“Rogues. They’ve been spotted on the east side!” Jacob’s voice filters through our pack link.
I run back into my room and throw on some clothes. I don’t have time to put on shoes as I’m already out the door and going down the stairs.
“Angel! Are you okay? Answer me!” My father’s voice booms in my head.
“I’m fine. Where are you? Jacob says there are Rogues on our land,” I link back quickly.
“We’re close, Honey. You need to go to Noelle, you’ll be safe there. No wolves will dare enter the compound with that spell in place. Get in your car and get out of the pack house.” My mother’s worried voice has me starting to panic.
“I can’t just leave, Mom. I can help here!” I head for the back door.
“No. You must leave and go to Noelle’s right now, Angel.” My father’s authoritative voice makes me freeze in place. His voice then returns, but this time it’s soft and gentle as he pleads, “Honey, I’m begging you. Please… just listen to me. Go to Noelle, she’s waiting for you. Phoenix is worried too. If you don’t go to them, they’re likely to come looking for you. You don’t want them caught in the crossfire, do you. Please… just do this for us.”
The thought of Noelle or Phoenix getting hurt because I can’t follow a simple instruction is enough to agree with my father. “Okay, Dad. I’m leaving now.”
I head out of the front door, keeping an eye out for any wolves that don’t have our packs scent. I don’t shift into my wolf because I’m not sure whether the spell the witches have to ward off wolves will affect me when I’m not in my human form.
Wolves are scattered around the clearing. I head for my car keeping an eye out for Talon and Tyler, but I don’t see their wolves anywhere.
I climb inside my car and I’m just about to start it when I feel Tyler trying to link with me. I open the link and allow him to speak. Faith needs to know he’s safe.
“Tyler?”
“Angel, I need you. Please… I need you to come.” He sounds as if he’s in tears .
“Are you hurt? Where are you?”
“I’m at the lake. Come quickly!” He’s frantic now. I jump out of my car and start running in the direction of the lake. The stones and branches hurt my bare feet, but I don’t care. My adrenaline is pumping, I’m so worried about Tyler.
I make it to the lake and see him hunched over something in the darkness.
“What’s going on? What’s wrong? Are you okay?” I start yelling as I get closer to where he’s kneeled in the sand. Tyler stands up quickly and I notice there’s blood all over his shirt. Tears run down his face as I look down at whoever he was hunched over and see Kate.
“Rogues… they attacked her. I couldn’t shift, I couldn’t help her,” he sobs, bending down and gently wiping the hair away from her face with a shaky hand. This gesture as well the way he’s looking at her is enough to tell me that he loves her. He stood up for her earlier, even after the nasty things she said to me.
God. He loves her more than he loves me; his mate. I cover my heart with my hand feeling the pain beneath it. I take a step back and at this he turns his head, looking up at me.
“You can save her! You can heal! You said you have healing powers, I need you to help her. She doesn’t have to die, Angel.” He stands up frantically, grabbing my shoulders. His face is so red and blotchy and I can see his pain in the moonlight.
“Ty… I can’t-”
“You can!” He starts shaking me. “You can do it! You can save her. I’m begging you! Please, Angel. Please save her! She’s dying.” He breaks down in tears, it pains me to see him this way.
I love him so fucking much and I’ll do anything to make him happy. If he wants to be with Kate, I’ll do it. I love him enough to do this for him, regardless of the repercussions.
I move away from Tyler’s shuddering body as he weeps into his hands, moving towards where Kate lies covered in blood. I kneel down next to her. She’s got bite marks and deep scratches all along her chest and neck; her clothes are ripped and her eyes closed. I reach out to see if I can find a pulse. She has one, but it’s faint.
I start with the biggest and deepest cut, raising my hands over it. My hands tremble, I can’t stop the tears from running down cheeks because I know what’s gonna happen; her wounds are not the type you survive from. I’ve never feared death as much as I fear it in this moment.
I know what’s going to happen.
I look to see Tyler kneeled down in the sand on the other side of her body. He runs his hands through her hair affectionately, it only confirms that I’m doing the right thing.