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“I don’t believe it,” Ash said on a snarl.
Helian blinked up at his brother. “It’s true.”
“Why are you here, Helian?” I snapped, still angry with him for burdening Enso with a demon. That blade in my chest twisted when I realized why my sister and two of her mates weren’t in bed. She’d helped put that demon in Enso.
“To-to tell you I’m free of the demon,” Helian stammered.
“So?” Ash raised his fists. “Did you think we’d welcome you into our bed?”
“Brother.” Helian heaved a sigh. “I don’t want to fight.” His voice broke as he gave his brother an imploring look.
Something tugged at my heart, and that’s when I felt the strong pull, an invisible, taut leash leading from me to Helian. It took all my willpower not to jump from the bed and run into his arms. But no. Fated mate or not, I still didn’t trust him, and I wasn’t sure if I could ever forgive him for all he’d done.
“There won’t be any fighting because you’re leaving.” Ash jutted a finger toward the door.
“Thanks for letting us know, Helian,” Finn added, his tone much softer than Ash’s. “If you don’t mind, our mate needs rest.”
Helian stepped back, pressing against the wall behind him and crushing a flowery vine when Ash advanced. He clasped his hands in a prayer pose, giving his brother an imploring look. “What can I do to make it up to all of you?”
Ash heaved a guttural groan while dragging his claws across his scalp. “You can start by letting us sleep.”
Helian’s face fell, and his shoulders caved inward. “Okay.”
Ash stepped back, letting Helian pass. Helian didn’t look at me as he turned to go like a mongrel with his tail between his legs.
“Wait!” I jumped from the bed and wrapped the blanket around me, petals scattering everywhere.
Helian slowly spun around. “Tari,” he whispered, his mouth curving up in a smile, his eyes full of hope and longing.
Ignoring Ash’s and Finn’s warning growls, I walked toward Helian until there was an arm’s length between us.
“Tari?” Helian pleaded.
“I want to make sure the demon is gone.” I ignored the twisting of my heart at his crestfallen look as I searched his eyes. He had no dark shadows shrouding him, no foul odors, and I didn’t sense the parasite. Could it be true? He was free of the demon?
“Is it gone?” Finn asked at my back.
I swallowed back the knot that had formed in my throat, a vortex of emotions swirling through me. “Yes.”
Helian held out his arms. “Can’t I even have a small hug?”
“If you want a hug, go ask Radnor.” I stepped back, pressing against Ash, relieved when he draped a possessive arm down my front, his meaty paw resting on my hip. “You need to make amends to him, too.”
A look of pain flashed in his eyes. “I have already.”
“Ash is my alpha,” I blurted, feeling as if someone else was speaking for me, for surely I wasn’t foolish enough to push Helian away.
His jaw dropped. “What?”
“He’s my alpha.” I turned up my chin while keeping my tone cool. “He will always be my alpha. He and Finn have protected me when you would not.” I smiled up at my frightening beast mates, rewarded with fanged grins, before turning back to Helian. “They have been loyal to me for five years, even when they suspected I was dead.”
Helian’s cheeks reddened. “I know that.”
“And Finn is my beta and the girls’ protector.” I leaned against Finn as he let out a low purr. “He gets first say on their care.” I gave Helian a sharp look. “Do you understand everything I’m saying to you?”
His features hardened. “Yes.”
“My mates and I need our sleep.” I gave Helian a curt nod, my tone dismissive. “Goodnight.”
