“What?” Addison asked him, anxious.
Zander lifted his head the slightest bit. “Go away.” He dropped his head back, letting out another groan.
“Should we?” Addison said as Kendrick climbed to his feet and reached to help Addison to hers.
“Probably not.”
Zander made a feeble gesture, as though brushing them aside. “Please. Go.”
Kendrick understood. Zander wasn’t physically hurt, not like Kendrick had been. This was part of the process he had to endure, the sacrifice for his gift. The Goddess wasn’t always easy to work for.
Kendrick guided Addison away, though he limped heavily, and it was she who held him up. He should probably find some clothes, but the thought of cloth rubbing his sensitive skin right now made him queasy.
Several Shifters broke away from the main knot and came to them—Jaycee and Dimitri, followed by Dylan.
“You all right?” Dimitri asked, reaching them first. “Zander made us stay away—we th-thought you were done for.” He reached out and touched Kendrick’s upper arm, both seeking reassurance and trying to reassure.
Kendrick covered Dimitri’s hand with his. “I’ll mend. Zander is a genius, and the touch of my mate kept me alive.”
“Sh-she acc-accepted?” Dimitri asked, his gray eyes widening. “D-did you?” he said to Addison. Dimitri’s stammer worsened in his agitation, but by the huge grin on his face, he didn’t notice or care.
“Yep,” Addison said, sounding shy.
“Yes!” Dimitri grabbed Kendrick, kissed him on the cheek, grabbed Addison, kissed her too, then hauled the protesting Jaycee into his arms and planted a kiss on her mouth.
“Hey!” Dimitri shouted into the crowd. “Kendrick has a mate!”
Jaycee, looking startled and flushed at Dimitri’s kiss, went first to Addison and hugged her. “Awesome, Addie. Thank you.” She turned to Kendrick, hesitating, as though unsure he’d welcome her.
Kendrick stepped to Jaycee and gently drew her into his arms. “Thank you, Jaycee, for everything.”
Jaycee’s tension eased, and she hugged him back. “You did good, Kendrick. You’ll be happy.” She released him and gave Addie a warm look, then another embrace. “The Goddess go with you both.”
Kendrick didn’t have time to comment on her generosity, because Dimitri’s whoops had brought the rest of the Shifters over. Kendrick and Addison were surrounded by the Shifters he’d known and led for so many years—then came the hugs, congratulations, kisses, back thumps, Shifters losing their fear and anger in the joy of the moment.
As it should be, Kendrick thought. Addison had just become the linchpin that would secure the Shifters together, uniting them once more.
* * *
Addie followed Kendrick in a daze, though with more confidence than she thought she would have. Kendrick’s Shifters greeted her with warmth and exuberance, smothering her in hugs as much as they did Kendrick. People she’d never met in her life were hauling her into their arms, crying and kissing her. There were some who held back, uncertain, but for the most part, they welcomed Addie as one of them.
The Shifters rejoiced without restraint that Kendrick was back among them. They’d been scared and worried without him, adrift, like kids suddenly finding themselves without parents. Now Kendrick was with them again, and his voice took on a softness and warmth Addie had only heard him use with her and his cubs.
The Shifters responded, happy and celebrating, though they didn’t stint on the teasing and lewd suggestions. They weren’t tame Shifters.
There were still problems to solve. Dylan joined Kendrick. “We’ve found them all,” he said, his voice pitched low so the now-partying Shifters wouldn’t overhear. “Three dead. The rest injured but all right.”