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When she let go of the doorknob to close it behind her, it rattled. A yip of surprise sounded as Celeste jumped and spun toward the door.
“I just wanted to check on him; I’ve been worried,” she sputtered, then added, “Remmus is my friend. Before, at his house, I didn’t know you were his mate.”
Ava nodded, not knowing how else to respond. She held her tongue when all she wanted to do was ask about the nature of their relationship—especially considering how they’d been together during the Heat.
Celeste must’ve seen the question in her eyes. “He told you about what happened during the Heat?”
Ava unlocked her jaw to say, “In a way, yes.”
Relief loosened Celeste’s shoulders. “I’m glad he did. I—after everything, I’m glad he had someone to confide in.”
“Confide in?”
She nodded. “That we didn’t sleep together.”
Ava tried to right herself as the metaphorical rug was pulled out from under her. Shock must’ve clued Celeste in to the fact that Remmus hadn’t revealed that part of their story, and the other woman sputtered, “He didn’t tell you that?”
Ava shook her head. “I thought you were together during the Heat?”
“We holed up in his house to ride out the worst of it,” Celeste grimaced, “but his coercion prevented him from following through. It prevents him from engaging in significant romantic relationships. He rejected the Heat urges and was concerned what his rejection would mean for me.”
Ava’s eyes shut as she sat down in a chair alongside Remmus’ bed. “He didn’t tell me that part.”
“I’m sure he would’ve, given enough time,” Celeste said, sitting beside her. “But knowing him, he probably didn’t want to burden you. Either that or he thought he could keep the coercion under control.”
Ava sighed, desperately wishing she could talk to her mate. The loss was as sharp as ever, cutting her every time she thought about it. “I’m sorry I attacked you. My wolf is a bit … possessive, and I thought you were involved.”
“Remmus is my oldest friend, my confidant. A brother.” Celeste wrapped her arms around herself. “The fact that he’s your mate doesn’t change that.”
“Then why did the Heat pull you together?”
“Neither of us were mated at the time.” When Ava frowned, Celeste continued, undaunted. “The Heat isn’t about attraction, Ava; it’s about trust. Do you know how many women Remmus trusts implicitly?”
Ava remained quiet.
“I can count them on one hand, and nearly all of them are mated.” Celeste’s lips thinned before she continued. “Remmus has difficulty trusting anyone, women in particular. His mother made sure of that. The Heat pulled us together because he trusted me. And though it messed with our friendship, I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
And for the first time, Ava understood why. Just like that, she and Celeste were on the same page.
Kaien walked into the room several minutes later. “We’ve contacted a mind healer, Ava. She thinks she may be able to help Remmus surface.”
Leaping at the hope, Ava perked. “Where is she?”
“We wanted your consent first,” Kaien said. “You’re his mate, whether it’s finalized or not.”
“Of course! We need to try everything.” Then, softer, “I won’t give up on him.”
Approval shined in Kaien’s eyes a second before a familiar electricity tingled up Ava’s spine, signaling to her that the Raeth in front of her was communicating via telepathy.
Five minutes plodded by. Nina entered the room with Zeke and Hemin quick on her heels. The female Raeth closed the distance between her and Ava in three strides before pulling her into an affectionate hug.
Retreating just enough to hold her at arm’s length, Nina smiled. “Stay strong. Remmus will return to us. Have faith.”
A displacement of air signaled the arrival of a pair of Raeths. It was odd; only a few months ago she’d gone nearly catatonic when a Raeth had teleported into her office. Now, it felt like a blessing.
The first of the new arrivals caught her gaze. With dark eyes and an infectious grin, the male Raeth held himself with a casual air, but there was no denying that he was very much a predator. His strong features, softened by his smile, hinted at a Pacific Islander descent.
Beside him was a woman with a shock of red hair. Her elegant eyebrows were furrowed above stark blue eyes. She was petite and delicate, looking like she barely weighed over a hundred pounds soaking wet, but there was something ancient about her. An ageless air that made Ava take a second look.
