Chapter 28
It didn’t take us long to find her. We heard her fall. I had to remind Lynx to keep his distance as we approached her. Her eyes were wide as she took us in. We could sense her fear of us, which hurt Lynx. “She doesn’t know us,” I murmured, reassuring him. We were not like any wolf she had ever seen. That part was for sure. Her eyes stayed on us the entire time, even when she pulled her knees up to her chest and wrapped her arms around herself. I could sense her getting tired. Leah must have been cold, and all her clothes were drenched. Lynx stepped closer to her as her eyes closed until we were mere feet away. He pushed me closer as I shifted back into my human form. I knelt down and moved her hair from her face. Leah looked gorgeous. I heard movement behind me, and I knew who it was. I growled, making them stop. The rain was still coming down heavily. “Carson,” she whispered. “Don’t,” I growled as I got into position, placing my arms under Leah’s knees. I lifted her up and carried her bridal style. Her head rested on my shoulder. Tingles of our bond rippled through me as I looked over to see Jenny standing there with Josh. “Your father disobeyed an order,” I growled. “I warned you what would happen.” “It’s not my fault,” she whimpered. “I didn’t know my friend would take the children there.” I stared at her. Lynx was close but growled. “Mate, not going back,” he grunted. “She comes home with us.” I agree with him. Jenny continued. “Please,” she said. “Don’t take her away from us. We made some progress earlier, even some conversation.” “I don’t care,” I muttered, making her mouth drop open. Jenny went to say something, but I shook my head. “Jenny,” I said. “I know you were trying. I have been getting reports every day from Josh.” Jenny stared at me, but I continued. “As I said, if Leah gets distressed, I will take her back to the pack house, and that is what I will do now.” I stepped toward her but stopped. Jenny’s eyes went to Leah. A lone tear escaped. “I don’t know why he is acting like this,” she said, looking at me. “My father would never be like this.” I frowned. “But he is,” I growled. “I’m taking my mate back to the pack house. When I return, I will send a pack link to notify everyone about Leah being there.” Jenny stared at Leah. “I will let you know how she is,” I said. “But I need to get her out of the rain.” Jenny looked at me and nodded. “Mind link me when she is awake,” she said. “I will come to see her tomorrow and bring some of her things, too.” I nodded and walked away. Leah moved slightly in my arms but was still sleeping. This is where my mate should be, in my arms. I returned to the pack house but opened a mind link to Zain. “Get my room ready,” I said. “I am bringing her back to the pack house. She can stay in my room.” “Shit,” he said. “How is she?” I looked down. Her skin was cold, but she was getting hotter. “I think she may have a fever,” I said. “Bring the pack doctor, too.” I closed the link and sighed. I walked through the forest. The rain was dying down. Half an hour later, I stepped out of the forest and headed straight to the pack house. Zain was waiting for me outside. As I came closer, his eyes went to Leah. “Fuck,” he said. “She is soaked.” I nodded as he held the door open to me. I walked inside. “I told all pack members to stay in their rooms and that you will send a pack link shortly,” he said, following me. I said nothing as I carried her to my room on the top floor. At least she would have peace up here. Zain opened the door, and I walked in. The pack doctor was already there, setting everything up. The doctor looked at me and looked at Leah. “Get her on the bed,” he said. I did as he asked and placed her on my bed. I didn’t want to leave her, but I didn’t want to get in the doctor’s way. The doctor did what he needed to do, but I had to turn around, as Lynx wasn’t happy that another man was looking and touching our mate. I wasn’t thrilled either, but the pack doctor was doing his job. After a few minutes, the pack doctor cleared his throat, and I turned around. “She’s fine,” he said, making me look at him with a frown. “Ah, you sure,” I said as I stepped toward the bed my eyes went to Leah. “Yes,” he said. “She has a slight fever, but I have given her some medicine. I suggest getting her out of her wet clothes and into something