Chapter 4

*Dante* I turned to my mate then, guilt settling in my gut when she immediately flinched from my gaze. Was that murderous look still in my eyes? I looked around, relieved when I found what I was searching for. We always made sure to keep clothes folded and hidden in the forest in case a wolf was out in the woods and needed to shift back to. human form. I disappeared behind a huge tree to shift back into my human form, taking the folded clothes I'd spotted and hurriedly putting them on. My gaze lowered to the side of her stomach. She was still bleeding profusely. My forehead creased in confusion. Why wasn't she healing? Her chest rose and fell harshly as she struggled to breath. I tore out a piece of my shirt, approaching her with it. I raised my arms when she took a step back, trying to let her know I meant no harm. "We have to head to my pack now. You're bleeding too much." I informed her, pushing back the millions of questions swimming in my head. Why was she out here alone? How on earth was she my second chance mate? She shook her head vehemently, taking a huge step backwards. My heart lurched in my chest when a tear escaped her eyes. Why was she even in this state in the first place? She looked so pale, no single trace of color in cheeks. She tried to stand straight, hiding her wince when all she did was hurt her side even more. "Please don't ask me to come with you," She said, her voice shaking. "Please." I stared at her in silence for a few minutes. She knew we were mates. It had shown in the way she'd looked at me the first time our eyes had locked. I wasn't interested in mating anyone. I was still mourning Stella's death and the death of our pup. I had solid reasons why I wanted to be on my own without a mate for a very long time. But what reason did she have? I wondered. Any other wolf would be happy to have found their second chance mate but she looked sad and almost tired by the fact. Like she wanted the goddess to just let her be. "I'm definitely not letting you bleed to death out here all by yourself," I said firmly, leaving no room for any further argument. I looked around, noting that it was already quite late. We had to get going immediately if we were ever going to have a chance of reaching the pack before it was completely dark. I asked her to stay still, tying the cloth around her wound to help a little with the bleeding. She grunted in pain but other than that she stayed quiet. I studied her again, my lips forming a tight line as realized dawned on me. She was a rogue wolf. That had to explain why she was looking as dirty and weak as she was. The thought gave me pause and I felt my usual doubt about strangers growing even more. She could be trying to trick me for all I knew. There was no reason it wasn't possible that she'd planned with the other rogues just so she could get easy access to my pack. My gaze hardened as I took her in. She was going to regret it if that was the case. Until I found out exactly who she was and what she remembered about the third wolf who'd gotten away, she was going to remain under my watch. Which meant there was no way I would let her die out here. I explained that I was going to take her back to my pack so we could at least find out why she wasn't healing. She tried to argue but seemed to think better against it. I carefully carried her in my arms, bridal style, and began the long walk to the pack. She passed out in my arms a few minutes later and my heart tugged as I looked down at her unconscious form. What on earth had happened to you, little one? The journey back to the pack was faster than usual. I took her to the pack house, laying her down on a bed in one of the guest rooms. I asked my housekeeper to send for the pack healer immediately. Jade appeared in the house a few minutes later, a jump bag hung over her shoulder. I led her upstairs to the guest room, a little concerned that my mate hadn't woken up even after so many hours. "Do whatever you can to help," I ordered Jade, leaving the room and letting her get right to it. I had to speak to my beta anyways.