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Swinging his fist, he punches me in the snout, howling out in pain. He jerks away with his transformation. I barely have time to roll over to get onto my paws as he stretches his back, his wolf exploding free.
I don’t cower.
I don’t try to run.
Growling, my hackles rise on my back. This is it. It’s either fight and win or prepare to die.
Chapter four
Adam
No Mercy
“Comeon,doc.Youhave to wake up. Ravi has given you a day. If you don’t wake up... Fuck, man. He’s only keeping you alive because you were the last one with Eliana. You need to wake up, so we can get the fuck out of here.” I hang my head, gripping Chase’s hand as if I can will him awake.
But the guy was nearly dead, barely hanging on. I feel so helpless. He’s been mauled by a rival wolfpack, and they kidnapped Eliana. It hurts to even think about it. We should’ve never left them. Ravi swore our territory was safe, but nowhere is safe. Not when it comes to the most incredible woman in existence. Half the men want to fuck her and the other half want to kill her. I just want to protect her from all of them.
“Chase, I don’t know what to do. We need to figure shit out. Come on, man. You don’t have to talk. Use your telepathy. I know you have to be in there.” I blink my eyes, forcing my tears back. There’s no fucking way I’m going to cry. I don’t think I’ve prayed for someone apart from my dad. But Chase? He’s my companion. My friend. He’s my brother from another mother and my packmate. I don’t want to lose him. I need him just as much as I need Eliana. We are a team. It’s us against the fucking world. Evander, Tristan, and Davian will kick my ass when we finally reunite. If I don’t have these two, what’s the point?
“Mistharbor.” Chase’s voice swirls through my mind with the word. Mistharbor? That must be the territory. It must be who did this.
“Good. That’s good. Talk to me some more, doc. Tell me what I can do to help you. You’re the medical professional. Give me the rundown. I don’t have the internet to pretend to be a doctor.” I tense my muscles, digging my fingers into my palms. Why didn’t I ever make the time to learn better first aid? I should’ve gone to college or read some medical books. I was far too focused on learning everything else. My dad was good for that, but when he died...he’s going to come back and haunt my ass. I’m not only letting Chase and Eliana down; I’m letting down my dad for not being who he taught me to be.
“Find her.” Chase doesn’t move. It’s so weird hearing him talk to me while his body refuses to cooperate, his eyes closed and his chest struggling with short breaths.
“I will. But I need you. You need to fucking heal, man,” I say. “I’ll be your nurse. You just have to walk me through what’s wrong with you. I’m a quick learner.”
A hard tap on the door steals my attention from Chase, and I crane my neck to look behind me. Ravi strides into the room, his muscles rippling as he flashes his wolf at me. I bow my head out of respect. I’m not used to this whole alpha shit, but I know that it’s best not to confront him. Not unless I want to start a fight. Things are too tense right now with Eliana missing. Ravi would kick Chase’s ass if he wasn’t already so injured.
“Any changes? We’ve lost her trail, and no one in my pack can pinpoint the other scents. They were masking themselves.” Ravi closes the space and rests his hands on the side of Chase’s bed. He gives him a little shake.
I open my mouth to tell him that Chase spoke to me telepathically, but a strange feeling rushes over me. It’s fear. But it doesn’t belong to me. I realize that if I tell Ravi that Chase told me it was the Mistharbor pack, there will be nothing else keeping him alive. It has to be up to me to find Eliana. I need to prove to her that I can and will do anything to protect her and our future.
“He moved his fingers. His wounds seem to be healing as well. Give it another day. I’m sure he will wake up and be able to help us. What about that healing elixir crap you guys have? Can we use it on him?” I shift on my feet, trying my best not to meet Ravi’s gaze, but he stares at the side of my face, his glare burning into me.
“We don’t have those kinds of ties to the mainland. The Twilight Cove pack is the one who can barter with the mages.” Ravi nudges me, a frown wrinkling his forehead. “He’s too young and without strong bonds to our pack, it will take him too long, if he can even do so.”
I try not to think about the mainland or the fact that there are other creatures in this world. The wolfpacks remain separated due to their vicious natures, smaller numbers, and a treaty with some other authority—a council. Ravi isn’t exactly forthcoming with information, but he answers every question I have. And now, I have a dozen more without the time to ask.
“We don’t have a day, Adam. You know that, right?” Sighing, Ravi bows his head and closes his eyes. “They could’ve already done so many horrible things to Eliana. If you know anything—”
“I don’t.” Fucking fuck. Just the thought of what some trash monster could be doing to Eliana ignites a rage in me. If Ravi worries, I know it’s worse than I can imagine. My insides twist, and I nearly give in and tell him what Chase told me. I hate the universe for making me choose. But Eliana’s strong. She would never forgive me if I let Chase die. “We just need another day. There’s got to be something you can do. You’re the new alpha. Don’t you have allies? Anything?” I close my eyes and brace for his wrath.
It doesn’t come. Ravi grumbles and steps away, circling the bed to Chase’s other side. “Dear goddess, please shower Chase with your healing touch. He did not deserve such an attack.”
Shit. He’s praying.
“All I ask is for you to give us the answers we seek and protect Eliana. Amen.” Ravi droops his shoulders and turns toward me. “I want you to do another sweep. I know you don’t know much about tracking, but you do know Eliana. Maybe you can pick up her scent where we left off.”
I slowly nod my head. “Yes, sir.” It sounds so formal coming from my mouth, but it’s how I would’ve spoken to my dad. Ravi is not my dad, but he is my alpha.
“Knock it off. You can just call me Ravi. I don’t want to be that kind of alpha. We’re family, pup.” Ravi motions to the door. “Do you need me to command somebody to go with you?”
I shrug. “No, not really. I’m going to use my other knowledge of tracking. The human kind. Maybe I’ll find something you missed.”
Ravi offers me a sharp nod. I hate the idea of leaving him alone with Chase, but I don’t know what else to do. I can’t tell him that I don’t trust him not to kill my friend before I return. But it’s in the universe’s hands now. I have to have faith. What I put toward the universe comes back to me, and I know that we’ll make it through.
Turning away, I stroll toward the door of the small cabin and peek over my shoulder one last time at Ravi. The man stands over Chase and presses his palm to his forehead. I don’t know what he’s thinking, and I kind of wish I did, because then I will know whether or not I should stay nearby.
