“Why did you take her, Father?” I asked slowly.
His mouth opened but no sound came out. I grew angry then. He didn’t even have an answer for me, no reason or explanation for the horror he’d brought to the pack.
“This pup isn’t yours, let me take her back. Her parents are coming for her, they’re coming for you and—”
My vision went black, sharp pain burning my cheek. It took me a moment to realise that he’d hit me. Raeghan had started crying again, my grip too tight on her.
“Isn’t mine?” he growled, his eyes glowing brightly, teeth becoming fangs. “Who else have you been fucking?”
I swallowed, unable to tear my gaze away from the pup who screamed. Maybe I’d been wrong, maybe my mother had been better than even I at hiding who my father really was. He didn’t seem interested in anything I had to say now. His entire body was trembling, crackling energy filling the air as he fought not to shift. When he turned away, I stood, my eyes flicking towards the door. I couldn’t wait any longer, I needed to get away with Raeghan before he lost control and hurt her.
A growl tore through the room, low and feral. The sound was followed by the snapping of bones and I took my chance. I bolted for the door, channelling every ounce of my energy into getting to the car. Another furious growl when he caught sight of me trying to leave and I fumbled to hold Raeghan in one arm, my free hand searching for the car keys in my back pocket while I ran.
The keys slipped from my fingers, falling into the snow and I scrambled to pick them back up. Just as cold metal touched my fingers, sharp fangs sunk into my leg. Acid-like pain flooded my veins and the feral wolf attempted to drag me back to the cottage. I screamed, my body collapsing into the snow.
Trying to twist onto my back to keep Raeghan from the snow, I kicked his snout, but that only had fangs sinking deeper into me, bone crunching. Claws raked along my leg, blood spilling into steaming snow, my thoughts blurring as white lights blinded me. My grip of Raeghan slipped.
“Get up, Oria!”
A female’s voice, one I didn’t recognise. I couldn’t move, my body was held immobile by pain.
“Get up!”
A face in the dark, an older version of myself looking down at me, determination in her ice blue eyes. I frowned. My eyes weren’t that colour. Raeghan wriggled, the glowing eyes of my father’s wolf flicking to the small bundle I clutched protectively to my chest. I froze when he let out another growl, white shoulder rolling in preparation to lunge.
All I could do was roll over, shifting to my fur and covering Raeghan’s body with my own as the massive wolf landed on top of me, fangs and claws tearing into my flesh.
Chapter 31
Endeavour
“You need to get up!”
The female looked angry now as she screamed at me, her body never leaving the canopy of trees.
I was trying.
Claws raked down my back, scraping past fur to split flesh, spilling hot blood into the snow. I didn’t move, keeping my body protectively over the wailing pup beneath me. He would not get to her. My legs began to tremble as I was attacked relentlessly and soon my weight would begin to crush her.
Teeth sank into my shoulder and I allowed momentum to roll my body away. Twisting quickly, I stood over Raeghan. The blue-eyed creature that stood before me with blood dripping from its jaws was no Wulver; it was something twisted and deformed, dug up from the most terrifying of myths. Every fibre of my being kept me rooted to the spot but not out of fear. Not anymore. I refused to back down, to be afraid. This was my duty and my final step. I was finally standing up to the male who tried to break me, but I would always endeavour.
Adrenaline rushed through my veins, giving me strength like I’d never felt before. My body was thrumming with power. A deep growl tore from my chest, rumbling through the air, warning him that I would fight until there was nothing left of me. The creature snorted, a gnarled claw taking one step closer. He wouldn’t submit either.
The wind began to howl, blurring the land in a flurry of white but I never took my eyes off my prey. Fur took over completely, guiding my movements. My weight spread, head dropping low, ears pinning back. Healer. Beta Female. Guardian. All of who I was kept me strong. Claws dug into the frozen ground, anchoring me.
We sized each other up, seconds dragging out painfully as we each tried to find a weakness in the other’s posturing. I would have taken more time to circle around him but there was a pup to think of and I didn’t know how long it would be until the pack arrived.
