Chapter 22

“Sydney,” a voice mumbled in her ear.  She swiped at it, hoping for it to leave.  If it would just go, she would be able to relax; she would be able to drift back into the peaceful sleep she was experiencing only moments before.

“Sydney,” the voice growled, “get up now before I do something you’ll regret.”

She recognized the voice immediately and turned away from it.  Who was he kidding?  Sydney knew that Isaac would never do anything to hurt her.  Annoy her, yes, but hurt her, he would never do that. 

He grabbed her shoulders and slammed her onto her back.  She gasped in surprise, but kept her eyes closed.  Sleep was what she wanted, not to be man handled by some lion shifter.  She waited for him to talk again, but when she could not hear any sounds but their breathing, she couldn’t resist opening an eye to see what he was doing.  It was a mistake.  His golden eyes were only inches from hers.  His nose brushed against hers as he moved.  She looked back into those eyes only to realize that they were focused on her lips.

She wanted to scoot away, to free herself from him, but she couldn’t. How could she back away from something she had wanted since the man left her?  It was wrong, she knew, but at that moment, the only thing she really wanted was for Isaac to kiss her.

He must have realized what she wanted because his lips pressed to hers.  Immediately, her hands shot up to tangle into his hair.  She pulled him closer in attempt to deepen the kiss she could feel from her core, but he backed off.  Jumping to his feet with his shifter speed, he turned his back on here.

“What’s wrong?” she asked while pushing into a sitting position.

He shook his head at her.  “You have a boyfriend, remember.  A human is your boyfriend.  I can fight for you against Leo, but I refuse to be second to some boy.”

Her heart constricted in her chest as he began walking away from her.  He stopped, and hope soured only to be crushed when he mumbled his next words.  “You better find Sebastian and a healer quick.  Jones doesn’t have much time.”

He ran into the darkness of the woods, leaving her without a backwards glance.  She blinked, attempting to keep the tears at bay.  Why was she so emotional?  She knew this would happen.  She knew that they could never be together.  I can fight for you.  He said that he would fight for her.  He would put his relationship with his best friend on the line to be with her.  The words warmed her, but what else did she expect from Isaac? 

Sighing, she stood to her feet before wiping a few stray tears from her cheeks.  She didn’t have time for this.  Darkness was already covering the woods, and she still had not found a healer.  She took off running, using as much speed as she could.  She needed to return to where Jones was.  Not just for the man, or for the war, but for herself too. 

As soon as she cleared the woods, she spotted Seb pacing in front of her.  As soon as his eyes made contact with hers, she could read the relief there.  He took a step forward.  “Quick, ask the healer and let’s go.  What the in the hell took you so long?  Ally is in those woods without me.” He paused with an irritated expression.  “And you’re still standing here why?”

She had to bite back the smile that attempted to spread across her lips.  The man was frustrated that he had to wait for Sydney.  He was mad because he was not by his mate, and his protective instincts were going crazy. She’d seen Leo react the same way.  “I got hit on the head.”

“Are you okay?” he asked before shaking his head.  “You can tell me later.  Go ask that man so we can leave.”

She glanced over to where Seb was pointing to find a man standing there looking bored.  “Why didn’t you just bring him to the clearing?”

“Can’t be involved because it is your screw up,” Seb mumbled while inching closer to the woods.

She just nodded at his words. He helped as much as he could, but now, it was all up to her to ask the man.  She walked towards him with a timid smile on her face.  He was an older man, most likely in his forties, but his expression held the same blankness as the other snow leopard shifters.  He wasn’t going to give her an inch.

“I need help healing the Queen’s guard.  I take full responsibility for what happened to him, but I really need your help to keep a war from happening.”

The man blinked at her.  “I am not the healer,” he said in a strong voice before spreading his legs apart.  A small head popped out from between his legs.  The first thing that surprised her was that this little girl had to be about two; the other thing was that her hair was black.  She glanced up at the man, wanting to ask, but knowing that she couldn’t.

Sydney knelt down awkwardly and met the little girl’s eyes.  “Will you help my friend?”

She tilted her head to the side, her pigtails moving with her.  The little girl stared at her, causing her to fidget.  Whatever magic this girl had, it was unnerving. Finally, she nodded, bringing attention to her hair once more.  She looked up at the man and opened her arms.  Immediately, the man picked her up and took a step away from Sydney.

“She may have said yes, and I am allowing her to do this because it is our Queen, but I ask a favor in return.  She is too young to realize she will need it.”

“Anything you want,” Sydney replied with a nod.

The man shook his head at her, but still held his free hand out for her to shake.  Sydney gripped it, solidifying their deal.  “You will know when the time comes.  Just remember that you owe her.”

“I’ll never forget,” she promised.

He nodded at her.  “Lead the way.”

Sydney didn’t have to be told twice as she took off into the woods.  Seb was just a step behind her, and behind him were the people who would save Jones.  She couldn’t think of it any other way.  The little girl would save Jones, and in return, Sydney would do anything she needed to for the tiny shifter.