Damn. She didn’t even know his name, and he didn’t know hers. At least he seemed aware they were mates. Why else would he transform and do what he did?
The memory of his lips on hers was something that would never leave her. It was bittersweet. She could never forget the sensations that coursed through her, feelings he had brought to life inside her . . . and then he’d been yanked away from her in the blink of an eye. He had to survive because if he didn’t then Sheba wasn’t sure she’d be able to either. She wouldn’t be able to breathe without him. She couldn’t live if he weren’t in this world. If he went to the hunting grounds then she thought she might have to follow him there because she couldn’t live here without him.
Her heart was so hollow at the mere thought that it seemed her only option.
Tilly’s voice broke her out of her melancholy before she sank any lower. “We’re here. How long will you be? How badly injured is my patient and who is it?”
Sheba jerked with Tilly’s intrusion, looking around to see where they were before responding. “We’ll be at least another thirty minutes, possibly a little longer. Ray’s carrying him and he’s no lightweight. He’s lost a lot of blood, his hind leg was caught in a bear trap and we don’t know for how long, but he’s also been attacked by rogues. There’s multiple injuries and he’s unconscious. His skin is clammy and pale and his heart is slow. I’m worried, Tilly. Very worried.”
“Who is it, Sheba?”
Sheba paused, the words difficult for her to say because if she did then she was admitting it was her mate that was on the cusp of death. But the Healer prodded her.
“Tell me, Alpha. Who is so grievously injured?”
“My mate, Tilly. It’s my mate!” A sob broke free and a howl tore from her throat as sorrow encompassed her entirely.
“Shoot, okay, Sheba. It’s going to be all right. Just get him to me quickly and we’ll work together to heal him.”
Her words made no sense to Sheba and she didn’t bother responding as pain and grief ran through her. All she cared about was getting to the meeting point and praying the Healer could help her mate, some way, somehow, heal him and bring him back to her.
At last they saw the trail up ahead, the truck parked with the engine running and Ari and Tilly pacing back and forth. As soon as they saw them, Tilly was racing toward them. When Ray stopped, Tilly waved him on. “Don’t stop, keep walking. I’ll assess as we go.”
Sheba had never felt so happy to see anyone in her life. She transformed and started to ask questions but Tilly held up her hand to shut her up. Ari arrived with clothes for both her and Ray. “I brought you both some clothes. I didn’t think you’d want to arrive back at camp stark naked.”
“Thanks,” Ray said. “I’ll dress once we get him into the truck.”
Sheba didn’t say anything, dressing as she walked, and managing to do it without falling flat on her face. Tilly tutted as she looked at the various wounds, shaking her head, and finally sighing as they arrived at the truck where the back seats had been put down to make it easier to place a fully-grown man. Ray placed her mate in and Tilly climbed in too. Sheba joined her as Ari went around to drive but Ray beat her to it as he pulled on the clothes Ari had brought for him.
“I’ll drive. It is my truck after all. Get in so we can get him home.”
She heard Ari whispering, “Is it true? Is that Sheba’s mate?”
“Yes, it is but he’s hurt real bad, Ari. I’m not sure he’s gonna make it,” Ray whispered back although they both knew she’d hear.
“Fuck,” Ari stage whispered back.
“Exactly.” Ray pulled away on their way home.
Sheba’s heart was lodged in her mouth with worry.
“Tilly, is he going to be okay?” she finally found the courage to ask but at the same time wasn’t sure she wanted an honest answer.
Her beast howled in her head, pawing at the ground, her heart thudding in her chest as blood rushed through her so fast that her head hurt. Panic was surging up inside her and she felt as if she were about to throw up, but Tilly didn’t respond straight away, which Sheba wasn’t sure whether she was grateful for . . . or not.
When Tilly turned to her, she saw how serious things were from the look on the woman’s face. Shit! Then the Healer reached over and patted Sheba’s shoulder. Oh damn, this was bad. Really bad.
“Sheba, I’m not going to bullshit you. He’s seriously hurt and I’m not sure my skills are enough to save him.”
Sheba cut in, her terror taking over and making her voice shrill and cutting. “What? But you’re the best damn Healer I know. Of course, you can save him.”
“Sweetie, even the best Healer can only do so much when injuries are as grievous as his.”
A sound that she’d never made in her life before escaped her throat, a shrill keening filled the vehicle, her heart felt as if someone had opened her chest and was slowly tearing it from inside her. Ari’s head spun around, eyes wide and filled with tears as she stared at them. Sheba shook her head in denial. “No, you have to, Tilly. He’s my mate. I can’t survive without him.”
“I know, Sheba, I know,” Tilly said
