Page 66 of The Finder

“I killed him, yes. If I hadn’t, he would have killed me. And if he killed me, you would belong to him, Emma. It’s a cruel world, but this is the world that we live in. These are the rules our wolves live by,” Garrett said emotionlessly.

Emma nodded. “I know. I’m so sorry. I—” She shook her head as tears came to her eyes. “That was horrible.”

“I know, and I’m sorry you had to see that. I wish I could protect you from all this, but this is my life, the life of an alpha,” Garrett said softly. Emma nodded, trying to find her calm. “I need to shower. Will you be okay for a few minutes?” Garrett asked.

Emma shook herself. “I’m sorry. I should be helping you. You’re injured,” she said.

“It’s nothing. I’ll heal. I’ll be out in five minutes, okay?” he asked, ducking down to look into her eyes.

“Okay,” Emma said softly. Emma went and sat on the bed.

Her stomach was still rolling, and her mind was whirling. The human side of her couldn't wrap her mind around what she had just witnessed. A knock sounded at the door.

“Come in,” Emma called out.

Paul opened the door and came in. “Hey, Emma. Garrett asked me to come check on you. I need to check on him too, while I’m here. It's been quite the day,” he said in a calm, relaxed manner.

“You have no idea,” Emma said.

“Do you have any injuries that you know of besides your forehead?” he asked.

Emma shook her head. “I’m mostly just bruised and beat up.”

Paul gave her a look of compassion. “I’ll do a once-over just to be sure, but I’ll wait until the alpha gets here. I would rather not die today,” he said with a smile.

“Good thinking,” Garrett said, striding into the room. “I’m here now. Let’s get started.”

Paul turned to Emma. “Let’s have you lay on the bed. Take your sweatshirt off, please.”

A low rumble sounded in Garrett’s throat. Paul acted as if he didn’t hear it. He moved towards Emma with the decorum of a professional. Emma quickly took off the sweatshirt and lay down, all without looking at Garrett. Paul bent over her, looking at the bruises on her arms. Then he felt around her ribs and stomach area. She flinched when he found one of the bruises on her stomach. He frowned and looked at Emma. “May I?” he questioned. Emma nodded. He pulled up her shirt to look at her stomach. She was sure she had gotten it from her fall.

Garrett growled louder this time. Emma glanced at Paul worriedly. “Just tune him out,” Paul said quietly. He finished checking her out and helped her sit up. “Everything looks good. Just some nasty bruising. Should clear up in a few days. If something still continues to hurt after a few days, let me know and I’ll take a look again. Let’s dress that wound on your forehead.” He cleaned it up and put a bandage on it.

“Thank you,” Emma said. Garrett took her hand and helped her sit up, then stand. He pulled her towards him and wrapped his arm around her stomach so that her back was against his chest. Emma looked up at Garrett; he was scowling at Paul. Emma cringed. “Sorry,” she said out loud to Paul

Paul gave her a big smile. “I’m used to it. Thankfully, I don’t have to treat many females because we don’t have a lot in our pack. But when I do, there’s usually an angry mate somewhere nearby plotting ways to kill me.”

“Yep,” Garrett said gruffly.

Emma elbowed him lightly in the stomach. “Stop it.” He responded by tightening his hold around her waist.

“All right, Alpha. Your turn,” Paul said, nodding towards the bed.

Garrett shook his head. “I’m fine.”

“I'm sure you are, but just let me check. That's what you pay me the big bucks for,” Paul said easily.

“I said I’m fine,” Garrett said, irritated.

Emma turned to face him. “Garrett, stop being stubborn. Let him check you out.” Garrett looked down at her. “Please,” she threw in. She could tell the moment he caved.

“Fine,” he said. He dropped his hold on her and took a step back. In one movement, he pulled his shirt up and over his head and handed it to her. Emma swallowed and stared at his massive chest for a moment too long. When she met Garrett’s eyes, he was smiling at her. Emma blushed and looked away.

“Go ahead and take your pants off,” Paul said. Garrett grunted but began to do just as Paul said.

“I’ll wait out in the hall,” Emma said quickly, escaping through the door. She leaned against the wall, waiting for the okay to come back in. A few minutes later, the door opened. “Everything okay?” she asked as she stepped back in.

“He looks good,” Paul said. “Nothing that won’t heal in a few hours.”

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