Way Of The Wolf: Endeavour (The Wulvers Series Book 3)

by Rebecca Anne Stewart

  “I could have handled that.”

  Quillan huffed a laugh. “You’re an Omega. She’s above you. She would have taught you that had you said much more.”

  His words cut like knives that tore away my strength and left me physically shrinking. He was right though; Tala would have shown me her claws and I’d have lost to her. Quillan finally looked at me, determination in his eyes.

  “If you realised your potential, if you called yourself a healer and made something of yourself, you would have every right to challenge her, and she would have to bow,” he stated before downing his drink and putting the glass in the sink.

  “I’m going to train with another pack’s healer,” I told him, lifting my chin as much as I could in his overwhelming presence.

  Our eyes clashed for a moment before I was forced to look away but I caught the barest glimpse of a smile on his face.

  “Good, Oria, because females like Tala need to be shown that they’re a black stain to the pack. Cathwulf may be Alpha Female but she’s pregnant. We need a female to keep them in line when she can’t,” he continued.

  My breath caught in my throat, was he insinuating I would be Beta Female? His equal?

  “Your mate would take that responsibility,” I pointed out, needing to take a step back.

  “I won’t ever take a mate, Oria,” he replied shortly, making me flinch. “But a pack needs to be balanced, there needs to be a Beta Female.”

  I didn’t know why a wave of disappointment crashed over me but my heart clenched and stuttered. His face looked pained for a moment before he turned his face away. We both stood silently until Quillan cleared his throat and changed the subject. “We’re all having tea together this evening. Just Roarke, Cathwulf, and I. Since you’re here tonight, you should join us.”

  I nodded, but my tongue was stuck to the roof of my mouth and no words could be forced out. He knew I had stayed at Sam’s last night. He kept his steady gaze on me and that only made it all the harder to think.

  “Am I not invited?”

  I was almost relieved that Flidais had chosen then to appear and watched as she leaned against the doorframe. She winked at me with a bloody black eye that had me cringing. Noting my staring, she grinned, poking at the bruised skin.

  “There’s a reason Weylin is in charge of the warriors, he packs a mean punch,” she explained, still grinning.

  Quillan grumbled something, passing her an ice pack from the freezer. Her grin faltered as she took it from him, and something unspoken passed between the two wolves. I got the impression they weren’t fond of each other. I happened to like Flidais. She wasn’t overly girly, favouring her ripped skinny jeans, multitude of rings and black lipstick over any dresses or skirts, but she was tough and confident, and she was kind to me. She grimaced as she pressed the ice pack against her eye and I didn’t miss the way Quillan smirked.

  “You should come join us so I can teach you to kick ass too. Maybe the two of us together can take him down,” she plotted before muttering. “We can use Quillan for practice.”

  “You can try,” Quillan sneered, his eyes flashing dangerously,

  She gave him a wicked grin, her eyes holding a Wulven glow and I worried they would come to blows until Flidais’ demeanour changed and she lightened up. “I have to go home and make sure my sister hasn’t burnt down the kitchen.”

  I cringed again, my eyes flicking to the tools around the room that were still being used to fix the house after the fire that had started during the attack a few months ago.

  “A little thought before you speak, please,” Quillan barked, his frustration growing. It didn’t seem to faze her, even though I was beginning to tremble in fear at the anger in his eyes.

  “Too soon, I get it.” She shrugged before sending me another wink. “I’ll be seeing you, Oria.”

  I was pretty sure she had a stolen Xbox control in her hand as she left but I kept my mouth shut, trying to keep from laughing.

  “Don’t let that one encourage you,” Quillan warned.

  My brow flew up and I folded my arms indignantly. “I like her. She knows herself and she’s happy enough not to let what others say bother her.”

  “Do people say things about you?”

  That question caught me off guard. It felt childish to tattletale and I didn’t want him to know what had been said, he saw me in a bad light already. Instead, I tried to look busy taking my cardigan off so he might get the hint and let me leave. He didn’t. When I still refused to answer, he leaned against the counter and folded his arms, making me sigh before answering.

