Waking Bel (Lords of Discord 3)

There was a long string of curses and muffled commands, probably shouting at Philippe to get ready. “Bring them here to my penthouse. It’s closest.”

“No,” Bel said. “Too much traffic downtown. Midday.”

“It would take too long to get to you in downtown traffic. We’re less than twenty minutes from Marcus’s,” Wyatt repeated. Twenty minutes felt like an eternity. He kept his foot on the accelerator, pushing the car as fast as he dared. He just prayed they didn’t pass any cops. Nothing was going to stop him from getting to Marcus’s house.

“Okay. I’ll call Marcus. Warn him. Aiden should be there. Philippe and I will try to beat you to Marcus’s.”

“The sun, Rafe!” Bel cried.

Rafe growled. “I’ll have a Blush employee bring us there wrapped like fucking mummies. Go directly to the carport on the side of the house. It will be the safest way to bring Bel inside.”

“River’s blood type,” Bel whispered.

“River…River is losing a lot of blood,” Wyatt forced out. He clenched his teeth, fighting back the tears and another desperate sob when he was sure his heart was being pounded to dust in his chest. “He’s A positive.”

“Okay. I’ll make sure Marcus has plenty on hand. We’ll save your wolf. You just get to the house safely.” Rafe ended the call, and Wyatt was sure it was the longest he’d ever heard the man be completely serious.

For now, he clung to Rafe’s promise while he focused on the road. One step at a time. Get them to Marcus’s house. From Bel’s stories about his mother, Wyatt knew the Variks were extremely experienced at patching each other up. They would be able to save River.

After his men were alive and healing, Wyatt could think about tearing apart the pack that had attempted to destroy his family.

19

Bel pushed down the pain that sent daggers through his face and neck. All his attention was on the man lying beneath him, his breathing far too shallow. His face had taken on an almost gray pallor. The scent of blood surrounded him, tormenting him, but the hunger and pain from the burns were nothing compared to the ache in his heart.

“Bel,” River whispered.

“I’m here, dearest heart. I’m here.” Using his uninjured hand to brace himself against the twists and turns of the car, Bel very carefully ran his burned hand over River’s forehead, pushing back sweaty hair. He couldn’t feel River’s soft skin. Only pain. But he kept up the gentle caress, praying it gave River some relief. “We’re almost to my brother’s. He can fix you. I promise.”

“I love you, Bel. So much.”

“I know. I love you too. Everything is going to be fine.”

“Love Wyatt too,” River continued as if he hadn’t heard him. “Love you both so much. Was so happy with you.”

“River, you will hang on. Do you hear me? You will keep fighting!” Bel’s voice shook as he tried to infuse as much force and steel as he could into it. His body throbbed with pain, and he was utterly exhausted. He wasn’t sure if he could feed now even if the donor was pressed right to his fangs, but he would fight for River.

“So sorry…”

“River! No! I’m not losing you,” Bel screamed, tears choking his throat. He tried pressing his fingers to River’s throat, but they were so badly burned that he couldn’t feel a damn thing. He pressed his ear to his chest, but there was too much padding and the thunder of his own heart in his ears.

“River!” Wyatt shouted from the front seat. The car swerved violently and hit a bump hard. “We’re here, River! We’re here! You hang on!”

Bel let loose a sob of relief, tears stinging his wounded cheek, but he didn’t care. He had to believe that Aiden and Marcus could save their River. He didn’t care about himself. Didn’t care if he ever healed again. They just had to save their heart.

The car had barely come to a stop when endless darkness enveloped the car and Bel released a breath of relief.

“Bel!” Wyatt said in a shaky voice.

“It’s okay. It’s just Marcus. He’s protecting us from the sun. Unlock the doors and don’t move.”

There was a thunk of the locks around the car, and then doors were jerked open. Strong hands grabbed at Bel and he cried out as fingers bit into burned flesh. They eased him from the car and onto his feet.

“Bel?” Rafe said in a rough voice.

“I’ll be okay,” he said tightly against the pain. “River?”

“Marcus is getting him now. We need to move.”

Bel didn’t say anything as Rafe wrapped an arm around his waist and carefully guided him past the car and toward the house. Rafe was just as blind in the darkness as he was, but somehow his brother had become quite adept at moving around in their brother’s magically induced blackness.