“Finally!” Bennet growls, and we both surge through the forest, racing back toward my mate.
“What happened?” I ask breathlessly. I don’t think I’ve ever seen Bennet run this fast before. His movements are almost mechanical, like a machine pushed to its absolute limit. He’s nearly matching my speed, which should be impossible.
“Amy**what the hell just happened? That’s what! She really did a number on your mate. If she’s not hiding by the time we get back, I swear I’ll tear her apart myself. That woman has stirred up more trouble since Kennedy showed up than Claude ever did after we took his pack.”
“We can’t just go around killing people because they’re rude,” I argued, trying to keep my voice steady.
“I don’t care! The moment we find Kennedy, Amy’s finished. Dead woman walking.”
My mind couldn’t form any coherent thoughts as we rushed through the house, weaving past frightened guests in the ballroom who were seeking refuge from the chaos outside. I followed Bennet up the stairs to Kennedy’s room, where he slammed his fist against the door until it came crashing off its hinges.
Without hesitation, Bennet began frantically searching the room, shouting Kennedy’s name with desperation. I joined in the search, scanning every corner, but she was nowhere to be found. Yet, her scent lingered**sweet and sharp, a mix of honey and spice. It was fresh, unmistakable. Unlike last time, when she deliberately made it impossible to track her, this trail was clear.
I followed the fragrance, which grew stronger as I approached the patio door. With a forceful push, I slid the door open, the glass cracking under the strain. Snow-covered footprints led away from the threshold.
“No!” I yelled, leaping over the railing without hesitation. We were only one floor above the main level, but I had no idea if she could handle the drop safely. My thoughts raced**did she run away on her own, or was she taken? What had Amy said to provoke this? Bennet’s reaction told me it wasn’t just some petty insult.
Bennet landed behind me, breathless. “Can you tell if she left willingly or if someone forced her?”
“All I can smell is her, and there’s just one set of footprints. But who knows? The attack on the teens might’ve been a distraction. Maybe forcing you to leave was part of someone’s plan. Would Kennedy really bolt on her own?”
“I don’t know. She knows every secret entrance and exit in this packhouse better than anyone. It used to drive me crazy**like a twisted game of hide and seek on steroids. She could’ve pushed the limits if she wanted, but she never did. She always stayed just within the rules, enough to keep everyone from complaining. But she was still a huge pain in the ass.”
“What exactly did Amy say to make Kennedy want to leave now? You mentioned this isn’t the first time Amy’s been difficult, and Robin said Kennedy handled it like a pro.”
Bennet shook his head. “I think it was the whole thing**Amy barging into your office, taunting her, and then what happened after you left.” He recounted the details of the confrontation in my office after I stormed out. At least Kennedy is standing up for herself now, but the way she looked at Bennet when she gave that order**he knew something terrible was coming, and he felt powerless to stop it.
My senses sharpened with every word. Kennedy was spiraling into despair, and I felt responsible. She believed she wasn’t good enough, that I felt the same way. Like an old wolf drawn back to the forest, ready to be claimed by the Moon Goddess. I had to find her before it was too late.
Time seemed to stretch endlessly as we searched, though it had only been about thirty minutes. For Kennedy, every second mattered. The bitter cold was unforgiving, and I was certain she hadn’t thought to bring extra layers.
“There!” My wolf howled, and I spotted her collapsed on the ground, shivering and weak.
We rushed over, and I gently lifted her into my arms. Her lips were tinged blue, her breathing shallow, but she was still alive. I rested her head against my shoulder, pressing her frail body close to my bare chest, hoping to transfer as much warmth as possible to her vital organs.
Holding her tightly, I summoned the pack doctor, Greta, along with Robin and anyone else who might help. Now, it was a race against time. I had to get Kennedy back home**safe and warm**before the cold claimed her completely.
Ryker
We headed directly to my room without hesitation. There was no question of letting her be alone now, or ever again. After last night and waking up beside her this morning, the thought of separation was unbearable. My wolf whimpered softly, sensing her fragile state, and I fought to silence him. I needed to be strong for her, to protect her, because my wolf was powerless in this situation.
“Remove her clothes, Alpha,” our lead healer instructed firmly as she entered the room. “She needs to be warmed up immediately. Get her under the covers, now.”
I didn’t hesitate for a second. Bennet stepped forward to help, but my wolf growled low and warningly, still convinced there was some romantic tension between them. I caught the hurt in Bennet’s eyes, but I couldn’t afford distractions**not now.
“Greta, please assist,” the healer said without waiting for a reply. Every ounce of our attention had to be on keeping her alive. I glanced at the healer, desperate for any guidance. “What else can I do?”
“It would help**and speed things up**if she was marked,” she replied.
I shook my head vehemently. “No. We still don’t know if it will harm her. I won’t risk making things worse.” Sliding onto my bed, I let the healer and Greta wrap us both in blankets. I curled onto my side, pulling her close to my chest, her ear resting against the steady beat of my heart. Her cheeks remained icy cold. I pressed a gentle kiss to the top of her head, breathing in the faint, sweet scent she carried. “Come on, baby, fight. Please. We need you. I need you,” I whispered softly into her hair.
“Boss,” Bennet said, raising his hands in surrender, and I shot him a sharp look. “Could you make her pack? I know we don’t have any information on mates yet, but humans have been part of our pack’s history before. To be included in the lineage, they had to be pack members.” He turned toward the healer. “Could that connection help?”
“I don’t see why not,” she answered thoughtfully. “Given her current contact, she should be able to heal faster from the incision.”
“Can we do that without moving her?” I asked cautiously, reluctant to try anything uncertain.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.