  “People will always find time to talk about others but it’s water off a duck’s back.”

  My eyes shut as what I’d said repeated in my head. Water off a duck’s back, what a silly thing to say. It made my inner self cringe and I wished I’d stuck to saying nothing at all. Quillan was giving me an amused look that had me cursing myself for saying it even more. My cheeks were burning and I looked down so my veil of hair would fall into place, hiding me from his sight.

  “I’ll come for tea,” I said quickly in the hopes he’d forget my silly saying.

  When he smiled a proper, teeth showing smile like I’d never seen from him before, I was caught off guard, barely hearing him as he whispered, “Good.”

  Chapter 6

  Hurts

  My reflection seemed to taunt me as I rebraided my hair for the third time then again decided it felt too strange not to have my hair down. I was frustrated by my want to be seen being drowned out by my fear of what happens when I am seen. I wished I hadn’t agreed to join Quillan, Roarke, and Cathwulf for dinner. Anxiety had my hands trembling and the only thing that made me move towards the bedroom door to go downstairs was my wolf’s need to see the male that scared me more than any other.

  By the time I got to the dining room, I was shaking so badly I was sure I’d collapse until I saw the room was occupied only by Cathwulf. Plates of steaming food were already laid out for us and she smiled at me, motioning for me to take a seat which I gratefully did. I was still angry with her for how she’d treated me at the café and I wasn’t sure what to say now that we were alone again.

  “Quillan said you’d join us,” she said slyly, running her gaze over me.

  Before I could say anything the very male walked in. The moment his dark eyes met mine, I stiffened in my chair. The only thing that gave away that he was mildly happy I’d kept my word was the lack of his signature scowl. He took the seat across from me and bowed his head to Cathwulf, who looked between us as if there was something to be found. The silence was deafening to the point I swore I could hear the beat of my heart pounding fast. I barely noticed that Cathwulf and Quillan had started eating because I was so busy trying to remember how to breathe. I fumbled for my cutlery, my sudden movement drawing Quillan’s dark gaze to me. I stared at my plate, very aware of how his scent seemed to fill every breath I took.

  “Where’s Roarke?” Quillan asked gruffly, his tense face turning towards the door.

  “He’s on the phone with Zale, I think. He’ll join us soon,” she replied through a mouthful of food.

  Quillan’s head jerked and I didn’t miss the way his eyes were flashed a brilliant gold. HE was one of the few wolves I’d seen with eyes that changed colour like that. Something was causing him to struggle with the wild of his wolf tonight. His shoulders were tense and he seemed as interested in his plate as I was mine. I wanted to ask him what was wrong, to take away whatever was troubling him.

  “We’re going to have to send Sam to Saba and Zale, they have a wounded male that needs surgery,” Roarke grumbled as he entered the dining room.

  Cathwulf frowned as he sat down, taking his hand. “We can spare her. Why are you so glum?”

  “You’re pregnant, Cathwulf. I want Sam here where we can have the use of her skills in case we need her,” he replied, picking up his cutlery.

  “I have Oria. She’s learned a lot. The healer from down south will be here s
oon as well. I’ll be in safe hands with her,” Cathwulf soothed her mate, sending a small smile my way.

  I knew she was trying to make up for what happened at lunch but I wasn’t ready to forgive her, no matter how much she tried to flatter me with praise. Roarke must have noticed my cold reaction and he frowned, looking between us. I stiffened further, wishing I were somewhere else. I didn’t know why I thought it would be a good idea to join them for tea; when Quillan had mentioned it I had said yes before I could think about it properly just so he would leave me alone. My grip tightened on the cutlery I was holding and I suddenly had no appetite for food.

  Roarke nodded slowly, mulling the idea over. “If Oria believes she’s up to being in charge of the clinic for a few days, then I’ll send Sam.”

  I knew what he meant by that; if I could put the squabble between myself and Cathwulf to one side to look after her, then he’d relent. I looked up from my plate to my friend. She was giving me a pleading look, one that had my resolve melting away. No matter how badly we fell out, I could never stay mad for long.

