Chapter 3
Atlas
I moved silently through the trailer park, my motorcycle boots making barely a sound. I had parked a block away so to not attract attention. Inside my thick dark jacket was Maya’s replacement polo. I wasn’t positive I bought her story that Marco had told me, so I was glad to be taking a look.
As an enforcer to Marco’s alpha, I was naturally suspicious. Of what? Everything. I sure as hell didn’t know what to think about this girl that Marco was claiming as our mate. I knew the alpha felt the pull stronger at first, but I couldn’t deny my concern at the slight figure being pulled into the dark truck at the gas station.
I hadn’t seen her yet. I could tell she was beautiful from the way the other men talked about her, but nothing prepared me for seeing her in person. I rounded the trailer, checking the driveway, before going toward a small open window.
I knew I would be able to fit through it, but my eyes caught on the small school skirt hanging on the ledge. I moved closer and sniffed it. It smelled feminine, but also had the faint scent of blood. I examined the edge and noticed slight staining. My jaw tightened as I glided over the window with graceful ease.
Fuck.
Why had she leftthiswindow open? I could barely stand upright. The moon shone into the small closet and onto a mattress. Twin size. I felt my eyes widen in shock as I took in a delicate sleeping form. This was her fucking bedroom?
I felt an array of emotions coursed through me. Anger. Fury. Concern. Possession. Lust. My knees broke as I knelt down to the small angelic form sleeping on a thin barely-there mattress. They hadn’t been joking, she was beautiful. Yet, my appreciation was clouded by rage filtering over my eyes. Why the fuck was she sleeping here?
I wanted to take her to my room and let her sleep in my bed. Any of our beds actually. Just not here. Her thick dark hair laid in a seaweed mess on top of her stretched out arms. A tiny splattering of freckles covered her little nose and those long lashes swept across her high cheekbones. She was the most delicate, beautiful woman I had ever met. Hell. I hadn’t even met her and every protective bone in my body was urging me to get her the fuck out of here.
I frowned though. I could feel my dragon’s natural reaction to her, wanting to blanket her in protective and possessive actions, but he was blocking something. I wanted to ask the other men how people had been reacting to her. My senses told me that we were in a world of trouble. I had never smelled her unique mixture of soft scents, but I could tell she was a shifter, just no idea what type.
Maya muttered in her sleep before slipping from under her thin blanket. I groaned at her lack of clothing. Despite her loose t-shirt, it was clear she had shed off a pair of PJ pants. It made her little curves visible because she was in only a pair of panties. I tried to not look at her long legs and a tiny waist. How was it possible for someone so cute and small to be perfectly curved?
I really needed to not be staring at her. Then something caught my eye.
“What the fuck?” I growled. Her white shirt stuck to her back as a pale pink color began to seep through. Maya whimpered but continued to sleep. I moved slowly to peel her shirt off her back. I sucked in a breath.
Her entire back was covered in open wounds that looked like they originated from a belt. They were half healed, but bleeding still. I watched in amazement as her skin stitched itself up with a quickness that was obviously supernatural. I could feel a cold sweat take over her body as those small hands began to tremble. A pained sound came from her throat as my resolve melted.
In a movement that was quick but far from practiced, I pulled her onto my lap with a blanket in tow. I didn’t touch her, except for a hand on her shoulder. Maya, still asleep, curled into my chest as a sigh of contentment came forth. I smiled at how perfectly she fit into my arms.
I could almost forget the terrible wounds on her back.
Almost.