“Ryder, thank the Moon Goddess,” Zane exclaims.“I was wondering when you would appear.I knew I couldn’t hold him forever.” I watch as Zane’s grip on me relaxes before sagging against the door in relief.
“Where is my mate?” Zane, standing up straight, straightens his shirt, wiping off some invisible dust.
“She is in the infirmary.”
“And Lily?”
“She should still be with the nurses.”
“Lead the way then.” Zane turns and starts walking down the hall, and I follow closely behind.When we reach a black door, a nurse comes forward.Looking up, she goes to say something before looking directly at me.She does a double take before she takes a step back.Understanding Reid is no longer in control before bowing her head slightly, revealing her neck in a sign of submission.“Alpha, I didn’t realise we would be seeing you.” Looking down at her hands, she continues, “Doc has just stepped out to gather some blood for your mate.”
I nod in understanding “The girl?”
“She is with her sister.” Using my wolf senses, I listen.I can hear Lily talking.
“Aria, it’s me.” I hear her sob in distress.Kicking the door open, I ran into the room.Aria is leaning in, and from the angle it looks like she is about to cuddle the girl, except her eyes are no longer the vibrant green.They are the eyes of a predator about to kill its prey; they are now an orange burning like embers of flame.
Without hesitation, I tackle her around the shoulders, plummeting to the ground against the wall, her back pressed against my chest.I feel her fangs sink into my forearm.Her bite is not painful like I thought it would be, it must be a mate thing.Aria lets out a moan that vibrates through her chest, biting down hungrily.I can feel her sucking, hear her swallowing.She is completely overwhelmed with bloodlust.When Doc walks in, taking in the scene before her, she holds up a bag of blood.I motion for her to throw it to me.Doc obeys, tossing it.I catch it with my free hand, pulling her head as gently as possible from my arm to get her attention.
I pierce the bag slightly with my nail.Smelling the bag of blood she rips it from my hand, biting straight into the side.Blood spurts out like a burst water balloon all over her face and mine.Knowing it will not last long enough, I motion for the doc who throws a second bag, ready for when she finishes the first.Aria is sitting on my lap.Pulling her closer and brushing her hair to the side and out of her face with my fingers, I gaze down at her.She truly is an extraordinary creature.When she grabs savagely for the second bag, I know I will never get a second chance.I sink my teeth into her neck to mark her.The metallic aftertaste of her blood on my tongue brings me satisfaction, and I growl softly before running my tongue along the mark to seal it.Aria collapses into my chest, the blood bag falling from her fingertips.I wait a few minutes before I lift her up bridal style and place her back on the bed.Raising her hospital gown slightly, I watch as her lacerations close and all the bruising vanishes.
“She will be out for a while.A normal wolf’s marking will take a toll on the body, but an Alpha’s mark?” She looks down at my sleeping mate.“I think she will be out for the rest of the night.” Nodding I tuck the blanket around her, kissing the top of her head before walking out to where Lily is in the hall.
“Reid?”
“No, I’m Ryder.Come on, how about we get you to bed.”
Lily hesitated.“When is Reid coming back?” she asked.I must be scaring her.
“I’m sure he will be back by morning; he doesn’t like to be kept in the dark for long.” I chuckled to myself.Reid cannot kill her now, not without killing us in the process.Feeling proud, smiling to myself, I know now she will be safe from us.
Chapter 10
Aria’s POV
The next morning, Iawoke early to someone opening the curtains and letting the light into the room.Sitting up, I stared at the person who appeared to be a nurse.She was wearing blue scrubs and white sneakers, her blonde hair pulled tightly in a bun.Noticing my movement, she turned around to face me.Surprise was evident in her blue eyes.
“You are up.”
I just nodded my head in reply.Feeling confused, I tried to remember how I got in this room, but the only thing I can remember is telling Lily to run and then a wolf snapping its jaws, lunging at me before being plunged into darkness.The memory sent a shiver down my spine.
“Where am I?”
“You are on Blood Moon territory.” Petrified, I tried to get up, but the nurse ran over, pushing me down by my shoulder.
“Luna, you’re safe here.” Dismissing what she said as a mistake, I shook my head.Looking at her name tag that was pinned to the bottom of her shirt, I discovered her name was Wendy.
“There was a girl with me.What happened to her?She is 6 years old with blonde curly hair, dark blue eyes.” As I was describing Lily to the nurse, I could feel tears start to brim.My throat felt thick with worry.The nurse, noticing my distressed state, came and sat on the bed next to me.
“Luna, calm down.Lily is fine.She is in the rec room playing with the other Pack members.” My shoulders sag, feeling relieved that she is ok and safe.But that still didn’t answer how we got here.
“How did we get here?How long have we been here?” Confused, I just keep shooting questions at her, but she does not seem to mind.
“Alpha Reid found you and Lily and brought you back here.You’re currently in the Pack house infirmary, and you have also been asleep for two days since your mate marked you.”
“Mate?I don’t have a mate.” Reaching up I slid my fingers over my neck and shoulder, flinching when I hit the tender skin of a mate’s mark.It stings a little, but mostly when I touch it, it just tingles.Shocked, I instantly start to panic.Getting up, I glance down at my clothes.I am in a green hospital gown.Looking around, I do not see my duffle bag or my shoes.The nurse watches worriedly but does not stop me.Now I just need to find Lily, and we will be on the next bus out of the city.Walking over to the black door, I tried to open it, but it had been locked.Spinning around, I turned to look at the nurse who placed her hands up in surrender.
“It’s for everyone’s safety and yours, Luna.I understand you’re confused, but everything will work out soon.”