Page 38 of Forsaken Desire (Ruthless Wolves #1)

My Mercedes roared over the dirt path leading to my house. Panic stabbed through my veins. I couldn’t breathe or think without my mate. Why hadn’t she answered?

I’d broken countless laws, but I didn’t give a fuck. Josephine needed me. I skidded into the embankment and stomped on the brakes. Movement caught my eye from the river.

Cierra.

What was she doing with Josephine? Barely putting the car in park, I catapulted myself out of the door. I struggled to suck in breaths, but I forced my focus to the forefront. My mate was in danger.

“Josephine,” I roared. Birds exploded from the nearby trees, the flapping and caws filling the grounds.

I bolted through the line of trees, and a splash brought my attention to a familiar mass of hair bobbing in the rush of water taking her with it.

No!

I shifted, putting every ounce of strength I had into running.

My paws pounded across the side of the embankment as I kept her within my sight.

I hurried, surpassing her position in the rapids.

Once I shifted into my human form, I pounced into the icy water.

Capturing the edge of a branch poking up through the water, I held on and swiped my arm to the side, grabbing onto the back of her wet shirt.

She slapped against my chest, and I curved my arm around her stomach.

The rapids beat against us, and I angled myself to take the brunt of the force.

“Josephine,” I shouted, jostling her. She wasn’t reacting. No. No. No. I hoisted us onto the edge of the bank, pulling her drenched form against me. Her head flopped to the side as if boneless.

My hands trembled on her arms as I rested her on her back. I lowered and pressed my lips to hers, and I breathed for her. Lifting, I pumped my hands on her chest in rhythm.

“Wake up.” I continued giving her CPR. A million thoughts flashed across my mind. I did this to her—endangered her. “Josephine, please.”

I would never forgive myself. She would live, because there was no other choice. And if she didn’t, I would join her.

“ Wake up .” I could hear myself begging and pleading. The unfamiliar tortured voice that belonged to me, like I floated outside of myself. She was everything. I couldn’t live without her. I dipped and pumped air into her lungs.

Her chest arched up, and she sputtered water, hacking and sucking in harsh breaths. She could have died. My heart had stopped beating.

Water dripped off my hair, and I curled my hand under the back of her neck, lifting her gently.

My mate’s eyes remained closed and her complexion had turned pallid.

“Please wake up, Princess.” My voice sounded like it didn’t belong to me.

She was breathing. I chanted it over and over. She’s alive. She’s breathing . I pulled her tight to my front, clutching her like I could keep her alive with my touch.

I couldn’t see. I couldn’t think.

This was all my fault. My beautiful, gentle mate suffered because of me .

Her sluggish heartbeat stuttered against my palm. Fear like I’d never known flooded through me. I didn’t deserve her. Didn’t deserve to have happiness. But . . .

Please. I won’t live without you .

Thank you so so much for reading!!! Josephine & Lucian’s story continues in Forsaken Devotion .