Burned: Wild Magic Book 2

by Danielle Grenier

Caleb was having a difficult time with the little witch so close. Sitting in the chair next to the bed had been too close, so he’d moved to lean against the wall by the door. His wolf urged him to go to her, touch her, hold her, but he wasn’t sure how she’d react, and he wasn’t about to do anything that might upset his sister. So, he stayed put.

  “Hold up for a minute,” Sara said, pausing at the foot of the bed, one hand pressed tightly across her middle. Angel slid forward on the bed to rest her hand on Sara’s shoulder.

  “You okay?” Angel asked, concerned.

  “Yeah,” Sara replied, “just a really big contraction.”

  “Do you want to lie down again?” Wyatt asked, hovering next to his Mate.

  “No,” Sara answered quickly, “the walking is helping, I just need a minute.”

  True to her word, after a few minutes of breathing deeply, Sara nodded to Wyatt and, with a little help, got moving again. Angel watched her closely as she moved around the room, catching Caleb’s eye as Sara moved past him. Angel held his gaze for a moment before quickly ducking her head. While disappointed in her reaction, Caleb couldn’t help noticing the blush that spread across her cheeks. Maybe there was some hope yet.

  Sitting in that bedroom with Caleb so close was practically torture. Angel tried her best to focus on Sara, but since they were stuck waiting, it was difficult. His scent teased her nose, bringing her wolf to life, not to mention her libido. She had to assume some, if not all, of the wolves in the room had noticed her reaction, but thankfully they were polite enough not to say anything. Angel needed to get some fresh air, but she didn’t trust herself to walk past him without doing something crazy right now. Taking a few calming breaths, she turned her attention back to Sara, working through some meditation techniques in her head. After a few minutes, Angel felt a lot more in control and decided to make her move. Climbing off the bed and stretching quickly, she turned to Sara.

  “I’m just going to grab some fresh air,” she said, “I won’t be far.”

  “Okay,” Sara replied, smiling widely despite the late hour.

  Angel strode from the bedroom at what she hoped was a normal pace. After browsing the food available, she decided solid food might not be the best idea for the time being and poured herself a large cup of coffee instead. Moving across the room, she quietly opened the door to the patio and slipped outside.

  It was still very dark out, and the sun wouldn’t be rising for another couple hours yet. It was chilly, and Angel contemplated going back for her jacket, ultimately deciding she didn’t want to bother. Weaving a quick spell, she created a warm spot that encompassed most of the patio. Angel leaned on the railing, looking out at the wilderness surrounding the compound and sipping her coffee slowly. Taking a few deep breaths, she felt her wolf calm a little. Angel heard footsteps, then the patio door opened slowly, revealing Caleb. She groaned inwardly, while her wolf perked up instantly.

  “There you are,” Caleb said, pasting that same fake smile on his face as he stepped onto the patio and closed the door behind him.

  “Just getting some fresh air,” Angel replied, turning around to avoid facing him. They stood in silence for a minute or so, and Angel could almost hear the thoughts running through his head. She held herself completely still, knowing if he touched her, it would likely be her undoing. Eventually, Caleb exhaled forcefully, then came to lean against the railing as well, choosing a spot about two feet away from her.

  “Did I do something wrong?” Caleb asked, not looking at her.

  “No,” Angel replied, “you didn’t.”

  “Then why don’t you want to see me?”

  “It’s complicated.”

  “Is it because I’m a wolf?” Caleb asked begrudgingly.

  “No!” Angel insisted, setting down her coffee and turning to face him so he could see the sincerity on her face. “Not at all.”

  “Then what is it?” Caleb demanded, facing her now.

  The look on his face threw Angel and made her pause. His scent told her even more; he was confused and hurt. It killed her knowing she’d done this to him; she’d hurt her Mate. For a moment, she wavered. For a moment, she considered just telling him the truth and dealing with the consequences, whatever they were. But fear raised its ugly head, and she clamped her mouth shut, turning away from Caleb.

  “I just can’t be involved with anyone right now,” she lied, knowing it sounded lame.

  “That’s the best you’ve got?” Caleb asked, getting angry now.

  “What the hell is that supposed to mean?” Angel barked, getting defensive.

