Page 50 of Wolf Forgotten

A snarl so ferocious ripped from his throat that Ivy let out a small squeal behind me. I could hear the music blaring from the den, so I wasn't sure if anyone from the pack had heard the snarl. If they did, the wolf was a goner. Especially if Cole got to him. We didn't tolerate aggressive wolves who couldn't control themselves.

"Eli, maybe let me try?" Ivy put one of her hands on my arm and looked around me. "He's scared."

"He was in my greenhouse. He's not too scared to come right up to the alpha's house." The wolf's head tilted, and he lowered into a position to jump.

Protect.

We collided midair as my body shifted, and we toppled onto the grass. I had one thing on my mind, and she was currently running to the den to get help.

It was a matter of seconds before the male got me on my back and put his teeth against my throat. He didn't bite though; he just breathed deeply and growled.

I whimpered and wished I could tell him I wasn't going to hurt him. Instead, I turned my head slightly and licked his snout. That apparently did enough to snap him out of his rage because he backed up, his eyes wide.

A snarl came from behind me, and I knew exactly whose. Cole was pissed. He didn't even communicate with me through the pack connection, he just jumped over me and circled the male who was not looking as tough now.

"Cole, he let me go. He looks sick."I didn't know how much of the display of aggression toward me Cole had seen, but judging from his stance, he'd seen a lot.

"He was going to kill you."

The male blinked rapidly and then collapsed onto the ground. I tried to rush forward, but a hand clamped down on my neck.

"Easy does it." Dante squeezed a little too hard for my liking, and I considered turning and biting him in the nuts. Instead, I shifted and ducked away from him. I'd probably pay for that move later when we were both shifted, but I was used to it.

Dante used to be a good friend growing up, until he took over his father's beta position. It was like all the fun was sucked out of him the second he bested his father in a fight.

"Cole, he's sick. Let's get him to the basement so we can watch him and give him some food." Approaching slowly, I squatted behind the wolf and ran a hand down his side. "He's emaciated."

A half growl, half whimper came from the poor guy, but then he shut his eyes. What the hell had happened to him?

Cole shifted and put his hands on his hips. "I don't want a feral stray in the house with Ivy."

"It's not like he can escape from the cages you have." She thankfully stayed back. "There aren't any other options? Imagine being through whatever the hell he's been through and waking up on a cold concrete floor, shackled. I know the feeling well, and he's clearly been through worse."

Continuing to run my hand across the wolf, I agreed. He had only attacked because he was scared. His reaction to me licking him was enough evidence of that. If he meant harm, he would have bitten off my snout for that.

"We can put him in my room," I offered with a slight cringe. I knew it was going to be a no go, but I had to try.

"That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard come out of your mouth." Dante marched over and scooped the wolf up. "Either he goes in the basement, or we drop him off outside our territory."

Without another word, he and Cole went into the house with the wolf passed out in Dante's arms.

Chapter Twenty-One

Xander

Mine.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Ivy

Iwasn't happy about the wolf being locked in the basement when he so clearly was ill. While Eli went in the house after Cole and Dante, I went and got my sweater, put my equipment away, and made myself comfortable on the hammock on the deck.

My phone was a mess of notifications, emails, and text messages. I never realized just how many I regularly got.

Riley:I'm still not convinced you're okay. Jax told me to stop worrying, you're a big girl.

Me:He's not wrong. I have my phone back now.

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