  “I doubt you’ll need me. Cathwulf and the pup are both strong and healthy. But if something happens, I know a little from Sam. I can help,” I agreed quietly.

  Roarke relaxed at that, breathing out, “Thank you.”

  Forcing myself to go back to eating, I barely tasted the spiced chicken. I was too busy pondering on whether I was behaving like a pup by holding a grudge against Cat. Playing over our words at the café again, I could understand it somewhat. I trusted my friend. If she said she wasn’t hiding anything, I had to believe that and ignore my paranoia. Catching her eye, I hoped she could see that I’d put what happened behind us and decided to initiate conversation. “I look forward to learning from the healer.”

  “What pack is the healer from?” Quillan asked quickly, straightening up.

  “Alpha Joshua’s pack,” Roarke answered, digging into his food.

  I stored that information away and racked my brain for anything I knew about his pack.

  “Do we have a treaty with them?” Quillan continued. “They’re a trusted pack? Their healer is good?”

  “Quillan,” Roarke interrupted with a chuckle. “I’ve made sure that we can trust the Alpha. The pack we know at the border say he’s a good male and that his healer is known to visit other packs. He’s more than happy to help us, especially as healers are a rare thing now.”

  Quillan’s eyes met mine before he looked back at his Alpha. “I would like to be there when she teaches Oria. We can’t be too careful.”

  “I won’t be able to learn with you hovering,” I mumbled, dropping my fork to sit back. “Let me do this myself, as you said I should.”

  The tense line of his mouth told me he wanted to argue but a low warning rumble from Roarke had him letting it go. Again I wanted to ask him what was wrong, why he was so worried, but I knew him well enough to know he wouldn’t answer. Suddenly his head quirked to the side as if he was hearing something and he stood seconds before Roarke did as they raced towards the front of the house. I only heard the sound of footsteps and shouting moments before the front door clattered open. Cathwulf and I shared a look and quickly followed the two males. I kept my Alpha Female behind me just in case, sensing the urgency in the air, not that I could do much to protect her if something was wrong.

  The copper tang of blood hit my tongue as I inhaled, making me stumble in shock and Quillan turned to block my view of the front door. I could just make out the crowd of wolves that hovered around something. As I went to push forward, Quillan growled.

  “Go upstairs, Oria,” he ordered gruffly.

  Ignoring him, following Cathwulf as she pushed Quillan aside, all I could see was a slowly growing pool of blood on the floor. A low, hair-raising groan filled the air. Someone was hurt. My gut twisted, threatening to reveal the contents of my stomach as the scene brought flashing images of my bloody past to the forefront of my mind. The chorus of voices sounded dull to my ears as I finally caught the scent of who was surrounded on the floor.

  Glenn.

  I crumbled.

  Strong fingers gripped my arm, pulling me back against a hard chest. It wasn’t until I was secured in those arms that I realised I was crying, choked sobs tearing past my lips. A shift in the wall of bodies and I caught the true horrifying extent of his injuries. Three jagged lines ran the length of his abdomen, the skin paling at the edges. Roarke was bellowing orders, stepping back into place to hide the view from Cathwulf and I when she gasped.

  “Quillan, get them both upstairs. Now!” he commanded before turning back again to yell, “Brighid, go and make sure Sam’s been made aware. Get her here as quickly as possible.”

  “Sam’s not well,” I mumbled in a daze, lifting my head to meet the eyes of my Alpha. “I can help, let me help.”

  “You’re in no state to help, go with Cathwulf,” Quillan argued with a bite to his tone that demanded I do as I was told, but I was immune to his orders right now. Something was building in me, my wolf filling me with strength I didn’t know I had. This was what I was training for, to help. To heal. I had to prove I was worthy to everyone here, as well as myself.

  “Even if Sam has been made aware, she’ll need time to collect her equipment and get here. He needs help now and I can help,” I repeated, lifting my chin and holding his eyes, pushing through the way my body trembled as waves of power beat against me. Quillan wanted my submission, for me to be the meek female from the dining room who would bow and obey. He seemed as shocked as I felt when I held my own.

  Quillan looked at Roarke, who studied me a second before nodding. “We’ll get him on a bed. Tell us what you need, Oria.”