  “It’s a piss-poor excuse, and you know it,” Caleb insisted.

  “So what if it is?” Angel hissed at him. “I don’t have to explain myself to you. Maybe you just can’t handle the fact that there might be a female on this planet that isn’t going to throw herself at you!”

  “Maybe you’re just afraid you can’t handle me,” Caleb taunted, moving closer.

  Angel took a step back, trying to keep her distance from the seething wolf.

  “Ha!” Angel shouted, trying to sound confident as he closed the distance between them. “You wish!”

  She jumped when her back hit the railing. Caleb planted his hands on either side of her hips, caging her in his arms. He moved forward, his body pressing against hers in a way that sent shivers up her spine. Angel knew she had to stop this before it was too late, but with him so close, she was having trouble remembering why.

  “Stop,” she said, her voice barely a whisper.

  Caleb brought his fingertips beneath her chin and made her look at him.

  “Say it like you mean it, and I will,” he challenged.

  Angel opened her mouth to answer, but no sound would come. Caleb smiled, and her resistance evaporated in an instant. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she pulled him down for a desperate kiss. Their lips met, and the world seemed to stop spinning. Angel felt his hands on her hips, then she was lifted up and set on the railing. She wrapped her legs around his waist and pulled him closer as his hand slipped under her shirt and reached upwards. Just before he reached his goal, the patio door flew open. Ryan opened his mouth to speak but froze when he saw them.

  “Uh,” he began, but Caleb growled loudly, and he clamped his mouth shut, lowering his eyes.

  “Go away!” Caleb rumbled, barely turning away from Angel.

  “Normally, I would,” Ryan replied, “but, uh -”

  He was cut off when Caleb growled again, this time turning on his younger brother. Angel thought she might have to intervene, but then she heard Sara cry out from inside the house. Caleb’s head turned sharply towards the sound.

  “Sara!” Angel gasped. She pushed him away, jumped down from the railing, and darted inside.

  Chapter 7

  Caleb stood on the patio for a few moments after Angel had gone, temporarily stunned. He’d gone out there to confront her, to find out why she was ignoring his calls. As expected, she’d thrown him some generic excuse that wasn’t anywhere near the truth. Beyond frustrated, he’d called her on her bullshit, fully expecting her to break and tell him the real reason. Never in a million years had he expected a shouting match, followed by the best damn kiss he’d ever had in his life. If Ryan hadn’t interrupted them, Caleb had no doubt they would have screwed each other right there on that patio.

  “Fuck!” Caleb shouted, finally realizing Ryan was still there. His younger brother smiled and held up his hands apologetically.

  “Sorry,” he said. “I didn’t think…I mean, I -”

  “It’s alright,” Caleb told him, taking a deep breath to calm himself. “Let’s go.” They headed inside, shutting the patio door behind them. “How’s Sara?” Caleb asked.

  “The doctor says she’s close,” Ryan replied.

  He opened his mouth to say something else, but Sara’s scream had them dashing into the bedroom. Sara was splayed out on the bed, Wyatt glued to her right side, Angel glued to her left. Doctor O’Hare was kneeli
ng at the foot of the bed, examining Sara.

  “Just breathe, Sara,” O’Hare coached, “just breathe. It’s almost time to push.”

  “Fuck, this hurts,” Sara shouted.

  “Is it safe for me to help her with the pain?” Angel asked the doctor.

  “Go ahead,” he said, “but don’t numb her completely.”

  Angel nodded, rested her hand against Sara’s stomach, and Caleb felt a tingling sensation as the witch used magic to lessen his sister’s pain. Sara took a deep breath, relaxing a bit, then turned towards Angel, taking another deep breath.

  “Well,” the she-wolf said, grinning widely, “I’m sure glad someone’s having fun tonight.”

  She pinned first Angel, then Caleb with a knowing stare. Angel blushed furiously, and Caleb shrugged his shoulders, giving his sister a wink when no one else was looking.

  “Alright,” O’Hare said from between Sara’s legs, oblivious to everything else in the room, “looks like we’re ready to start pushing.”

  “Thank God!” Sara exclaimed, bringing giggles from Ryan and Caleb both. “You think it’s so funny,” Sara shouted at them, “why don’t you give it a try?”

