Page 81 of The Wolf's Mate

“Sounds like it was you. Has Ender talked to you about your magic?”

It was the same thing Michael said. Rose thinks I have magic, when I only have weird little voices in my head telling me where to find wolfsbane.

“No…but I don’t have magic,” I admit.

Rose purses her lips, and then drags my hands to Rip’s chest. “Can we try something? I’ll guide you through it, but you’ll need to trust me and yourself.”

My confusion only deepens, but what other choice do I have? Rip will definitely die if I don’t do something. If this is even a chance to save him… “Yeah, okay.”

“Close your eyes.”

I do and wait for my next instructions.

“I want you to picture Rip and the memories you have of him. Channel the love you have for your mate and the need to make him feel better. Just feel.”

I don’t know how this is going to help Rip, but I do as she asks. I think back to the first time I saw Rip. How handsome I thought he was. I remember our first kiss at our mating ceremony. I didn’t know then that the kiss would change my entire life, but it was the catalyst for love. Every moment after was like trying to feel that way again without giving in to our feelings.

Falling in love had never been so easy or surprising. The comfort I feel with Rip is like nothing I’ve ever experienced before. I’m not ready to lose that. I don’t think I’ll ever feel like I’ve had enough time with him. I want many more days with him. To show him I can be the mate he needs.

I push love into our bond. His connection to me is faint, but he’s still there. Michael didn’t erase us completely. I fill the bond with warmth and devotion. With strength and healing. But will that be enough to bring him back from the gates of death?

I don’t know.

I’m not sure how long my eyes are closed or how long I keep my hands on Rip’s chest, but soon I feel a gentle hand on my back. “Open your eyes, Hettie,” Rose says. Something in her tone gives me pause.

Did I fail?

Slowly, afraid of what I’ll see, I open my eyes. A wishful part of me hopes I’ll see Rip without a scratch on his body. But when I stare down at the man I love, nothing has changed. He’s still bloody and bruised.

I failed.

“No, you haven’t,” Rose says, and I don’t realize I’ve said the words out loud. “Look at him, Hettie. Really look at him.”

And so I do.

Through my helplessness, I didn’t see the changes in him right away. I scan his body and stop at his lip. Moments ago, it was busted and bleeding. Although the blood is still there, it no longer is puffy or bruised. His eyes, though still a little swollen, aren’t blackened or swollen shut any longer.

His body is still covered in blood, but the deep gashes are now scabbed over. Some are faint pink lines. He’s not breathing strangely anymore. His chest rises and falls normally.

I blink once in case I’m imagining what I’m seeing. Rip isn’t completely healed, but he is healed. His wounds look days, if not weeks, old now.

I’m crying again, but this time for a new reason. “What just happened? How is this possible?” I sob. Rip’s eyes flutter, which only makes me sob harder.

“You’ve healed him. Mostly.” She laughs softly. “Ender isn’t the most forthcoming with information, so I’m left to figure out why he chose us and discovered our magic. I woke up the cursed dragons in my kingdom. When Thorne told me you led him straight to the cure for your wolves, it made me wonder what else you could do.

“You see, I think our powers are all centered on healing. I didn’t know that for certain until I watched you heal your mate,” Rose says. “I think if we work on that magic—or whatever you want to call it—we’ll get stronger.”

Her words are slow to process. Magic. Healing. Mate. Soon I’ll be able to wonder if her theory is correct, but right now I’m more concerned with the man moving underneath me.

“Rip?” I move my hands from his chest, only to stare down into two deep brown eyes.

“You healed me, Dove.” He grins and goes to move. I don’t miss the wince he tries to hide as he sits up. “I’m fine. Just a little sore, but you took away the worst of it.”

“Never scare me like that again,” I growl, flinging myself into his arms.

Rip lets out a pained gasp, and I curse, trying to pull away. But his hold on me tightens, so I stay firm against his chest.

“Thank you,” he says, and I realize he isn’t talking to me. He’s looking at Rose.