Page 3 of His Tainted Mate

“How dare you say that!” said Dr. Hart.

“I say it because it’s true. Why did no one offer to help Lara with her research? I know she sent you reports in the beginning, but when she heard nothing but criticism, she didn’t bother anymore. Trudi went against every moral belief she held dear in order to try and find a cure. Granted, Strode was lying to her, but my lass didn’t know that. All she could see was the possibility of saving you people. Her sister, to me, exemplifies what I see—you all just gave up and were going to allow your kind and the purebloods to go extinct.”

“Hamish, it’s all right,” said Trudi as she placed her hand on him.

“Nay, lass, it isn’t. I’ve put off doing what I know will cure you in deference to what you wanted to do for your people. I’m just beginning to question whether they were worth it.”

“Oh, I like that,” Trudi teased. “You’ll let me get well and show them Lara was right, and then you’ll bite me and change me from Tasmanian devil to snow leopard.”

“Damn right,” Hamish muttered. He turned to look at the doctor. “Now that you’ve got the before sample of the blood, how about if you inject her with the bloody cure?”

“You have to find her,” said Trudi.

Hamish patted her hand and leaned down to kiss her forehead. “Aye lass, I know. Do you have any idea where Elle might have gone?”

“Cradle Mountain. It was always her favorite place to be.”

He looked at Dr. Hart. “Why are you still standing there? Should I inject her myself?”

“No. No. Of course not,” Dr. Hart looked flummoxed. “I’m sure I can find some of our people to go after Elle.”

“If any of you had really cared or thought you could do it and bring her back, we wouldn’t be standing here, and Trudi wouldn’t be so upset. I’ll handle it my way.”

Dr. Hart gave Trudi the injection. “I’m not sure some of our people will agree to that.”

Hamish chuckled. “I’m not asking for permission, and while Tasmanian devils might be the top predator on this island, they are no match for a snow leopard.” He watched as Trudi drifted off to sleep. “God help you people if she dies. I will not be as tolerant or as forgiving as she has been.”

He went to stand outside on the balcony overlooking the River Derwent and placed a call to Sean Campbell at Castle Curaidh.

“Hamish? Is Trudi all right?” answered Sean.

“The disease has taken more out of her than I would have liked, but she’s made sure her people can see that the serum works and has finally had the injection.”

“You know turning her would fix the problem, right?”

“Aye, but this was important to her, and she believes she’ll be fine… after she’s well, then I’ll turn her, and I’ll do it sooner if it looks like it won’t cure her. But I need a favor.”

“Ask it, and if it’s within my power, it’ll be yours.”

“Her sister, who’s the one who started this whole mess, has gone missing. Apparently the DFTD started to take hold, and she just decided she’d go off alone to die.”

“For fuck’s sake. Not to worry, Rab’s out for a run. As soon as he gets back, I’ll send him your way. Hobart, right?”

“Aye, Alpha. You have my thanks.”

“If you’re still insistent on remaining in Mystic River, then I’m not sure I’m still your alpha.”

“That’s where you’re wrong. You will always be my alpha.”

“I am honored to be so.”

The two old friends spoke for a few minutes more, then ended the call. Hamish looked out on the town and river spread below.

“You’d best still be alive when he finds you, Elle,” he threatened the wind.

CHAPTER 3

RAB

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