When I catch up to the others, they’ve stopped to dig agrave for the bodies.Charlie turns to me, and I can sense his concern.
How is she?
I don’t know, but she’s on her way to the hospital.Ineed to change back.
Ethan….
I have to try!
Come on!Forget about the call of the moon.Focus on her.She needs you!I let out a frustrated growl as I push my body and nothinghappens.I collapse to the ground under the pressure and whine in hopelessness.
Come on, guys, let’s cover this up.
They hop to Charlie’s command, filling the hole they dug.Whenthey’re done, Charlie walks over to me and gives me a light nudge.
Let’s get you home.We’ll go to the hospital first thingin the morning.
What if it’s too late by then?
Stone didn’t get to her.He knocked her down, but thenher dad shielded her.
I smelled her blood, Sam.What if he scratched or bither?
It could have been from the fall.
Oh, God, please let him be right.
I pull myself up and listen to the sirens blaring in thedistance.Some alpha I am; I can’t even keep my woman safe.I follow behind theothers disconsolately, praying for morning to come.
Back at the house, I find that everyone’s still there.Myanger rises and my breaths come in heavy puffs.I let out a ferocious growl,and everybody snaps to attention.
Out!
Wolves scatter fearfully, except for Shae, our parents, andmy brothers.Dad approaches carefully.
Calm down, son.Tell me what happened.
Stone.Luke’s dead and Casey’s hurt.
Son of a bitch!How bad is she hurt?
I don’t know yet.
What can we do?
Leave… just leave.
Okay, son.I’ll call you in the morning.
I spend the night lying by my pool, praying and watching thehorizon for the first sign of the sun.Charlie and Brick stay by my side allnight, leaving at the last minute to give themselves time to get ready and meetme at the hospital.As soon as I change, I race upstairs and shower quickly toget all the blood off, then put my uniform on just in case they give me troubleat the hospital.
God, please let her be okay… Please.I have never prayedthis much in my life.Let’s just hope God is listening.When I hop out of mytruck, Charlie pulls up, then Brick.The woman at the nurse’s station smiles aswe approach.
“What can I do for Canid’s finest this morning?”
“Casey Bryan.She was brought in last night.Any news on hercondition?”
“I’ll get the doctor for you.Just have a seat over there.”
