That’s why it was a last resort.
Griffen stood and spun in a circle as if looking for answers among the trees. He lifted a hand to block the sun from his eyes and set his other hand on his hip. “Fuck.”
“I’m okay, Griff,” she reassured him.
“You’re not.” He twisted around to face her. “Two minutes.” He glanced at her leg. “That’s it. And then you shift.”
She pursed her lips, felt the blood pulse in her leg, and knew without looking it was oozing out to soak the gauze.
Griffen kneeled down at her side again and wrapped his hands around the wound to hold it together.
An engine sounded in the distance, making Sharon’s heart race. Thank God.
When the vehicle skidded to a stop and a man jumped out of the driver’s side to rush in their direction, she stopped breathing.
Jackson Wolf.
What were the chances?
She would have laughed if she hadn’t been in shock. She shouldn’t have been surprised.
Fate was always, always, in charge.
Jackson stopped two feet from her and froze. He hesitated several heartbeats, and then kneeled next to Griffen. “Sharon.” It wasn’t a question. He knew exactly who she was.
Interesting.
“Do you two know each other?” Griffen asked.
Jackson held her gaze as he responded to her brother. “Not really. But I saw her last Friday night at the girls’ night at one of your brothers’ houses.”
“Ah. Okay. Listen, we need to get her back to the lodge quickly. She’s lost a lot of blood.” Griffen leaned closer. He frowned. “Sharon?”
She tried to nod, but the world was fading slowly around her.
“I’ll pull up closer,” Jackson said as he turned to run back to the black SUV. His voice sounded far away.
Griffen grabbed her by the chin and met her hazy gaze. “You won’t make it. You have to shift.”
She used her last bit of energy to reach for his forearm and squeeze. “No. I won’t shift in front of him, Griffen. Please. Get me to Rebecca.”
He shook his head. “Not enough time.”
“Griffen. Just do it.”
“Why? I’ll just pretend we need him to go get Rebecca instead. By then you’ll—”
“Griffen,” she interrupted, fighting to stay awake. “No. He’s my mate…” Her voice faded as she lost consciousness.
Chapter Three
Jackson paced back and forth in the main area of the ski lodge, his entire body stiff with concern.
The only people in the lodge were the Masters and their employees. The slopes had closed several weeks ago, and they were in the middle of transitioning to hiking season. The place looked desolate after months of being packed with laughter, the clomping of boots, and the rustling of zippers.
He’d taken up skiing for the first time this year, thinking to give it a try. He had no idea if he even liked the sport or not yet, but he’d returned week after week on his off days just to get an occasional glimpse of the sweet, sexy, gorgeous, dark-haired beauty who twisted him in knots every time he saw her and forced him to masturbate to visions of her in his head late at night.
Had she ever noticed him?
He sighed. What was he still doing here? He had delivered her and her brother to the lodge safely. One of her brother’s wives, or whatever she was, was working on Sharon in the locker room.
Jackson’s job was done.
And yet, he couldn’t bring himself to leave.
He stared at the enormous space where skiers had congregated in the winter months. The huge fireplace in the center of the room was surrounded by couches and comfy chairs where skiers rested or their families waited. To one side was the cafeteria, filled with tables and chairs, all perfectly lined up and vacant. It was almost eerie. Like a ghost town.
Carlie Masters, Sharon’s mother, stepped back into the main area. With a warm smile, she introduced herself and pointed to a couch. “Please. Sit. Let me get you something to drink.”
“I’m fine, ma’am.” I should go. Why am I still here? he asked himself again as he followed her directions and perched on the edge of the couch.
Carlie wandered away and returned moments later with a bottle of water, which she handed to him. “You must be thirsty. It’s hot out there today.”
He took the cool bottle from her hand and nodded. “Have you heard any news? Where was the epicenter? How strong was it?”
She shook her head. “Not yet. We’ve been over our heads trying to right everything around here so far. And now Sharon…” She bit her lower lip in concern as if just remembering her daughter was injured.
Hell, he felt the same level of angst he read on her face, and his left leg started to bounce. What was wrong with him? He’d never even addressed her directly until he’d stopped to rescue her from the side of the road. And that could hardly be considered a conversation.