Page 62 of Knotting Autumn

The mate bond hummed between us, more solid when we were touching. His satisfaction and possessiveness filtered through, and I couldn’t help nestling into his side.

While my bond with Thorne was intense and fiery, this one with Sawyer felt playful and grounding, anchoring me to safety. Grinning, Sawyer stole the can from my hand and took a swig.

Our attention was stolen by a figure appearing in the hall.

“We need to move. Hunter is on his way,” Cole said, breathless. The heel of his hand rubbed at his temple.

“How?” Thorne rose, rolling his shoulders. “We should have had a few days!”

Cole shook his head. “Mia texted. He loaded up a whole crew.”

“Wait, we didn’t discuss going anywhere else,” Sawyer growled, slamming the drink onto the coffee table. “This is exactly what we said we wouldn’t do. We aren’t going on the run with you.”

“Wait, we need to think this through,” I said, climbing to my feet. My fingers twisted in the hem of my shirt.

“No, they aren’t taking us away from our lives!” Sawyer declared.

I flinched. Sawyer and Thorne faced off, looking ready to rip into each other, and I had no idea what to do. Somehow I didn’t think fucking them would work in this instance.

Thorne snarled. “I’m trying to make sure you stay alive.”

“We’ll be safer without you,” Sawyer argued.

Cole looked to Sawyer, his soft gray eyes pleading. “Sawyer, please come with us. Things will not go well if you leave here without us right now.”

“How am I even supposed to know you’re telling the truth? I was always told seers weren’t even real.” Sawyer threw his hands up, taking a step back.

Recoiling, Cole curled in on himself.

“Cole, I’m sorry. I don’t mean to be an asshole. It’s just…” Sawyer trailed off.

Hands pressing to his head, Cole’s eyes rolled back in his head, and he dropped.

“Cole!” I shrieked, scrambling across the room to his side. Grabbing his shoulders, I pulled his head into my lap.

Thorne knelt beside us, while Sawyer hovered behind him.

Eyelids fluttering, Cole twitched in my lap.

“Is he okay?” I asked.

Thorne brushed his hair back tenderly. “Yes, he’s having a vision. Give him a minute.”

Cole lurched up, curling over and retching. Thorne held him steady until the heaving stopped. Collapsing back against me, Cole’s eyes opened. The pale gray was lighter, like liquid silver.

“He’s here,” he rasped. “It’s too late.”

“Shit!” Sawyer jogged to the front door, looking out the narrow window beside it.

Thorne hooked his arms under Cole’s and lifted him, half-carrying him to the sofa. Once Cole was in place, Thorne followed Sawyer to the entryway.

Perching beside him, I pressed my palm to Cole’s forehead. His skin was cold and damp. “How can I help?”

“Touch me, please.” Cole sank down, his eyes squeezed shut. “I’m trying to keep myself from passing out.”

Wasting no time, I straddled him, wrapping my arms around his upper back and hugging him as firmly as I could manage.

His quick breaths slowed, and his tense frame slowly relaxed.