Saving Brielle: The Celestial Mating Series Book 1 Read online

  "Brielle, this is my good friend Max. He has been waiting with me." He turned to Max who had a startled look on his face. Max looked at him and then at Brielle. He stepped forward, closer to her bed, and took her hand in his. "I am very sorry for what you have gone through. If there is anything Cole or I could do for you, please let us know. We would like to be there to help you in any way we can."

  Max then set her hand down and took a step back. Cole nodded to Max and then turned to face Brielle again. "We will leave now and allow you to get your rest. Would you be alright with us visiting you again tomorrow? We will not stay long, but I would like to check in on you again."

  Cole waited as she seemed to think of her answer. She was fidgeting with her fingers and then laid her hands flat against the sheets of her bed and lifted her head to watch him. "I think I would like that. I am really grateful you found me when you did and I would really like to get to know you, if that is ok?" She answered.

  Cole wanted to laugh and hug her! She just wanted to get to know him? How could she even think he would not be all right with that? He replied "I would love that as well Brielle." He lifted her hand to his lips and gave it a gentle kiss before adding "I will let you sleep. I am going to leave my number with the nurses. If there is something you need or if there is anything I can do for you please have the nurses call me. I will see you in the morning. Good night, rest well." He stepped back and gave her a sincere smile. She returned it before wishing him a good night and closing her eyes. He and Max walked out of the room and checked out at the nurses' station.

  As they left the hospital Max said "I now know what you are feeling because my wolf responded to her as well. There is something special about her. She is ours." Cole could not believe it! He had heard stories of wolves who mated 2 to 1 and was told that those bonds were deeper and more powerful than any other, but it required a Celestial mate. He was not completely sure, but if Max was feeling the same pull toward Brielle as he was then that would be the only conclusion. He gave Max a brother hug and they agreed to meet here in the morning. Cole headed home and as he readied himself for bed he gave a call out to his parents, alerting them to the possibility that he may have only just found his mate. With a smile on his face, he closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep.

  Chapter 6: Max

  Max sat up in bed, still exhausted from all the long hours he had recently been putting in at work, at glanced at the clock. 7:00am. He stood, gave his body a decent stretch, and headed for the shower. He had to meet Cole at the hospital at 8:30 so they could visit their Brielle. Their Brielle. He loved the thought of that. Not only was he positive that he had found his Celestial mate. But he also was destined to mate with his best friend, Cole. He and Cole had always done everything together so it came as no surprise to him that they were to both mate with the same woman. And what a woman they had. She was perfect in every way. She was beautiful and strong. He couldn't wait to get to the hospital so he could talk to her in the light of day. He quickly washed his hair and scrubbed his body and hopped out. As he was drying off, he walked over to his closet to pick out a casual outfit for the day. He didn't have any special plans, but he did know that he wanted to spend as much time with Cole and Brielle as her doctor would allow. He quickly dressed and called Cole to let him know he was on his way out the door. He planned on stopping by the gift shop at the hospital and buying a few items for Brielle. Maybe some nice long stemmed lilies and a music box would put a smile on her lovely face.

  He jumped in his car and drove the 15 minutes to the hospital. Cole was already there, waiting for him when he stepped out, and they greeted one another as they walked into the hospital. They walked into the gift shop and he bought all the lilies they had available and Cole cleaned them out of their daisies. They each bought a personal, little gift and then they were on their way to see Brielle.

  He and Cole stepped out of the elevator and walked down the long hallway and within minutes they were at her door. When Cole knocked, they heard a voice call "Come in" but Max was certain it wasn't Brielle's. His suspicion was confirmed when they were welcomed by an older gentleman and woman sitting near Brielle who was sitting up in her bed.

  "You boys must be Max and Cole. Brielle just told us that she was expecting you to stop by. My name is Janice. I am Brielle's mother, and this is my husband Mark. We would like to thank you, Cole, for bringing our little girl in when you did. If it wasn't for you, we wouldn't be visiting her here." Janice's voice broke so Brielle's father picked up where Janice left off. "We would like to thank you, as well, Max, for staying with Cole and checking up on her. She has told us that the two of you made her feel very comfortable last night and she said she was able to go to sleep with a sense of security knowing that you two were thinking about her well being. So again, we would really like to thank you both for saving our little girl and making her feel calm and safe until we were able to make it up here to be with her."

  As Mark spoke, Max couldn't help but watch Brielle. She sat there. Hands folded in her lap, with a bit of a red tint to her face. She was embarrassed? Could this girl be any more adorable? She was literally blushing as she was forced to listen to her mom and dad rat her out! Oh this was good. His mate, correction his and Cole's mate, was not only strong, but it appears she is shy as well. Then she looked up and gave him and Cole a faint smile before asking her parents to sit down. "These are for you. When I thought of you the lily came to mind. They are a strong flower, and elegant."

  Max set the vase and flowers on the ledge near her window. Cole set his daisies beside his on the ledge and they both leaned against the ledge and looked over to Brielle and her parents.

