Chapter 24: Jamie

24

JAMIE

S hivering now as the pain in my shoulder gets worse and the adrenaline starts to wear off, I’m acutely aware that going into shock is a real danger. My enhanced healing abilities won’t kick in until my shoulder is back in the socket, so for now, I may as well be human.

Shuffling so my back is flush to the steep canyon wall, I lean back, hissing in agony as each tiny movement causes my nerves to scream in displeasure. My head throbs, and I swipe at the blood-tinged rainwater running into my eyes.

The clouds are black and angry now, dumping their heavy load down right on top of me. With no shelter, all I can do on my exposed perch is angle my face away from the biting wind and take it.

I haven’t heard a sound from above, although with the wind howling through the canyon, I’m not sure I could, even if someone was standing right above me.

Wyatt better have noticed I’m missing and be on his way back with help, or it’s going to be a long night. With weather like this, it’s possible the race has been called off altogether, and until they get everyone back in, they may not realise I’m still out on the course. That could be hours.

Rubbing my bare legs with my one good hand, I try to warm my pale, goose-pimpled flesh. Shifting on this small ledge isn’t an option. My wolf is too big and won’t be able to climb out of here, if and when Wyatt comes back to find me.

Not if, when , I remind myself, trying to stay positive. As another flash of lightning illuminates the canyon, and I get a glimpse of the dark, frothy water below, I jump and slam my eyes closed, heart racing.

I hate storms.

But no matter what, I’m not going into that water either. I’ll sit here and rot rather than face that fall. I try to pretend that I’m not precariously close to plunging to my death but on a golden beach instead. That dream is smashed to pieces though when thunder booms out all around me, and the walls of the canyon seem to shake from it.

Dirt skitters past me and over the edge. My trainers slide on the damp muck, unable to get purchase on the slippery ground, and I slip a few inches away from the wall.

Shit.

Screaming into the rain, I use my damaged arm to push myself further back up the ledge, only to skid back closer to the edge immediately.

Fuck. This is not good.

There’s a gnarled root sticking up at one end of the ledge, and I shove my foot hard underneath it, wedging it into the small gap. With my good hand, I push my body partially behind a rock beside me, so my hip pressed against it stops me from sliding forward.

I’d much prefer to be curled up into a ball to keep warm, but this is the only way I can stay balanced here until help comes.

My shivers turn into full body spasms as the temperature continues to plummet, and cramps seize the aching muscles in my legs, which are working hard to keep me in place.

Peering over the edge at the violent river below, it’s beginning to look like I was a bit too hasty in my insistence I wasn’t going in there. I might have no say in it.

Closing my eyes, I rest my knee against my forehead. I know I shouldn’t go to sleep. My brain knows that staying alert is the smartest thing to do, but I’m so tired.

With a jolt, I wake up, head snapping up as I realise that I’m halfway to the drop. My foot snags in the root, twisting my knee painfully, but preventing me from going over the side.

“Damn it!” I shout, clawing at the rocks around me to get a decent grip. I attempt to right myself and crawl back up against the wall, but with my arm hanging limp at my side, and one leg trapped underneath me, I’m stuck.

Lying on my chest, keeping my face up off the dirt is an energy sapping exercise that I can’t afford in the name of vanity. So, I give in and lay my cheek against the ground, cursing my bad luck as the cold mud oozes up the side of my face and into my hair.

Every muscle in my body is tense, knowing one wrong move could have me dropping down into the roaring abyss below.

Damn it, I’m not going out like this. Not when I know Wyatt is coming for me. He’ll never forgive himself.

With one last heave, using every last ounce of energy I have left, I manage to push myself back six inches. Not much, but enough that I’m not quite as terrified I’m about to disappear off the edge.

Again, Jamie. Again.

My mother's face floats in front of me, and even though I know it’s a hallucination, I welcome her presence.

Don’t give up.

I can hear her voice like she’s right beside me, and it gives me a boost, enough to force my drowsy head out of the mud and heave my wet, battered body another two inches.

Again.

I swear, as I wriggle forward another few inches, this time, I feel her hand brushing the hair back from my face.

I’ve got you, Jamie. I’ve got you.

“Mum?” Frowning, a flicker of recognition tickles my brain. I need to wake up. Mum’s not here, but someone is.

“Wyatt?” I croak as I feel a firmer grip this time, underneath my armpits, pulling me upright.

The blinding pain rouses me from my lethargic state, and I scream in agony, pushing at the hands causing me so much pain. It’s not my brother. My immediate reaction is to fight.

“Calm down, Jamie, you’re going to hurt yourself. I’m trying to help.” Strong arms band around my middle, stopping me from thrashing around like a wildcat. “Fuck, what the hell happened out here?”

My eyes fly open, and then I remember where I am, balanced on the side of a cliff. With my good arm, I cling to the warm, strong body lifting me and cradling me to their chest. His scent wraps around me, soothing my nervous system and calming the panic that has me in its clutches.

He’s here. Everything’s going to be okay.

“Shh, Jamie. I’ve got you,” is all I remember hearing before I pass out, and everything fades to black.