that escapes Enzo when he is finally alone with her. All we can do now is wait and pray. Pray to the Gods that she’ll pull through this next part in one piece. Pray that she has the strength to fight and push through the pain. Pray she’ll accept the comfort that we can offer as her mates. She’s strong on her own, but being mates, we can ease some of her suffering and lend her strength to help her through this.
Chapter 11
RILEY
Everything fucking hurts, from my toes to the tips of my hair. I’m on fucking fire—skin-melting, bone-charring—burning from the inside out fire. I want to scream—to claw at my throat, everywhere the fire licks—but the smallest movement sends scorching flames and pain rippling through my body.
Fuck ... someone make it fucking stop.
A track of wetness travels down my cheek. A mental sigh washes through me with the mercy the simple tear provides, a cooling sensation against the scorching. More tears flow from behind my burning eyes, and a warm hand cups my cheek as a finger wipes them away.
No, please. Leave it.
Gods, I want to open my mouth. I want to voice the pain, the heat boiling in my veins, the panic rising up inside of me. I want to know what the hell is happening to me. I want to open my eyes and face my tormentor.
A swimming sensation fills my mind, and a heaviness wraps around me, pulling me down into a pit of oblivion. Into the darkness, to merciful relief.
A groan vibrates in the back of my throat and tremor ripples through my body. Coming back from the darkness is an agonizing and torturous process. The fire burning just under the surface is still present but dulled slightly. There’s a peaceful warmth seeping into me from under my cheek, and I can’t help but nuzzle my nose into it, breathing in the fresh scent of sandalwood and oranges. The scent relaxes the burning and restlessness crawling under my skin, giving me some relief from the torment my body is causing me.
I nuzzle deeper into that scent, wrapping it around me like a protective cloak. The more I take in, the further the burning sensations recede, releasing my lungs and allowing me to breathe again. My hands fist the material under my face, and the pillow I’m resting on releases a deep, throaty growl that vibrates through me.
My eyes snap open, and I am met by a pair of sable brown eyes flecked with a shimmering gold. Frozen, I stare into those eyes. There’s a warmth behind these eyes that tells me not to be afraid. A desire to protect and comfort shines in their depths.
My wolf perks up as I dive deeper into his eyes, and they start to glow with the light of an inner animal. A gasp of shock escapes me. I’ve seen those eyes. Recognizing his wolf, my own prances around with excitement, filling me with a sense of peace.
I should be terrified right now, being like this in the arms of a stranger. As though reading my thoughts, his arms tighten around me. However, lying in his arms like this, all I feel is safety and belonging.
As his wolf calls to mine, and she responds in kind. The contentment she feels right now is peaceful and welcomed. She’s been on edge for so long, much of that is of my own doing, and the last thing I want is to deny her this. I nuzzle a little closer, instinctually rubbing my nose along his neck, almost like I’m marking him.
His eyes are fixed on mine as I lean in, and I’m memorized by his pupils as they react to my nearness. The warmth of his breath caresses along my cheek. Bracing my hands on his chest, I sit up slightly, sliding one leg across his lap until I’m straddling him.