56. Rhyson

56

Rhyson

My heart stopped when I broke through the tree line and saw Maya on the ground. A bloodied wolf snarled and pounced.

I didn't stop to think. I didn't give it a single second as I burst forward, catching him before he landed. We tumbled on the other side of her, and I landed on all four paws while he rolled a few feet from me.

The hilt of a knife jutting out from his side gleamed in the setting sun. Maya had gotten a hit. Good. Pride swelled in me as I lowered my head and pawed the ground. I didn't dare look behind me. I needed to believe that she still lived. I needed that hope.

The wolf, Champ, took a step away from me as if he was going to run. Coward. He wouldn't get far. Then, like he already knew that, he lowered his head and charged.

At full strength, this might have been a good fight, but he was injured and obviously exhausted. I slammed him into the ground and opened my jaw, ready to rip out his throat.

"Don't kill him," Maya shouted.

Pinning him down, I growled and looked up at her. She was upright, her arm around Dash's wolf as she struggled to stand. "He's here to kill your sister and your mate. We can use him to take down my father."

Champ lay limp beneath me. Duke's wolf walked over to me and sat down, taking over guard duty. I looked back at Champ. I didn't need him to take down Bruce Callahan. I could kill them both and be much happier.

"Rhyson, please. You're the king. You have to do this right," Maya tried again.

Releasing Champ, I walked over to her until my wolf could butt his head against her belly. Her entire body trembled, but she didn't let go of Dante and lean on me, like I wanted.

"The baby is all right," she whispered, and sagged even more. "I can't shift. I'm too tired."

Releasing my wolf, I took control and let him sink back into me as I shifted. Then, taking Maya's hand, I pulled her off Dante and picked her up.

"She won't like it," Maya said weakly, but she didn't struggle.

"Our vehicles aren't far. I'll carry you there, and you'll sleep," I told her. "And when you awake, you and I are going to have a talk."

"I know. It's okay. I know," she whispered as tears filled her eyes. "I just want you to be happy."

I carried Maya back to the vehicles. Juniper had driven, doing her best to track us from the road. I left Champ to the others. Frankly, I didn't care if he bled out or not. They could get him to the other vehicle.

Maya slept as Juniper drove us back to London's territory. Not wanting to let go of her, I'd crawled in the back and cradled her body against my lap. She couldn't feel the bond. I already knew that would happen, but a part of me had still hoped for a miracle. She thought I belonged to Gemma.

We would set that record straight as soon as she woke up.

***

By the time I got Maya back in bed, London already had his healing staff at the ready. She barely woke for the exam, but the healer concluded that Maya and the baby were fine and just suffering from dehydration and exhaustion. She treated the wounds on her legs and left when the others returned with Champ. The others had forced him to shift before they pulled the knife out, so he would need stitches.

And it would scar. I got a little perverse pleasure from that.

"Emily and Gemma are with guards," London said when he returned. "Men and women I personally trust."

I was standing in the doorway, unwilling to let anyone in the room with Maya but also unwilling to leave her alone. "Champ will identify his spy, and I will kill them," I said flatly.

"Once I have assessed the situation, I will consult with you," the alpha said quietly. I growled, but he didn't lower his gaze. "Not all situations have to end in death, king. Did you not let the wolf who attacked your mate live?"

"It's different."

"Because all situations are different. I want to know that my mountain is safe from outside influence. I want to know that this trafficking is well and truly over, and I want to make sure there are no holes in my pack. Once I am satisfied, I could turn those responsible over to you, but I suspect you will be long gone."

He was right, and I felt my body ease a little. "I do not think Emily and Gemma will come with me. I want to know that they are safe."

"Rhyson, just because it will be difficult for you to return to the mountain does not mean it's impossible. Plus, you know, we have phones."

At that I cracked a smile. Maya stirred on the bed and made soft sounds, like she was waking up. "I would appreciate some food brought to us," I told him. "And I thank you for everything you have done for my sister, her friend, and me."

I held out my hand, and London clasped it warmly before leaving. Stepping into the room, I closed the door behind me just as Maya started to wake.

Sitting up, she blinked in confusion before her gaze settled on me. A smile started, and just as quickly, it faded. "Rhyson. Shit, I shouldn't be in your room."

"You shouldn't?"

"No…oh, you probably moved rooms, didn't you?" She put a hand on her belly. "Baby?"

"He's fine."

Her shoulders drooped in relief. "You're angry. I can tell. I had no idea that Champ was here. I swear. I meant what I said about not hurting the babe. I just wanted a confession from my father, and he would never hurt the child. Not when he has a chance of being grandfather to the king's heir."

"I'm not angry, Maya. Well, I'm a little angry. I thought by now we had some kind of trust, but that's beside the point. You and I need to talk."

The shadows drifted over her face, and she nodded and stiffened, like she was preparing for battle. She really thought Gemma was my mate, and she was ready to face the truth.

Instead of walking her way, I leaned against the wall in front of the door and crossed my arms. I was going to tell her the truth and hope that she didn't run.