Healing? No. But he was going to be okay. At last.
As luck would have it, he ran into Melina halfway acros
s the yard on his way to the trailhead. “Going for a walk?” she inquired, stopping in front of him.
She was trying. It really hadn’t been her fault. He knew that. She was Nix’s doctor, and he’d been her patient. “You could say that.”
She cocked her head. “Where to?”
“Down the trail. It’s a nice day.” The silence grew heavy for a moment. Then he said quietly, “I forgive you, just so you know.”
For the first time since he’d come to the compound, tears filled her eyes. “I’m so sorry. I wanted Nix to tell you the truth.”
“He was scared. I get that, and I don’t hold it against you anymore.”
She nodded. “Thank you. For the record, he told me the day before you were kidnapped that he was done with the drug trial.”
Noah’s throat closed with a wave of emotion. “Really?”
“Yes. He wanted to quit, for you.”
“But at the barbeque . . . why did he throw it in my face if he’d already decided to quit?”
“I think he was lashing out. His fear got the best of him, and I know he regretted it immediately.”
Thinking back, Noah could see that. He nodded. “Yeah, you’re right.” Stepping forward, he gave her a quick hug. “Anyway, no hard feelings now. Remember that.”
Giving her a wan smile, he started around her. She grabbed his arm.
“Noah. Are you going to be all right? Really?”
“Yeah. I really am.”
Something in his eyes must’ve convinced her, because she let him go. If only she knew.
In minutes he was strolling down his favorite trail, remembering when he and Nix came this way together. He’d loved watching his wolf run and play. Wrestling with him.
He’d loved making love with his mate by the creek.
I loved that, too. Wait for me, please!
“Going nuts,” he muttered, and kept walking.
Finally, he reached the secluded spot by the creek. It was as beautiful as he remembered, but there was no beauty to be found anywhere without his mate to be his rock. His light. The gun was heavy in his hand as he pulled it from his waistband.
He wasn’t sure how long he sat there before he had the courage to put the muzzle against his temple. Closed his eyes. One squeeze, and he’d stop seeing the love of his life being consumed by the flames.
Baby, wait for me.
* * *
Nix’s wolf ran, heartbeat a frantic drum in his chest.
He couldn’t lose his mate. Not now. Not after he’d been in agony all these months, lying in the ashes that had consumed him. Healing slowly and painfully.
Their bond was reawakening, but Noah, in his grief, couldn’t sense the rebirth. Through that bond Nix read his emotions, his horrible intentions, as clear as day.
His beloved angel was planning to end his life.