Chapter 873

"There there, little baby," I murmur, thinking of all the nice soft things my mother would say when we were kids, and we were hurt, or sad, or wanting. "We've got you now. We'll keep you safe." I take some of the fire and coat my hands with it, brushing it against his face, drying the residue of oil there until it turns into dark flakes like mud or dirt and then I brush it away.

By the time his face is clear and I clean the muck out from his tear ducts and his ears, most of the dark oily substance has receded from Gabriel's soul. As I clean off his whiskers and scratch the muck from his chin, Gabriel's sweet wolf looks at me with a great deal of shame in his eyes. So much that it makes me laugh.

"Oh, come on," I murmur, scratching at the clean fur now between his ears. "It wasn't your fault, darling. Nobody blames you."

He gives a sad little howl, and across the bridge between our souls Jackson's wolf gives a dark snarl, letting him know to behave. I laugh as my wolf comes to my side, eagerly reaching out for Gabriel's wolf with her snout, wanting to help.

"You ready, boy?" I ask, reaching back behind his neck for his scruff with a flame- coated hand, still very careful not to let that oil come anywhere close to any of my flesh.

He gives a sad little howl, and then a nod, and so I grab his fur and haul him forward, pulling him as best I can out of that ditch into which he's sunk.

My wolf helps too, taking some of my flame into her mouth and grabbing at his fur, pulling as Gabriel's wolf pushes with his withered little legs, trying desperately to get out, to get free.

He's far too light for a healthy wolf, but still very heavy for me, and it takes a great deal of effort to pull him free of the ditch. But finally he's out, and standing on his own shaking feet, panting and looking around with fear and wonder. He tries to turn, to see more, but his legs give out beneath him and he falls to the ground.

"That's okay, little baby," I say, moving near and conjuring more flames on my hands as my wolf trots in proud circles around us. "We'll get you fixed up soon."

I work on the wolf, passing my hands all over his fur, drying out the darkness and the oil as my wolf discovers that she, too, can carry the flame. She trots all around his soul, drying out the nooks and crannies, ensuring that there's nothing left-no darkness, no oil.

I have no idea how much time has passed, but by the time we're finished I feel very tired. But still, my heart soars at the sight of Gabriel's gorgeous grey wolf with his bright blue eyes, laying happily in his soul, his tongue hanging from his mouth as he pants and stares happily up at my face.

I laugh and scratch his ears as my wolf gives him a happy lick. "I don't know what you're going to do about that," I say, nodding towards the big crater still in his soul. "But...I think my business is done here."

I get to my feet and he looks at me quite mournfully.

"I'm sorry," I say, truly meaning it. "But..." I look over my shoulder to where Jackson's wolf still stands, peering anxiously across the bond bridge. "He's been very patient. And I love him a great deal."

Gabriel's wolf huffs but then stretches out his nose, a whine sounding in his throat, his request quite clear. I bend close, taking his muzzle in my palm as he gives me a long lick, just once, up my cheek.

"You're welcome," I whisper, smiling at him.

And then I turn, my wolf at my side, and cross the bridge back to my soul.

Jackson's woff growls a little, pouty and moody, as we come back to his side. Instantly he gives my wolf a sweet, jealous little nip on her haunch and begins to rub himself all

over her, wiping away any traces of Gabriel's wolf's scent.

"Possessive," I scold, grinning, watching him with my hands on my hips.

Damn right I'm possessive, Jackson snarls in my mind. Get back here.

I laugh and do as he bids, leaving his wolf to his business and opening my eyes in the real world.

Jackson drops my hand and cups

my

his pretty dark blue gaze. "Are you okay?" no

estock, staring into my eyes

"I'm fine," I say, beaming at him.

Jacks exhales, long and slow, resting his forehead against mine, his eye falling

shut. "That was amazing."

"It really was," Jesse breathes.

Confused, I look up at him. "How do you know?"

"You were... glowing," he says, nodding to me eagerly. "All blue. Like aunt Ella when she heals. And," he shrugs, nodding down towards the

Prince laying on the ground. "The results speak for themselves." noveldrama

For the first time I look down at my un-corrupted mate.

And find what looks like a new man staring up at me in shocked wonder. "Ariel," he whispers.

"Hey, Gabriel,” I say, laughing a little as tears spring to my eyes. "It's nice to meet you."