  "Thank you," she murmured "They are all beautiful, but you didn't have to." She gave him and Cole a kindly smile. His heart nearly stopped. She took his breath away. She was stunning. When she smiled, her face glowed and brought life into the room.

  "I know I thanked you both yesterday, but I wish to say thank you again. Cole didn't have to bring me in and you both did not have to stay to check on me." She told them.

  "It gave me great pleasure to await word on how you were. When Cole called me and told me that he had found you beaten, I just had to be here. We did not know if you had any family or friends around and no one should have to go through what you went through and wake up alone. I am glad that Cole thought to call me so that we were both able to be here for you." Max answered back to her. He wanted her to understand that he wouldn't want to be anywhere else but here with her. He had just met her, but already he needed to be near. His parents had always told him that when he found a mate it would happen quickly, the attachment. He just never expected it to ever happen to him. His parents found one another when they were young, not that he was old, he was 28. Nonetheless, having lived the busy life that he has lived for the past five years and neglecting his social life, he never expected for it to "just happen". However, that is sometimes how it works. When you are not trying to find it, it comes to you. And in his case it came in a stunning package known as Brielle.

  "So, did your doctor tell you how long you are to stay here? Will you get to go home soon?" Cole asked. Max had an interest in the answers himself. He was hoping that she would be permitted to go home where she would be more comfortable. If she allowed it, he and Cole would visit her every day. He would spend all day every day with her if it were up to him.

  Brielle looked over to Cole and replied "My doctor told me that they will be moving me to another floor sometime today and I should be able to go home within a few days. He just wants to make sure my body doesn't develop an infection and is truly on the mend before he discharges me."

  "Will you have someone to help you for the next few weeks or so?" Max asked her. He wanted to make sure she was going to be taken care of. He knew how he was when he was sick and expected to be resting. If Brielle was anything like he was then she was about try to take care of everyone around her and neglect her own health. "I will make myself available to you if you sho
uld need anything. And I am positive that Cole feels the same." He added, casting a glance in Cole's direction. Cole returned his gaze and nodded. "

  "Thank you, Max. I will be going back home to my condo, but my mom will be staying with me during the nights and I have my best friend and my cousin who will stay with me during the days. I appreciate your concern." Brielle offered a shy smile and he returned the smile and dipped his head in acknowledgement of her answer.

  "Are they treating you well here? Max and I don't have to knock any heads do we?" Cole asked Brielle, shooting for light conversation.

  Brielle laughed and affirmed that she was being treated very well. "I think I am being spoiled more than I have been since I was a toddler," she said with a chuckle. That earned full on laughs from everyone in the room.

  ******

  A half an hour later Max could tell that Brielle was getting tired. He felt guilty for being one of the causes keeping her awake when she should be resting. Even though his shifter wolf was urging him to stay he chose to leave. "Brielle, thank you for allowing us to visit. I can see how exhausted you are so I am going to get going so that you may hopefully get much needed rest." He handed her a business card. "Here is my card with my numbers on it. If you need anything, anything at all, just call. Even if you just want to chat. Would you be ok with me coming back up for a bit tomorrow?"

  "Yes, that would be wonderful, thank you. And you are right. I am feeling kinda drained, sorry for you needing to cut your visit short. You and Cole have been really great toward me and I have enjoyed you both being here. I would not mind at all if you will come back tomorrow. I will call you to let you know the room they move me to, if you want."

  "Yes, I definitely want" He told her with a smile. As she gave him a quiet chuckle, he took her small hand in his large ones and gave a gentle squeeze. He lifted her hand to his lips and gave her knuckles a gentle kiss and added "Until tomorrow then, Brielle." He then shook hands with her mom and dad while waiting for Cole to say bye to Brielle and then they walked out of her room together.

  They made the walk out of the hospital in silence. Max couldn't prevent his mind from wandering to their visit and how much his body responded to each glance or smile Brielle cast his way. She didn't even have to do anything and his body was ready to pounce. He had an instant connection with her that his human side mind couldn't understand. The connection went beyond just the physical. He could feel her emotions almost as strongly as he felt his own. She was an open book for his empathic side. Every fear she had he felt along with every excitement. The longer he was with her the more he was pulled into her psyche and he knew that Cole felt it too...he and Cole both had the same gift. Usually he enjoyed it as it would allow him to mentally connect with people he had on the stand. It is what made him so successful in his profession but in this instance it was a curse. What that animal did to Brielle, causing her both physical and emotional pain, made him want to tear him apart limb from limb and feed him to wild boar! He sensed her need to overcome this part of her life as quickly as she could and not look back. She was an intelligent woman and she was going to use this experience to better herself, he just wished she hadn't had to suffer in order to do so. He looked at Cole and they were able to communicate without words one thing...revenge. They were going to find the guy that did this and he was going to pay.

  Chapter 7: Brielle

  Brielle woke up before sunrise the next morning with memories of her dream playing in her mind. What was it about knowing she would see Max and Cole that left her with such anxiety and excitement? She shouldn't be having these thoughts. She had just met these men and they were filling her mind with all these erotic thoughts. She must be losing it. What kind of girl gets attacked and then begins having fantasies about 2 strangers?

