Page 6 of Wulf’s Pack

He waits for Skylar to nod and then cups her cheek in his palm.

I hold my breath while Enzo works his magic.

After a minute, the bruises clear, the color returns to Skylar’s face, and she sits up straight as if the pain in her torso is gone.

Still, Enzo keeps working, making me frown.

It takes him a lot longer to finish than I would have expected.

When he finally pulls back, I know the healing magic has worked because Skylar is wearing a stunned expression and starts moving her body as if to test it out. When she doesn’t feel pain that she was clearly expecting, her eyes fill with tears.

Enzo’s brow furrows, and he cups both of her cheeks, gently holding her face in his hands. “Your injuries were far more extensive than they appeared.” He swallows and whispers, “What you must have endured.” His voice is filled with sorrow.

My wolf nearly growls. Just how hurt was she?

“Thank you,” Skylar croaks.

He gives her a soft smile. “I pray you find peace in your future.”

Her tears spill onto his fingers. He brushes them away and lets go, stepping back.

“She’s healed?” I ask, unable to hold my wolf’s desires back.

Enzo nods. “She is malnourished and weak, but I was able to heal all of her injuries. The damage was extensive. There were many old wounds that hadn’t healed properly.”

We all look at Skylar, and she drops her gaze to her lap as if she’s embarrassed.

My wolf surges forward with the need to comfort her.

I reach across the bar and take her hand.

My wolf practically purrs at the contact.

Skylar startles at my touch, but doesn’t pull away.

She shudders as if she’s as affected by our connection as I am.

Our eyes meet, and for once, she doesn’t look away.

My breath catches. My wolf pushes to the front of my mind.

He wants to feel her wolf, but he can’t with that damn collar on.

As if my thought conjured him, Oliver rushes up to us, concern etched all over his face.

Oliver is one of my favorite clan members.

He’s really chill and has a sneaky sense of humor.

He comes across as an introverted, lovable gamer geek, and he totally is one, but he’s also this complete badass.

He’s freaking powerful, but he’s humble about it.

Self-conscious, even. He shies away from his magic, but he will obliterate you without batting an eye if you threaten someone he cares about.

“What’s the emergency?”

I let go of Skylar’s hand and gesture to her neck. “Her choker. It’s a magical collar that suppresses her wolf. She says it’s spelled so that only her alpha can remove it. Do you think you can break the spell? Without hurting her?”

Oliver gives her an easy grin and introduces himself. “Hey. I’m Oliver.”

“Skylar.”

Skylar’s response is quiet, but she relaxes again and gives him a small smile.

Nora always says Oliver’s adorableness is a superpower.

It seems Skylar isn’t immune to it. If I didn’t know Oliver was completely head-over-heels in love with Nora, I’d be growling right now.

I want to kick myself for the possessive feelings.

I’ve never felt possessive or jealous in my life.

I’m not a typical werewolf in that respect.

I think it’s part of what makes me a true lone wolf. We’re a rare breed.

Oliver shakes her hand. “It’s nice to meet you. Is it okay if I take a look?”

Skylar nods and lifts her chin, stretching her neck to give him access to the wretched collar. I really hope he can take it off. I don’t know what I’ll do if she’s stuck with it. Hunt down her alpha and force him to remove it. Yes , my wolf says. Kill alpha.

His thirst for the man’s blood is disturbing.

Oliver lifts his hands, then pauses. “Is it all right if I touch you?”

Skylar seems surprised by the question, but I’m not. After knowing Nora, who has a very painful past, no one in our clan is unfamiliar with trauma, and everything about Skylar screams of a history of abuse.

It’s obvious Skylar appreciates the warning. After receiving a quiet yes , Oliver reaches for the collar. Skylar flinches and squeezes her eyes shut. Oliver quickly pulls back. “Sorry. Cold hands.”

She shakes her head, eyes still pinched closed. “It’s not that. My alpha liked to strangle me until I passed out when I made him angry.”

A fierce snarl rips through the air. It’s mine. I want to kill someone. I start shaking with the need to shift.

“Wulf!” Rook barks. “What the hell is wrong with you?”

“I don’t know,” I hiss through gritted teeth. “My wolf is acting insane.”

But it all becomes clear in the next instant.

Oliver breaks the spell on the collar, and when I finally feel Skylar’s wolf, something snaps into place.

A bond I thought could only be established through biting a willing partner.

Skylar and I both gasp at the sensation of power flooding through us, linking us together permanently.

Skylar is my mate. My fated mate.