Chapter 39


    LEAH


    I’m cold.


    I’m sure it’s due in part to the treatment, but the icy feeling sets in and no number of nkets can


    disperse the chill.


    They gave me valium. Probably a higher dose than they


    normally would, because in Adam’s words, “you need to rest and your body’s too stressed.”


    Now that’s an understatement.


    Adam has checked in a few times, and I sense that at least a portion of the people employed at this


    clinic are actually wolves.


    There’s somefort in that.


    Dr. Henley came in too, once or twice to touch base with me.


    Content from N?velDr(a)ma.Org.


    I appreciate the familiar faces.


    It’s not quite 7pm and I have time to rest before going to the funeral. That will happen at midnight and


    they’ll burn my father’s body before spreading the ashes on hisnds. Then his pack will run and the


    power will transition to my brother.


    There’s a chance that another wolf might try to challenge him,


    but Liam doesn’t seem concerned.


    He’s grown into a powerful man and he is very intelligent.


    I trust that if he can’t overpower, then he’ll be able to outwit an


    opponent.


    Unless it’s Aaron.


    The thoughtes unbidden and I shiver.


    I don’t want to think about him. Or all the lies and deceit.


    I suppose there is a chance that he’ll use his bond to me to try


    and im control. But Liam assured me that one of the first things he did upon dad’s death was to


    dere the blood debt over and to vow to get me back.


    And my pack supported the decision.


    But that still makes me a liability.


    Until my marriage is officially over, dered null and void by the High Council, then Aaron can use me


    to get to my family.


    When my hospital room door opens I look up, expecting a nurse or physician or maybe Adam. He’s


    really been hovering over me.


    But…”Brian!”


    Brian Leithrow strolls into the room with his hands in his pockets. “Hello Leah.”


    His blond hair is a little long and his beard is trim. He looks a lot like Chris Helmsworth in his Thor


    years, and whenever this wolf visited Aaron’snds, you could all but hear the females swooning in his


    wake.


    “Brian, what are you doing here?”


    “You don’t look so good, kid.”


    “You’re like six years older than me.” I sigh. “isn’t it bad manners to tell a girl they don’t look good?”


    “Okay, you look tired, then.”


    I snort. “Same thing.”


    He sits at the foot of the bed and I shift my leg over to make more room for him. “I’m sorry about your


    father,” he says.


    I nod. I can’t even believe my father is really gone. It’ll take time to process that, I imagine.


    “I can take you away from all of this, Leah,” he says softly.