I didn’t doubt that they’d have contacted Kal and that wolves would be on their way. That in itself was a danger, it would poke the already furious wolf that was growing tired of waiting. As much as I wanted to find another way, I hated to fight, this was an unavoidable destiny. Maybe it would have always ended this way between he and I; with tooth and claw. That was our way, words he’d thoroughly beaten into me. I would show him just how well I’d learnt that lesson.
Pouncing forward as soon as his weight shifted, rearing up to sink fangs into his neck, we met with a thump that resounded like thunder around the trees. We scrambled to get the upper hand, raking and clawing at every part we could reach. Teeth clamped hard on my shoulder, my whole body shuddering in pain. I yanked back, uncaring of the chunk of fur and flesh that tore from me.
The more we scrambled, the more feral my father became. His movements were less calculated, turning into rash, unrelenting attacks. I did my best to avoid his claws, forcing myself to be patient. He would wear himself out and I would find my opening.
We paused, both panting, circling each other once more with calculated eyes. He was doing his best not to limp, a jagged wound across his rump making it hard to put weight on his back leg. Lowering myself again, my attack faltered at the sound I’d been longing to hear.
A howl in the air made my father pause and I launched myself forward, going for his throat. Fangs sunk into tendons and I shook my head, tearing. I’d never forget the sound my father made then, half a human scream, half a wolf’s pain-filled howl.
Quillan was coming. I could feel the bond singing the closer he got. My gaze flicked to where Raeghan lay wriggling and screaming in the icy snow and I was torn once more. She couldn’t stay there much longer without freezing, without risking her health, but I wasn’t sure I could outrun my father. His gaze followed mine, and before I could react he was barrelling past me, his huge body forcing mine out of the way. I stumbled in the snow, panic rising. Instincts took over as he got closer to Raeghan, forcing logical thoughts back until I was as feral as my father.
Lost to my instincts.
The moment his claws reached out for the pup, I was running. Muscles bunched and rolled before I pounced, tackling him to the ground and away from her. I struck for his throat again, ignoring the flare of burning agony as sharp claws sunk past my fur, tearing open the soft flesh of my belly. Clamping my jaws tighter, I refused to let go. I was blind to the pain now, focused solely on being the one left standing.
The thud of paws reached through the fog of bloodlust, protective instincts rearing up again. I had to save the pup. Letting out a warning growl to the new wolves who stopped to take in the scene, my eyes narrowed on the small female who whined and crept on her belly towards the wailing pup. I couldn’t think properly, even as a voice whispered that I knew these wolves and had nothing to fear but I was too far gone to listen now. I shook my head, trying to claw back my thoughts.
It was all the distraction the prey beneath me needed to toss me away, my body sliding in the slush. The two males started running again, heading for the feral creature that turned towards mother-wolf and pup. I dragged myself painfully back to shaking legs, waiting for the world to stop spinning before I threw myself onto his back. Sinking claws in to keep me steady as he bucked wildly, my fangs found an open wound and ripped it wider.
The last of my energy was used on not letting go until my prey fell beneath me. The two males joined me, helping me pin him down while the bigger,
shaggy black wolf finished him off.
I slid from the dead wolf’s back, muscles trembling uncontrollably. The fog began to lift until the black wolf came sniffing towards me, whining. I snapped my jaws, warning him to back away, injuries making me wary. Thoughts were too muddled, none of them making any sense.
The wolf paused, waiting for me to calm down. I could tell none of them meant me any harm.
The world span. There was blood everywhere; in the air, on my fur, heavy copper on my tongue. Red and white.
The female held the now quiet pup in her arms, wrapping her in thick blankets she’d pulled from the car that had appeared. More wolves swarmed through the garden I’d turned into my battlefield. I grew antsy again, backing away until none were behind me and I could see all. Inhaling deeply, I recognised more scents, my body relaxing further.
A group of males looked over the body, the wolf I’d taken down. I’d done that. I’d killed him.
The wolf that had tried to touch me shifted to skin, his face strained, dark hair shadowing his face.
