Page 35 of The Dragons' Healing Mate

“We… I don’t think any of us realized how much your absence had affected us. Sure, we knew it was there. Hell, we all handled being gutted in our own personal, likely very shitty, ways. But how much we impacted the horde, well, that we didn’t see. I don’t think wewantedto see it.”

I looked up at him. That was the most honest I’d heard Orsen, and I had to admit that hearing him say as much reminded me that the Alphas had been ina lotof pain. That loss, which I knew could be like missing a limb, was lost on me. I didn’t remember them, and for the tiniest moment, I felt I might have had it a little easier than they did. At least, emotionally.

The agony and healing had been undeniably unbearable, something I was still having problems with. But I guess I couldn’t discount how difficult it had been for all of them.

“I get it,” I offered, nodding when Orsen made eye contact with me. “Whoever took me… Well, they did one hell of a number onallof us.”

Orsen studied me again, this tiny smirk in his narrowed eyes. “I’d sure like to find whoever it was. And I won’t beforgiving and forgettingthis time.”

A laugh rocked me, and I pulled my feet out of the water because they were getting cold. I pulled my knees up to my chest as I sat next to Orsen, mock irritation scrunching my features.

“I’m surprised you’re not angrier about Colin,” I stated, skating my hand over the surface of the water.

“I am angry at him, but at the same time… I respect what you did.”

I turned my head so sharply toward him, I was surprised I didn’t get whiplash. “Excuse me?”

He laughed, shaking his head. “I know. I never thought I would admit it, either, but you put the needs of those around you before yourself. You acted as an Alpha would. You saw someonein trouble and helped them, no questions asked, even though they had done harm to you. It’s infuriating, but I respect it.”

“Are you okay?” I asked, leaning forward and placing a hand on his forehead. “Doyouneed a healer?”

He shot me a look, and I playfully shoved at him, only shifting him an inch toward the creek. “And trust me, if we ever find out who was responsible for what happened to you… Well, there will be averydifferent outcome.”

I touched my stomach, phantom pain tickling my skin as I drew attention to the scars. “I give you complete permission to eat ’em.”

Bursting out with a laugh, Orsen wrapped his arm around me and pulled me against his side. It was reflexive and instinctual, this move for proximity, and I didn’t pull away, but I couldn’t look at him, either.

“I think I’ll enjoy that. But, for now”—Orsen squeezed me before sliding off the rock and standing with his hand outstretched—“how about we head back? Ma is making her famous double chocolate brownies for after dinner. And I, for one, don’t want to miss them.”

I took his hand, standing with a smile. “Oh, no. Can’t have that. By the way, how’s Griff’s cabin going?”

“I regret my move to beat the shit out of him more and more with every day I work on that damn thing.” Orsen didn’t bother with shoes, ready to lead me to the house barefoot. “Totally not worth it. The cabin is way too much work.”

I knew he was joking. I laughed as he talked about how it was going, idly elaborating on how Griff was demanding as hell. It was oddly pleasant to hear him talking about it like this. There was no animosity, and I could tell it was all coming from a place of good-natured kidding.

“As I said, though, let’s get back, Ms. Wanders Off Irresponsibly Into The Woods.”

I gasped at him, stomping a foot playfully. Still, it occurred to me what I’d said before. I didn’t know why I suddenlyactuallyfelt capable of doing it, but I went with it. Stepping forward, a move I completed with surprising speed, I caught Orsen off guard and placed my hands flat on his chest before I shoved.

Hard.

He fell right into the river.

The loud splash was a detonation, and I laughed so hard that I thought I might pee my pants. Orsen bolted up with a gasp, swishing his hair out of his face as he stood there, utterly soaked. Holding my hands in front of my mouth, as if it would hide my massive grin, I stared down at the wet dragon, shaking as I fought back more laughter.

Orsen eyeballed me, his eyes flashing that dark red, just like his dragon’s. “You didnotjust do that.”

I put my hands on my hips, not bothering to hide the smile this time. “Ididwarn you.”

“Well, consider this yours.”

Reeling backward, I just blurted, “Wait, what?” before Orsen surged out of the water and wrapped his arms around me, hoisting me off the ground and pulling me into the water with him.

It went over my head for a moment before we both got up. I screeched as the freezing water soaked through my clothes.

“Orsen!”

He just smiled at me as he shot back, “Rowan.”