Chapter 263: Reconsider
"Darach’s proposition?" I echoed. "As in, go to Thunderstrike and take up the mantle of his beta?"
"It’s only temporary," Blaise immediately said. "You wouldn’t have to go for too long, just to make sure you’re safely out of the way in case―"
"In case what?" I frowned. "In case the vampires or hunters attacked? In case Kyle’s friends decide to take matters into their own hands?"
"The former," Blaise said. He pursed his lips, exhaling deeply. "Harper, I know it’s difficult but―"
"If the vampires attack, Thunderstrike will be vulnerable," I said. "I’m not worried about getting taken away― time and time again they’ve made it clear that their intention is to take me alive, for some godforsaken reason. But Darach just got into the role of alpha. An attack like that could destroy Thunderstrike for good."
Blaise’s lips were pressed so tightly together that they formed a very thin line. I felt my heart sink to rock bottom as a sudden thought crossed my mind.
"Unless..." I muttered, "That’s your intention after all."
It was as though a bucket of cold water had been thrown over my head, drenching me right through. My goosebumps started to rise all over my skin as my heart seized in horror. Even though I recognized who was sitting right there in front of me, I didn’t feel like I knew him any longer.
"Blaise, do you even hear yourself right now?" I barked out, unable to help myself but raise my voice. "You’re not thinking things through! Not only can Darach not protect Thunderstrike, which, mind you, are our allies now, but Milo is also there serving as his beta! What if something happens to him? Hornstead will eventually link the dots and realize that Fangborne is accountable― or to be precise, me!"
"I didn’t think to send you there to destroy Thunderstrike," Blaise clarified, but it was too little too late. "And it’s precisely because Milo is there that I feel more at peace sending you there. Thunderstrike is known for its high security― it withstood the trials of time for a good reason, not just because of its alphas over the generations."
He reached forward to hold my hand but I pulled back. Hurt rushed through my heart, an emotion which came from Blaise, but I refused to acknowledge it.
"The fact that Milo is serving as its beta means that Thunderstrike now has Hornstead as an ally. If anything happens, we will have both packs helping us out rather than leaving us alone to protect you."
Blaise inched a little closer but made no attempt to hold me, only so that he could get a better look at my face which I turned away.
"I have every confidence that Damon and I can protect you, but what if we aren’t there?" he murmured, his voice heartbreakingly soft. "What if the same thing happens and I am called somewhere else, somewhere I can’t bring you?"
"I protected myself perfectly fine," I grumbled under my breath.
However, as though my body was aching to prove me wrong, a burst of pain shot through my injury. I hissed, adjusting my arm into a more comfortable position. Just as I thought, when I finally turned to look at Blaise, he had a sad smile on his face.
"Even the most capable of warriors will need an ally," Blaise said. "Since you have no wolf, you’re at a disadvantage compared to the rest of us. You can train to counter a hunter, but what of a vampire? The one you fought was a lesser vampire; that’s how you defeated her so swiftly. What if you meet an elder or worse, a pureblood?"
"You and Damon said it yourselves," I said with a shaky voice. "I am safest by your side. When Darach first suggested I become his beta, you two were so vehemently against it."
"These are just my thoughts," Blaise confessed. "I’ve yet to discuss it with Damon. It’s just... a possible solution."
I remained silent.
"Harper, it’s not that I want you to go," Blaise hurriedly clarified. This time, he wrapped his arms around me, carefully hovering over my skin.
We weren’t even touching and I could already feel a buzz akin to electricity dancing off our skin. Every fiber of my body was screaming out at me to connect our bodies, to press myself into his hold, and give into his warmth. The cold of sitting alone felt all the more jarring the closer he was, and eventually, I felt myself prey to these burning desires.
The bond was making a fool out of me; I couldn’t keep a rational mind with them around.
It was only when I leaned into his touch did he let his arms relax, wrapping me fully in his embrace, all while making sure to keep clear of my injured arm. He tucked me under his chin, drawing circles on my skin with the tip of his finger, pressing tender kisses to my temple whenever I shivered under his touch.
Miraculously, I found myself less in pain the more I was with him. Even the aches from my wound went away just by being in Blaise’s arms.
"I just want what’s safest for you," he murmured into my hair, his voice low and soft. "I can’t bear to see you get hurt again."
"What if I trained?" I asked futilely. "I would work harder to keep myself in better shape. I can be a strong fighter if I put my mind to it. And my wolf―"
I turned back as best as I could so that I could look into Blaise’s eyes. As soon as our eyes made contact, I felt my cheeks heat up into a red flush.
"―I can feel my wolf getting stronger every time we... we..." I trailed off.
"As much as I would love to, we can’t be doing that every hour," Blaise said as he chuckled good-humoredly.
Laughter twinkled in his eyes, and with one look, I knew that whatever awkward tension between us from the near-argument had dissipated as though it had never been there in the first place.
I shook my head, bringing my face closer to him, stretching so that I could place a kiss on his lips. He leaned into the kiss, his eyes fluttering close. It took a while for us to part, albeit rather reluctantly.
"Is that a challenge, my love?" I asked coyly, wiggling my eyebrows. "Perhaps we could put it to the test. Who knows? It might cause my arm to heal immediately!"
Blaise laughed. "Slow down there, tiger. We wouldn’t want the wound to tear. Good luck explaining that to Nicole if she asks, and you know she will if she has to stitch the wound back up again."
"Oh, you know she will be happy for me," I said, my gaze darting to his lips before meeting his eyes again. "Do you think I can get discharged right now so that we can test out this theory?"
Our laughter radiated across the infirmary, blissfully unaware that our entire conversation could be heard by every patient and visitor in the room― including Damon.
