Chapter 16
Max parked the truck right next to Dylan’s in front of the club. They weren’t opening for another five hours.
“You doing inventory today?” Max asked Rhys.
“That and I have to make some calls. Elizabeth needs me to look into a few things.”
“Where is your new mate? Did you seal the deal, or did she run again?”
“She’s still looking for the missing girls.” He pulled the door open to the club. Dylan was behind the bar, wiping down the bar to unstack the glasses ready to be put away, along with the new bottles of liquor to add to the shelf.
The door flew open behind them. Evan’s eyes were glowing bright red, and his teeth were extended. He looked like one of the monsters in a fairytale his mom used to read him as a child.
“What the…”
“Abigail’s in trouble.” Rhys heard a bear’s loud roar, followed by howls on the wind. The afternoon air was filled with screams.
“Where is she?” Rhys demanded, knowing she was close enough for him to hear Colton’s anger.
Another ear-piercing scream.
Evan’s eyes turned pure white, void of pupils as he spoke. “She’s near the park.”
He blinked, and the red glow returned to his eyes, glowing in anger. “She’s losing blood. We have to help her.”
Rhys didn’t wait on the others as he tore through the building, bursting out the back. Fire fueled his anger. Lizzie was hurt. Whoever had dared lay a hand on her was about to die. Spotting them just inside the tree line, he ran, pumping his arms and legs as fast as they would take them. He shifted in mid stride. His clothes shredding into pieces as he landed on paws instead of feet as he crashed through the tree line. He growled, smacking at the wolves on his mate. He’d knocked three of them off when another one jumped. He caught him and broke his neck, tossing him to the side.
He stood in front of Elizabeth, blocking her. Colton was next to him, bleeding from his fight. His brothers took up places on each side, forming a semi-circle around her, growling and daring any of the wolves still standing to try again. He roared, and they inched back. Four bears versus the three wolves left standing and the two wounded. It wouldn’t take much to finish them off.
Rhys heard Elizabeth moan in pain. It was the only thing that kept him from chasing the others that were running off. He turned to find Evan lifting her in his arms. His bear growled as Evan started carrying her back to the bar.
“I’m the only one that can help her.” He looked over at Rhys as Rhys began the shift. “No offense, big guy, but if she takes your blood, you’ll die, and then she’ll really kill me.”
Evan pushed through the back door of the club and into the security room with the big tables.
Elizabeth lay limp in Evan’s arms as he eased her down onto the table in the lounge area. She turned on her side, gripping her stomach, moaning in agony.
“Elizabeth.” Evan’s voice was deep and calming. “Look at me,” he compelled, and she turned to face him.
“You feel no pain.” He brushed the hair out of her face, and her moaning stopped. Holding his arm to his mouth, he ripped it open before holding it to her lips. “Drink.”
She latched on, holding his arm with both hands. Rhys watched her eyes close.
“How is this possible?” he whispered.
“We need to leave.” Evan pulled his arm free, and Elizabeth’s eyes opened wide, and she hissed with her pointy teeth. “We need to leave now.”
He placed his hand on her forehead. “Sleep, Abigail, sleep.”
Rhys watched in amazement as her eyes fluttered closed and her body went limp.
“Why did you do that?” Rhys yelled, his bear wanting to break free.
Evan scooped her up in his arms. “Because she needs more blood than I have, and if she tried to drink you, it would kill you.” Evan glanced up at him. “If she bites you, then you’ll die. Not that I would mind, but she’d kill me. I need to take her to the others. Together, we can help her, but we can’t here. Everyone’s at risk. Get dressed, bear. You’re coming with us.”
Colton came jogging into the room. “Horace is dead. The rest took off.”
“Where are her damn shots?” Evan questioned.
