MADDOX

The Sire must have been confident he wouldn't need help, as I encountered no resistance en route to the car. I was prepared for a fight, but given Langston's condition, I was relieved to avoid it. He was bleeding profusely from several wounds that weren't healing properly, and his back injury wasn't mending. I'd heard of this before—his injuries were so severe his body was shutting down. At the brink of death, Langston wasn't healing like a wolf should.

Reaching the car, my mind raced. Where could I take him for help, given his condition and our… nature? Doctor Ron. I shifted Langston's weight to reach for my phone, then realized it was gone—discarded in the woods where I'd shifted. Reaching Doctor Ron would take hours, and I didn't recall any nearby packs with a competent doctor.

I had no choice. The best option seemed to be Luna's inn; I could stabilize him there and then call our pack doctor. Langston was going into shock. He shivered in my arms, struggling to breathe, his lips turning blue. Indecision would kill him.

I ripped open the car door, nearly tearing it off its hinges before regaining control. Langston groaned, shifting his weight. As gently as possible, I slid him into the back seat, trying to keep his spine straight, though his size made it difficult. He was too tall to lie flat. I bent his knees and used towels from the trunk to support his spine. I'm not a doctor, but it was the best I could do. His breathing remained labored, but he seemed less pained. I covered him with a blanket to combat shock and blood loss.

Without pausing, I jumped into the front seat and sped home. A day's journey lay ahead; I planned to drive through the night. I wasn't sure whether to let Langston sleep; I feared he might not wake up. However, given his injuries, I hoped his wolf could keep him alive, even if he couldn't fully heal.

Hours passed. I strained to hear Langston's breathing. I'd let him drift into unconsciousness—keeping him awake during the long drive was impossible.

I stopped for gas and realized, in the adrenaline rush after the fight, that I'd shifted repeatedly. I was driving naked. The man next to me stared, eyes wide, as I got out of the car. He quickly disconnected the gas nozzle and fled.

I was naked and covered in blood—a horrific sight. I grabbed clothes from my bag, then used a water bottle to wash some of the blood from my face and arms before paying for the gas. Luckily, we had cash. Looking at Langston through the back window, I doubted he'd survive.

AXEL

My stomach rumbled; I smelled food from the kitchen. Lemon chewed her pen, swaying slightly—her hungry habit. I smiled; I loved these small, intimate moments. Lunch had been a while ago; I'd have to coax her to eat. As I stood, inhaling her scent, a car horn blared incessantly.

BEEP. BEEP. BEEP. BEEEEEP. BEEEEEP. BEEEEP. BEEP. BEEP. BEEP

Faint at first, it grew louder. It hit me—an SOS. Lemon was already moving towards the door, pausing with a puzzled expression.

"Stay here," I pleaded, gently pushing her aside and peering out the window.

A black vehicle sped toward the inn, its horn blaring. I flung open the door, fearing an attack. As I reached the porch, I considered the consequences of shifting with humans present in daylight. Even if Liam understood, it would cause problems. But if it were vampires, I'd have no choice. I wouldn't let them hurt Lemon.

The car screeched to a halt on the lawn, the horn continuing.

BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP

I ran to the car. It looked like someone needed help. At the driver's side, I found Maddox—a mess of blood, dirt, and grime, hastily cleaned clothes pulled over it. The smell was overwhelmingly vampiric. Lemon gasped, realizing who it was.

"Maddox!" she cried, checking his breathing. "I need Missy! We need a doctor!"

She was hysterical—unusual for her. This was violent; it involved her friend's mate. Before calming her, I noticed the back seat. She couldn't see that yet.

I knelt beside her. "Lemon, I know you're scared, but trust me. Can you do that?"

She nodded, tears welling.

"Good," I said, relieved. "Don't tell Missy yet. Call Azalea. Tell her Maddox and the Alpha are hurt. Have her get Liam, Doctor Ron, and any medical supplies. Bring Missy with them. Bring me clean linen and any medical kits."

Her eyes darted around.

"No," I said firmly. "Eyes on me. Hurry."

She nodded vigorously, determined. My girl.

"Bring it where?" she asked.

"Azalea's apartment. I'll treat them there until Doctor Ron arrives. Tell them to hurry. I don't know if the Alpha is okay."

I carefully moved Maddox to the passenger seat. He was snoring lightly. Thank goodness; he'd passed out. Lemon was already on the phone. Goddess, couldn't we just have a bond?

I quietly drove to Azalea's apartment and entered.

MADDOX

I woke in a chair, disoriented. I jumped up, fearing capture, accidentally breaking the chair. Axel reassured me; I was safe, at the inn. I'd gotten Langston here. Doctor Ron was en route. Langston and I were cleaner now. Axel had stabilized Langston's spine with blankets. Langston was still unconscious, but his color was better.

There was nothing more I could do. Axel suggested I give him and Lemon space.

My mind raced. We were close to our mate, but Langston needed care. I couldn't leave after what we'd been through. The pack doctor, and hopefully Missy, would arrive with Alpha.

I paced, willing them to arrive. By car, an hour. By wolf, less. I yearned for my mate.

"Maddox!" I heard Missy's voice in my head. "Maddox!"

"Missy?" I replied. She was near.

Movement in the trees. Was it her? My body had given out after I stopped the car. Movement intensified. A wolf—Missy's pale silver coat. Two more followed. She leaped, shifting as she landed. I ran, catching her before she hit the ground. She clung to me.

"Maddox!" she sobbed.

"I'm back," I said. "Don't cry. I'm here."

She sobbed into my neck, relief overwhelming her.

I ignored the others; I held her close. I'd done my job; I was back with Missy.

"I thought you were hurt!" she cried. "I felt something was wrong!"

"I'm sorry. We had a setback. But I'm here. I'm okay," I said, inhaling her strawberry scent.

Lemon cleared her throat. Missy remained in my arms. Lemon draped a blanket over Missy, winked, and left. I chuckled.

"Did you forget your clothes?" I asked Missy.

"No," she murmured. I kissed her head.

"Should we find you some?" I asked. "Anything here?"

"Can we just go home?" she asked, looking at me. Happy tears glistened on her cheeks.

"Whatever you want. I won't leave your side," I said. "Should we tell your dad?"

She laughed. "I don't care about him right now."

I kissed her. Tom was ecstatic. Missy kissed me back fiercely. We returned home.