52. Mai

Before I could go to Ryan, my legs collapsed under me. Each breath was a struggle. I was a mess of cuts and bruises, my pelt matted with dirt and blood.

Immediately, Ryan was there, nuzzling my face. I could feel his relief surge through the bond. He started licking my wounds and whining. He nudged me, urging me to get up, but I just needed a moment to rest.

A twig snapped to our left. My body tensed, my eyes scanning for the source of the noise. Isaac stepped out from the undergrowth.

I saw him take in the scene and the moment when his eyes landed on Seth's body. He took a step toward it, but stopped when Ryan growled a warning.

Isaac backed up, hands raised. "I don't mean you harm. I'm sorry, Mai," Isaac said, his gaze moving from me to Ryan and back again. His voice held a note of regret, of sadness. "Seth loved you. But what he did was wrong. I knew it then, and I know it now. I thought he'd come to his senses. See what he was doing to you and realize his mistakes. But I'm done covering for him. I wish you hadn't killed him," his eyes flicked over my injuries before continuing, "but I understand why."

I got a warning before it happened, a slight pull on our bond, then Ryan Shifted. Bones crunched and realigned, limbs stretched and lengthened. Then he stood as a man, a beautiful, completely naked man.

"You couldn't have had this epiphany when Seth was beating the living shit out of her?" Ryan growled.

Isaac hung his head. "I—"

I whined, telling Ryan to let it go. We had no time for this.

"I'll take care of Seth," Isaac said, his voice barely above a whisper. "You both need to leave. Korrin will want revenge for this."

His words stirred a fresh wave of fear within me. We weren't safe yet. Exhaustion pulled at me, and I knew I wouldn't be able to shift into my human form, not now. My body was at its limit.

Without another word, Ryan walked over and gently picked me up, cradling me in his arms. The last thing I remember was seeing Isaac weeping beside Seth's body. Then I closed my eyes, and everything went black.

My eyelids felt heavy, exhaustion coursing through my veins. Everything was sore, even the soles of my feet. I was back in human form. The familiar scent of Ryan surrounded me, as soothing as a lullaby. My eyes fluttered open. I was in Ryan's car. Leather seats, Ryan's mix of cologne and wolf. I was safe.

"You're awake," Ryan said. It wasn't a question. He glanced my way, his gaze sweeping over me in a quick but thorough examination. His eyes were tired. I didn't need our bond to tell me he was just as worn out as I was.

"Yeah. How are you doing?" I managed to ask, my voice hoarse. Ryan squeezed my hand lightly.

"I'm alright. We're on our way back to the Pack," he said softly, his voice almost drowned out by the hum of the car.

"Sofia and Jase? Wally?" I asked, suddenly filled with the need to know they were safe, too.

"They're okay. Hurt but okay."

I slumped back against the seat. "Good."

"The news is not all good."

He looked at me, and I got the impression he was giving me a moment to steel myself. I nodded, wanting him to continue.

"You were right. Brock's aiming to take over the Pack. He's launched an attack from within. He was working with Tristan the whole time to destabilize both Packs."

His words felt like a punch to the gut.

"We have to get back there," I said.

Before he could respond, Ryan's phone buzzed from the console. Derek's name flashed on the screen. Ryan put him on speaker.

"Ryan," Derek's voice was strained with grief and anger. Something was seriously wrong. "Do you have her?"

"I do. She's been badly beaten, but she's alive. We're heading back now. What's the situation there?"

"I… I can't, Ryan. It's just so fucking awful."

"Derek, what happened?" Ryan demanded.

"Jem's dead. Hayley killed him. She and Brock, they've taken over the Three Rivers Pack."