The Awakening Aidan - By Abby Niles Page 0,72

Aidan may have been better off staying in animal form.

But if there were even the smallest chance she had the ability to bring Aidan back, she’d risk her life to do so, just as he’d risked his to save hers. Because if she succeeded, and all ended well, she was ready to embrace the future she’d been denying them both—Fewshon and all.

“This isn’t your choice to make, Liam.” She turned to Trevor. “How do you suggest I get close to him?”

…

“Ready?” Trevor asked.

The Splycer shook in Jaylin’s hand. An hour ago, the cougar had been tranquilized and strapped down. Now, it was awake, raging as it fought to get free.

Watching it lying on its side, struggling against the chains that kept its paws stretched forward and the tape keeping its mouth closed, caused her physical pain, but she knew it was best for both of them. Ensuring her safety guaranteed that Aidan returned to a living mate and not one mauled to death.

The thick leather belt wrapped around its torso kept the animal strapped to a piece of padded plywood lying on the floor—kept it immobile, making it so she could just walk in and shock it.

Then hopefully this would all be over and she’d have Aidan back in her arms.

She tightened her grip on the instrument. A part of her was petrified that she would fail, but she had to try nonetheless.

Had this been how Aidan had felt when he’d begged her to tell him how to use the device?

Terror and hope all mixed into one.

He hadn’t given up and she wouldn’t now.

“The men have to go up the hall away from the flash, Jaylin, but we’re ready to intervene if we need to. We have a camera set up so we can see what’s happening. Pam will be just over there with a tranquilizer gun, although we hope that won’t be necessary.”

Meaning if things went bad, they’d do their best to save her. With the distance between her and everyone else, she didn’t expect they’d arrive in time. And she didn’t have much confidence in Pam’s aim. That animal had been trying to get to her since it’d taken over. Nothing would stop it if she were finally within its grasp.

“Let’s just do this and get it over with, okay?”

Trevor nodded and motioned for everyone to follow. Liam stayed behind, his gaze narrowed on her. For a moment their eyes met and he gave a sharp nod before he stalked out of the room. Jaylin stared after him. If she hadn’t known how he felt about her, she’d swear she’d just garnered some approval from the man.

Inhaling, she waited until the door closed, walked toward the cougar’s cage, then wrapped her hand around the steel-barred door. The squeak it made as it opened echoed through the room, reminding her that she was about to enter a cage with a wild animal, that she was about to do this.

No matter the cost.

She stepped inside. The animal stilled, its blue eyes locked on hers as she inched closer. A long rolling growl warned her to stop. And she did hesitate. For a second.

Inhaling again, she took another step forward.

The man you love is inside there.

The cougar’s struggles intensified. The chain clanked hard against the floor with each mighty jerk.

She relaxed. The restraints did indeed keep the animal immobilized. Kneeling beside it, she pressed the Splycer into the animal’s side and clicked.

Red flashed.

And all hell broke lose.

The tape holding the lethal jaws closed snapped as it caterwauled. The chains jerked taut. One link slowly stretched, then another. The leather belt ripped. Heart in her throat, Jaylin jumped to her feet as the animal rose, its side heaving as it roared.

“Aidan! Please hear me.”

Foam formed at the corners of its mouth.

It hadn’t worked.

It hadn’t worked!

Stumbling back, her feet tangled with each other and she fell to the floor just as a huge feline body covered hers. She screamed as it opened its powerful jaws and swooped down. Jamming her hand into its side once more, she clicked just as the feel of sharp teeth compressed down on her throat.

…

No!

Aidan barreled forward, shoving the beast back as he forced the change. The taste of her blood filled his mouth. He blinked back tears.

He couldn’t lift his head. Couldn’t see what he’d done. Couldn’t face the truth.

He’d failed. He’d killed her.

His mate.

An unthinkable action.

Tears scorched the back of his eyes as he buried his face in the side of her neck. Rough hands jerked