Page 115 of Hero of Havoc

“She's still not okay?” I clarify, and he grimaces.

“She'll get there. The first time is always the hardest. Being under the circumstances she was in doesn’t help, but when she shifts back, we’ll be there for her. Which is why I’m going to keep us in the loop because she’s going to need us.”

“Do you think Toby will be there, or should we update him too?” I ask, and he smiles.

“He hasn’t left her side. Dorian either. She’s got a good unit around her. She’s going to be great,” he reassures me, and I take strength from his words.

Nodding in agreement, I wrap my arms around his neck, sagging against him as he rocks us from side to side. The second he steps back, Baron replaces him. He doesn’t hug me, but he cups my cheek, looking deep into my eyes, communicating without words, and although I’m not entirely sure what he’s conveying, I feel it in my chest.

A half step, and I’m face to face with Archer, who plants his hands on my shoulders. “I’m sorry I was an ass. Not just to Sax, but Baron, and you too. I was worried about you, but acting irrational is my specialty, and I just need you to know that as much as we’re going to be there for Meadow, we’re going to be there for Sax too,” he states, and I wrap my arms around his neck.

I don’t reply, not wanting to scare the beast and make him take it all back.

Instead, Teddy extends his hand in my direction, and I press my palm against his, lacing our fingers together.

Archer steals the ointment bag from my hand before grabbing my belongings. Basking in the energy in the room for a moment, I take it all in, because the moment we reach the door, we’ll scatter, everyone heading in different directions.

With Teddy at my side, we take the slowest pace, strolling toward the exit, and the second we step outside, I tilt my face toward the midday sun.

I take a deep breath, and as I exhale, a weight I wasn’t aware was still resting on my shoulders eases, encouraging me to bask in the sun for a few extra moments before we start moving.

Teddy remains quiet at my side, happy to give me the space I need. After the past few days, it feels productive, even if only in the smallest way, and as we cut across campus, I can’t help but feel lighter and calmer, despite the bruises along my spine.

I glance at my Water Protector out of the corner of my eye to find him already staring at me, a gentle smile on his lips as he squeezes my hand tighter.

“What are you thinking about?” I ask, and he shrugs.

“I was thinking about the fact that I haven’t been able to take my fated mate on a date yet,” he explains, his thoughts catching me completely off guard, and all I can do is gape at him for a moment.

Finally, I clear my throat. “Really?”

He nods. “Oh yeah.”

Nerves thread through my veins. “And what would one of those look like?” I ask, watching as he tries to hide his smile.

He drags his tongue along his bottom lip, his gaze tilting away from me as he thinks. “I feel like there would be some epic plans, but finer details can't be known too soon. Otherwise, it spoils the whole point of it,” he declares.

“It does,” I confirm, acutely aware of the fact that I've never been on a date.

“Maybe when I get a spare moment, and my fated mate's best friend is not trapped being a bear, I might ask her for any needed hints or tips,” he adds, and I fail to hide my grin.

“You think you need help?” I ask innocently, and his jaw falls slack.

“Of course not,” he insists, pressing a quick kiss to my knuckles, and I shake my head at him, a giggle on my lips as he pulls me into his side, pressing another kiss to my temple. “For someone who just got attacked by a power-enhanced tiger, you sure seem… happy,” he breathes, making my grin spread wider.

“Sure. Or maybe it has something to do with the flower they gave me.”

“Flower?” he repeats, cocking a brow at me, and I shrug.

“Something to do with the pain. It makes me feel relaxed.”

“I’m just glad to see that you're okay,” he admits, the energy shifting around as I nod in agreement.

“I think I'm just going to spend the day making the most of the fact that I don’t have any worries rattling around in my mind. Which feels odd considering what's going on around me, but when the pain killers subside, I’m sure it will make up for it,” I declare as we cut across campus, the sweet smell of wildflowers dancing in the air.

I'm obsessed with how pretty they look.

“What do you want to do after lunch?” Teddy asks, and my lips twist as I consider my options.