Page 71 of Wolf Betrayed
My poor mate had been through so much the past few days. More than any person should be able to take. He was still fighting. I just needed him to keep doing that.
The seat in front of us creaked, and Mark turned back and put a gentle hand on my shoulder. “We’re pulling in the drive now. Dad has Mom standing on the porch to come look at you both.”
I nodded and closed my eyes, sighing. The car wobbled as we hit the uneven ground of the drive. The path to the house was long and winding, and it took us a few minutes to get there. The car lurched as it was put in park, and then Dad killed the ignition.
The car shook as everyone exited, and I heard my mother’s voice as she hurried to the car. I poked my head up for the first time just as the back was opened up.
When my mother saw me, she let out a sob. Her hands flew to her face, and she shook her head. “Oh, my love, my poor baby.”
She reached in and brushed the hair off of my face.
Willa, who stood right behind her, gasped when she saw me, and tears shimmered in her eyes. She mashed her lips together but didn’t say anything.
My mom hooked a hand under my shoulder. “Let’s get you out.”
I shook my head and put my hand on Lincoln. “He’s hurt far worse than I am. Please help him first.”
My mom frowned, her attention going to my mate for the first time. Her frown turned into a worried scowl as she pressed two fingers to his pulse point on his neck.
She waved at someone. “Brandon, Mark, help get him out so we can take him to the infirmary.”
My brothers jumped in as soon as she moved to the side and pulled him out, careful not to jostle him more than they had to. They carried him toward the house and up the steps.
I grimaced as I started to climb out. Everything hurt. My muscles, my bones. Places that I didn’t even know existed.
My mom hooked one hand under my armpit. “Careful, my love. Your leg looks in rough shape. Let me get a good look at you.”
She helped me get out just enough so I was sitting in the back of the car with my legs hanging over the edge.
Dad stood right next to her and scrubbed a hand over his face. “We should have driven faster. This would have never happened.”
My mom looked at him, her expression softening. “This is not your fault, David.”
He closed his eyes and spun on his heel.
My mom turned back to me. She gently put her fingers on either side of my face, skimming them down along my cheekbones. Then she turned my face from side to side. “Nothing’s broken up here. Lots of bruising, but nothing a shift won’t heal.”
She bit her lip as she looked at my leg. Her fingers pressed along my thigh to my knee and then down to my calf.
Her frown returned. “I don’t think anything is broken here, but it’s possible the ACL is torn.”
She mashed her lips into a thin line. “Do you think you can manage a shift?”
I shook my head adamantly. “I just need to make sure Lincoln is okay. We should work on him first.”
My mom put a hand on my shoulder. “I’ll tend to him personally. I want you to go shift and take care of yourself.”
I opened my mouth to protest, but my mom gave me a severe look. “You are no good to that boy injured. Nor can you help me when you can barely stand. See to yourself. Willa will help you. Then you can come and check on Lincoln. I’ll have him in your room by the time you get back.”
She didn’t leave any room for argument before she marched away and hurried into the house, the screen door clanging shut behind her.
Dad put his hand on Willa’s back and guided her to the car. “Stay with Sloane for me and make sure she’s okay.” He gave me a grim look. “I’m going to make sure your mother has everything she needs to help take care of Lincoln. That boy saved you. I’m going to make sure that we save him.”
I offered him a small smile. “Thanks, Dad.”
He inclined his head. “Get yourself shifted. Something tells me we will need you in peak condition in the very near future.”
I shuddered at his words. Exhaustion swept over me as I realized that he was right. Alpha Dane would be here soon. I needed to be healed so I could fight again.