“Don’t you die,” Madisyn hissed, eyes wet and fierce.
“She’s not going to die,” snapped Ryan.
“That’s right,” agreed Dawn, voice breaking. “Makenna’s strong.”
Ryan kissed her gently, brushing a thumb over her cheekbone. Her eyes fluttered closed. He tapped her cheek. “No, Kenna. Look at me.”
Makenna forced her eyes open. “I’m tired,” she whispered. Crazy tired. She was pretty sure the only thing keeping her conscious was the iron strength Ryan was feeding her. She clung to that strength. She didn’t want to die, didn’t want to leave him or miss the life they could have together. But it was just so hard to stay awake, no matter how hard she fought the urge to sleep. Everything seemed to be fading. Darkening. Like she was falling. No . . . sinking.
“It’s okay,” said Ryan, his pulse beating frantically. “The wound’s not that bad.”
Her mouth kicked up into a small smile. “Liar.”
He was a liar. No matter how much pressure he put on the wound, her blood kept seeping through his fingers. She was seeping through his fingers. “Kenna.” The solid, vibrant bond between them flickered slightly. And he knew what that meant. “No,” he bit out. “No, no, no, no.” She couldn’t die. He wouldn’t fucking allow it. He glared at Dante. “Where the fuck is Taryn?”
“On her way,” Jaime choked out, eyes shiny. She wasn’t the only one crying. Many were gathered around, most of whom were residents.
Ryan dropped his forehead to Makenna’s. “Did you hear that? She’s coming.” Makenna gave the tiniest nod. And closed her eyes. “No. Eyes open. Look at me. Good girl.” She coughed, and he saw blood in her mouth. His chest tightened. “No.” This was not fucking happening. It just wasn’t. “Taryn’s coming. Just hold on a little longer.”
Makenna forced a smile. They both knew Taryn could never make it in time. “Don’t die with me.”
Rage flared through him and his wolf. “Don’t you dare fucking give up! You live!”
She coughed again, tasting more blood. “Zac needs you.”
“And I fucking need you. If you want me to live, you have to stay alive. You fight, okay. Fight.”
She tried to, she did, but she was so tired and . . . “Cold.” So damn cold. Her wolf lay down with a whine.
Ryan forced more strength down the fading bond. It made no difference. Her heartbeat kept slowing, their connection kept weakening, and the blood just kept pumping out of her. “Kenna, fight.”
“It doesn’t hurt anymore,” she murmured.
“That’s good.” No, it wasn’t good. He knew it; she knew it. His wolf was pacing, anxious, afraid, and wanting to kill.
“And I’m not scared anymore. Isn’t that weird?” She should be terrified. She was dying, and she knew it. But she felt peaceful. “I love you.” She should have told him that before. “Super shit timing, haven’t I?” She heard Dawn and Madisyn sniffling, wanted to tell them to take care of Ryan. But she was sinking again, and everything seemed so far away.
Her eyes closed again, and Ryan’s heart slammed against his ribs. “Kenna, look at me.” She didn’t. He shook her. “Open your eyes.” Her sluggish heartbeat stuttered and their bond began to wink out. “No.”
Hands yanked at him. “Get the fuck off me!” They didn’t. They pulled at him, ignoring his efforts to fight them off, and dragged him away. He couldn’t get back to her, couldn’t fight them; he’d pumped most of his strength into Makenna and wasn’t able to—
“Easy, Ryan! Just give her some room! If you want your mate to live, give her some room!”
He stilled, only then noticing Ally squatting beside his mate. The Seer could heal, he remembered. Derren and Dante released him, and his knees nearly buckled.
“Don’t let her die,” Madisyn hissed at Ally.
Hands on Makenna’s stomach, Ally looked at him. “You’re going to have to help me, Ryan; she’s hanging on by a thin thread.”
Ryan went back to his mate and held her hand, trying to push what little strength he had left into her, whether it knocked him unconscious or not. But the bond was too weak to take it.
Ally’s eyes stayed closed as she did . . . whatever the hell she did. Unlike when Taryn healed, the wound didn’t glow. He couldn’t tell what the fuck was happening. It was only when Makenna’s heartbeat steadied that hope trickled through him. He tightened his grip on her hand as her pulse quickened and their bond strengthened.
Pale as a ghost, Ally sat back. “She lost a lot of blood, so she’ll be unconscious for a little while, but she’s gonna be okay.” Then the Seer slumped . . . right into Derren’s waiting arms.
Ryan scooped up Makenna and cradled her tight against him. God, he was fucking shaking. It actually hurt to breathe. His lungs burned and his throat felt clogged up. It didn’t matter that he could feel that she was alive; fear still had him in a tight grip, and it wasn’t letting go anytime soon.
Breathing her in, he kissed her forehead and tucked her face into the crook of his neck. His wolf was still pacing, unable to relax in the belief that she was okay. Madisyn and Dawn, faces red and puffy, were still at her other side. Ryan knew they probably wanted to hold her, but he couldn’t let go. Hearing her heart beat steady and strong was really the only thing keeping him and his wolf stable at that moment.