Chapter 12

Chapter Twelve

Ember

B ecoming aware of my surroundings after a forced shift is jarring. My arms wrap around my nude frame as I spin in a circle. There’s something sticky on my feet, but I don’t want to look down.

That warm feeling has to be blood.

My nose twitches with the metallic scent in the air as the commotion around me comes into focus. There should be plenty of oxygen up for grabs, considering I’m in a clearing in the woods, but I can’t seem to soak up enough for my chest to stop heaving. Only the throbbing, burning pain in my side makes me wonder if I really need to breathe.

What the fuck happened after my wolf took over?

“Are you okay?” a low, growly voice asks as a nude chest appears in front of me. Black, swirly lines give way to a galaxy pattern that covers the male’s left pec and shoulder. That entire arm is covered in planets and stars. The other pec has runes and sigils that alternate with stars and other patterns. My gaze flies up even higher. The man has shoulder-length golden brown hair and amber-gold eyes. He’s also rocking a full golden-brown beard, but I don’t have the first clue who he is.

“I can see your rib cage,” the small boy from earlier says, appearing next to the man. “Which is kinda cool. Do you even feel it?”

My hand tightens on my side, and fire licks through my system so severely, my legs wobble.

I stagger forward a few steps as my vision goes spotty. “Why am I not healing?”

“That dick liked to coat his claws in wolfsbane. Here,” the guy says, grabbing a T-shirt from the kid. “I’m not sure how this will affect your healing, but I figured you might like some coverage.”

A gasp escapes as my eyes fly down.

I’m completely nude, which makes sense, but I’m also suffering from blood loss or wolfsbane poisoning.

My head shakes, trying to comprehend what went down. The wolfsbane must be affecting my cognitive functioning.

“I told you not to look,” I mutter at the kid as the guy helps me into a shirt that’s not the one I started with.

It’s big and smells distinctly male.

My stomach and chest burn uncomfortably as I try to maneuver into it.

I can’t raise my hands all the way over my head, but the guy pulls my arms forward a bit, dropping the material over my frame.

“I didn’t mean to. How was I supposed to know you were gonna change back?” the kid asks indignantly.

A smile crosses my face, despite the agony. He’s a cute kid with just the right kind of spunk.

“You stood there for twenty minutes, snarling at anyone who tried to get close enough to check on you. Good job! I’m pretty sure the alpha is dead.” His face scrunches. “Um, sorry, luna.” He bows his head.

“I’m not your luna,” I mutter, spinning around until I spot the gray wolf. He’s in a bloody, crumpled heap, and his chest isn’t rising or falling. I hike a thumb in his direction and instantly regret the movement. “Is… Did I do that?”

“You did,” the man says. “You’re officially the Prime Alpha of the North American Pack.”

“Oh, shit ,” I whisper, staggering a few steps.

“Take a knee for your alpha or declare your intent to challenge,” the guy at my side snarls. His eyes glow a yellowy-amber color as he spins in a semicircle, making sure to address all the loitering wolves.

My wolf perks up.

She likes the color and the dominance that rolls through his words. It’s not the same pure amber color I would expect from a wolf.

Sucking in a sharp breath, I stagger back several steps.

My wolf isn’t interested in anyone except Veryn, but she’s a little too focused on the way his tattoos move as he slowly turns, appraising the crowd.

The sound of knees hitting the ground sends me in a similar motion as I twirl to see what’s happening.

I’m not in the best shape, but I’d fight again if I had to.

An alpha doesn’t back down from an alpha challenge . It’s like I can hear my Uncle Ridge’s voice in my head.

“You did it,” the boy says, wrapping his hand around mine. His warm skin is soft, and I fight the urge to yank my hand away.

“I need to call my brothers,” I say, glancing back toward where I parked my car.

Or Veryn, but I’m a little afraid he’ll be upset with me.

Not that my brothers won’t be, but they have to love me—we’re related. I’ve also helped them cover up some pretty serious shit in their lives. It’s about time they return some of those favors.

“You need to dismiss your wolves if they’re free to go,” the guy whose name I still don’t know says helpfully.

My eyes fly back to the fifteen or twenty kneeling men. My eyes dart around, looking for the female faces.

There’s none.

Not a single woman in the bunch.

Where the hell did they go?

I’m not a threat to them.

“Alpha?” the man says softly. “Are your wolves dismissed?”

“Get back to whatever you were doing before this fiasco started,” I call out.

The chorus of, “Yes, Alpha,” definitely sends a shiver down my spine.

I can’t decipher if it’s a good or a bad feeling.

My knees wobble as my vision grows spottier.

“I need a healer,” I mutter. “Or my phone. If I have my phone, I can call a healer.” My words come out more slurred as I go along.

Shit.

I was supposed to call Rogue. If I can get ahold of her, she and Gemma can siphon to me and take us back to Haven in no time.

“I’ve got you,” the guy says, scooping me into his arms.

My head lolls around his bare chest. “What’s your name?”

“Anders,” he says. “How about you?”

“Ember,” I groan. “My car is in the other direction.”

“We have a healer on pack lands,” Anders says, continuing to stomp the wrong way.

“Don’t worry, Miss Ember.” The boy bounces along at our side. “I’ve got your clothes, and we’re going to get you all patched up.”

“Thanks,” I say, and everything promptly goes black.