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My wolf is losing his fucking mind inside me. Mate! Something wrong with mate! Find mate!

“Arlene.” Her name barely makes it past my lips.

Can't feel mate!

My eyes fly open.

Can't feel her?

I reach for Arlene through our bond. Nothing. The pain gets worse.

“No.” I squeeze my eyes shut and reach again, pushing through the agony in my chest, searching for the warmth that's always there. Even when she's sleeping. Even when she's angry with me. Even when we're apart.

Nothing answers.

My wolf howls inside me. Mate! Where is mate? Can't feel mate! Find mate now!

“Arlene!”

I force myself onto my hands and knees. Bright hospital lights burn above me, and the sharp smell of antiseptic fills my nose. Wires hang from my chest, some still attached, others ripped free when I fell. Memories slam back into me. Arlene bleeding in my arms. The silver dagger buried in her chest. Running until my body gave out. Giving her my energy. Healers taking her from me.

Arlene?

I reach through our bond again.

Nothing.

My heart slams against my ribs as I push myself to my feet. Pain tears through every muscle, and the room tilts, forcing me to grab the mattress before my knees buckle.

A healer rushes toward me. “Beta, you need to lie back down. Your energy levels are dangerously low.”

“Where's my mate?”

“You depleted almost all of your Alpha energy. Your body needs time to recover.”

“Where is Arlene?”

The healer freezes. His eyes drop for half a second before returning to mine, and my wolf growls so loudly inside my head that I barely hear the monitors alarming behind me. Something wrong with mate. Find her!

I shove away from the bed. The cold floor presses against my bare feet as I take my first step. My legs shake, but they hold. “Where is my fucking mate?”

“Beta Darian, please.”

I don't wait for another answer. I close my eyes and breathe through my nose, forcing myself past the harsh antiseptic, medicine, sweat, and blood until I catch something familiar beneath it all.

Arlene.

My eyes snap open. Her scent is faint, mixed with the metallic smell of her blood, but I know my mate. I'd know her scent anywhere. I follow it into the hallway as my wolf continues pacing and snarling inside my head. Can't feel mate! Something wrong! Where is mate?

"I know."

Find mate now!

"I'm fucking finding her."

I move faster even as my weakened muscles scream at me to stop. Conversations die when I pass. A nurse presses herself against the wall to let me through. Two warriors near the next corridor look at me before lowering their eyes.

I notice every fucking one of them, but I don't stop. Arlene's scent is here. I can smell her, so I can find her. That's all that matters.