  A whoosh of air left me but there was no time to ponder on how I’d managed to remain on my feet with the dominance of two strong males demanding my submission. Cathwulf gave my shoulder a squeeze, pride shining in her eyes. There was no time to relish in that either. Roarke and Ben carried Glenn through to a bedroom and the remaining wolves stared at me, waiting for my orders. I faltered for a second, certain they wouldn’t listen to me, but with Cathwulf by my side, maybe they would. Sucking in a breath, my mind went over all I’d learned about deep, open wounds. There would be a huge risk of infection, the bleeding needed to be stopped, internal injuries needed to be found, all without proper medical equipment until Sam arrived.

  “We need something to clean the wounds. Check the medicine cupboard, saline solution will do, or something with alcohol. We need bandages too, and scissors, pressure needs to be applied to the wounds immediately,” I rattled off, taking the band around my wrist to tie my hair up into a bun. “And find a needle and thread, just in case.”

  Cathwulf nodded and scampered off, closely followed by the others and I prayed that Brighid would bring Sam here soon because while I could sew, I’d never used those skills on flesh…

  Quillan led the way to the bedroom, staying quiet while I tried to calm my racing mind enough to think. I silently freaked out behind him, going over and over what I had to do in my head, reciting passages from healers’ books about cleaning wounds under my breath. He paused by the door, his expression grave.

  “I have every faith in you, Oria. Healer,” he murmured, bowing his head.

  His eyes were so intense as he watched me that I had to look away, stepping into the bedroom and towards where Glenn lay on the bed. I swallowed the bile that rose as I took in the way his flesh was torn, his skin painted a ghastly red by his own blood. Roarke mumbled for Ben to go out with the scouts and stood to watch over us, letting me work. Glenn’s life was now in my hands.

  A pair of scissors were thrust into my hand and I moved over to cut what was left of his shredded shirt away. Dropping it on the floor, I leaned in to get closer look, my fingers pressing close to the worst of the wounds. Another wave of queasiness washed over me as blood bubbled up and spilled onto my hands. I wasn’t entirely sure what to look for in terms of damage to any organs, but I knew he couldn’t afford t
o lose any more blood. Quillan stood beside me, clearing the bedside table for the stuff that the wolves had managed to find in the medicine cupboard. Grabbing the bandages, I pressed them against the wounds but I couldn’t cover the whole area and hot blood continued to trail down over his skin. Before I could ask for help, Quillan’s hands were next to mine. He pressed down, his silent confidence the only thing keeping me calm as Roarke started pacing. Every second seemed to draw out forever as I waited for the bleeding to slow down. Cathwulf appeared to say that Sam was on her way but Roarke gently ushered her out of the room once she saw the state of her packmate and began to get upset.

  Eventually, as I went to get another clean bandage, it seemed the bleeding had begun to slow. Relief flooded me and I managed to lift them up to study the nasty gashes.

  “What now?” Quillan asked calmly.

  The adrenaline rush from earlier had begun to fade and my mind was a blur. Closing my eyes, I stuttered, “I…I don’t want to pour anything in the wounds, I can’t remember—”

  “Oria, take a deep breath and a moment to think. Sam’s on her way, she’ll be here soon, you can do this,” my Alpha comforted from where he stood with a stricken expression.

  I did as he said, taking a deep breath that I let out slowly and my thoughts finally slowed down. Grabbing a bottle from the side of the bed, I poured some of the contents onto a bandage.

  “They look too deep for them to heal quickly enough themselves. Sam’s going to have to stitch them. This is saline solution. It won’t cause any damage and it should kill any bacteria that his body may struggle to fight. That will make sure there’s no infection. But I don’t know how much blood he’s lost, I don’t know if our bodies can replenish it,” I rambled as I poured the solution over his torn abdomen.

  Glenn groaned, his eyes fluttering wildly before dazed eyes fell on me. Another wave of relief. He was awake, that had to be a good sign. He looked down at himself and chuckled weakly before his eyes met mine again. “You’re lucky you had your walk when you did, beautiful.”