I let her go, refusing to watch more of her memories. It feels like I’m reliving it with her. Honestly, I feel sick to my stomach by just watching them, I don’t know how she is even functioning. I would have killed myself rather than endure what she had. As much as I can pull from her memories, Sage actually tried. So many times, she tried.
“You’re safe. You never have to go through any of that again. He will protect you. I give you my word, Sage,” I promise her, and Andrei repeats her name.
I glance over at him and smile grimly, and his face falls. The brief moment of happiness reflecting on my brother’s face fades as if he had never truly felt it.
I don’t know what he sees on my face, but the energy coming off him is murderous, which scares Sage. She cowers, shifting back. Finally, Andrei realizes his mistake and his eyes soften as he steps toward her. “I’m not mad at you,” he whispers. I can’t recall the last time my brother’s voice has sounded this gentle, so it’s clear that he’s trying.
But to Sage, it doesn’t matter. She can’t see past Andrei’s slip-up and tries to back away from him, as she shakes like a leaf.
“Can I come with you?” She begs through the newly established mindlink. I brush her fur, hoping that might provide her some comfort and calm her.
“I will come back, but you are safe here with your mate.”
“No, please, he will put the muzzle back on me,” she pleads, her voice so frantic, it even shakes in fear. I glare at my brother, and he steps away from me. He put what on her?
“Did you muzzle her?” I bark at him, appalled that he even thought of doing such a thing. Mateo glares at him, also outraged.
Andrei’s eyes widen as he raises his hands in surrender and backs up even further away from us. “She was ripping me to shreds, she bit my face!” He defends himself.
“Fucking hell, Andrei, have some patience! She doesn’t know you.” I hiss, barely holding my anger under control.
“I have the patience of a saint. I sat in that cave for fucking hours, waiting for her to come out, but I wasn’t going to be mauled to death. Besides, I didn’t stop her from taking it off once I got her inside.”
“Yeah, because you knew you were asking me to come here. I swear Andrei, put that thing on her again, and I will muzzle you! Got it?”
He growls low but nods, folding his arms across his chest. “Fine,” he huffs under his breath. I’m about to tell him to keep his attitude in check, but my brother beats me to talking as he raises a finger. “But if she bites me again, I am biting her back,” he promises.
I roll my eyes at his childishness. Goddess help me! “I will come back in a few days, but he won’t hurt you, will you, Andrei?” I address my brother as I keep my eyes glued on Sage, so she understands I am on her side, always.
“No, of course not. She is my mate, what do you think I am, Kat?” I don’t bother answering because I know exactly who he is. I have seen it. I just hope Sage never witnesses that side of him.
Andrei
Kat manages to talk to her, which is great. However, my mate shifts back to her wolf before I can even see or talk to her myself. Kat then bitches me out for putting a muzzle on her, and I am ashamed of what I had done, I made a mistake.
I know it is wrong, but I didn’t have much choice. Something tells me that if I had tried to forcefully mark her just to get her in the house, I would be in more trouble than I am for using a muzzle.
Of course, since my little mate is a rogue, I have no command over her. My sister does though. I’m not sure how she can pull it off, although it kind of makes sense. Kat is the Queen of Alphas, she has influence over all wolves, not just pack wolves.
Kat brushes my mate’s fur. Well, at least I know her name now. One thing is better than nothing at all, I suppose.
My sister stands up and approaches me before giving me a big hug, and I walk her to the door. She keeps side-eyeing me as I unlock it.
A little paranoid, I glance over my shoulder to check if Sage will run for the door, but she just sits on her hind legs, shaking like a leaf. I can smell she is scared of Kat leaving her alone with me.
“Can you make her shift back, maybe command her?” I ask Kat, and I hear Sage whimper behind me. The terrified, pained sound is heartbreaking. I can tell already I will have my hands full with this one.
I look over my shoulder again, and she presses herself against the wall. Sage looks like she genuinely believes that the wall can swallow her and save her.
I fucking hate how terrified she is of me. I haven’t done anything to make her fear me. Yes, I put a muzzle on her, but only because she wouldn’t stop biting me. The little gray wolf is hiding something huge.
I bring my hand to the back of my neck and scratch it awkwardly, while Kat stares at me as if I just became her greatest nemesis. “You want her to shift back? She has to do it on her own. I won’t force her.” She shakes her head, visibly irritated by my request.
My eyes widen at her response. “How am I supposed to communicate with her when her wolf refuses to respond to Donnie in that form?” I run a hand through my hair as frustration boils up inside me.
“Figure it out, Andrei. I am not forcing her.” Kat repeats with a shrug. Amazing, I ask her to come here so that she can help me, but instead, I get some stupid “do it yourself” instruction. If I wanted to do DIY, I would have gone to IKEA and bought a new closet or kitchen or something.
“You can’t be serious,” I mutter under my breath.
But alas, Kat won’t budge. I let out a frustrated groan. “What? Am I supposed to sign to her or something? Come on, Kat, this is ridiculous.”
Kat shrugs, once again implying that I need to figure this out on my own. “She feels safer in her wolf form, she doesn’t know you, and she doesn’t trust you yet,” Kat lectures, standing in the doorway.