Page 34 of Ember's Claim

My knees wobble as my vision grows spottier.

“I need a healer,” I mutter. “Or my phone. If I have my phone, I can call a healer.” My words come out more slurred as I go along.

Shit.

I was supposed to call Rogue. If I can get ahold of her, she and Gemma can siphon to me and take us back to Haven in no time.

“I’ve got you,” the guy says, scooping me into his arms.

My head lolls around his bare chest. “What’s your name?”

“Anders,” he says. “How about you?”

“Ember,” I groan. “My car is in the other direction.”

“We have a healer on pack lands,” Anders says, continuing to stomp the wrong way.

“Don’t worry, Miss Ember.” The boy bounces along at our side. “I’ve got your clothes, and we’re going to get you all patched up.”

“Thanks,” I say, and everything promptly goes black.

Chapter Thirteen

Ember

My head throbs as I blink awake, but it’s nothing like the pain in my side.

“She’s the alpha. I’m telling you, you don’t want to disregard her command,” the kid says.

“I haven’t heardherissue a single order,” an unfamiliar voice says, scoffing. “Get the fuck outta here.”

“She’s the alpha?” a different dubious voice asks.

“She is. She came out of nowhere and saved my ass,” Anders says.

I’m still cradled to his nude chest, and he smells delicious. My nose roots around his muscular shoulder, but it’s my wolf guiding my actions. She thinks he smells…familiar. Or maybe not familiar, but comforting.

“You’re saying Aimes is dead?” the first voice asks.

“She straight-up destroyed him. She might not look like much, but trust me, you don’t want to mess with her,” the kid says. “Let my mom out. Our alpha needs a healer.”

My eyes pop all the way open.

We’re standing in front of a brick enclosure that gives outdoor dog pen vibes, and not just because of the rancid smell.

“Jesus Christ,” I hiss as my head rolls around. “Tell me your alpha doesn’t have prisoners in there.”

“He does,” the boy says. “Or he did. My mom wouldn’t do what he wanted, so he put her in there. That’s why Anders challenged him.”

My mind races, but it’s foggy and everything is confusing.

Oh, God. There’s no way I just huffed this poor guy’s scent while all he was trying to do was get me to his captive mate so she could provide me with medical treatment.

“Put me down,” I command.

Anders goes rigid, but his hands tighten instead of releasing me. “No fucking way. You can barely speak. You’ll face-plant if I put you down.”

“I’m fine.” I slap his hand.

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