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She sniffles, and it sounds an awful lot like a sob.

“Cleo?” I ask tentatively.

“It’s Mama,” she wails. “She’s in danger. I don’t want her to die.”

My pulse pounds in my chest, and I reach for the keys to my truck.

“Cleo, sweetheart, where are you? What’s happening?”

“I’m at dance, but Mama is at the hospital. There’s so much blood!” she continues, sobbing.

The hospital?Panic fills me, and I tear out the door. I can’t lose Yelena. Not like this.

“Who am I speaking with?” a stern voice comes over the phone.

I fumble with my keys and almost drop the phone.

“I’m a friend of Yelena’s. Is Cleo safe?” I ask brusquely.

“She is. Is her mother okay?” the voice asks, quietly. I can no longer hear Cleo’s crying, so I have to assume the teacher has helped her.

“That’s what I’m going to find out. Please, take care of her and tell her that I won’t let anything happen to her mama,” I promise her before hanging up the call.

I pull out of my driveway and speed down the road. My mind is racing with concern.If anything happens to my mate….

“I’m coming, Yelena,” I mutter to myself as I turn toward the freeway. With a prayer to the Moon Goddess for protection, I press on the gas and rocket toward the hospital.

Just let her be okay. Please, Moon Goddess. Let her be okay.

The trees whizz by. I can hardly believe Cleo called me to ask for my help. It warms my heart that she knew she could turn to me and that she found my card.

I smile to myself. She’s a special kid, and I hope and pray that I’ll be able to see her grow up in the pack. I may have missed the first five years of her life, but I don’t want to miss any more of it. I want to be there when she starts school in the little pack schoolhouse. I want to run with her when she meets her wolf and teach her about the woods. I can’t wait to introduce her to her extended family and watch as she thrives.

And, if she is the new Seer, I desperately need to protect her. To guard her and keep her safe from any and all who would harm her or use her for her talents. I want to be the one who standsbetween her and the world and gives her the space to learn her gift.

I want to be her Dad.

Traffic is heavy as I get to the exit for the hospital. Police cars and ambulances line the road. My senses go on high alert and my wolf paces in my chest. I reach deep inside, checking the bond I have with Yelena.

Something’s wrong. It feels…off. Horror fills me as I think of all the possibilities.

I need to get to her. I have to find out if she’s okay. I drum my fingers nervously on my steering wheel, desperate to get to her.

The road is blocked by a large fire truck and police officers who are taping off the road, so I quickly turn down a side street and park in an alley. As much as my wolf is clamoring to be let out, it’s too dangerous to shift in the city. Instead, I jam my ball cap on my head and take off at a run. My shifter abilities let me run faster than the average human, and I take full advantage whenever I can.

I make it across the hospital parking lot before I hear the screams. The closer I get to the emergency room door, the more chaotic the scene in front of me becomes.

There are people everywhere. Some are bleeding, some are uniformed and trying to help. The scent of blood, gasoline, and fear is heavy in the air.

I move quickly, darting through patients and personnel who are gathered in the outdoor triage area. I don’t know where to startmy search. People push and shove, shouting over each other to be heard.

The pandemonium makes my head ache.

A damaged SUV comes screeching up behind me, and I leap out of the way at the last minute. A blood-covered man jumps out and pulls a small child out of the car, carrying him in his arms and running for the doors.

The security guard waves him through, and I take my chance, following him inside. The little boy in his arms is bleeding heavily from a head wound, and it makes me immediately think of Cleo.

What if something like this happens to her? How would I cope with seeing her injured like that?