Page 50 of Alpha Fate

“Can’t say. A day. A week. A month? No way of knowing with brain injuries – which I’m certain he has. There’s a crack to the back of his head that might have knocked him out at some point. I’m guessing that his wolf took over to get him to safety, but there’s only so much even a wolf can do.”

“So he shifted back.” I’m still looking down at him, still horrified by the mess his face has been turned into. I can’t imagine who could do such a thing. Then again, maybe I can. I was at their mercy for over a month.

“It would have been the smart thing to do.” Dr. Bea nods. “If he’d been unconscious in his wolf form and humans stumbled across him, they probably would have treated him like roadkill.”

I wrinkle my nose. “Anyway, he’s here now. You’ll get him through this. I know you can.” I say it firmly. The doctor had been so gently competent when she’d cared for me when I arrived. I know she’ll do the same for him.

“I’ll do my best.” She’s looking down at her bloody clothing, her eyes troubled.

“Can I sit here with him for a while?”

She eyes me curiously, but nods her head. “Suit yourself. Just don’t be disappointed if you get nothing from him.”

“I don’t mind.” I shrug. How can I forget the kindness of a stranger who’d gone out of his way to help me when he didn’t need to? It would be wrong. I settle back into a bedside chair as the doctor leaves the room.

But even as I do it, I can’t help remembering the dissatisfaction in Gage’s expression when I told him I was coming here.

Tough. He’ll get over it.

If he wants to be around me, he’s going to have to accept me for who I am.

And suddenly, it occurs to me that this is who I am. I’m a good person. A caring person. Even if I believe I should feel awful about not remembering the mate Sierra says I was intended for. I know there’s a reason for it.

I’ve regained a little of myself.

And Savannah Barr has a good heart.

???

Savannah

“Where the heck have you been, Savvie!” Sierra’s eyes are wild. Her nostrils flare. “You smell like disinfectant and…” Her eyes narrow. “Alpha male. Have you been—”

“I went to the clinic,” I interrupt her quickly. “One of the patrol teams found Edirn when they were out today.”

“Edirn?” Sierra looks confused.

“The wolf who helped me before Ga—” I stop myself. “Before Jagger and the others rescued me.”

“Oh. Right.” She seems a little less combative, but her arms are still folded over her chest. “Why’s he in the clinic?”

“He was unconscious when they found him. You should see what they did to him, Si.” I shudder, trying to shove away the visual.

“So you felt you needed to go there?”

“Just…just to check on him.” I sniff my arm and realize that my sister’s right. I do smell like disinfectant.

“And that’s all?” Sierra taps her toe. Suspicion colors her features. It’s odd watching her now. Although I recognize her, it still feels like I’m looking into a mirror when I talk to her.

“Oh, jeez, not you, too!” I roll my eyes. “Why is everyone acting like it’s a big deal that I should be worried about the guy?”

“What do you mean ‘me, too’? Who else thought it was a problem?”

“Nobody!” I say too quickly. “Dr. Bea just seemed curious.” More subterfuge. I really hate how much I’ve been bending the truth since I got here. Again, I realize that this isn’t in my nature. I don’t like it one bit.

Sierra huffs a breath. “Well, at least if he’s unconscious, there’s no chance of him sniffing out your heat.”

“I’m not in heat, Sierra!” I’m getting sick of this. I might find myself powerless to resist Gage’s advances, but I’m now positive that it has nothing to do with that. Even with my initial reservations that my judgment might be clouded after all that I’ve been through, what I feel for him seems real.

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