Loved by a Beast - Miranda Bridges Page 0,7
gather all their supplies and then dispose of the bloodied rags by tossing them in the small firepit. Draal’s gaze widens as he scans the room, his hand on Scarlett’s hair stilling. He looks from Vivian to her and then repeats the motion.
“You need to sleep, drekaros,” he says quietly to Scarlett. “There’s nothing left for you to do here.”
The redhead nods and takes his hand, allowing him to lead her outside. Torn between leaving so I can give my body the rest it desperately needs and staying with Vivian, I look to Jaxar. Except his gaze isn’t on me. He’s watching Anwa care for the youngling, his eyes periodically flickering to Vivian.
Hurt wells inside me, making my eyes sting with tears. As a Masse, he has many responsibilities to his people, but I thought he would make me his priority like Draal did with Scarlett. I know Jaxar cares for me, and this emotional turmoil is most likely the result of hormones and lack of sleep. However, the longer he goes without acknowledging me, the more upset I become.
With a huff I march across the room and then slip between the covers next to Vivian. I grab my friend’s hand, finding it cold and clammy, and bring it to my chest. Instantly my body relaxes as it finds relief on the well-cushioned mattress, and my baby wiggles as though protesting the prone position. I rub my belly, inwardly grinning. When a large shadow falls over me, my joy fades as I find Jaxar looming with his arms crossed.
“What are you doing?” he asks.
“I’m not leaving Vivian.”
Jaxar’s eyes narrow. “Your place is with me, wife.”
“I can stay with her, Massela,” Brannick says from the foot of the bed.
I give the healer a weak smile. Already my body is pulling me closer and closer to the sweet oblivion of sleep. Now that the adrenaline has left my system, I’m feeling the effects of staying awake all night, not to mention the copious amount of stress I experienced. My head pounds, and my back aches, making me eager to end this conversation.
“I appreciate that,” I say, “but I can’t leave her.”
“You can, and you will.” Jaxar’s tail taps the floor in a staccato manner, clearly indicating his irritation. As if the scowl on his face and the hard set of his mouth aren’t evidence enough. “This is not up for discussion.”
He peels back the fur and slides his hands under my body, pulling me to his chest in one effortless motion. My exhaustion overrides my annoyance with Jaxar and my worry for Vivian. So I stay quiet, almost falling asleep right then and there.
“Notify me if the female’s status changes,” Jaxar says to Brannick.
The healer nods and then lifts a chair, setting it next to the bed. “I will relay the message to Anwa when she returns.”
Jaxar takes one step and abruptly stops, jarring me slightly. He turns his head to stare at Brannick over his shoulder. “I know you are not of this tribe and that your loyalty lies with your people, not with this female or her male, but I thank you for your work here. Even though I may not possess the knowledge of healing, it’s apparent that you did everything possible to save her and the youngling.”
Brannick bows his head. “Masse.”
My husband quickly exits the tent, and as soon as the cool air hits us, he takes a deep breath. I don’t have to look at him to know he’s relieved to be away from there, and it’s understandable. It practically looked like a crime scene inside that tent. However, I don’t think the blood is what made Jaxar uncomfortable. It was the unfamiliar, barbaric surgery. If I were seeing something like that for the first time, I would be in shock also.
As soon as Jaxar stops walking, I open my eyes to see our tent only to let them slide closed again. He enters the small structure and settles me on the bed before pulling the furs up to my shoulders. The mattress dips under his weight when he lies down next to me, but it doesn’t disturb me. Then his tail wraps around my ankle, making me smile.
Just as I’m falling asleep, Jaxar’s deep rumble penetrates the lethargy that covers me like a dense fog.
“I swear on my life that I won’t let anything happen to you, Massela.”
Chapter 4
My eyelids are heavy as if something is weighing them down, but the sound of Jaxar’s voice has