“You’re safe, Oria. Come back to me now, let me take care of you,” he murmured gently, sinking to his knees in the snow, head bowed.
Inhaling again, trying to get a hold of my instincts, I studied him. Slowly I crept forward, my nose going to his neck where a mark rested. The scent of burning embers. I knew who he was. I knew this male was my mate. Just as I settled enough to allow skin to come back, he lifted his head. I reacted in fear, scrambling back. Slowly he raised his hands, keeping his head low in submission. He shuffled forward and my lips peeled back, another growl rumbling from my chest. He froze immediately, bowing into the wet snow, proving he meant me no harm.
This was my mate, these were old and present pack members around, there was nothing to fear anymore. So why was I still so on edge, why couldn’t I calm down enough to let them close? Everything hurt. My very bones ached and I swayed, snarling in exhaustion, confusion. The drip of blood, the murmur of voices, wary eyes flicking towards me, all of it was too much.
A brown-haired male moved towards us, his movements slow and careful. “How bad are her injuries?”
My alpha, I knew that too. He walked towards the female and the pup, crouching down, but his eyes remained on me.
“She won’t let me close enough to check. There’s a lot of blood still. I don’t think she’ll be on her feet long, but I don’t know if waiting till she collapses is leaving it too long. We need to get her to Sam,” my mate said, dark eyes meeting mine. He was beginning to get agitated, shards of brilliant gold breaking his dark eyes. “Do you hear me, my mate? We need to get you help. You did well, you protected Raeghan, you don’t need to fight anymore.”
Black crept in and I shook my head as if I could simply shake it away. I knew I was about to fall. I was safe now but I couldn’t seem to claw back control from instincts that had saved my life. I didn’t think it mattered anymore. My mate was right, I’d fought, I’d won, I didn’t need to fight anymore. Slumping, my belly hit the snow.
“Oria?” my mate yelled, running towards me.
Everything hurt.
I would just close my eyes a moment. The concerned face of my mate filled my vision, the yell of a female. Power rolled from my mate, his fingers sinking into my fur, demanding my wolf submit. My wolf recognised the dominance of her mate immediately and instincts finally released their control. Fur gave way to skin and my whole body shivered. Thoughts slowly fell back into place.
I could barely feel the icy touch of the snow around me, my hands automatically pressing against the open wound on my stomach. Hot blood pooled past my fingers.
“Quillan?” I choked out, fighting to find him when everything was sinking into the dark.
“I’m here,” he whispered, his rough hands pressing over mine. “Roarke’s going to carry you to the car, I’m going to keep my hands right here, okay? I’m right here.”
Nodding numbly, relaxing at the feel of his hands on mine, his scent overpowering the smell of blood.
“Raeghan?” I mumbled, my tongue suddenly feeling thick in my mouth.
“She’s fine. Thanks to you, she’s safe,” Cathwulf said, her face appearing for a second before everything swirled in a blur of white.
“And my father?”
Quillan’s gaze met mine before he forced himself to look away, his jaw clenching. “He can’t hurt anyone anymore. Kal’s pack will take care of his body.”
In that small moment, I saw the fear in his eyes but I wasn’t scared. I felt oddly calm, serene, like I was floating. Until arms slid around me, jarring every muscle in my body. I cried out and Quillan growled. “Gently!”
“I’m being as careful as I can, Quillan. Peace. You know I mean her no harm,” Roarke said gently, helping to lay me in the backseat of the car.
Quillan did as he promised, never leaving, his hands staying pressed against the wound. It began to throb, getting worse with every beat of my heart. When the car rumbled to life, I allowed myself to sink into the leather of the seats. It was all okay now, I could rest.
“Stay with me, Oria,” Quillan urged, my body convulsing when a bump in the road forced his hands more firmly against me.
But it was hard to stay awake when I couldn’t see. My head rolled, that weightless feeling returning.
“Who was the other female?” I asked, forcing myself to keep my eyes open.
Silence met my question, and I could feel the confusion coming from my mate. “What female?”
“She got here before you did, she was standing by the forest, she told me to get up,” I explained in a daze, trying to grasp at the image of her face in my mind.
