Page 1

~Carter~

“Can’t stand here. Move along.”

I would’ve argued, but simply I didn’t have the energy. Hell, I probably could’ve taken the human down, sick or not, but I also didn’t need the trouble. Ignoring the cop’s glare, I left the corner. There were other areas to find tricks. I hugged my tattered coat tighter around myself and fought back a cough. Every inhalation felt like shards of glass in my windpipe and lungs. Wolves didn’t get sick often, but this shit simply refused to go away.

I finally found another spot out of the cop’s sight and leaned against the building’s brick wall. Fuck, it was cold. The wind chilled me to the bone even through the coat. I quickly lost the battle with my lungs and coughed so much, I tasted blood. Shivering, I closed my eyes for just a moment. Sleep. All I wanted was sleep.

Sharp, excruciating pain shot through me a split second later, blinding and nauseating. Bile rose in my throat, and I rolled over to puke up the half doughnut I’d had earlier. It took a moment to dawn on me that I was on the cold sidewalk instead of standing. The world sort of swam in my peripheral vision. When something brushed my hair, I snarled and slapped at whatever it had been.

“Hey, easy. You’re hurt.”

I managed to look up at the person. My vision was hazy, but the unmistakable scents of chocolate and red wine filled my head, wrapping around my sleep-deprived brain. I tried to speak, but it took more energy than I had left. Another coughing fit took hold, and I spit out blood. Then strong hands were lifting me. I wanted to protest, but my body and voice didn’t obey. Unable to do a damn thing, I shivered and gave in, closing my eyes.

Sometime later, bright light woke me once more. I blinked my eyes open and stared up at a white tiled ceiling. I thought I heard beeping, and it took another moment before I realized where I was. Gasping, I tried to sit up, but the room spun, forcing me back down. A man approached the bed, and all I could smell were the addictive scents from earlier.

“Shh… you’re safe.”

I licked my lips to wet them. When a cup pressed to my mouth, I had little choice but to sip what I discovered was water. The man set the cup down and sat in the chair by the bed. I closed my eyes again to block the brightness.

“Where am I?”

“Jackson Memorial Hospital,” the man said. The light dimmed a bit. “You fell and hit your head on the sidewalk.”

“Who are you?”

“Adrian Cross. What’s your name?”

“Carter Goodwin.” I opened my eyes again and looked over. An enigmatic, light blue gaze met mine. “Why did you bring me here? I can’t afford this.”

“It’s covered. What’s important is that you’re safe and getting treated. In addition to the fall injury, you have a rather nasty bout of pneumonia.”

I had the feeling that was the case. It still didn’t help the fact that I had absolutely no way to pay a fucking hospital bill. I lifted my right arm where the IV tubing was taped down. A blood pressure cuff was on my left bicep. I sighed.

“I can pay you—or whoever—back. Name your price: cash or sex.”

A low, almost possessive growl snapped my attention back to Adrian. What the fuck?

“Absolutely not. Those days are over.”

I scowled at him. “Who the—”

Adrian leaned closer, eyes narrowed. “I’m going to make this as clear as I can. You will be going home with me, and there will be no more sex with anyone else.”

“Excuse me?” I tried to sit up again, determined to ignore the queasiness that lingered. “Who the fuck do you think you are?”

Adrian drew something from his pocket and flipped it open, revealing a badge. Fuck.

“So you’re arresting me?”

“No.” Adrian slipped the badge back into his pocket. “You’re a wolf. You know damn well what I meant.”

I swallowed and looked away. It explained the scents swirling in my head and overwhelming my senses. I’d heard stories all my life about mates, but that didn’t mean I had to admit a fucking thing. “I don’t know who you are, dude.”

Before Adrian could reply, the curtain slid open.

“Ah, you’re awake,” the doctor said as he stepped into the room. “I’m Dr. Cross.” He extended a hand, which I shook. “How are you feeling?”

Dutifully ignoring the surly cop by the bed, I focused on the smiling doctor. “Like crap, to be honest.”

The doctor had me sit up a little to listen to my lungs and look at my head. Apparently, he was satisfied and removed the bandage completely. “I imagine so. The wound has healed nicely. As for the pneumonia, we started you on IV antibiotics. I’m going to write you a script for more to take home.” He glanced at Adrian, then back to me. “What pharmacy do you use?”

“Eastside Drugs,” Adrian said before I could utter a word.

The doctor raised one eyebrow, and something weird seemed to pass between him and the cop. Then the doctor nodded. “All right. Well, I’m going to have the nurse come in and remove the IV, and we’ll get you on your way.”

When he left, I finally looked at Adrian. “What the fuck?”

“We’ll discuss it later.”

I glared at him, a snarl building in my throat. I didn’t dare let it go. Cop or no, Adrian was an alpha. “How about you—”

A nurse knocked on the doorframe before coming into the room. Oblivious to the tension, she smiled. “Let’s get you unhooked and remove that IV. I’m sure your mate is more than ready to get out of here.”

Adrian stood. “I need to make a phone call. I’ll be back in a moment.”

I watched him leave and wondered if I could slip away before he returned. The man was fucking gorgeous, but being around him had my hackles up and my mind in turmoil. I kept my mouth shut, though, as the nurse took out the IV and handed me the discharge papers. I glanced at the notes and blinked. I’d been in here for five fucking hours?

“Damn. I was out that long?”

She nodded. “Yep. Your mate never left your side. Wish all partners were that devoted. You got a good one, honey.”

I wasn’t so sure about that but managed to bite back a retort. “Yeah…”