Chapter 7

I felt as if I had been punched in the chest. I stumble back in shock almost falling over.

“Help her!” Roared Blaze.

I ran over and fell to my knees not sure what I should be doing but I had to help her. The mate pull made me panic and Blaze whined in my head, hoping that she would be ok. I grabbed one of her arms and slung it over my shoulder. My left arm moved behind her naked back and the touch of her skin on mine sent the electricity flying through me again. I focused on helping the girl and tried to ignore the firm pull of the bond that radiated from her.

I lifted her up into my arms, placing my right arm under her perfectly plump arse. FOCUS. Looking around I check my surroundings before aiming for the campsite.      

“Gavin where are you?” I barked through the link.

“I lost him!” he growled in response.

“Don’t worry about that now. I have the girl. Meet us back at camp.”

I ran as fast as I could. She felt so cold in my arms. But I kept focused and used my scent to lead us back towards the camp.

She shivered and moved a little in my arms, snuggling into my chest. I couldn’t help but take a look at her and found myself lost in her beautiful face. I noticed a graze on her left cheek which made me feel angry.

“Don’t leave me now.” I whispered, “I’ve only just found you.”

Gavin was already at the campsite fully dressed when I raced through some low-lying shrubs, clutching her close to me.

“How is she?” Gavin called running over to us.

Unintentionally I pulled her away from his touch.

“Need to get her to the tent.” I urged hoping Gavin didn’t notice the odd behaviour. “She’s very cold.”

Gavin opened the flap of my tent and I gently placed her down on my camp bed. Noticing how her naked skin was peeking from beneath my jumper, I grabbed a top and quickly dressed her. I didn’t want Gavin looking at her like that. I then covered her with my sleeping bag and an extra blanket for warmth.

“Call you Dad.” I barked at Gavin as I sat down next to her, clutching her hand. She looked so pale.

I heard his mobile dial the number followed by several rings. I couldn’t take my eyes off the girl in front of me and rayed to the moon goddess she would be ok.

“Hey Dad. Sorry to wake you.” Gavin said.

“Put him on speaker.” I commanded. I hated using my Alpha authority on my best friend but the more I watched the girl the more I felt I needed to protect and help her.

“Alpha? What’s the matter?” Asked a sleepy Dr Sven.

“Gavin and I found a girl in the woods. She was unconscious and naked. She has a wolf scent.” I gritted my teeth together. I couldn’t let the Doctor know I’d finally found my mate. Not yet.

“There was another wolf there too. We don’t know if he attacked her.” Added Gavin.

“She’s definitely a werewolf?” Dr Sven asked.

I grabbed the phone from Gavin. I was getting frustrated and wanted answers.

“Yes she’s a werewolf. The problem is Doctor, she’s unconscious, stone cold and very pale.” I yelled.

I could sense Gavin was not happy about the way I spoke to his Dad and he shifted uncomfortably in front of me. Dr Sven however responded methodically.

“Sounds to me as if she had her first phase. It’s not uncommon for some wolves to be overcome especially if they hold additional abilities. As for the other wolf maybe that was her mate?”

“No. He wasn’t her mate.” I said quickly without thinking. “I mean, if he was, he would have stayed with her to help her.”

Gavin looked at me with raised eyebrows.

“Right then.” The doctor hadn’t missed my outburst either. “Well, what is her condition like now?”

I ran my thumb over her grazed cheek and an urge to find who did this to her washed over me. Gavin cleared his throat.

“Umm… she’s still really pale and unconscious but her temperature is returning to normal.” I said without looking at Gavin.

“Well that a step in the right direction. I am concerned she’s still unconscious though, but it could just be the shock. If her condition worsens, I would recommend bringing her here so I can treat her.” Dr Sven said the last part with a yawn. “Sorry Alpha.”

“It’s ok doctor. I’m sorry we had to wake you.” I apologised

“What signs should we look out for if she was to get worse?” asked Gavin.

“Shivering uncontrollably, blue lips, slurred speech and memory loss.” Dr Sven listed.

“Thanks Dad.” Gavin said taking the phone from me and hanging up.

My gaze was still fixed to the girl lying in my bed. She moved her head and her perfect brown eyebrows knitted together. Everything was just perfect about her. Her eyelashes lay delicately on her creamy coloured cheeks. Her lips were turning a soft dark rose colour. Blaze purred with satisfaction.

Gavin cleared his throat again. “So, what’s going on?”

I looked up to find him standing in front of me, arms crossed. Although there was barely any light werewolf sight allowed me to see him glaring at me. I knew I had to be honest with him. Afterall he was my best friend, and I could trust him with anything.

 “She’s my mate,” I sighed.

Gavin was shocked “Wow that’s great,” he smiled. “But why didn’t you tell me yesterday?”

“I didn’t understand it myself until Blaze and I saw her tonight. She’s only just got her wolf, that’s why Blaze went crazy yesterday with her scent. He could sense his mate was nearby but he couldn’t identify her because the girl hadn’t turned 18.”

Everything was beginning to make sense now. We sat silently for a few more minutes and I apologised to Blaze. He just wagged his tail, to happy to comment with a snide remark. I loved my wolf, but he could be stubborn, just like me.

“This is really good news mate, but have you forgotten what’s waiting for you at home?” Gavin said.

Shit.

He was right. I had forgotten the disaster that was Tatiana waiting back home for me. Why did the Moon Goddess do this to me?

“Can you keep this to yourself?” I asked Gavin knowing he would say yes.

“Oh course.” He yawned.

“Go get some sleep.” I offered to which Gavin replied with a nod, before walking through the gap in my tent.

We were alone, the girl and me and everything felt natural. Her scent of toffee apples and strawberries was intoxicating and soothed my worry and concern for her.

Blaze purred with satisfaction before giving me mental images of us lying naked together.

“It’s a proven fact that skin to skin contact will warm her faster.” He grinned mischievously.

“Come on buddy.” I chuckle. “She’s been through enough let alone waking up in a naked man’s arms.”

Blaze huffed but continued to torment me with the idea of her being naked. I decided to set up a makeshift bed next to her. Blaze got the hint and stopped his torture.

“Everything will work itself out Eric.” He purred reassuringly in my ear before closing his eyes.

I hoped it would, but I couldn’t help thinking that something was about to happen.