  Caleb held up his hands apologetically, not wanting to upset her at the moment. Ryan did the same, mumbling a quick “Sorry” before escaping from the room. Caleb decided to stay, choosing a chair that would keep him out of the way, but close enough to lend his support.

  “Okay, Sara,” the doctor said, “get ready to push…and now!”

  With a deep breath and great yell, Sara pushed through the next contraction. And the next. And the next. Wyatt held her hand despite the crushing, white-knuckled grip she maintained on his fingers. Angel kept her arm around Sara’s shoulders, coaching her through the contractions and using a cool, damp cloth to wipe her forehead. After a few more contractions, O’Hare held up his hand.

  “Stop pushing for now, Sara,” he instructed tersely.

  Sensing the doctor’s unease, Caleb stepped forward.

  “Is everything alright?” Wyatt asked, concern coloring his voice.

  “Just a minute,” O’Hare said, moving up the bed and using his fingers to press against Sara’s belly.

  Sara kept breathing deeply, but Caleb could see she was worried. O’Hare continued poking and prodding her, saying nothing. Pulling out a stethoscope, he pressed the device against her belly, over and over again.

  “Is the baby alright?” Sara asked, sounding a little panicked.

  O’Hare didn’t answer, setting down the stethoscope and moving back between her legs.

  “What is it?” Caleb demanded, finally getting the doctor’s attention.

  O’Hare took a deep breath.

  “We should at least be able to see the head by now,” he explained calmly, “and now the baby’s pulse is weak. I think the umbilical cord might be wrapped around its neck.” He turned to Sara, putting on a brave face. “It’s probably nothing,” he reassured her, “but I want to make sure before we continue.”

  Sara nodded, scared for her baby’s life. O’Hare moved to continue his examination, but Angel stopped him.

  “Wait,” she said, “I can check. It won’t hurt anything, and it’ll be quicker.”

  “Are you sure?” O’Hare asked her.

  “Yes,” Angel replied, turning to Sara, who nodded her permission.

  “Do it,” Sara said.

  Angel splayed her hand over Sara’s belly, took a deep breath, and closed her eyes. The tingle of magic reached Caleb a moment later and stayed as Angel moved her hand over Sara’s belly for a minute that seemed like hours. When she opened her eyes, Caleb could see she was worried.

  “The doctor’s right,” Angel said, “the cord is wrapped around the baby’s neck, and it’s starting to cut off its airway.”

  “Alright,” O’Hare said, “I should be able to get the baby untangled.”

  “I don’t think you should try,” Angel said.

  “Why not?” Wyatt asked softly, but Caleb could see he was afraid.

  “The baby is in an awkward position,” Angel explained. “If you try to move her, you could cut off her airway completely.”

  Everyone was silent as they digested the information.

  “Wait a minute,” Ryan said, having entered the room while Angel was talking. “You said ‘her.’”

  “Oh, shit!” Angel exclaimed, turning to Sara and Wyatt. “I’m sorry, I know you wanted it to be a surprise, but I really couldn’t check on the baby without finding out the gender. Oh, I’m so sorry.”

  Wyatt had a dazed look on his face, while Sara was hovering between smiling and bursting into tears. Before anyone could say anything else, O’Hare piped up.

  “If I can’t get the baby untangled,” he asked Angel, “how do you propose we get her out safely?”

  “I can cut the umbilical cord right now,” Angel suggested, “using my magic. Then Sara gives a couple good pushes and everything should be fine.”

  “Are you sure you can do that?” Wyatt asked cautiously.

  “Absolutely,” Angel insisted.

  O’Hare looked to Sara.

  “It’s your choice, Sara,” he told her. “What do you want to do?”

  “Angel can do it,” Sara replied, without any hesitation.

  O’Hare nodded to Angel, who placed her hand over Sara’s belly again.

  “When I say so,” Angel began, “start pushing.”

  Angel pressed her hand against Sara’s belly, trying desperately not to give away how nervous she was. She had no idea how she’d gained Sara’s unfailing trust, but she was sure as hell going to prove she deserved it. Taking a deep breath, Angel reached out her magic, located the umbilical cord wrapped around the tiny girl’s neck, and with a quick flare of power she severed the cord.

