Rachel had visited plenty of societies where people, especially women, had been treated as second class citizens or worse. Yet, she couldn’t imagine her father, who once served in the army, groveling to a werewolf alpha. “We’ll see about that.”
Lev mumbled something in Russian that sounded like a curse. It’s not like she had a choice to join them. Better the pack I know than the pack I don’t. Best to avoid the ones who wanted to abduct her to some isolated island. Rachel shaded her eyes from the setting sun. “It’s getting dark fast.”
“Don’t worry. Glowing eyes and wolf vision.”
“True, but cold.” She shivered, out of breath.
“I’ll give you a piggy back to the lodge.”
Rachel’s stubborn desire to prove the strength of the human race waned as her lungs protested with each step. Exhausted from last night’s hot sex and hours helping a woman give birth had taken its toll. Her independent streak fought with her sensible desire to listen to her protector. She wouldn’t last the hike back. “You are not too tired?”
“No.”
“You just fought three werewolves.”
He chuckled and bent on one knee. “I would run up Mt. Everest and back if it meant your comfort and safety.”
Her heartbeat quickened. Never had anybody treated her with such love and devotion. “Just running back to the lodge works.” She climbed on his back and he winced. The warmth and metallic smell of blood seeped through his thick jacket. “Were you shot?”
“No. Just a bite, but it’s healing.” He stood.
“How bad?” He held her in place with a firm hand on her bottom. If she struggled to get off, she might hurt him.
“Not sure, but perhaps my doctor can make one more emergency call.”
“I can walk.”
“Not as fast as I can run.”
“No. The wound will get bigger. Let me look first.”
Before she could argue any more, he ran at the breakneck speed he used earlier to escape. She closed her eyes and held on like a barnacle on a wave-splashed rock.
Lev sat in her lodge room and gritted his teeth as Rachel stitched him up. The gash had been deeper than he expected. The beta’s bite more potent than normal, as if corrupted by poison. A cold chill rattled him. The tinge of magic.
“This is bad. Unfortunately, I only have topical antibiotics in my med kit.”
He released a slow breath. “This bite is healing much slower than the wounds from the battle at the cavern.” She had sterilized the gash with alcohol which should have been enough to immediately close his wound.
Rachel furrowed her brow. “The skin coloration looks like snake venom. Are you sure a werewolf and not a snake bit you?”
“The ass had a dirty mouth that smelled of decay.”
Rachel sniffed. “I noticed the rotten smell, but now it’s not as bad.” She pulled and tugged the last stitch.
He grimaced and growled.
“Sorry.”
“Lucky for you I don’t need a muzzle.”
She rolled a bandage over his wound. “Have you had your rabies shot?”
“Does not work for us.”
“Hmm. Is that so?”
He winced as she tightened the bandage. “Yes. Although, unlike animals, we don’t foam at the mouth and go on killing sprees. The disease takes us quickly. Within a day or two.”