Hunter's Heart

“Well, I guess they won’t kill me any faster.”

“That’s not funny.”

Next, she unwrapped the bandages around his thigh. Her triumph over the medicine was short-lived. The wounds were infected, no question. Each puncture oozed fluid. They should’ve healed over by now, given his special abilities, but the surrounding flesh was swollen and red. Angry crimson streaks brushed his leg. Poison.

Daria had never felt so helpless. Ryon was in terrible danger, and she couldn’t do a thing to help him. She rinsed the bite marks with the remainder of her water, then wrapped his leg in fresh bandages. There wasn’t anything more to do.

Ryon pulled his pants up and closed his eyes. He was still for so long, she thought he’d fallen asleep. God knows he needed the rest. She’d almost given in to her own fatigue when he spoke in a low whisper.

“Never forget I love you. More than my life, more than anything.”

She touched his face. “Never. Same goes for me. You’re my world now, and I won’t rest until we’re both safe.”

He looked away, staring out over the river for several minutes, unblinking. Daria had never witnessed such misery. He was close to giving up, and she could not let his spirits dip that low.

“Say, do you realize you haven’t been tormented by your ghosts much lately?” she asked.

“They haven’t bothered me in a while. I think that’s because of you.” He smiled at her. “You ground me. Now I only see them if I need to—which I hope won’t be very often.”

“That means you’re strong. You’re not going anywhere, you hear me?”

“Yeah. I do, baby.”

They sat together for a time, collecting themselves. When he was ready to leave, he simply stood next to her and waited. She rose and shrugged on her pack, glancing at him. His expression was calm, accepting. That scared her almost more than she could handle.

The rest of the day, Ryon didn’t speak. He’d disappeared inside himself. This wasn’t the smiling, confident man she’d first met. She wanted that man back. She loved him.

As horrible as the day had been, the evening was much worse. She pitched the tent for them because he could barely stand any longer. He accepted the help in silence, face drawn. Usually, they would sit outside the tent and talk. Or make love. Tonight, he crawled inside, period.

Determined to at least try to cheer him, she went in after him. He lay on his side, eyes closed, an empty bottle of water beside him. She reached out to touch his shoulder, then decided not to push too hard.

“Can I fix you one of those instant dinners?”

Silence.

“You haven’t eaten all day. You need to eat if you’re going to have any strength to finish the hike. How about some jerky?”

Nothing.

“God, Ryon, try to shift! Please!”

“Don’t,” he said hoarsely. “Baby, just don’t.”

Grabbing his shirt, she forced him to his back and shouted right into his face. “You don’t! Don’t you dare give up on me!” She smacked his chest as he stared at her, wide-eyed. “Shift, you pussy! Shift now, goddammit!”

The effect was instant. In less than five seconds, Ryon’s silver wolf was struggling to free himself of his clothing, snarling and pissed as hell. If the situation wasn’t so dire, she would’ve smiled. As it was, she put a calming hand on his broad head.

“Calm down, big guy.” He stilled and then whined, nuzzling her hand and scooting into her side. “Let me get these clothes off you. Stay in your shift as long as you can. Then I’ll help you get dressed again.”

The longer he could stay in wolf form, the better for his healing. At least he might be able to make it to the transport. Carefully, she removed his clothes and examined his back leg. She couldn’t see the punctures for all the fur, but she hoped the wounds were improving at least a little.

Despite his earlier protests, he managed to hold his shift for almost half an hour before he morphed into human form again. Beside her, he was completely down for the count. But she thought he was breathing a tad easier, his color a bit more natural. On examination, she found the wounds on his thigh to be not quite as angry, and that sent a wave of relief washing through her.

Her mate had bought himself some time. Hopefully just enough.

Daria wasn’t sure how long she sat beside him, watching and worrying. Eventually, she gave in and slept.

By dawn, Ryon was shaking with the chills, teeth chattering, yet scorching heat radiated off his big body in waves. Alarm kicked her in the gut. The shift should’ve bought him more time, and if they didn’t get moving he’d be out of what little he’d gained.

She’d have to wake him. Laying a hand on his arm, she shook him gently. “Ryon? Wake up, we have to go.”

Several attempts later, he opened his eyes and stared at her with a dazed expression. For a few seconds, he had absolutely no clue where he was, and it scared the hell out of her. Then, awareness returned.

“Daria,” he croaked. “Take the spare water from my pack.”

“Why?”

“You’re going to meet the helicopter alone, then send the guys back for me.”

“No. No way,” she said in a steely tone. “That is so not going to happen. Get up. Now.”

“Listen.” He coughed and shuddered, taking a deep breath as though talking cost him. “I’ll slow us down, and we’ll get caught.”

“If you stay, August’s men could find you before help arrives.”

“Just do as I ask, all right? I don’t want to argue with you.”

“I won’t argue with you, either,” she said firmly. “I’m not leaving here without you and that’s final. If you can’t go on, my uncle will find both of us.”

A few minutes later, he rose with a great effort, gathered his things, and stumbled out of the tent. Daria sagged in relief. Thank God. Now she just had to keep his sexy ass moving.

A lot of the fight had gone out of him, but she intended to keep pushing.

No matter what, he wasn’t going to give up.

* * *

Somehow, Ryon put one foot in front of the other. He’d never been this low. Ever. Not even when he’d awakened in a hospital overseas with a raging wolf for a brand-new companion. Not in the months afterward, when he’d fought to control his other half and retain his tenuous hold on sanity.

Nick’s voice broke through his thoughts. Ryon?

Yeah, boss?

The lab has a batch of the serum ready, so we’ll bring it, see if we can find Ben. Where are you? We’re about to leave.

That’s great! Um . . . I’m not sure. A few miles south of August’s estate, following the river. We’re looking for a good clearing.

On our way. Hang in there, all right?

Sure thing.

He wasn’t sure at all, but he kept moving. “Nick contacted me,” he said hoarsely. “They’re coming. They’ve got some serum for Ben.”

“Best news I’ve heard all week!”

Daria attempted to speak to him again, but he didn’t really hear her. Couldn’t. He just walked until a weird buzzing noise made him stop, cock his head, and listen. Daria said something else. He couldn’t understand her over the noise, like thousands of bees in his head.

The forest began to dim. His head tilted back and he saw blue sky as his knees buckled. Sky?

Then nothing but darkness.

* * *