The Wolf Prince's Fated Heart - Page 76

“The longer he sweats it out in the dark cellar, the faster the conversation will go,” Graham replies. “The software is still running through Jason’s known associates. If we’re lucky, we’ll get his location before Cassie talks to him.”

Grayden nods. “I’ll call Garren to see if there’s any news on Tiana.”

“I’m going to take another look at Cassie’s vitals before I go to the hospital,” Helia says with a glance at the watch. “My shift starts in an hour.”

“You can head out whenever you’re done,” Graham tells her. “I’ll make sure that Cassie gets whatever she needs. It’s the least I can do to keep her comfortable.”

“Graham will be an excellent nurse,” Helia tells me with a smirk. “Though he could use some practice on the bedside manner.”

Graham rolls his eyes. He turns to Grayden. “Let’s give them some privacy.”

They disappear out the door with a wave, leaving the two of us alone.

“Though you don’t have any visible wounds, your body still feels the pain in the spots they were,” she explains. “It should be gone in a day or two.”

“What about the emotional injuries?” I ask, remembering Graham talking about it. “I’m still a bit shaken by all this. Is that normal?”

“The emotional wounds will heal too,” Helia assures me. “Though you can’t exactly go to the therapist to talk about it, I can give you my number, and we can meet up for a cup of coffee if you want.”

“Thank you,” I say, touched by her generosity.

Helia smiles. “It’s not easy being mated to a Grey. Alyssa and Leia had their own troubles with the bond, but it’s nothing compared to what we’re dealing with. They’re wolves after all, and we’re not.”

“Do you regret it?” I ask, my voice quiet.

“Never,” Helia replies without missing a beat. “I didn’t know what life was until I met Grayden. I understand now that I was just going through the motions of going to work, eating, sleeping, and repeating. Grayden taught me there’s more to life than that. He showed me what it means to be alive. Being with him is worth it all. He’s everything to me.”

I stare at her, wondering if I feel the same about Graham. I want to be as sure about someone as Helia is about Grayden. I want to have what they have.

She smiles at me warmly. “Give the bond a chance,” she says softly. “I think you won’t regret it. I never do.”

I nod, emotions bubbling to the surface, rendering me speechless.

I want to have this connection with Graham more than I can say out loud. But accepting the bond seems huge and hard. I don’t even know how to go about it. Do I have to say it out loud? Is there some ritual I should go through?

I’m way out of my depth here. I want to ask Helia, but I also don’t want her to know what I’m thinking about. I don’t want her to give Graham false hope. Besides, after her words, I feel that I’m the only one who can accept the bond.

“I’ll see you tomorrow,” Helia tells me. “I’ll be there when you talk to Tim.”

“Thank you,” I say, meaning it. Her presence is calming and reassuring. I’ll be glad to have her in my corner.

“Get some sleep,” she says and gets up. “You’ll need all your strength.”

“Would you mind…” I start and trail off, unsure of how to continue.

Helia lifts her brow in question.

“Would you mind helping me quiet my thoughts?” I ask softly.

She gives me a knowing smile. “Of course,” she confirms and gently sets her hand on my forehead.

She mutters under her breath, but I can’t concentrate on what she’s saying because I’m too tired. Whatever she’s doing is quickly taking over. My mind relaxes, and I fall into the softness of the bed. All the worries fade as the darkness brings me into a deep slumber.

CHAPTER 16

Graham

“Are you sure you’re up for it?” I ask when Cassie insists on getting out of bed.