Page 42 of Shadowed Bond

Irrational.

The Black Storm border rises ahead. I tear through the trees, and within seconds, wolves are moving beyond the boundary, their scents sharp with alertness as they recognise an alpha crossing into their territory. I have to stop at the barriers, and I shift back, scooping Charlotte into my arms.

“Alpha Ares Westwood. I need a healer.”

They recognise me instantly and don’t wait a second to get me through the barrier. I feel the magic that makes sure I am who I say I am, and then we’re through.

“We’ll lead you to the hospital. Alpha Ahren is on the way. I’ll take her-”

I growl, and he stops, smart enough not to argue about it.

I carry her through the Black Storm grounds myself, following the man who leads the way towards the pack hospital.

The moment we’re inside, a healer is beside us.

“What happened?” she asks.

I swiftly explain the veil, the poison or whatever was down there and our prolonged exposure and use of a lot of power. My own body is exhausted, and I’m staying upright on sheer willpower. I place her on the bed, combing her hair off her face.

Another healer enters; this one’s a witch, and she motions for me to move back. “Let us do our job, please. Stand back.”

I snarl in response, baring my teeth when a calm voice comes from behind us. “I was wondering what rabid wolf had arrived uninvited. Ares, come on, let them do their job,” Ahren’s dry voice comes from behind me.

I turn, and despite the humour in his eyes, there’s concern when he glances at Charlotte. He probably knew about the mission.

“If I fucking knew you were here, I’d have called,” I snarl, stepping back.

“I just got home an hour ago,” he admits. “Sorry, I would have come if you had.”

I don’t say anything, crossing my arms over my Schattenblüte suit – I fucking hate it, but since I shifted, I lost my other clothes.

“You’re injured, too,” Ahren notes.

“Really?” I growl sarcastically.

“Yes, you look rough-”

“If it’s bothering you, then don’t look at me.”

Ahren raises an eyebrow, but is smart enough not to argue and instead turns his attention to Charlotte, and it kinda irks me that he’s looking at her.

Another reason this bond is fucking annoying.

They work quickly, hooking her up to monitors, pushing something into her veins, casting a healing spell over her.

I hate seeing her like this, and I close my eyes, trying to calm the surge of emotions threatening to rise again.

The memory of what I said to her returns, but this time with a bucket full of guilt.

Fuck.

She isn’t the weakness.

The fear is.

My fucking mouth is.

My inability to say what I actually mean until it’s too late.