Chapter Three

Rylan

I didn’t expect much since we were technically on the run from all the packs now, but a small, secluded cabin on the very edge of pack lands wasn’t what I had in mind.

The Moon Spirit had disappeared halfway into our run to this place. The path wasn’t exactly a straight line either. Deacon backtracked and did every trick in the book to cover our tracks.

All of my attention was too focused on Pearl’s nearly nonexistent heartbeat to offer to erase our scents.

The white wolf, Estella, kept pace with me, running like she did this every day. Her bottom jaw and chest were covered in blood, making her look savage. I wasn’t sure why she didn’t shift to her human form, but maybe she just didn’t want to. I could respect that.

Deacon opened the door like he owned the place, and I beelined for the first cushioned surface I could find. The couch was old and the fabric soft from years of wear, which told me this place had been well used.

I placed Pearl gently on the cushions, careful not to dislodge the blade still in her throat. The sight of it and the red-stained white dress made my hands tremble.

Seeing my mate in this state had my control hanging on by a thread. I wanted to get my hands on my aunt and wring her fucking neck. I still wasn’t entirely sure what had happened, but coming back to oneself only to see a blade they held buried in the neck of their mate would make any wolf go crazy.

“I’ll get some bandages,” Deacon offered before hurrying off somewhere.

I sank to my knees so my face was on the same level as hers. The wound looked red and angry, making my heart lurch, thinking she’d gotten an infection, which was unheard of for shifter kind. Her breathing was shallow and far apart and I knew the end was close.

What have I done?

“Rylan?” Deacon asked, back in the room with a rustle of fabric.

“This is my fault,” I whispered, fists clenched as wave after wave of emotion crashed over me until I was vibrating.

A cold nose nudged my arm, startling me out of my emotional spiral. I drew back, thinking the wolf wanted to pay her last respects. Instead, her canines bit the handle of the blade.

I reacted on instinct, grabbing the wolf by the throat, but a quick jerk of her head dislodged the knife. A roar escaped me as I threw Estella across the room, blade still in her mouth.

The smell of fresh blood distracted my murderous intentions. I turned back to Pearl, expecting the wound to be gushing and for her to take her final breath.

A small trickle of crimson spilled from the cut. Not the amount I was expecting. I stepped closer, eyes trained on my mate’s neck, surprised to find it looking better with every second that passed.

“The blade was blocking her healing ability,” Deacon said, eyes wide as he too studied Pearl’s neck.

“It looks better, but her heart rate and breathing are nonexistent.”

Physically, she was healing, but her insides didn’t seem to be.

“She lost a lot of blood. It’ll take time for things to return to normal,” Deacon spoke softly, laying a gentle hand on my shoulder.

“What happened?” I hoped he knew what I was referring to.

“I remember being trapped inside my head, unable to reach my wolf or my body. It was horrible.” He swallowed, eyes looking disturbed and frightened. “After what seemed like forever, a wave of unimaginable power washed over me. Whatever that power was destroyed the barriers in my mind, making me whole again.”

I remembered that feeling, but instead of power, it was my mates’ touch that demolished the cage I was trapped in.

Estella walked around the couch like she was trying to shake off the impact.

“I’m sorry,” I said, ready to explain that I was on edge and not in full control.

She huffed, like she knew removing the blade would cause a reaction from me. She’d been expecting something, no doubt, which was dangerous because I could have easily killed her.

Her wolf eyes met mine, and I could see the enormous amount of pain in them. She understood my agony, but I had no idea what caused hers.

I nodded, and she and I appeared to come to some sort of mutual understanding. We each felt the bitter sting of helplessness as we stood by and watched the people we cared about in pain, and we could do nothing to help them.

‘You can help. Right here, right now.’The Moon Spirit’s voice sounded urgent in my head. ‘You can help your mate and Estella by doing exactly as I say.’

‘Name it,’I replied frantically. Ready for whatever needs to be done.

‘I have your mate and Estella, but they cannot return without assistance.’

“Whatever it is, I’ll do it!” I spoke out loud, needing to say the words full of frustration and compliance.

‘Calm down. I need you to be levelheaded to do this.’

I took a deep breath, doing my best to calm my racing heart. If calm and focused was what I needed to be, then I’d do it. For Pearl.

“Tell me what I need to do.”

‘Close your eyes and reach for the connection you have to Pearl. Reach through it until you can feel her, then grab her and guide her back.’

‘Back where?’my wolf asked, but I ignored him and instead turned his and my attention to the newly created bond with our mate.

I closed my eyes, pushing away all distractions, including Deacon, who was currently yelling at me. It didn’t matter. The only thing that mattered was getting Pearl.

Darkness greeted me, followed by my wolf. He turned and trotted away. Since he was better at dealing with bonds, I let him lead.

It felt weird to race after my wolf in my mind, but I continued on, believing what the Moon Spirit had said. Wherever Pearl was, she needed our help to return, and I wouldn’t question that. Ever.

A small spark of silvery-white light appeared in the absolute darkness. Once I saw it, I knew it had to be where Pearl was. Together, my wolf and I rushed toward the speck of light, watching as it grows larger the farther we sprinted.

After an eternity of running in darkness, the light finally filled the space. We slowed our pace as the close proximity revealed a human-like shape standing in front.

‘Pearl?’I reached for her in reflex.

‘Rylan,’she replied, a smile spreading across her face when she saw me.

She took my hand, and the touch was one I could feel in my very soul. I tried to pull her closer, but I couldn’t.

‘What now?’I asked her, doing my best not to let my emotions get out of control.

‘You need to guide me back.’She squeezed my hand in reassurance.

‘All right.’I turned and faced the way we’d come, the darkness nearly oppressive in contrast to the brilliant light that followed my mate everywhere.

My wolf stood beside me, ready to guide our mate back to reality. I took a step forward, expecting Pearl to come with me, but she didn’t. I glanced over my shoulder wondering what the holdup was, but I just saw Pearl with her arm outstretched.

I frowned, looking down at our joined hands then up to her face again.

‘I know I said guide,’Pearl said, sheepishly shifting her weight from foot to foot, ‘but you may need to put in more effort than that.’

What did that mean?

‘Do I need to pull you?’I asked her.

‘I think so.’She appeared uncertain then glancing at the light behind her.

I stepped closer to her, my eyes catching hers, and I did my best to relay through them that I had this. She could trust me. I’d do anything to get her back safely.

Her lips quivered slightly, but the smile remained on her face.

‘Let’s try again.’I turned around once more, staring into the blackness and straightening my shoulders. My wolf rubbed against me, reminding me that he was here. The reminder helped relieve the tension in my chest.

I took a step forward then another. My arm was stretched backward, fully extended as I imagined hers was as well.

With the next step, I pulled on my mate’s wrist gently at first before adding more pressure until I felt her resistance break. She took a step forward, the tremble in her arm unmistakable. I wasn’t sure if this was her trepidation or if this much resistance was normal.

Regardless, I had to lead her through my mind that I was embarrassed for her to see. This was more intimate than sex, and I was afraid she’d somehow find me lacking. The darkness in my mind was absolute, with only the light from my mate piercing its black depths.

What would her light reveal?