When I finally captured it, I laughed, the sound turning to a hoarse choke and Cathwulf murmured something to Roarke in a fear-laced tone. Quillan’s voice rose up too, but I couldn’t hear what they were saying anymore.
“I think I saw my mother,” I breathed out, feeling the tension my words brought before I fell into the dark too deeply to pull myself out again.
I didn’t hurt anymore.
Chapter 32
Coming Home
The rhythmic beep of a machine was the first sound I was able to properly hear; the rest of the world was fuzzy like static. My limbs felt heavy and I gave up on trying to move away from whatever was stinging the back of my hand. Groaning in annoyance, I peeled my eyes open, blinking quickly. It took a moment for everything to come into focus. It turned out, the weight on my legs was my mate, who was half sprawled over my lower half and snoring soundly. Smiling, I managed to lift a hand with the intention of stroking his hair, only to pause. Flexing my fingers, I studied the cannula that was piercing my hand.
Moving carefully so as not to wake my sleeping mate, I looked around the rest of the room. The beeping was coming from a heart monitor and the burning scent of the sterile room gave away exactly where I was; Sam’s clinic. Flopping back against the slightly propped up bed, I hissed as pain flared through my stomach. Lifting my top, I cringed at the thick bandages wrapped around me. Seeing that seemed to make me suddenly aware of every other injury and bruise that started to ache and throb. A whoosh of air left me at the overwhelming agony and I closed my eyes, trying to take deep, steadying breaths.
Pieces of memory started to come back, sitting next to my father with Raeghan in my arms, dropping her outside, fighting in the snow, red and white.
The beep of the monitor picked up.
Footsteps hurried into the room, a concerned and tired looking Sam faltering when she saw me. “You’re awake!”
“Unfortunately,” I croaked, licking dry, cracked lips.
“How’s the pain? Any dizziness, nausea, blind spots?” she listed off quickly as she shut the door.
“Pain,” I mumbled, closing my eyes against the way my body felt like it was being battered all over again.
She came towards me, passing a glass of cold water that I took gratefully. While I drank, Sam checked the monitor, then my vitals, something coming th
rough the drip that made the pain ease but her worrying made me agitated and I pulled away. Placing the glass back on the small table beside me, my gaze flicked back to Quillan, who hadn’t so much as moved. I frowned. I knew my mate well, there was no way he wouldn’t stir with so much noise, the presence of someone else entering the room.
“He hasn’t left your side since you got here. You were never in any danger once I fixed you up. Roarke and Cathwulf tried to get him to go home a few times but he refused. He wanted to be here when you woke up,” Sam explained, pulling up a seat. “Before you ask, Raeghan is absolutely fine. Apart from being a little cold and hungry when she first got back, she sustained no further injury. All thanks to you. Everyone in the pack has been asking after you and I think Weylin is taking credit for your skills as a fighter. He’s ready to give you your warrior tattoo if you want it.”
If I wasn’t in so much pain and still feeling like I could fall asleep any minute, I might have been proud of that, happy that the pack cared about my wellbeing. I was glad that Raeghan was safe, a burning need to see her making my wolf whine from within. The sound had Quillan frowning in his sleep and I stilled until he settled down again.
“How long was I out?” I questioned quietly, wanting to let him rest.
“You were brought in three days ago. You woke up for a bit on the second day…you don’t remember?” Sam asked, a crease forming between her eyebrows, her eyes searching mine.
I didn’t miss the strange way she looked at me, nor the concern. Shaking my head, raking my memories, the last thing I could see clearly was being in the car. There was a flash of something else too, a face. “I don’t remember.”
“Well, you gave us all a bit of a scare then, I won’t lie. You kept repeating that you had to go to your mother,” she explained. “You passed out again after that and the pain meds seemed to keep you sleeping. It’ll take a while for the wound on your stomach to properly heal but the rest should clear up in the next few days. I’m very good at my job.”
Way Of The Wolf: Endeavour (The Wulvers Series Book 3) Page 34
