Chapter 22

TWENTY-TWO

T he morning air was crisp and cool against Lena's skin as she and Alex jogged through the dense forest. She wasn't one to be out in nature a ton, but being with Alex made her want to spend time doing the things she knew he enjoyed. Running through the forest was one of them. Though she'd rather be stuffing her face with bear claws or donuts, she could be healthy and fit for a day. Her stomach grumbled. Maybe they could grab some donuts after.

Sunlight filtered through the canopy, casting dappled shadows on the trail ahead. Lena inhaled deeply, savoring the scent of pine and earth, a smile playing on her lips as she glanced at Alex, his strong form moving with effortless grace beside her.

"You're being slow because of me, aren't you?" She laughed.

"Are you kidding? I love sprinting in the forest." He grinned and winked at her.

"Gee, thanks. Next time I'll just let you run by yourself while I stay in bed sleeping."

He blinked and licked his lips. The intimate move made her swallow hard. "If you stay in bed, I will too. And there won't be any sleep going on."

"Alex," she shook her head. "You're incorrigible."

"Yeah, so?"

She giggled. "Nothing. You're lucky I like you. But you're gonna have to get me some donuts after this. I can't believe I'm running on an empty stomach."

"Running? More like fast walking." He chuckled.

"Jogging, fast walking, whatever." She rolled her eyes. "Jerk."

Suddenly, Alex tensed, his head snapping up, nostrils flaring. "Lena, wait," he cautioned, his voice low and urgent. Lena froze, her heart beginning to race as she scanned the trees around them.

A twig snapped, and then they were there - five wolves, their fur bristling, teeth bared in vicious snarls. Lena's blood ran cold as she recognized them – the same wolves from before. The Hillside Pack.

"Stay behind me," Alex growled, his body already beginning to shift, bones cracking and reforming, fur sprouting from his skin. In seconds, he stood before her in his wolf form, a massive, black-furred beast with gleaming fangs and eyes that glowed with fierce protectiveness.

The Hillside wolves fanned out, circling them, their movements predatory and calculated. Lena's heart hammered against her ribs, fear and adrenaline surging through her veins. Alex in his wolf form was raw power.

With a roar that shook the very earth, the Hillside wolves lunged, their jaws snapping, claws tearing at the air. Alex met them head-on, his massive form barreling into the attackers with the force of a freight train. Fur flew and blood sprayed as he tore into them, his movements a blur of savage grace and deadly precision.

Lena pressed herself against a tree, her eyes wide with horror as she watched the battle unfold. She had never witnessed such raw, primal violence before, and the sight of it left her trembling, her breath coming in short, panicked gasps.

Suddenly, a flash of movement caught her eye, and she turned to see a wolf break away from the fray, its eyes locked on her, fangs gleaming in the dappled sunlight. Lena's scream caught in her throat as the beast lunged, its claws raking across her abdomen in a blaze of white-hot agony.

Pain exploded through her body as she fell to the ground, her hands clutching at her stomach, hot blood seeping between her fingers. Through the haze of pain, she heard Alex's roar of fury and saw him redouble his efforts, tearing into the attacking wolves with a savagery that bordered on madness. Alex killed two of the attackers.

The world began to fade around the edges, the sounds of the battle growing muffled and distant. Lena's vision swam, darkness creeping in from the corners of her eyes. She felt herself slipping away, her life force draining out of her with every passing second.

And then Alex was there, his human form crouching over her, his hands pressing desperately against her wounds. "Lena, baby, stay with me," he pleaded, his voice cracking with emotion. "I'm going to get you some help."

Lena tried to speak, but her tongue felt heavy and useless. She could only stare up at him, her eyes filled with a wordless apology, a silent good-bye.

Alex's face hardened with determination. "You're going to be fine."

He scooped her into his arms, cradling her against his chest as he ran, his supernatural speed carrying them through the forest in a blur of motion. Lena's head lolled against his shoulder, her consciousness fading in and out like a flickering candle flame.

They burst into the pack's clinic, Alex's voice raw with desperation as he shouted for help. Doctors rushed forward. Lena blinked and saw a woman, her face grave as she took in Lena's injuries. "Bring her inside, quickly," she ordered, her tone brooking no argument.

The next few hours passed in a haze of pain and delirium. Lena drifted in and out of consciousness, her mind filled with fragmented images and sensations - the sting of a needle, the pressure of bandages against her skin, the murmur of voices above her. Through it all, Alex remained by her side, his hand gripping hers like a lifeline, his voice a constant anchor in the darkness.

"Stay with me, Lena," he whispered, his lips brushing against her forehead. "I need you. I can't do this without you."

Lena clung to his words, using them as a beacon to guide her back from the brink. She focused on the warmth of his touch, the steady beat of his heart against her cheek, and slowly, painfully, she began to surface from the depths of unconsciousness.

When she finally opened her eyes, the first thing she saw was Alex's face, etched with worry and exhaustion, but suffused with a love so profound, it took her breath away. "Hey," she croaked, her voice hoarse and weak.

"Hey, yourself," he replied, a relieved smile breaking across his face like the dawn. "You scared the hell out of me, you know that?"

Lena managed a weak chuckle, wincing as the movement pulled at her stitches. "Sorry about that," she murmured. "Guess I ruined our morning run, huh?"

Alex shook his head. "I don't care about the run," he said fiercely. "I care about you. When I saw you lying there, bleeding out... I thought I'd lost you, Lena. I can't lose you. I won't."

