“Zane, get here now.” I mind linked.
“Yes, Boss.” Not even two minutes later, Zane turned up in his wolf form.Shifting into his human form, he quickly pulled on his jeans that were tied to his leg before walking over.
“Grab Lily,” I said, nodding towards her.She was standing shocked, staring at Aria’s limp body in my arms.Zane walked over, picking Lily up from under her arms before picking up the duffle bag that was at her feet.Lily clutched it tightly as he rested it on his shoulder.
“Where to, Boss?”
“Home.The Pack doctor is meeting us there.I already called for her.”
“What about Mark and the others?”
I growled warningly at them, and they backed up, lowering their heads.
“Not now,” I snapped, looking down at my mate.I could feel her blood running down my arm, where I was holding her legs.One of the Pack members pulled up at the end of the alleyway, opening the door of my black SUV.Throwing the door open, I climbed in, pulling Aria on my lap.Zane placed Lily beside me, putting her seat belt on.She was sobbing uncontrollably, still clutching the bag that was over Zane’s shoulder.When she wouldn’t let go, he slid it onto her lap before closing the door and hopping into the passenger seat.
Looking down, I pulled the shirt that was tied around her stomach slightly.Blood started gushing out except it was not red; it was black and thicker than normal blood.I quickly placed my hand over it, putting pressure on it.
“Why isn’t she healing?” I asked out loud.Zane peered over the front seat looking at her before my glare made him turn around, quickly realising she was barely clothed.Pulling her closer, I looked over at Lily, who was rubbing Aria’s leg with the hand that was not clutching the bag.
Trying to take her mind off Aria, I asked her, “What’s in the bag that’s so important, Lil?” She clutched the bag tighter and looked at me but did not speak.
We got to the Pack house quickly.As soon as the door opened, I ran out and up the stairs clutching Aria to my chest.I kicked the door open and ran to the infirmary where the Pack doctor Mavis was standing next to the hospital bed, in her white coat.Her red hair was a mess, telling me I had woken her.I could see she was still in her pyjamas under her coat, and she only had socks on and no shoes.Placing Aria on the gurney, Doc quickly started to work.Zane walked in a few minutes later with Lily still clutching the bag tightly.
I bent down to look at Lily.“You okay?” She shook her head and sniffled.Her blonde curls were tinged red covered in blood, and some was dried on her face.“Are you hurt?” She shook her head again.
“The blood is Ari’s.She was carrying me,” she stuttered, trying to hold her sobs in.I could tell it was Aria’s; I would know her scent anywhere.
Looking down at her drenched clothing, I noticed what looked like blisters along her hands.Pushing the sleeves of her shirt up her arms, I found more blisters and burns.I could smell wolfsbane on her clothes, which would be causing her pain.Immediately, I signalled for the nurse that was with doc to come over.
She took one look at her before confirming, “Wolfsbane,”
“Is that why my mate isn’t healing?” She looked uncertain.
“Maybe.Come on, let’s get you cleaned up,,” she said, holding her hand out to Lily to take.Lily looked uncertain but took her hand anyway.
“Why are you so quiet, Ryder?” I asked.
“You will find out soon,” was all he replied.I knew he was scared for our mate.She looked so small and fragile, laying on the hospital bed.The Doc was stapling her leg while another nurse was stitching her side.She was completely unconscious.If I couldn’t see her chest rise with each breath she took and hear the slow beating of her heart, I would have thought she was dead.A tall man in a white coat walked in before placing an IV in her arm and attaching a bag of fluids.I watched as he took some blood samples before walking out of the room again.Both doctors kept giving me nervous glances.
“Maybe you should go wait in your study, Alpha,” said Mavis.I have known her for years, and I could tell something was making her nervous.That I was making her nervous.
“No, I’m fine here.”
“Sir, I don’t think you should be here when she wakes up.”
“She is my mate, I’m staying.” Mavis looked shocked for a second, glancing at Tom, the male doctor who had stepped into the room again before looking down at my mate with a look of fear on her face.
“Sir, I’m afraid I need to insist you leave.Mavis or I will come see you soon.It’s for your mate’s safety,” said Tom.
“Safety?I am not going to hurt her.She is mine.” Tom wouldn’t budge, instead gestured towards the door.
“Please, we will be able to work more efficiently with you not here.”
Storming out of the room and slamming the door behind me, I made my way down the hallway to my study.The study was dark.Turning on the light, I looked around the room trying to find something to distract myself, looking over at the shelves of books.I didn’t feel like reading or working, instead deciding to just sit behind my desk.Running my fingers through my hair, I leaned back in my chair, closing my eyes.
I must have dozed off because Zane walked in with a plate in one hand and a mug of coffee in the other.He placed them down in front of me.
“Eat,” he ordered, pushing the plate in front of me.