Chapter 2: Lucas

I threw the last of my tools into my toolbox and closed it up. Stepping into the small bathroom at the back of the garage to wash my hands. I was drying them off when I stepped out to see my uncle coming up.

“How’s it looking?” he asked.

“You’re all set,” I told him. “You shouldn’t have any more issues.”

Uncle Rodney shook his head. “I still don’t know how you did it,” he said. “They insisted it would be another six weeks before that part would come in. I thought we’d have to put off clearing the field until next year.”

“I guess I’m just more charming than you,” I joked.

“Ha, more terrifying, more like,” he replied. “Whatever the reason, I’m grateful. Now, go get some breakfast.”

I lifted my toolbox. “It’ll have to be to-go,” I said. “I should get on the road before I’m missed.”

As nice as it was to come back to my childhood home, it was getting harder to extend the visits. As the Alpha of the Ironpaw Pack, every minute of my day was accounted for by others. But there wasn’t anything so important that I couldn’t help my family if they needed it. While there was always someone wanting something from me, that also meant there was always someone to assign a task to when necessary.

I loaded the tools into the back of my truck parked outside the garage. A light rain shower had just passed over, leaving puddles scattered around the yard. My Aunt Lara came up as I finished with a basket of food to take with me. We were saying our goodbyes when I heard a scream echo down the drive. My head snapped toward the direction it came from, the hair on my neck standing on end. My wolf, Rhonen, came to the forefront of my consciousness.

“Was that Daisy?” Aunt Lara said.

Another scream sounded from the silhouettes I could see in the distance. I took off at speed. The farmhouse was set a quarter mile from the main road. The figures quickly became clearer. It was Daisy, the neighbor woman, holding her son behind her protectively. I didn’t know where the danger was or what it was as the low fog was obscuring my view. But as I closed in, I was suddenly stopped in my tracks. The most intoxicating scent hit me with the wind.

‘Mate,’ Rhonen growled, pushing my feet to move again.

Daisy wasn’t the source of the scent. Who was with her? Rhonen had taken control of my legs, pushing faster. As I approached the large gate, Daisy’s cries to stay away broke through our desperation. Our priorities fought against each other. Ultimately, I went to defend my packmate.

“Lucas…” Daisy called.

I slid to a halt in front of her but I was instantly frozen in place. It wasn’t an animal or some axe-wielding villain facing me. Stumbling not even twenty feet away was a woman. Battered, shivering, and wearing only a nightgown that was wet and covered in blood. Shock overwhelmed every other emotion that was whirling inside me that she was the source of the incredible scent.

‘Mate,’ Rhonen echoed in my head.

Rage quickly took over. There was a distinct male scent mingled with hers. Rhonen’s hackles were raised as he vowed to rip whoever did this to her apart. Then our eyes met, locking onto the bright amber of hers.

“Help…” she spoke weakly before crumpling to the ground.

I rushed to her, dropping to her side. I yelled for Daisy to call for help. Rolling her over, I checked for a pulse. Electricity surged through me when I touched her, further stirring Rhonen’s and my excitement. But desperation was in control. Her heartbeat was weak. Her skin was freezing. Her lips were almost blue. I didn’t know how much of the blood that soaked her nightgown was hers. Scooping my mate into my arms, I pressed her against my chest as I ran back towards the farmhouse. I kicked the door open, demanding supplies as I headed directly for the guest room.

“We should get those wet clothes off of her,” Aunt Lara said as I laid her on the bed, not skipping a beat in the chaos. “Let me do it. You get more blankets.”

I growled protectively as she went to touch my mate. Aunt Lara’s eyes went wide and she took a step back. I took a deep breath to regain my control.

“I will take care of her,” I said firmly.

She gave me a strange look but nodded and left to get more blankets. I turned back to my poor, mysterious mate. She had wounds along her arms and shoulder. I worried pulling the gown over her head would reopen them. It was torn already, so I finished ripping it apart in order to get it off. I pushed Rhonen back as best I could, covering her up immediately once the wet clothing was removed. I needed to better assess her condition but needed to get her warm first. Aunt Lara came back and threw more blankets over her. I rubbed her arms and legs carefully through the blankets, working to get her circulation flowing.

“I’ll get some water boiling and some towels,” she said, picking up the soiled nightgown. “I’ll throw this out.”

“Don’t,” I commanded. “Bag it.”

I would have Rhonen memorize that scent. If he did this to her. He won’t get away with it. I heard voices from the other room but didn’t pay attention. My focus was on her. I brushed her honey-brown hair back, trying to envision her without the cuts and bruises marring her features. She was beautiful.

But there was one feature I had only caught a glimpse of before she collapsed but that was enough to stick in my head — her eyes. Her eyes were two different colors. One a piercing gray like a full moon, the other a warm orange like the rising sun. All I could hope for in that moment was that I would see them again.

“The doctor is on the way,” Uncle Rodney said from behind. “Do you have any idea who she is?”

“She’s my mate.”