“I don’t know them. But I’m aware of what the burrow put you through, and they must be pretty amazing for you to step foot inside these boundaries again.” Using his sleeve, he wiped at the sweat dripping from his forehead into his eyes. “It’s time for change, and I want to be part of that.”
“Thank you,” I sniffled.
“For possibly killing you by injecting you with a toxin? Or for rescuing you?”
“Both.” My laugh was more of a wheeze.
“You’re welcome.” His fingers tightened around the steering wheel.
“I don’t know how I’ll ever repay you for this—assuming we both survive.” My heartbeat was becoming more erratic, staying on beat about as well as a drunk girl singing karaoke.
Boone shook his head. “You don’t owe me anything. In fact, I’d say the council owes all the women in the burrow for what they’ve put them through.”
He turned to me with a cheeky smile. “Although, if either of your wolf mates has a sister who’s single, I’d love an introduction. As you’re aware, dating isn’t a thing in Blackberry Burrow. Even if it were, a lab nerd like me doesn’t get out much. It can be lonely.”
Was it just me, or was his breathing becoming raspier with each word he spoke? Boone sneezed once, twice, a third time. “Is it cold in here? I’m going to turn up the heat.”
He clicked several buttons on the dash, and warm air began blasting out of the vents. I said nothing because we both knewthe truth. We were getting sicker, and our fevers were getting worse.
“Here.” Boone held out a cell phone. “Call the pack. I don’t think it’ll be safe for me to drive us all the way to the hospital. See if they have anyone who can meet us now that we’re past the toxic perimeter.”
“I don’t know anyone’s number,” I admitted, my fingers tightening around the small device in my hand.
“Huh. That’s a problem. It’s not like we can Google werewolf pack alpha’s numbers,” Boone joked, his laugh quickly turning into a cough.
I couldn’t help but snort with amusement. If you could simply Google an alpha’s number, the man’s phone would never stop ringing once the BookTok girlies got ahold of it. They’d never be able to resist a real werewolf.
Shooting Boone a small smile, I tapped the screen. “I have an idea.”
“Let’s hope it’s a good one,” Boone teased before succumbing to another round of violent sneezes.
Opening the internet browser, I did a quick search and found the number of the hospital. I called the number, listening to it ring as I waited for someone to answer.
“Bradford Hospital. How may I direct your call?” an elderly-sounding woman answered.
“My ma…” I trailed off, unsure if the woman was a werewolf or a human. “My husband was brought into the hospital a few hours ago. Dr. Blaine is his doctor. Can I speak with one of his nurses to get an update?”
I waited while she transferred the call. Instead of a nurse or the doctor picking up, it was a familiar voice that yelled through the phone, nearly busting my eardrum.
“What hare-brained idea did you come up with?” Monroe demanded. “And don’t bother lying because I know you’re doingsomething your mates wouldn’t have agreed to if you’d bothered to discuss it with them first. Fletcher thinks you went to Blackberry Burrow, and he’s in the process of raising an army to storm its gate. And Linc gained consciousness just long enough to rip out his IVs so he could come after you. They had to give him a double dose of horse tranquilizers to take him down just to get him back in the bed.”
“Everything is fine, and I’m safe!” I squeaked out, trying to cut off her tirade.
“For now!” she shot back. “I wouldn’t be too sure of your safety once your three men get their hands on you!”
Tears of joy sprang to my eyes, and I sniffed. “They’re both still alive?”
Just as quickly as it had come, her frustration with me melted away. “Yes, they are. But you need to hurry back. They’re not getting better, and the doctors think it would be best if you were here.”
I’d held it together as long as I could, but I’d reached my breaking point, and her words tipped me over the edge. My quiet sniffles turned to great racking sobs that shook my body, making it almost impossible to breathe.
The car jerked as Boone reached over to snatch the phone where it had fallen in my lap. “Hi? I’m Boone, and we’re headed your way, but we need help. Do you have anyone you can send to meet us? We think we can save her mates, but I’m not confident I’ll be able to get us there safely.”
I zoned out as he rattled off directions for a meeting point and hung up. Lost in my exhaustion and the toxin spreading through my veins, I wasn’t sure how much time had passed before the car rolled to a stop on the side of the road. Before either of us could react, his door was wrenched open.
“How dare you!” a female snarled before throat-punching Boone and hauling the gagging man out of the car as though he weighed nothing.
The female tossed him on the ground, then leaned down so she could see me. “It’s okay. You’re safe now.” Her eyes glowed just like Linc’s and Copeland’s eyes.
