Page 6 of Protected By Artemis
The weight lifted off her, and she took a deep gulp of oxygen, nearly choking as the air she breathed tasted thick and acrid in the back of her throat. Then there was the smell of burnt fabric and skin that made her want to vomit.
“Oh gods, I’m sorry, Alpha!” Artemis cried as she sat up, pushing the crushed sunflowers off her. Cade struggled to stayupright, and his face was scrunched up in pain. His hair and face were covered in soot and bits of dirt, but from his expression, she could only guess what his back looked like.
“Why did you do that?” She had to help him. With her magic, he’d be healed in an instant.
Cade winced as she reached out to touch his shoulder. “Damn it, don’t touch me! Leave it, I’ll be fine. I heal fast.”
“You’ll heal faster if you let me?—”
Cade shrank away from her touch. “I said, leave me alone.”
Ignoring that tug in her gut once more, she crossed her arms and harrumphed. “Fine. Go ahead and suffer.”See if I care.
“I savedyou,” he reminded her.
Save her? “Did you forget I’m immortal?” she retorted. “I can’t die easily, and I can heal myself.”
“Yeah, well, your pretty little face would be minced meat if it wasn’t for me.”
Artemis didn’t know what to say to that. While she wouldn’t have died, she could definitely have been hurt badly. As hurt and in agony as he was right now.
Stupid, stubborn wolf!She could take care of that in a flash, but for some reason, he refused her help, just like every person in the place.
“Goddammit.” Cade spat blood on the ground. He glanced back at the barn—or rather what was left of it.
Artemis gasped. There was barely anything left standing in the spot where the structure used to be, except for a few wood beams sticking out from the ground and smoldering piles of timber. For a second, she wondered if anyone was hurt, but remembered it had been empty when she reappeared there. If she had been a few minutes later…well, not even an immortal could survive being completely obliterated.
“What the fuck happened?” Cade growled.
Apollo frowned. “I don’t know. Could it have been an accident?”
“There’s nothing in that barn that could have set off an explosion like that.” Cade attempted to get up, waving away Geri’s hand. “Hannah and the crew strung up a few lights and set up the DJ booth and sound system. But that’s all solar-powered, and we haven’t turned on the batteries yet. Fuck, I hope no one was in there.”
Geri snapped her fingers. “The ticking.”
“Yeah,” Cade said, his eyes darkening.
“What ticking?” Artemis asked as she scrambled to her feet. “I didn’t hear anything.”
Geri tapped her ear. “Shifter hearing, remember? Cade and I heard a ticking sound right before the explosion.”
“You mean, like a timed bomb?” Apollo sucked in a breath. “Who would want to bomb your barn?”
“I don’t know,” Cade growled. “But when I find out, I’m going to hunt them down, and they’re going to wish they were dead.”
Once again, every hair on her body rose, but this time, Artemis knew why.
Cade’s deadly words did not sound like a threat.
No, it was a promise, and one that he intended to keep.
Chapter 2
Cade
Cade strode across the field, his sharp eyes scanning the setup for Geri’s wedding. He tapped into his shifter senses, letting the heightened awareness wash over him. The subtle hum of life, the mingling scents of his pack, and the energy of the flowers and decorations all blended, creating a harmonious atmosphere.
The sun hung low in the sky, casting a golden glow over the lush fields near the community center. Hundreds of chairs were arranged in neat rows, filled with the pack members, and there was a buzz of excitement and anticipation in the air. At the top of the aisle stood a massive arch adorned with sunflowers and roses, their bright colors contrasting beautifully with the greenery.