else.” I looked at him and nodded. I looked at Zain, who had been quiet the whole time. “Can you make sure no one disturbs me?” I asked. Zain nodded and motioned the doctor to follow him, but he stopped as the doctor went to the door. “Alpha,” he said, making me look at him. “She needs to rest, and after tonight, I suggest no more family. Only you.” 2 I nodded and watched as he walked out of the room, closing the door behind him. I stared at Leah. She looked so small in my bed but looked like she belonged there, too. I moved toward the chest of drawers and pulled out a T-shirt for her to wear. Lynx was close by as I moved toward the bed. Lynx whined but said nothing. I undressed Leah and removed all the wet items, including her bra. It wasn’t easy, and I tried to be a gentleman and not look at her, which was difficult. What I saw was beautiful! She was breathtaking. I slipped the T-shirt over her head and pulled it down till it covered her. The whole time I undressed her, Leah stayed asleep. Lynx stayed close and stared. “We stay here,” he muttered. “We will,” I said. “But on the couch.” Lynx frowned, but I continued. “You don’t want to scare her, do you?” I asked. Lynx stayed quiet but mumbled. “No,” he muttered. “I don’t.” I made sure I placed the cover-up over Leah, tucking her in like you would a child. I leaned toward her and placed a kiss on her head. Tingles rippled through me. I moved back and sighed. I walked away and headed to the closet. I grabbed a pillow and some blankets. I set up the couch for myself and sat down. I stared at Leah. Sleep may not come, but at least she is with me and safe. I felt a mind link open, and it was Josh. “How is she?” he asked, sounding concerned. I sighed. “She has a fever,” I said. “But she is fine.” There was silence for a few seconds until he spoke again. “We had no clue Paul was going to that,” he said. “I would have told him no, and you know I would.” 1 I said nothing. Josh sighed. “She was starting to talk to us,” he said. “Even if it was a few words and sentences, it was something. She even didn’t mind me being here.” I sighed. “What was said?” I asked. Josh said nothing at first, but after a few breaths, as his anger slipped into the link, he told me everything. I felt anger swirl around inside me. “How could he say such things?” I growled. “I know,” he growled. “I was stunned, but Leah told him straight, even if it was heartbreaking to hear.” I felt sorrow slip through the mind link. “Jenny will want to know how she is,” he said. “How about we meet in the office at ten? We can work something out.” I stared ahead. “Josh,” I said. “I know you mean well, but I told you all what would happen, and it seems she would be safer here with me.” Josh was quiet but sighed. “I know you are right,” he said. “But you need to notify everyone now that you have a human in the pack and staying at the house.” “I will,” I said and closed the link. I knew I had to do it now. I opened the pack link and spoke. “All pack members,” I said. “As from a few days ago, we have a human in our territory.” There were some members asking questions. Why? Or what human? “I will discuss this with you all in the morning at nine,” I said. “All members must be in the hall, and I will explain everything.” I closed the mind link and opened a new one for Jenny. “We will need to tell people something,” I muttered. Jenny sighed. “I will tell the truth,” she said. I felt her worry slip through, but I didn’t care. She set this all up in motion the minute she wanted Leah to live here with us. It was up to her to tell her side or some parts. I closed the mind link as another came through from Zain. “I will stay in the cells tomorrow,” he said. “While you talk to the pack members, I don’t want Paul having any ideas or hearing anything.” He had a point. “Thanks,” I said. “I will see you in the office at ten. We are going to talk to Jenny and Josh.” “Okay,” he said. “Who will you have to watch, Leah?” That’s a good point. “I don’t know yet,” I said. “I may ask the doctor, too.” Zain agreed and closed the mind link. I stared at my bed and straight at Leah. I wanted to be in that bed with her, but I knew I would scare her if she woke up to find me there with her. I sighed, and leaned back on the couch, but kept my eyes on Leah. My eyes were never leaving her, not for one second.