A Crown Of Fire And Wrath (The Shadow Walkers Saga #5) - Sloane Murphy Page 0,30
without you. I won’t survive without you.” He reaches up, his hand cupping my cheek before he kisses me softly. He pulls back, and the fear in his eyes hits me. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him truly afraid.
“I will try,” I whisper, and lean my head against his chest, listening to his heartbeat as he holds me tightly. I won’t promise him anything, because I don’t want to break it, but I mean what I say. I really will try to be mindful. I saw his face after Bauer stabbed me, before Michael arrived. He looked broken. Like he might tear the world apart.
“What happened to Bauer?” I ask quietly, not sure how I feel about him right now.
“He’s gone,” he says, his body tenses beneath me, but I don’t lift my head from his chest.
“Good,” I sigh, and sink into his embrace a little more, not willing to dwell on exactly how gone he is regardless.
“We should let the others know you’re back, Angel. It will only have been a day here since I left, but they’ll be anxious to make sure you’re okay.” His lips move against my hair as he murmurs the words to me softly.
“I know the feeling. Are you sure they’re here?” I ask, pulling back from his arms, half-surprised they haven’t realized we’re back. Levi tilts his head to gesture behind me. I turn and see my other guys waiting at the threshold to the manor, Roman seeming to be being held back by the other two. I step out of Levi’s embrace fully and move towards my guys with a smile, and that’s when they move, Roman pushing past Creek and Kain to get to me.
He always has been the most impatient of them all. He wraps his arms around me and lifts me from the ground when he reaches me, spinning us around. He squeezes me so tight, I’m thankful I don’t need to breathe so much anymore, because if I were human, I’d be very broken right now. I chuckle softly, and he pulls back a little.
“You’re okay?” he sighs, questioning me, as much as reassuring himself as he looks me over.
“I’m fine. I was sore for a day or two, but I’m okay now,” I tell him, before he crushes me against him again. I let him take his time, take the comfort he needs from me, all while being very aware of the others standing, waiting.
He pulls back again, the glow of his eyes bright. As if his wolf is telling me he’s glad I’m back too.
“Ready to share yet, man?” Creek laughs softly, and Roman growls softly.
“No,” he says gruffly, but I laugh and pat his chest.
“I’m not going anywhere. I’m okay. You can let me go for a minute.”
“I am not letting you out of my sight again!” he declares, before begrudgingly letting me go, and Creek sweeps me up in his own hug.
“I was so worried about you, beautiful. Please, don’t ever make me have to live through that fear again,” he says softly against my ear as he holds me.
“I’ll try,” I tell him, the same as I did Levi.
Creek being more considerate, pulls back and kisses me hard, showing me just how much he missed me, before pulling back and handing me over to Kain.
“Mon amour,” he sighs, as his fingers caress my cheek. As if making sure I’m really here.
“Hi,” I whisper, not sure what else to say. Plus, he too hugs me, so tight as if I might disappear if he lets me go.
“I thought we’d lost you for good.” His voice is thick as he clings to me, and I hold him tight, to let him know I’m here.
“You can’t get rid of me that easily,” I murmur, trying to lighten the mood a little. Levi laughs from behind me, and I can feel Kain shake beneath me as he laughs too. I smile, glad the somber mood has lifted a little.
“Is everyone else gone?” I ask them as I pull back slightly, but he entwines his fingers with mine, not yet ready to let me go. I get it, and I missed them all too, so I don’t object.
“Pretty much,” Creek says, his eyes wandering up and down my body, checking for injury.
“Where is she? Is she home? My Remy girl?” Nonnie’s voice makes me smile, and I turn to see her as she reaches the door. “You’re here! Oh my goodness.”