Slumping to the ground, he placed his head on his front paws and watched as she stalked towards the other rogue who was backing away from her, obviously trying to save his skin. However, she was having none of it. He could feel her fury. It was in the air all around as she followed, and low and fucking behold, he felt her unleash a power only one type of Wolf could wield . . . an Alpha. Shit a brick. His mate was an Alpha.
Wasn’t that a turn up for the books?
He couldn’t tear his dimming eyes away as she dispatched the rogue, even when the black Wolf had transformed and approached him warily. He waited and when she too transformed, his heart sped up at her beauty. Her emerald eyes were somewhere he could get lost in . . . if he got the chance. When she came over and heard her telling him the man was a friend and was going to remove the trap, he chuffed, trying to tell her it was okay. But, when her friend did, it wasn’t the relief he’d expected, and that was another sign he was too far gone. In fact, he didn’t feel it at all. Yeah, he was on his way out.
That made his decision clear. He had to touch her, hold her, kiss her, one time before he left her forever. He forced his transformation, ignoring her pleas to stay in his Shifter form, and held out his arms. She came to him, falling against him, and when their lips met, he felt as if he was already in heaven.
She felt perfect in his embrace, her skin on his was like nothing he’d experienced before, he tingled where they touched, and he was sure he would never be happier than he was at that very moment in time. Then his eyes started to dim, he felt his heart slowing . . . and he knew he was going to lose her.
No! he roared in his head as darkness wrenched him away from the one person in the universe whom he yearned to stay with.
Sheba was distraught as her mate lay prone in her arms, tears streaming down her cheeks. “No, no, no! Wake up! Please, wake up!”
Ray gently removed the man from her arms, picking him up and standing. “We need to get him home. Contact Dion and get him to meet us with a vehicle, Sheba. He needs medical attention as soon as possible. He might not make it even then, little one. You have to prepare yourself for that.”
“What? No! I refuse to think like that.” Sheba shook her head. “He’ll survive. I know he will.”
Ray shook his head. “Sheba, be reasonable. Look at his wounds and he’s transformed so his beast can’t help him. But let’s just get him home so Tilly can help him. Contact Dion, now.”
“Dion can’t help.” Sheba sighed. “He’ll be out patrolling for rogues, remember? Ari! I’ll contact Ari and get her to meet us. She can use the truck and come get us on the trail near the waterfall. We’re not too far from there.”
“Shit, yes,” Ray replied. “I forgot almost everyone is out today.”
“Ari, are you there?” Sheba used the Pack link, hoping they weren’t out of range.
“Sheba? Is that you? You’re a bit faint, what’s up?”
“Yes, it’s me, and I need your help. You need to leave camp. I need you to get the truck and meet us as near to the waterfall as quick as you can. Got it? I need you to do it now. Bring Tilly with you and tell her we have someone who is severely injured. He’s lost a lot of blood. This is an emergency, Ari. No talking, no questions. Just act. Can you do that?”
To her complete and utter surprise, her friend responded succinctly. “Yes, on my way. You won’t hear from me again unless I have a question or Tilly needs information. Bye.”
“All set. Ari will meet us with Tilly. Are you sure you’ll manage carrying him all that way?” Sheba asked worriedly. Her mate wasn’t a small man. In fact, she suspected he was almost as tall as Ray was, maybe not as muscular but still a large burden to carry for more than a few miles.
Ray nodded as he answered, “I’ll manage. We have no other choice, Sheba. He needs help as quickly as possible and we’re out of options. We need to leave, now. You should go Wolf and guard us and I’ll take your mate. It’s the only way we’ll make it.”
She ran a hand down her mate’s face, feeling how clammy his skin felt and her worry for him increased ten-fold. “Okay, let’s go.”
Shifting quickly, she set off, using every ability she had to ensure the path ahead was clear of danger, she led the way. Her mind a tangle of emotions as her head turned back time and again to glance at the man the Goddess had sent for her. He was magnificent. His dark hair a stark contrast against his now pale skin and she wished she could see into those gorgeous, sparkling azure eyes once more. His nakedness meant she could peruse his entire body and what she saw pleased her and at the same time scared the shit out of her. So many injuries marring his beauty. She could also see he looked underfed. Why was that? She didn’t have time to figure that out right now as she focused once again on getting them safely back to the waterfall.
Ray trudged behind her, never faltering as he carried his heavy load, cradling her mate like the precious cargo he was. Sheba had never felt so
