Emme held back my hair and rubbed my back. “I did!”

“Then why the hell is she puking?”

Emme’s voice grew defensive, but tears drifted into every word. “I can’t cure everything perfectly. She may still have a concussion.”

I wiped my mouth with some tissues. “Enough, Taran. No more fighting. I need a bath. Do you think you could calm down enough to help me?” It was pathetic, but I did need help. The throbbing in my face had stopped, but every part of me ached from being forced to heal so quickly. I had to rest soon. Not just for me, but for our little one, too.

Misha led me to the bath when I stood. “The water contains eucalyptus and special salts that will help remedy your pain.”

“Thanks, Misha.” He bowed slightly and disappeared from the room.

After I brushed my teeth, my sisters gave me a thorough washing. Taran, I’ll admit, was more than a little rough when she shampooed my hair. “Son of a bitch, I don’t believe this day.”

“It’s okay, Taran.”

“No, Celia. It’s not. First you get the shit beaten out of you and then your own sister isn’t there to help you.”

“Dude, stop already. Emme feels bad. How many times can she apologize?”

Taran shot Emme another glare. “Not enough, Shayna.”

Emme added more salt to the water without a word. Taran huffed and dug her nails against my scalp. I jerked my head away. “Taran, stop. You’re yanking out my hair.”

“Well, if you would just stop moving—”

I lurched away from her. “Just let me do it.”

Taran crossed her arms. “Damnit, Emme. You upset Celia.”

Shayna threw her hands in the air. “Will you stop blaming her? None of this was intentional!”

Taran opened her mouth to say something, but I silenced her with a growl. “Just zip it, Taran.”

I climbed out of the tub and dried off. After moisturizing my skin, I slipped on a clean robe. I tried to appear calm, but no one believed my façade. The day should have been one of the happiest of my life, but instead it toppled into one giant hell hole.

Shayna wrapped her arm around me. “What’s wrong, Ceel?”

I pinched the bridge of my nose. “It’s been a rough day. I just need some rest. Call Koda, he’s probably missing you.”

Koda, like Aric, had been burned. And while his scarring was severe, it wasn’t as extreme as Aric’s.

Shayna shook her head. “I can’t leave you like this.”

“I’m fine, Shayna. Go to Koda. He needs you.” I tried to smile, but there was only so much encouragement I could muster. The great thing about Shayna was that although she knew she should stay, she also realized I didn’t want her to.

“Okay, but call me if anything changes.”

I paused for a moment, trying to gather my words. “Will you tell Aric that I’m fine…and not to worry about me.”

She puckered her brows. “Shouldn’t you tell him yourself?”

I lowered my head. “It’s not a good idea for me to talk to him right now.”

Shayna didn’t like what I had to say, but didn’t push me. She pulled her cellphone out of her back pocket and called her mate. “Hi, puppy. Emme’s here. She healed Celia so she’s okay now. Could you come get me?”

“Just you, baby?”

Shayna looked over at Taran. I answered for her when she shook her head. “Taran’s going, too. I need to rest.”

Taran watched me for a beat. “Screw all this vampire shit and come with us.”

“I can’t. Aric’ll get in trouble with the Elders for seeing me.”

She whispered low in my ear so Koda wouldn’t hear. “The Elders’ directives haven’t stopped either of you for weeks.”

I shot her a hard stare. “A lot has changed, Taran.”

Taran angled her perfect brows. I let her believe I meant Aric’s injuries. It was wrong, but for the moment, it was also easier. “Shayna, tell Koda I’ll be joining you.”

Shayna didn’t tell him right away, she was too busy explaining to Koda where Emme had been. Koda growled upon learning she’d slipped away with Hank. Even Gemini snarled a curse. Emme turned her back, tired, I supposed, of being judged by those she loved.

“Puppy, just don’t say anything to Liam. I don’t want him flipping out. How long will it take you to get here?”

“We never left. We’re outside the gate.”

Taran veered around. “Oh, hell, even Aric?”

“No. He and Liam went back to the house to try to figure out who attacked Celia.”

My heartbeat lowered to a dull throb. I’d been so hurtful to my wolf, and there he was, trying to figure out who’d harmed me.

Shayna played with the edges of her ponytail. “Taran and I will be right out.”

“We’ll be waiting. I love you, baby.”

“I love you, too.” Shayna smiled into the phone while misery shimmered in her eyes. Koda was no longer in pain, but she was. The scars would be a reminder of how much weres suffered protecting the earth.

Taran pulled me into a hug. “Call me later, okay?”

“I’ll try.”

Normally my answer wouldn’t have satisfied Taran, especially when she suspected something amiss. But of all my sisters, she knew me best. She realized there was a reason for my silence. Just like she knew I would talk about it when I was ready.

Shayna’s hug was tighter. “I’m glad you’re safe—and don’t worry, the wolves will figure it out.”

My body stiffened against her. God, I hope not.

Shayna and Emme also embraced. When Emme released her and stepped toward Taran, Taran stormed out without another glance. I wasn’t in the right frame of mind to talk to Taran about her behavior. Hell, I didn’t know how I was still functioning. All I could do was hold Emme against me and try to comfort her.

“I really am sorry, Celia.”

I stroked her hair. “I know, sweetie. It’s okay.”

Someone rapped impatiently on the door leading out to the hall. Emme wiped her tears and answered it while I towel dried my hair. The massive granite counter held dozens of hair products. No wonder Misha’s hair always appeared perfect. I picked one that I thought would keep my curls smooth and sprayed it on.