  “Now,” Angel told Sara, and the she-wolf started to push.

  O’Hare waited between her legs, and after the first contraction, he called out happily. “I can see the head! Keep going, Sara.” One more contraction, and O’Hare reached up to catch the baby. “The head is out,” he said, “one more big push should do it.”

  Beside her, Sara took a deep breath, and with a great, big shout she pushed hard one last time. O’Hare caught the baby, snatching up a small instrument to clear her airway, and a moment later the newest member of the pack started to cry. Doctor O’Hare wrapped the tiny little baby in a blanket before handing her to Sara. Angel climbed off the bed and stepped back to give them some room. Sara cradled her daughter in her arms, turning so Wyatt could see her as well.

  “She’s perfect,” Wyatt nearly whispered, “absolutely perfect.”

  “What are you going to call her?” Ryan asked.

  “We’re not quite sure yet,” Sara said, “we never could agree on names, so we decided to choose after she was born.”

  “She’s adorable,” Caleb told his sister, moving forward to kiss his sister on the cheek. Reaching down, he took the baby’s hand gently between his thumb and forefinger. “Hello there, little one,” he cooed.

  Sara shifted so she could hand the baby to Wyatt, who held the little girl like she was the most precious thing in the world.

  “What about Maya?” Wyatt asked, turning to Sara, who wrinkled her nose.

  “I don’t think she’s a Maya,” Sara replied.

  “What about Eve?” Ryan suggested.

  “I like it,” Sara said, “but I don’t think she’s an Eve.”

  “Melissa?” Caleb suggested, and Sara made a face.

  “Not a chance,” Sara told her brother. At Angel’s confused look, Sara laughed. “Melissa was a girl I went to high school with. I hated her. She stole my boyfriend in tenth grade.”

  “Okay, then,” Angel said, laughing at the emotion in Sara’s voice when she talked about her high school nemesis. “Cassie?” Angel suggested, the name suddenly popping into her head.

  Sara paused for a moment, thinking about the name. She turned to Wyatt, who smiled at his Mate.

  �
��I like it,” he said, looking down at his daughter, “it suits her. Cassie.” The little girl let out a happy gurgle. “I think she likes it, too!”

  “That’s it, then,” Sara proclaimed, taking the baby back from Wyatt, “we’re calling her Cassie.”

  Angel stood to the side, while Doctor O’Hare cleaned up after the delivery, and the wolves crowded around to congratulate the new parents and coo over the new baby. It had been one of the most amazing things she’d ever experienced, and Angel was glad Sara had asked her to be a part of it. Deciding to give the newly expanded family a little space, she snuck out of the bedroom, heading for some of the snacks in the kitchen. Once presented with food, her stomach growled loudly, reminding her she’d been up for several hours without eating. Grabbing a sandwich, a cookie, and a glass of juice, Angel sat down at the kitchen table and had breakfast. Ryan and Caleb joined her about 10 minutes later, also grabbing some food. No one spoke, though Ryan kept casting glances between Angel and his brother, like he expected them to jump each other again. Angel just ignored him. Harder to ignore was what had happened out on the patio.

  Despite her best efforts, Angel hadn’t managed to convince Caleb she wasn’t interested in him. In fact, she’d probably managed to convince him of the exact opposite. If she was being honest with herself, Angel actually regretted Ryan’s interruption. Having sex with Caleb was, at the moment, both the best and worst idea Angel had ever had. The best because she was pretty sure it would be the best experience of her adult life and appease her wolf. The worst because she knew it would lead to disaster. Finishing up her meal, Angel took her dishes to the kitchen and rinsed them off before loading them into the dishwasher. She then headed to the bedroom, intending to say goodbye to Sara before leaving the compound. When she walked in, Sara and Wyatt were laying on the bed, Cassie cradled gently in Sara’s arms.

  “Hey there, Mom and Dad,” Angel teased, and both their faces lit up in wide grins. “How’s she doing?”

  “Wonderful,” Wyatt replied. “Thank you, Angel, for your help during the delivery.”

  “Don’t worry about it,” Angel told him, “I’m just glad I could help.”