16. Sixteen

I supported Sloane, keeping her close to me. We wobbled up the steps and into the house.

She tripped over her own feet and almost fell, and she would have if I hadn’t been holding her. I just needed to get her back to the room. I didn’t want anyone to see her like this, not after she’d finally cemented her spot within the pack.

I shoved the bedroom door open just as her legs gave out. I fumbled to catch her and then swept her into my arms, taking her to the bed.

The door clicked shut behind me. I hadn’t closed it though.

I tensed, ready for a fight if need be. My lip curled up, fists ready as I turned around.

But then I dropped my hands. It was Kathleen.

She blinked wide eyes a few times and then snapped into action. “My goodness, what’s happened?”

I untied the shirt that Brandon had wrapped around her leg. Then I ripped her jeans the rest of the way to expose her upper thigh.

“Alpha Dane’s men hit us with their car,” I explained. “Her leg got stuck. Brandon had to pull her out.”

Kathleen made a ticking sound. “This wound is deep. It’s unfortunate that you were not able to stop to shift. It will most likely scar now. And the risk for infection is higher.”

I put the back of my hand on Sloane’s cheek, something my mother had done when I was sick. She felt cool to the touch, so there was no fever.

“She’ll be okay, though, right?” I asked.

Kathleen pressed her fingers along the edges of the gaping wound and then surveyed the damage to Sloane’s face and head. “All in all, I think she’s rather lucky. She should be fine. I recommend she shift as soon as she wakes up. We should get some food into her belly as well. With all the excitement of the day, she’s got to be famished.”

I wiped away a smudge of dirt from just underneath her eye. “How long do you think until she regains consciousness?”

Kathleen sighed and picked up the necklace that she seemed to always wear around her neck. She rubbed the charm between her thumb and forefinger. “I don’t suspect long. She’s probably just exhausted, and the injuries and then the fight didn’t help.”

To prove Kathleen’s point, Sloane grunted.

She turned her head back and forth, and her brows drew together. “What happened?”

Kathleen sat down on the bed, picked up her hand, and gave the back of it a kiss. “You gave me another near heart attack, my sweet girl. One of these days, you’re going to succeed.”

Sloane groaned. “Mom.”

Kathleen patted her hand. “Oh, I’m only teasing. Mostly. How are you feeling?”

Sloane blinked up at the ceiling, narrowing her eyes like she was thinking. “Tired. Sore. The room stopped spinning though, so that’s good, right?”

She let out a nervous chuckle.

Kathleen pressed her lips into a thin smile. “That’s very good. I want you to get up and shift as soon as you think you’re able to walk. Lincoln will go with you.”

I nodded at Kathleen.

Sloane turned and squinted at me. “Thanks for helping me get inside so I didn’t collapse in front of the pack.”

I gave her a kiss on the forehead. “You did great up there, sweetheart. I’m proud of you.”

Kathleen brushed some hair out of Sloane’s face. “I didn’t know that you could fight like that. Your father never thought you or Erica would need to learn. A mistake he regretted.” Her voice broke.

Sloane picked at the comforter. “I had help. From Sawyer.”

Kathleen’s eyes widened, and then she frowned, making worry lines crease her forehead. “He’s not even here, my sweet girl.” She leaned in, looking into Sloane’s eyes. “Maybe you have a concussion.”

I didn’t think that was it. I cleared my throat so I could try to explain. “It’s kind of like astral projection, sort of.”

It was the best answer I could come up with, but I didn’t think with astral projection you could touch someone like Sawyer could with us when he wasn’t actually here.

Kathleen stared at me for a long moment. “I’ve never heard of anyone being able to do that before.”

I shrugged. “Sawyer and I have always had a special kind of connection. We’ve been doing that since we were kids. It makes sense that Sloane would be able to do that as well since she’s our mate.”

Kathleen patted Sloane’s arm. “That is quite remarkable. I’ve never heard of such a thing. David and I only ever were able to hear each other’s thoughts on occasion and reach out to each other to know we were safe. To actually be able to see each other and interact from such a distance is amazing.”

