Claimed by Ice by Eris Sage Page B

tied them had all been a figment of her imagination.
    Exander grabbed her hand, and she looked over at him, saw the love, the support in his eyes. Jane had always prided herself on standing strong on her own two feet, but right now she’d freely take the support he offered, hope that it would be enough to get her through this.
    They nodded at the doorman, rode up the elevator, but it all passed in a blur. And when she turned the doorknob, she saw Sebastian and Kyr, and then finally Jewel, huddled in the corner of that white sofa that she was so proud of.
    When she saw Jane, she jumped up and ran to her, pulled her into a tight hug that stole Jane’s breath. “How are you? They wouldn’t tell me anything,” Jewel said as she threw a disgusted look at Sebastian and Kyr.
    “I’m fine.” She looked up at Jewel, locked eyes with her. “But tell me, and please be honest, were you a part of this?”
    Jewel blinked, and Jane could see the lie forming behind her eyes. “Please, Jewel. Just tell me the truth.”
    “You would have been fine, Janie. Nothing would have happened to you. You know I love you. We’re all each other has.”
    “Had,” Jane whispered. “We’re all each other had . But not anymore. I love you, Jewel. Always. But I don’t ever want to see you again. Ever.”
    “Jane, be serious. You’re my big sister. You raised me. You can’t just cut me out of your life.”
    “I didn’t. You did. And I won’t take the blame for it. I would have given you all I had. I sacrificed everything for you! And it wasn’t enough.” She met Jewel’s eyes head-on. “But I’m done. Forever.”
    She was happy at how even her voice was, but she wasn’t surprised. She had shed her last tear for Jewel, would not spare her another moment’s worry.
    “This is him! He’s been filling your head with lies. You know what he tried to do? He came on to me, told me there was no reason we couldn’t be friends. He’s trying to break us apart, Janie. Don’t let him!”
    Jane grabbed Jewel, held her tight, remembering the countless times she had done so before, remembering how much she had loved her baby sister.
    “Good-bye, Jewel,” she said.
    Then she turned, grabbed Exander’s hand, and left the apartment.

    J ane’s grip on his hand was tight, but he welcomed it.
    He’d driven without direction once they’d left Jewel’s apartment, but when they reached a small park, he stopped and guided her out.
    “Are you okay, Janie?”
    She looked at him, her eyes wet with unshed tears, and he regretted the stupid question.
    “I will be. Soon. It’s just hard…”
    “I know,” he said.
    “Do you…? Do you think I did the right thing?” she asked.
    And he was again amazed by this woman, his mate. “I know you did. Did better than most would have. Certainly better than I would have.”
    “Thank you, Exander. For everything,” she said, eyes on his.
    “Wait. That sounds like good-bye.”
    “I don’t kno—”
    “I love you, Janie,” he said, cutting her off. “Have I told you today how amazing you are, how your capacity to put others ahead of yourself awes and humbles me?”
    She shook her head.
    “Well, it does. Everything about you does. I hope you stay with me. Forever.”
    And then he waited, breath frozen in his chest.
    “I love you, Exander.”
    Instead of responding, he captured her lips in a kiss.

    E ris has more shifter stories in the works. Be the first to know when her next book is released by signing up for her newsletter!