Page 101 of The Beta's Blind Date

I guess it runs in the family.

“I’m a little lightheaded. I’ve been drifting towards unconsciousness since Reid found me. But I can probably make it to his vehicle.”

Aunt Gigi glances at me as she supports Taryn’s weight. “Is it close?” she asks me, and my wolf gives her a nod. “Lead the way,” she says, gesturing me forward with her head.

I get to my feet and give Taryn’s hand a quick lick. She gives me a tight, tired smile and reaches to stroke my fur. Then I trot ahead of them, leading them to the SUV I left on the road when I took off to find Taryn.

I glance at them every few feet, making sure they keep pace. About halfway there, Gigi hoists Taryn up into her arms, carrying her the rest of the way. I let out a short whine and hesitate, but I keep trudging forward.

I should be the one carrying her. She should be in my arms, against my body, taking my heat. But Gigi doesn’t know where my car is, and I’m not about to show my future in-law my family jewels.

We reach the vehicle, and I sprint around to the back, shifting and popping the trunk open so I can grab a set of spare sweatpants that are kept in every pack vehicle. I throw them on and make my way back to the passenger side, where Gigi is already maneuvering an almost unconscious and shivering Taryn into the backseat.

I stare at her, my fingers twitching, unsure what to do. She needs me, but we need to get to the pack.

“I’ll drive,” Gigi says, and my eyes snap to her warm brown ones. “You’re stronger than me,” she says, shrugging, although her eyes glint and her lip twitches. “You can hold her better than I can on the curves and switchbacks. Especially with how fast we’ll need to go to get her back to your pack.”

I hop into the back, needing no more encouragement than that to hold my girl in my arms.

I close the door and scoop her into my lap, settling her against my chest as Gigi gets in the front and starts the engine.

“I’m sorry I left the wedding,” Taryn says, her eyes closed and her breaths deep. “He alpha commanded me. I had no choice.”

Two growls echo in the interior, and I meet Gigi’s angry gaze in the rearview before I turn my attention back to my mate. “Don’t apologize, Cadet,” I say, stroking her arm and kissing her forehead. “I should be apologizing. I shouldn’t have left you in the tent alone. I should have brought you with me or made Sebastian go with Nolan instead.”

“It doesn’t matter,” she replies, shaking her head and nuzzling into my chest more. “You’re here now. You’re mine.”

I hold my breath and freeze in place. “I’m—I’m what?” I squeak out.

“If I’m your girl, then you’re my beta. My Cookie Monster.”

She giggles and covers her mouth, and I swallow, choking out an unenthusiastic laugh, closing my eyes and pressing my forehead to hers, hugging her tighter, clutching her to me with all my might. “I think the blood loss and cold have made you delirious,” I whisper. “But yeah, I’m yours, Taryn. I’m all yours.”

Assoonaswecross into Crescent Lake territory, I direct Gigi to the pack hospital, jumping out as she pulls into the loading zone before the SUV comes to a complete stop. Taryn is almost unconscious, and I run into the lobby with her in my arms.

The hospital is in chaos, with nurses and interns running around and shouting orders. Exhausted members of our pack, Amber Forest, and Silver Ridge fill the chairs, and there are several gurneys and temporary beds set up in the waiting area and hallways with werewolves in various states, although none of them seem to be in grave condition.

“Reid!” Haven jogs towards me, Nolan right behind her. Her red hair is a mess, and she’s traded her wedding dress for a pair of black leggings and her old Salt Lake City Ballet sweatshirt. “Is she all right?” she asks when she reaches us.

“She’s fine. Just some minor injuries, but she probably needs some blood and fluids and maybe an antibiotic just in case. The wound is already healing, but it was a rogue, so who knows what kind of filth and disease he was carrying.”

Haven nods and glances at Taryn and back up at me, at my gaze that doesn’t leave Taryn’s rolling and fluttering eyes and at my hands clutching her to my chest. “Wesley called me a few minutes ago. They are on their way back,” she says, her voice low. “The pack evacuated because the rogues destroyed their bunker. Half of them came here, and the rest went to Ben’s pack—to Amber Forest.”

“Dominic?” Taryn asks, her eyes opening for a moment.

“I don’t know,” Haven tells her, shaking her head. “Wesley only gave me a very brief report before hanging up.”

Taryn nods and closes her eyes again, leaning her head against my chest.

“Dr. Russo set a room aside for her. For you,” Haven says, and I finally look at her. “He figured you would want some privacy since…”

She trails off and scratches at her neck, her fingers playing with her mark.

“You know?”

Nolan nods, his arms crossed. “Sebastian told us.”

I swallow, opening my mouth to explain, but Haven reaches for me, squeezing my arm. “Don’t worry about it right now. Although Wes…” She grimaces and turns away from me. “Never mind. Follow me. Dr. Russo is waiting.”

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