Karen Whiddon: The Lost Wolf's Destiny

“Here.” Kane passed him Dr. Silva’s white lab coat, which he’d evidently taken from her. “She can wear this.”

Lucas took it, appreciating how the other man, even though he was Pack, kept his back to Blythe’s nakedness.

Clearly drained, Blythe allowed him to help her put her arms into the lab coat. Then, once she’d buttoned it, he brought her to her feet, keeping her up against him for support.

Gently he held her, hoping she couldn’t see how his hands trembled.

“Are you all right?” he asked.

Slowly, she tested out how each leg would bear her weight. “I think so. Yes.”

Still treating her as if she might break, he tenderly brushed the hair back from her face, sending a shiver through her. Her lip was split and swollen, with a small trickle of blood at the corner. “I thought I’d lost you.”

She smiled. Though a bit wobbly, the enchanting curve of her mouth made his heart skip a beat. “No, you didn’t. You always find me.”

Smiling back, chest tight, he tried to speak past the odd knot in his throat.

“I hate to interrupt,” Kane said. “But we’re all done here.”

Eyes narrowed, Lucas shot him a look of warning, before turning his gaze back to Blythe.

Kane continued as if he hadn’t noticed. “Blythe, why don’t you get cleaned up and get ready to go? I know you’re eager to see that little girl of yours.”

Lifting her chin, Blythe stepped away from Lucas and nodded. “Definitely. Though I need to find something else to wear. I can’t travel wearing only a lab coat.”

“I’m pretty sure we can dig up something,” Kane told her.

“Great.” For whatever reason, she wouldn’t meet Lucas’s gaze.

Confused and, damn it, hurt, he watched her pulling away from him. In a way, he understood. By not protecting her from the crazed Dr. Silva, once again, he’d failed her.

“Lucas?” The sharp edge in Kane’s voice told Lucas he understood. “I can give you a ride to the hospital to see your sister.”

Chest tight, he nodded. “Thanks. I’d like that.”

Though she’d already turned away, Blythe paused. Glancing back over her shoulder, she gave him a tentative smile. “I guess this is goodbye, then? At least for now?”

Though he knew she really meant for forever, he dredged up a smile in response. He held out his arms and pasted his best impersonal look on his face. “Come give me a hug.”

With a wordless sound, she crossed to him and wrapped her arms around him. Holding on so tight she nearly cut off his breath, she kissed his cheek. He hugged her back, closing his eyes and inhaling her feminine scent one last time.

When she released him, he had to blink rapidly to keep his eyes clear. Swallowing, he hoped he didn’t make a fool of himself as he faced her. “Goodbye, Blythe. Say hi to Hailey for me,” he managed.

She waited, as though she expected him to say something more. When he didn’t, she finally nodded, her green eyes alight with what looked like pain. “I will. And you do the same with your sister.” Her tender smile seemed genuine, which oddly enough made it hurt even more.

A knock at the door had them moving quickly apart, as though they’d been caught doing something wrong.

Kane cleared his throat. “The rest of my team is here.” He raised his voice. “Come on in.”

Silent, Lucas and Blythe watched as he handed over custody of Dr. Silva. Once she’d been escorted away, he holstered his pistol and turned back to them. “All right, then. Are the two of you ready?”

Exhaustion warring with exhilaration, Blythe followed the officer down the hall to one of the sleeping quarters. Inside, she would be given clean clothing and then whisked away to begin the several-hour journey to be reunited with Hailey.

Lucas, on the other hand, had gone with Kane. While she understood the temporary separation was necessary, she’d expected...more. Not promises, not exactly. But something. Maybe exchanging phone numbers. Or a quiet I’ll be in touch.

The abrupt dismissal hurt. Clearly, he’d done his duty, helped free the children, and she was on her way to being reunited with her little girl. With his insistence on keeping things casual between them, apparently he considered his role finished. She wondered if he was glad to finally wash his hands of her. She wondered...

Stop.

Disgusted with her restless uncertainty, she pushed away the thoughts and emotions. She’d been granted a miracle: her daughter had been healed. She’d focus on the joy of that. Though she knew she’d always wonder what might have been, she had been given Hailey back. No one could take Hailey from her now.

Resolutely, she opened the closet door and grabbed a long dress. Shapeless and plain, it would more than adequately cover her until she could get to her own clothing or a store to buy something in her size.

A pair of flip-flops completed her outfit.

Now she was ready.

Dusting her hands off on her dress, she squared her shoulders and told the officer she would like to get on the road.

This time, she made the trip in a navy blue unmarked police cruiser. She elected to ride in the backseat and fell asleep an hour into the drive.

Stirring, Blythe groggily opened her eyes. According to the dashboard clock, she’d slept over three hours. Sitting up, she dragged her fingers through her hair and leaned forward into the front seat.

“How much farther?” she asked.

The driver smiled. “A couple more hours. How about we stop and stretch our legs? You can get something to eat if you want.”

Though what she really wanted was to see Hailey, she also couldn’t remember the last meal she’d had. “There,” she pointed ahead where a huge sign for a popular hamburger chain beckoned.

The short break helped more than she’d expected. She ate then cleaned up in the restroom, and they were back on the road before thirty minutes had passed.

Finally, just as the sun had begun to set, they pulled up in front of an ordinary ranch-style house. The car had barely stopped before Blythe opened her door and jumped out. Since she wasn’t sure of the protocol—as in, if they’d let her in—she ran up the front steps and turned impatiently to wait for her escort to catch up.

The front door opened. Blythe turned and there she was! Hailey! She scooped her daughter up, hugging her so tightly. Hailey laughingly protested.

“Mama!”

“Sorry, baby.” Covering her baby girl’s perfect little face with kisses, Blythe noticed two people standing in the foyer.

“Come in,” the tall, slender woman said, smiling. “I’m Samantha Herrick. This is my husband, Lucaine. We’re here on a short break from my work.”

Still clutching Hailey, Blythe shook the redheaded woman’s hand, warmed by the genuine kindness in her caramel eyes. “I can’t thank you enough,” she began. “I’ve been on your waiting list for what seems like forever and—”

“It’s all right.” Samantha dipped her head, as though embarrassed by the praise. “And actually, I should apologize to you for even having a waiting list.”

“But it’s unavoidable,” her dark-haired husband said, slipping his arm protectively around his wife’s shoulder. “There’s only one Healer for millions of Halflings.”

“Miss Sam made me all better.” Hailey bounced on Blythe’s lap, her five-year-old energy in sharp contrast to the wan, listless child Blythe had seen last. Love and gratitude made Blythe feel alternatively weepy and giddy.

“You look exhausted,” Samantha said, her soft voice full of sympathy. “Hailey’s been staying in our guest room. Why don’t you spend the night there with her?”

Appreciative, Blythe shook her head. “You’ve already done enough. I owe you a debt of gratitude for healing Hailey. I couldn’t possibly impose any more.”