Page 31 of Nightmare Island

I need to take away her pain.

I press a clean towel to her leg.

“You have no idea what you are, do you?” I whisper, more to myself than to her. The taste of her lingers on my tongue.

“A girl feeling like I’m at death’s door.” Then she cries out, her head pressed back into her pillow, her brow glistening in perspiration.

Next thing, she’s hugging a pillow to her chest, and it’s impossible for me, even with her in agony, not to stare at her naked body. Fuck, I’ve got nothing on, but that’s normal for me. While she… she’s fucking stunning—the curves, the tiny line of hair between her thighs, her round breasts. Absolutely captivating.

Back to the job, I apply a second towel as the first one is already red. She cries out again, the sound tearing at something inside me.

Mate.

The word floats in my mind, and I’m unsure what to do with it, having told myself I’d never find mine. And I was damn fine with it. Now look at me.

I position spare pillows under her injured leg, elevating it, trying to slow the bleeding. Her blood is everywhere—on my hands, on the sheets, on her pale skin. It’s taking everything in me not to let my wolf take over, not to howl at the sight of her hurt.

“Ghost?” Her voice is smaller now, frightened. “Don’t leave me. Please. Everyone always does.”

Something in my chest cracks at her words. I lean down, pushing sweat-dampened hair from her face.

“I’m not going to do that, but I need to get help. Our healer can stop the pain and bleeding.”

“Promise you’ll come back?” Her hand catches my wrist, surprisingly strong for someone losing so much blood.

“I always keep my word, little flame.” The endearment slips out again, feeling right on my tongue, despite everything.

“Why do you call me that?” she asks, her blue eyes struggling to focus on me.

“Because you’re the flame in my darkness,” I find myself saying. “Bright. Dangerous. Beautiful.”

“Now I know I must be dying.” A faint blush colors her cheeks, the first shade of life I’ve seen on her face since her fall. “You’re almost being nice to me.”

I shake my head, smirking. “Stay awake, sweetheart. I’ll be right back.”

“Ghost?” she calls as I reach the door.

I pause, glancing back at her lying in my bed, covered in blood but still somehow the most captivating thing I’ve ever seen.

“Thank you. For helping me again.”

The words hit me hard. I don’t respond, can’t respond. Instead, I turn and run, my footsteps echoing through the halls as I race to find Awa. Every second away from Hel feels wrong, my wolf pacing and snarling inside me.

My mind charges with every step. Images of Hel’s pale face, her blood-soaked skin, the way she looked at me as though I was her only lifeline—they drive me faster, harder. The wolf in me wants to howl, to tear apart anything that stands between me and getting her help.

Her voice echoes in my head.Everyone always leaves.

That resonates a bit too close to home… Maybe we have more in common than I thought.

Making a fast detour to my temporary room, I grab a pair of black cargo pants and drag them on, then I dart down the halls once more.

I crash through Awa’s door without knocking, the wood at her lock splintering under my force. She leaps from her chair, her book tumbling to the floor. The scent of fear spikes in the air.

“Ghost!” Awa’s hand flies to her chest. “What in the?—”

“She’s dying,” I cut her off, the words tasting like ash in my mouth. “The new Omega. Hel. Major leg wound, too much blood loss.”

Awa’s eyes widen as she takes in my state—blood covers my hands, chest, and most likely my mouth and chin. She moves quickly to her shelves, gathering supplies.

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