One Night

Chapter 145

Audrey

“Tell me again.”

Edwin’s warm thumb traced circles on the back of my hand, those gray eyes never leaving mine. We hadn’t let go of each other once since it had all happened-much to the chagrin of the EMTs, who were cramped in the ambulance with us.

Throughout the entire ambulance ride and multiple tests and scans for broken bones or a concussion, he had never left my side. And I was glad for that, because something told me that if he left my sight or I left his for even a moment, we would both go mad.

I had told Edwin my recollection of the events several times now, but he kept asking to hear it. At first, I thought that maybe he was just trying to piece together what had happened. But now I realized that he just wanted to hear my voice.

Because he had come so close to never hearing it again.

The hospital room was quiet except for the steady beep of the heart monitor and the mu**ed sounds of the hallway beyond. The antiseptic smell was making my head spin, or maybe that was just the lingering effects of being legally dead for three

minutes.

Dead. I had been dead, they told me, in every sense of the word. My heart had stopped there on that shore, my lungs unresponsive to the CPR that the EMTs had given me.

Until Edwin had shoved them aside and pressed his lips to mine. It was then that his scent, the string tying our soul together, had found me in death. And I had followed it back to the world of the living.

I took a deep breath through aching lungs, trying to organize my sc****

Edwin leaned closer, his eyes intent on mine. The golden flecks that hadn’t left his irises all night seemed to glow a little brighter.

“And what did it say?”

I closed my eyes, trying to recall. The memory was hazy, like trying to remember a dream. “It said that I was not a human.”

I opened my eyes again, meeting Edwin’s gaze. “Is it my wolf?” I asked softly. “Is that the presence I feel now?”

Edwin nodded, and I felt a sharp inhale suck through my teeth. had felt the presence since I had awoken on that shore. It was… comforting. But also jarring. Familiar yet alien.

Like reuniting with a long-lost friend.

“I am here now, Audrey,” my wolf purred softly in my mind. “I think… I think I have always been here. Just sleeping,

My

face must have paled a bit, because Edwin squeezed my hand a little tighter and chuckled softly.

“You get used to it he said quietly. The presence,”

nodded, albeit a bit stiffly-both from pain and confusion,

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Chapter 145

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“But how is this possible?” Lwhispered. “I thought I was human. I’ve always been human. How can I have a wolf?”

Edwin was quiet for a moment, his brow furrowed in thought. Then he asked, “You were adopted, weren’t you?”

“Yes, but what does that have to do with-

“Perhaps your lineage isn’t what you thought it was,” he said gently, reaching out to tuck a strand of damp hair behind my ear. His touch sent a shiver down my spine, and I felt my wolf stir in response.

“Mate,” she purred. She must have said it a thousand times by now. Maybe more.

I still wondered why my wolf had been sleeping for so long when any regular werewolf would have known their wolf’s presence since childhood. But before I could say anything more, the doctor walked in, clipboard in hand.

“Well, Miss Thatcher,” she said, scanning her notes, “I’ve got to say, you’re one lucky girl. For your wolf to suddenly emerge before any harm could befall you…” She shook her head. “Your wolf protected you.”

I exchanged a glance with Edwin. My heart was racing again.

“It’s true,” that ethereal voice murmured inside of me, like silk pressing against the inner walls of my skull. “I had been waking for some time, but when you were in danger. I had to protect you. Protect us.”

The doctor checked me over one last time, finding no injuries. Edwin still didn’t let go of my hand once. When she was finished, she pulled her stethoscope out of her ears and took a step back.

“I’ll get your discharge papers ready. You’re free to go home whenever you’re ready. But I’d advise taking it easy for the next few days, just in case.”

As the doctor left, I shivered and turned to Edwin. I was still wearing my dress, which was still a damp and cold against my skin. The beading had been ruined, but I hardly cared about that right now. Edwin was still soaked, too; his white shirt plastered to his taut muscles.

Suddenly, as we waited for the doctor, a thought struck me.

“Where’s Fiona?” I asked, glancing at the door as if she would walk in right now. “You told me she might try to-” Edwin’s face darkened at the mention of her, his jaw clenching. I’m not sure. I suspect she heard that you’re my mate and she ran for the hills knowing that she couldn’t stand between us anymore.”

My cheeks heated at that word coming from his lips: mate. Just hearing him say it made my wolf growl with ecstasy.

The doctor returned a little while with my discharge papers, and after signing them with shaky hands, I was free to go. As we prepared to leave, I wracked my brain, trying to remember what happened on that balcony. An image of Fiona’s face, twisted with anger, flashed in my mind, but I couldn’t recall why

I reached out to my newfound wolf, hoping for answers, but she seemed just as confused as I was. The whole night was m

blur.

Edwin stayed by my side, his arm around my waist as we walked out of the hospital. My legs felt weak from exhaustion, but his strong presence beside me kept me steady, I leaned against him, and for the first-time, I felt.. peace. True peace.

The cool night air hit me as we stepped outside, and I shivered in my damp dress. Edwin immediately unfolded his jacket from across his arm-the only dry thing between us, since he had taken it off before leaping into the water after me–and draped it over my shoulders.

His scent, which was all over the jacket, immediately enveloped me like a cocoon

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Chapter 145

So that was what that was all this time: his scent. Not cologne. Not cigars. Him.

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Whenever I had picked up that scent before, it must have been when my wolf was waking up. Little glimpses into our bond.

“Thanks,” I murmured, pulling the jacket close around my shoulders. My wolf stirred contentedly, basking in it. I didn’t bother to hide the small sound of pleasure I made as I inhaled deeply through my nose. Edwin shot me a glance that was caught somewhere between awe and lust.

“My car is over here,” Edwin said, guiding me toward the parking lot. The asphalt was still damp from earlier rain, reflecting the amber-colored streetlights in puddles. “I’ll take you back to your dorm.”

I nodded, my bed-and a long, hot shower-calling to me.