Page 46

I limped back to the motel, starting to feel my injuries. Blood dripped from the deep cut on my stomach, the scent filling the air.

“You need to shift,” Trent said urgently. “You’re losing too much blood.”

My head lowered, as I tried to nod, but it felt too heavy to lift again. I kept moving forward, needing to make sure Jess was alright.

Trent bumped me and I snapped at him, disoriented. “Stop. You’re not thinking clearly,” he ordered. “You have to shift, heal the wound.”

His words finally cut through the fog as he prodded me to the side of the motel, out of the shining lights of the parking lot. I collapsed against the brick, my breathing shallow as he nudged me with his nose. “Shift,” he urged, poking me again with his nose. “I can’t make you,” he pleaded, some of his urgency breaking through. “Do it for Jess.” A whine escaped me at her name. “Yes, Jess. Shift for Jess,” Trent prodded until the air blurred and I laid there, naked and smeared in blood. “Thank God,” Trent cried, shifting himself and lifting me up. He grunted. “God, you’re heavy.” It didn’t stop him from carrying me to the edge of Navarre land and waiting for a patrol to come by.

Luckily, it was Caleb and he hastily grabbed me from Trent’s loosening hold. “I got him,” I heard him mutter through my haze of exhaustion. “What happened?”

“Hanleys attacked us, they were headed straight for the apartment when we stopped them. They targeted Dom,” Trent rushed to explain. “His stomach was torn open. He lost a lot of blood, but he managed to shift.”

“And you brought him here?”

“Where else was I going to bring him?” Trent retorted, rubbing his arms. “He probably needs blood and food. Two things I can’t give him.”

“Are you okay?” Caleb questioned and blearily, I blinked my eyes open in time to see him nod.

“I’m okay, but I need to get back to the motel. Make sure they don’t come back.”

“I’ll join you after I get Dom settled,” Caleb promised and my eyes closed once again, unable to stay open now that I knew they were watching over Jess.

***

“What are you doing out of bed?” Dad demanded, a bowl of something that had better involve meat in his hands.

“Taking a piss,” I grumbled, using the wall for support. “Is that alright with you?”

“So long as you don’t fall on your ass and expect me to wipe it up,” he retorted and I stared at him for second, shaking my head. He lifted the bowl in his hands. “Elaine sends her regards.”

“You check and make sure it isn’t poisoned?” I questioned, collapsing back on the sofa as he handed me the bowl and a spoon. “She’s never been my biggest fan.”

“That would imply you had any fans,” Dad replied with a wink. His expression turned serious as I took a cautious bite of the stew. “We almost lost you.” His tone took on an accusing note as he added, “After you promised not to do anything to get yourself killed.”

“I’m not dead,” I answered, even if I did feel like death warmed over. They’d managed a blood transfusion with Dad as my donor and I waved to the seat next to me. “You should sit down,” I reminded him.

“What I gave you wasn’t nearly enough,” he replied, settling next to me with a heavy sigh. “Gwen wanted to get another donor, but you wouldn’t let her.”

“We can’t weaken the troops,” I muttered, angry I hadn’t been able to stop Dad from giving me blood.

“Don’t even think it,” he grumbled. “I would have sat on you and poured my blood down your throat if I had too.”

I snorted, believing him. I offered him the bowl, saying, “It’s good.”

He curled his lip at the sight of it, shaking his head. “No, it’s not,” he said, glancing at me. “Now, I know you almost died if you think anything Elaine cooked is good.”

I glanced back down at the half eaten bowl and shrugged, spooning more of the mystery stew in my mouth as my stomach rumbled.

Chapter Twelve

Caleb kept glancing at me from the corner of his eye and I sighed, “I’m fine.

“You almost died,” Anna exclaimed, poking her head from the back seat. “I think you should have stayed home another day.”

“No,” I repeated for the millionth time. “I won’t allow anyone to question the Pack’s strength.” I gave them each a stern glance. “And don’t mention my injury to Jess.”

“What are we going to tell her? You miraculously healed from a near fatal wound in one day, but, hey, take it easy on him?” Caleb offered sarcastically as Jess came out the apartment. He jumped out and, for a fleeting second, relief crossed her face.

“It means you’re driving,” Anna said quietly.