Lena reached up, cupping his cheek with her hand. "You saved me," she whispered. "You brought me back. You'll always bring me back, Alex."

He leaned into her touch, his eyes closing briefly as he savored the feel of her skin against his. "I love you," he said, his voice raw with emotion. "I love you so much it hurts."

"I love you too," Lena replied, tears spilling down her cheeks. She'd never felt so connected to someone before. So wanted. So cherished. "More than anything."

Lena woke to Alex being gone for the first time. She lay propped up on the stark white pillows of the clinic bed. Her mother and sister flanked her on either side of the bed, their faces etched with concern punctuated by their attempts at humor to lighten the mood.

"So, darling, was this a... sex injury?" her mother asked with a poorly disguised smirk, raising an eyebrow in mock suspicion. The room filled with the soft beeping of medical equipment seemed to pause, waiting for Lena's response.

Lena, despite her fatigue, laughed weakly, shaking her head. "Mom, no, definitely not what you're thinking. I'm not sure, I don't think this was about territory."

Tara snorted, leaning closer with a conspiratorial whisper. "Are we talking about bedroom territories or something wilder?"

"No territories of any kind," Lena insisted, her laughter mingling with the pain of moving too quickly. She winced, bringing a hand to her side.

The laughter faded quickly as her mother's face clouded with worry. "Lena, darling, maybe this relationship with Alex—it's too much. I mean, it's all very exciting, but if you're getting hurt..."

Lena's expression softened, and she reached out to take her mother's hand. "Mom, I love him. And yes, it's been intense, and a bit scary at times, but I'm not going anywhere. Alex is my future."

Her sister chimed in, lightening the mood once again. "She's just sticking around for those name-forgetting orgasms. Right, Lena? That must be it," Tara teased, wiggling her eyebrows suggestively.

Lena's cheeks turned a shade of red that rivaled the alert button on her bedside. "Tara! Seriously, it's not like that. Well, not just that," she muttered, her words muffled by a pillow she grabbed to hide her face.

Her mother sighed, a mixture of resignation and understanding crossing her features. "All right, if you're sure he's the one. Just make sure he knows that if he can't keep you safe, he'll have me to answer to. And not just a stern talking-to. I've got a whole arsenal of mom tactics he hasn't seen yet."

Tara laughed, squeezing Lena's foot through the blanket. "Yeah, and don't underestimate her. Mom's got moves. Ninja moves."

Lena adjusted her position in the bed and her mother's curiosity once again took the lead. "So, have you met his parents yet?" she inquired, her eyes alight with the prospect of juicy details. "I mean, if things are getting serious, you must have at least talked about meeting the family, right?"

Lena nodded, a smile creeping across her face despite the soreness in her side. "Not yet. I think we'll be having dinner soon. I feel like he's been keeping me to himself."

"Awww," her mother and sister said at the same time.

"You know, Alex's mother and I are friends. We're in a book club together. She is really nice."

Tara leaned forward, her interest piqued. "Ooh, a future mother-in-law showdown. That's going to be epic! Can I come? I'll bring popcorn."

Their mother waved her hand dismissively. "Tara, behave. But really, Lena, this all sounds very serious. Are you thinking about the future... like, a future future with him?" Her voice softened, tinged with a mix of hope and concern.

Lena's gaze drifted, her mind wandering to the possibilities that lay ahead with Alex. She imagined cozy homes, laughter-filled holidays, and maybe, just maybe, little feet running around. The thought brought a warmth that radiated from her heart, soothing some of the ache from her injuries.

"I am," Lena confessed, her voice barely above a whisper as she turned back to face her family. "I can actually see a life with him. A home, stability, and yes, maybe even kids."

Her mother clasped her hands together, her face lighting up. "My grandbabies could be little werewolves! How adorable would that be? We will need to puppy-proof the house again."

Tara snickered. "Yeah, and stock up on beef jerky... you know, just in case they get out of hand during a full moon."

Lena rolled her eyes but laughed along. "We're not stocking up on beef jerky, Tara. I do like the idea of integrating our lives, seeing where this journey with Alex takes us. It feels right."

"Just make sure you keep us in the loop," her mother added. "Especially with all the wedding planning. You'll need someone to keep you grounded when you start considering moonlight ceremonies and mystical vows."

Tara gave a mock salute. "Aye, aye, captain. Team Lena on wedding duty."

Her mom and sister had just walked out when Wes, Alex's friend walked in.

"Is everything okay?"

"I came because I know Alex is allowing his feelings for you to dictate his actions and they might impact this pack severely."

Her stomach immediately churned. "What's going on?"

"Alex went to meet with the elders to declare war on the Hillside Pack."

She sat up and winced. "He what?"

Wes nodded. "I think what he's doing is valid and if I were in his shoes I'd probably do the same, but he's the alpha. We need him to stay in control. His words and actions speak for our entire pack."

She tried to tamp down the fear growing in her chest. "Where is he now?"

"At the elder council."

"Take me there. I want to speak."

"I don't know if they'll listen."

She narrowed her eyes. "You didn't just come here to tell me all this so I do nothing. I'm not going to sit by and let Alex start a war in my name. Not for me." She sat up and winced at the pain. "Give me a second to get dressed."

Wes went outside her room and she managed to pull on the shorts and T-shirt her mother brought earlier. She limped out to the hallway where he had a wheelchair waiting for her.

"Let's go."

He raised his brows. "Hop on. I'll give you a ride."

She rolled her eyes and sat. "Thanks."