  She sat up straighter and grabbed the room phone. She had to call her parents to let them know she was transferred to another room. A very spacious and private room too. Then she had to call Cole and Max to let them know where to find her since she promised them she would let them know.

  Her parents' phone went to voice mail so she left them a message. "Mom, dad? Hey, it's me. Good morning. I wanted to let you know that I am ok and they have moved me to another room so when you come to visit me I will be in room 212. I am not sure how our insurance can afford this, but the room is gorgeous! I guess that is all for now. I will see you later when you get here. Love you guys."

  Her next call was to Cole. Just thinking about him and his voice made her jittery like a little girl meeting her star crush. The phone rang and he picked up almost immediately. "Hello, Brielle? How are you this morning?"

  "I am all right, I guess. How are you?

  "I have been thinking about you. Now that I know that you 're ok I can relax a bit" He ended this last line with a chuckle which made her giggle as well.

  "You sound like my mom and dad yesterday. I am fine and will be even better when I can go home. Which reminds me, the reason I am calling is to let you know that they moved me to a different room and I promised to let you guys know. My number is 212."

  "Thank you very much for calling and letting me know. I was just wondering if you forgot about me. I was going to just call the hospital and ask them myself."

  "No!" she shouted quickly then added "I mean, no, I didn't forget about you." She replied shyly, wondering how in the world she could have admitted such a thing to him. At least she wasn't there to see his response in person. She could just imagine him rolling his eyes. He probably had girls falling all over him every day. Cole was one of the most handsome men she had ever seen. He was tall, well over 6 feet. He was tanned and very muscular with broad shoulders and well formed biceps. He had a head full of dark blond hair with emerald green eyes that could look into your soul. His lips were full and very kissable and when he smiled she turned to Jell-o. He was without a doubt worthy of being every girl's fantasy.

  He released a sigh and said "Thank God, because there is no way I could ever forget you, Brielle."

  Oh my God! Talk about wanting to swoon. What girl could hear that and remain sane? "Uhm, did you still want to come to visit me today? I mean, I know you are probably a busy person and have a million things to take care of and the last thing you need is to be running around town visiting an invalid every day so I understand if you have something else to do and changed your mind about coming today." She knew she was rambling. It was a nervous habit she had her whole life. She never was able to overcome it and it seemed that talking to him or Max made it worse.

  "Brielle, it is ok. There is nothing I would want more than to be up there visiting you. I will be up there soon, ok? I look forward to seeing you again."

  "Ok, I look forward to seeing you again as well, Cole. I will see you soon I guess."

  "Yes you will. Until then, rest now. Bye Brielle."

  "Bye Cole."

  She hung up the phone and took a few breathes before making one more call. This time she was calling Max. He seemed to be more of an old school gentleman, but every bit as handsome and Cole's complete opposite. Max was a tad taller than Cole, but was in as great of shape as Cole with the broad shoulders. But where Cole had the light hair Max's hair was wavy and so black that it was almost blue in the light. His skin was lighter which told her he spent a lot of time indoors. His mouth was smaller, but his smile made her just as weak in the knees. His eyes were lined with dark lashes and were a crystal blue, almost clear. The whole package was just simply gorgeous. Put together with Cole and these 2 men were dangerous to any girls' sanity.

  She dialed his number and waited with bated breath for him to answer. On the second ring, he picked up. "Brielle, is that you?" He sounded anxious and worried.

  "Yes, it is. How are you Max?"

  He exhaled before answering. "I am a lot better now that I have heard your voice. I was up all night just thinking of you and hoping you would call. I know how Cole and I must appear, like 2 bullies not giving you your space but we just cannot help it. How are you?"
>
  He was thinking about me? She thought to herself. Just hearing that made her giddy. A gorgeous liquid fantasy was thinking about her! Then she stopped her thoughts. Of course, he was thinking about her. She probably looked terrible and had everyone worrying about whether or not she would live.

  There was no way his thoughts were in line with her thoughts or hopes. "I am doing ok. I had a rough night sleeping, a million thoughts passing through my mind. But strangely enough I feel well rested and I wanted to let you know that they moved me to room 212. I promised you and Cole that I would let you know in case you wanted to visit again. Like I told Cole, I understand if you guys are too busy, I know you probably have many other things you need to take care of today but I did promise and..."

  He cut her off. "Brielle, slow down. There is no place I would rather be than there in room 212 visiting you. Anything else that needs to be done can be done after that. Ok" I promise." He said this in such a serene and sincere voice that she felt like crying. He sounded like he really cared and that she was important to him. There was no better feeling.

  "Thank you Max. That makes me feel good to hear that. I do not want to get a burden to you guys. I just met you and the last thing I want you guys to think is that I am some clingy invalid. I promise you I'm not."

  "Brielle, I promise you that I would never think of you as a burden. When we told you that you can call us if you need anything we meant it. There is nothing I want more than to have the chance to be there for you. And I may have just met you, but I can guarantee that you are the furthest thing from an invalid there is. I would never think of you that way. Now, I need to go off the phone so I can come up there and see you. I would talk to you the whole time, but my cell cannot go into the shower with me."