I’d never really given much thought to how Sawyer’s and my bond worked. I knew we were different since we were twins. Twins amongst shifters were unheard of.

But Sawyer and I were not mates. We shared Sloane happily. But he and I were never attracted to each other, not like that. Our bond was something different.

Kathleen stood. “You should get outside and shift. The pack will be wondering where you are and what you’re doing. You must continue to appear strong, sweet girl. I think you have finally stopped all the challenges. So that’s good news.”

Sloane closed her eyes and blew out a breath. “I really hope so. We can’t afford to be fighting each other.”

Kathleen gave the back of her hand one last kiss before she let it go, setting it gently on the bed. “Agreed, and not just because I can’t stand watching you in these fights. Our pack is tearing each other apart instead of focusing on our common enemy.”

Sloane grunted as she pushed up onto her elbows. She squeezed her eyes shut and made a face like she was in pain.

Kathleen and I reached out to her at the same time.

But her mother spoke first. “Sloane, are you all right?”

Sloane moaned and pulled herself all the way up into a sitting position. She scrubbed her hands over her face. “Yeah, a little woozy for a second. It’s passed now.”

Kathleen drew in a deep breath and let it out. She looked at her daughter and then at me. “Food then shift. Understood?”

Sloane nodded as she scooted to the edge of the bed. “Got it. Maybe we can take some food before we go shift.”

She put her hand on her forehead.

Kathleen waved her hands. “I don’t really care which way you do it, so long as you eat and take care of yourself, my sweet girl.”

She went to the door and put her hand on the handle but didn’t open it. “Speaking of, I have to start making dinner for the pack. It’s going to be important that you continue to take meals and spend as much time outside of the room as you can.”

I nodded, knowing that was directed more at me than Sloane. I’d be more than happy to lounge the day away on my computer in this room.

Sloane needed her presence to be felt amongst the pack though. I’d gotten so used to hiding out in my room back home that I kind of pulled Sloane into my bad habit. We couldn’t do that here. She was alpha, and she had to be seen.

Kathleen gave us both a smile as she opened the door. “I’ll be in the kitchen if you need anything. Remember, food and shift.”

She gave us both a pointed look before she slipped out the door and closed it behind her.

I went to the dresser and pulled out some clean clothes that we could change into after we shifted. There wasn’t much here. Most of it was men’s clothes.

I hated that my mate would have another man’s scent on her. She should only smell like Sawyer and me. I’d have to do something about that if there was time. My cock hardened at the thought.

We’d also have to see about getting some clothes for the other women. I didn’t think any of them had much in the way of garments.

I found some things that I thought would fit Sloane and set them on the edge of the bed. She sat with her back against the headboard, staring down at her lap.

I put a hand on her shoulder. “Do you think you’re ready to get up now?”

She put her arm across her forehead. “I’m not sure I have much of a choice.”

She shifted to the edge of the bed, drew in a breath, and held it before she stood. She was only on her feet for a second before she plopped back down.

I reached out for her, but she batted my hand away.

“Thanks, but I need to try to do this myself. They need to see me walking out unsupported.”

I nodded and took a few steps back, clutching the clothes against me. Sloane bit her bottom lip and stood. She wavered for a second and put her hand on her head.

Then she blew out a breath. “Okay. I think I’m ready now.”

She limped to the door, and I followed her as we made our way back down the hall. The men and women watched as she hobbled along. She offered them a kind smile before slipping outside.

It was balmy out for this time of year. This must be our second summer right before the cold snap really hit. That was fine. I’d take it. I hated the cold. I hadn’t been joking when I said I wanted to go to some warm, sandy beach. Maybe one day the three of us could go.

Sloane led the way down the porch steps, her movements slow and a little broken while walking on her injured leg. After her shift, she’d be much better. The deep gash would be just a scarred-over wound by the time she finished. All the superficial injuries would be healed. It was one of the benefits for shifters.

She hobbled to the path leading into the trees, reaching out and grazing the tips of her fingers across the bushes. They still had their leaves, but the trees looked barren.

She glanced over her shoulder. “I haven’t taken you down by the river yet.”

I shook my head. “Not yet.”

