Page 106 of Healer's Call

“Amber, what’s going on?”

“It’s Rose. She...she...” Then her voice changes. “Rose has sustained a wound, a really bad one.”

“And then she healed a rogue wolf,” I growl out.

I hear a gasp, and it goes straight to my heart. “What is the wound?”

“It pierced her heart,” Amber says quietly, and my head jerks. I stare with fresh eyes at the wound.

Then I turn my bleary eyes to Amber. Amber’s holding the phone while simultaneously trying to staunch the bleeding. We collectively hold our breath, waiting for Sage’s answer. But it’s not the healer’s voice from the Northwoods Pack that comes across the line. I hear the doctor’s voice, but I can’t focus on it. All I can see is the terrible scene in front of me. Rose’s heart is pumping out blood; it’s not staying in her body the way it’s supposed to. Her lips are so blue. For some reason, that’s all my mind can fixate on. Her lips have always been a sort of peach color, and now they’re blue. Amber yells in frustration. “No!” Amber moves frantically. “No! Stay with me, Rose. Stay with me!”

A thought hits me like a ton of bricks. “Can I bite her?” My voice is raspy.

“Maverick?” the doctor asks.

“Can I bite her?” I ask, anger coursing through me. “Will it save her if we begin a partial bond?”

It’s silent as I wait. Amber’s head tips up as she waits, and Amber puts her hand on my shoulder. I don’t breathe as I wait for his answer. But when it comes, I wish it wouldn’t have.

“No, Man. I’m sorry. You can’t save somebody with a mortal injury. Her heart is damaged; you can’t repair something that’s already gone.”

I wonder how he knows, and then I see the phone that Amber is using. It’s pointed at my mate; the doctor must bewatching...and then it hits me. His words. My eyes jerk down to my mate’s chest, and my world shatters.

Her heart is no longer beating.

The door to the room flies open and crashes into the wall. Cade is here. I don’t even have to turn around to know; I feel his alpha power bouncing around the room. “Rose!” His panicked cry leaves his lips, and his eyes meet my eyes. His eyes are anguished, and I look away. I can’t handle my closest friend looking at me like that. Somebody enters the room next, and I can feel through the pack link that it’s Eli. And I can’t do it anymore.

“Everybody out.” My voice isn’t loud, but it carries. I hear Amber crying, but I don’t look at her. The room grows quiet. Cade stops at my side and puts a hand on my shoulder. He doesn’t say a word before he leaves the room. When my room is empty, I sit in silence and stare down at my broken mate. I’m not sure how long I stay that way before I finally stand and place her gently on the bed, with her head on the pillow. For reasons I don’t really know, I grab a pair of sweatpants and throw them on; I guess because my mate was always so conscious of nudity. I climb onto the bed next to her and pull her into my arms. And then I stare down at her gorgeous face, at those eyes that I will never again see. My eyes fall to her lips that will never smile at me again. I brush her hair gently away from her face. “I’m so sorry I didn’t keep you safe.” My words are barely a whisper. My gaze goes to her neck, to the soft skin there; and I make a decision. I lean forward and bite her neck. I bite deeply, wanting to make sure it holds even in death and not worrying about hurting her any longer. When I pull back and see my mark on her neck, sorrow hits me anew. I search for my wolf, but he’s pulled away, deep in his own sorrow. I stare at my beautiful mate. “I’m sorry you weren’t my mate in this life, but you will be in the next. I will be joining you soon.” I brush my hand over hercheek, and then I kiss her softly on the lips. “I will see you soon, my beautiful mate.” I bow my head on her chest, and then I do something that I haven’t done maybe ever.

I cry.

Chapter 50

Rose

I open my eyes and hear the sound of water. I turn my head and take in my surroundings. I’m in a beautiful grassy meadow; it’s much more beautiful than anything I’ve ever seen before. I follow the sound of water and find a creek with bubbling water that’s so clear I can see the bottom. My heart feels light, lighter than it’s ever felt before. I sense someone behind me, and I turn around quickly. I’m shocked to see Talya and Liam standing in front of me, holding hands.

“Hey Rose,” Talya says sadly. Liam gives me a gentle smile but doesn’t say anything. I notice the way he’s holding her hand tightly, and it makes my heart stutter for a moment. It’s like my heart wants to remember something...someone. But it’s just out of reach. I smile as I walk towards them, feeling like I’m floating on air.

“What is this place?” I can’t help but ask. “It’s so beautiful and peaceful.”

Talya looks around. “It can be.” Her words are cryptic, but I don’t push her for an explanation.

“Have you been here before?” I ask.

Talya nods. “Many times.”

“Really?” My interest is piqued. But before I can ask her any more about it, a new voice joins us.

“Healer.” I turn my head to see a huge wolf standing a short distance away. Talya and Liam step to the side, allowing me to see the wolf clearly. I glance at the two of them, but neither of them look scared. They look more...wary. I turn back to the wolf and feel a sense of calm and peace unlike anything I’veever felt before. I couldn’t hold back the smile on my face if I tried. “You’ve done well, Healer.” I stare at the wolf. It’s obvious the words came from him, but it’s odd—hearing a voice coming from a wolf. “I’ve seen the work you’ve done. You've used your healing powers in a way that makes me pleased.”

I blink as memories begin to tug at my sub-conscious. “Healer?”

“You have the ability to heal. With that ability comes a huge responsibility. You must be selfless and constantly give of yourself in a very literal sense. You’ve done well, and I could not be more pleased with the way you have saved the lives of my wolves in the Orlando Pack.”

Wolves...Orlando Pack...healing...Each of the words flit through my head and stir up memories, but they slip away before I can fully grasp them.

I look over to Talya. It’s odd that I know who they are, but I can’t remember anything about them. “Are you healers too?”

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