Lana stopped her inspection of his mate, turning to stare at Shade, hands on hips. “I see. I don’t actually, I assumed something was wrong and almost had a heart attack in my haste to get here. But I’m glad nothing’s amiss, in fact, on my first short look at her, she looks to have some color back but I’ll check her properly in a minute. Tell me what you’re talking about first.”
Shade continued to stomp around his room, his heart thudding hard in his chest. He inhaled deeply before explaining what Ash had said, waiting on his Healer’s response. Lana cocked her head to the side, tapping her chin for several moments as she thought before answering. “I can understand why Ash said what he did, but I agree that forcing a mating would not be a good idea. You’ve seen her scars, Alpha. They testify to a life that’s been harsh and not one of her choosing. Taking away her choice in this isn’t something I’d advocate. Now, the other part, about your Wolf trying to contact hers, that’s another thing entirely. I can’t say for sure if it will work, or not. An Alpha is stronger than any other Wolf, so possibly your link will be too. I guess it’s worth a try, Shade, but let me check her over first. Okay?”
Lana returned to her examination of Marissa, checking her closely for long minutes that seemed to last an eternity. Shade’s nerves were strung so tight he wasn’t aware he’d made a sound until Lana’s head spun around, eyes wide and fearful. The growl in his head must not have only been inside his mind. Shade merely shrugged at the Healer who slowly stepped away from his mate.
“Well?” Shade asked, his tone sharper than he’d intended.
“She is better than she was yesterday and I think she’s progressing well. If you want to attempt to reach her then you should try that now, while I’m here. If it works and she wakens then I can remove her IV and we can get her some chicken broth to start her off.”
Shade’s stomach suddenly felt as if he’d taken a leap off the highest cliff imaginable, doing all kinds of weird somersaults as he returned to the chair beside his bed. Glancing at Lana he had to confirm. “Are you sure I won’t harm her?”
“No, you won’t, of that I’m certain. I just don’t know if it will work, that’s all.”
Shade took hold of Marissa’s hand, linking their fingers once again. He now knew every part of that hand, every line, every joint, every small bump of her joints as if it were his own. It was soft against his rough skin but he noticed it wasn’t as cold as it had been to begin with. Shade closed his eyes, focusing on his inner Wolf asking for its help. If ever he needed his beast it was at this moment and luckily he answered his plea.
In his mind, he saw his dark beast lift his head, howling in search of their mate before taking off in a swift run through a forest he was unfamiliar with. Shade didn’t recognize the landscape as his beast darted around rocks and trees, leaping over a stream to land sure-footed on the far bank to drop his snout to the ground in search of her scent. His Wolf searched back and forth for long minutes before her aroma assaulted his senses and nothing could hold his beast back from there on. He sped onward, following the fragrance of their mate as it grew stronger, leaving the forest behind and heading toward a mountain range.
His beast ran on and on, his large paws eating up the ground until finally it slowed, easing toward a cave opening where the odor of his mate hung in the air. Shade watched as his Wolf walked inside the darkness, his eyes taking in the dark interior of the cave in search of any predators. He sensed nothing, only the presence of his mate further back in the dark cavern. His Wolf carried on fearlessly, intent on reaching his elusive mate, turning a corner to find her lying cowering and backed up in a corner.
Her lips curled back in a snarl, warning him off, fear permeating the air surrounding her. His beast lowered his stance, attempting to show the scared beast it was no threat, a soft whine emitting from his throat. Marissa’s Wolf faltered, her head cocking to the side, but still snarling fearfully. Shade decided to intervene, talking to his own animal. “She’s terrified. You have to calm her and tell her she’s now somewhere safe and it’s okay to wake up. Tell her that her father is gone and she’s with a Pack that will protect her.”
His beast slowly approached, his body language conveying more than mere words ever could, before finally lying prone before Marissa’s to expose his belly and throat. Never in a million years did Shade ever expect to see his Wolf do such a thing. The sight causing his heart to tighten in his chest. When his beast slithered forward, licking Marissa’s muzzle, Shade moaned aloud as pure unadulterated emotion flooded through him, body and soul.
It took him a moment to hear Lana’s voice calling him, and then he felt Marissa’s fingers tightening their hold on his. Shade opened his eyes, sitting forward so fast his head spun as he gazed down at Marissa. Lana sat on the bed opposite him, her hand on Marissa’s wrist as she spoke nineteen to the dozen.
“Hells fire, I’ve no idea what just happened, but she’s coming out of it, Alpha. Her pulse is stronger and just look at her color!”
Shade was looking. His mate no longer looked near death, her pale skin no longer