She put both hands on a fallen trunk and stepped over before flopping down on it. She leaned down, wincing as she took off her shoes.

I hopped over the log and kneeled in front of her to help her untie them. “Easy, sweetheart. Let’s get you fixed up first, and then you can do this on your own.”

She gave me a tired smile and rolled her top up and over her head, exposing her soft, creamy skin. A blue bruise formed along her shoulder right where the seat belt must’ve got her.

I hated seeing my mate like this, hurt and bruised and bloodied. The worst part was it probably wouldn’t be the last time. The war was only beginning.

She unbuttoned her jeans and then stood so she could slide them down. It took her a moment to get them off, but she did manage by herself. Her leg looked even worse, bruised and swollen. The gash looked so deep I was pretty sure I could see bone.

She took her bra off but didn’t bother with her panties and dropped to her knees. She whimpered as her shift started, her bones snapping and realigning. It always took longer when you were injured. It was how the body healed itself.

I tied our clothes up into a ball using the sleeves of one of the shirts so I could carry them in my mouth. Then I started my own shift. I finished before she did and sat on my haunches, knowing there was nothing I could do to ease her pain as she continued her change.

She panted once her bones had finished realigning and then sat on her haunches too.

Are you okay, sweetheart?

Sloane closed her eyes for a few seconds, controlling her breathing. Then she charged forward, zipping along the trail. I snatched the clothes up and followed after her. It was almost impossible to keep pace with her. She was fast, much faster than I could ever hope to be.

We blazed through the trees and brush until we reached the water’s edge. Sloane leaped into the water, and I dropped our clothes on the shore and joined her, letting the ice-cold water cool me, making me shiver. It might be warm out right now, but it had been frigid the past few weeks.

I lapped up a few sips to sate my parched throat. Sloane did the same and then waded through the water to the shore.

She triggered her shift, this time much faster, and she knelt on her hands and knees within a few seconds. She rolled onto her back and stared up at the clouds.

I took in every glorious inch of her, now completely healed and as beautiful as ever.

I rocked forward and back on my paws and then started my shift. My bones snapped and crackled as they realigned. Once changed, I arched my back up in a yoga pose my mother used to do. It stretched out my muscles and left me feeling refreshed.

Then I crawled over to Sloane and sat down next to her. She blinked up at the sky and smiled.

I lay next to her, close enough that our shoulders touched. “How are you feeling?”

She closed her eyes for a moment. “Better. You?”

The bright sun beat down on us. It would be setting soon, and we’d lose its warmth.

“I’m not sure I’ll ever stop being on edge.” I picked up her hand and threaded our fingers together. “I’m sorry about yesterday. I never doubted you. I just worry about you and don’t want you to get hurt.”

She opened her mouth to say something, but I turned and put a finger over her lips. Then I moved my hand and gave her a soft kiss.

“Let me finish, please. It’s important for me to get this out,” I said.

She gave me a soft smile and nodded.

I pushed some wet hair from her face. “You are stronger than you know and stronger than I give you credit for. It was my mistake. This war is going to get more dangerous by the day, and I can’t hold you back.”

Her eyes darted back and forth like she was searching my face for something.

I touched my forehead to hers. “I don’t want to lose you. I’m scared of what more is to come with this war. But you were right to reach out to Alpha Charles, even if it didn’t go as we hoped.”

She sucked in a deep breath. “Do you think anyone will survive?”

I closed my eyes and sighed. “Maybe. It depends on how fast they can run before the pack deploys the wolfsbane. The only way to survive at that point is to submit. Alpha Charles might be a fool, but I can’t see him going for that.”

The brush rustled, and we both jumped to our feet. I handed Sloane her clothes first before trying to get mine on. She had just slipped the oversized shirt over her head when Mark shoved through the branches.

He had his eyes covered. “Are you decent?”

Sloane leaned forward and swatted him. “Relax.”

He slowly moved his hand from his face. “I hate to ruin your fun. But Sherriff Adam is here. They tracked the car you left behind back to us, and he says they have video of you, Chance, a few other guys, and your boyfriend fighting on the street. He has more questions.”