Page 97 of A Wolf's Heart

I started giving him chest compressions, just like they had taught us at the academy. Before I’d even set eyes on Max. The instructor had started the class by saying, “I hope you will never have to use this, but just in case.”

Just in case.

I kept pushing on Max’s chest, each compression a reminder of all those times he’d pushed me through the hardships of life. Of losing my parents. Of isolating myself from humankind.

I breathed air through his muzzle, a reminder of the nights he’d breathed life back into my lonely soul. I had nothing, until I had Max.

Max waseveryreason I got up in the morning.

He waseveryreason why I could sleep at night.

He was my first pack.

Max was myonlypack. From the tiny puppy that had picked me, to the spunky pup that always had my back, no matter the assignment, to the older dog he was now, living out his retirement.

Without him… I had no pack.

I screamed as I pounded on his chest. The firefighters rushed over at some point, attempting to place an oxygen mask on him, but when they felt there was no use, they left us.

“We need to get him to the car.” Rainor’s hand touched mine lightly. “We have a doctor.”

I nodded slowly, though I couldn’t see anyone. I could barely hear beyond the blood flowing in my ears. I just focused on my boy. Kage picked Max’s lifeless body up once more and carried him to the back of the car. I got in and continued the compressions. I don’t know how long I went on for, but I had more hope than them. It didn’t matter if it took hours or days, I wouldn’t give up on him. I wouldn’t leave him.I can’t leave him.

“Wake up,” I yelled, breathing two more puffs into his muzzle, my knees against the seat as I leaned over him. “Place! Fetch! Car! Yes! Sniff!” I screamed every command I could remember until I collapsed next to him, my legs numb as they gave out. I placed my forehead to his chest, tears overflowing into what was left of his fur. “Don’t leave me too.”

I closed my eyes, running my fingers over his heart. I swear, I could feel the faintest of pulses, though whether it was my own thumping pulse or his, I couldn’t be sure. I pretended it was his, though. I imagined the heart pumping. I pictured the flow of energy. The same flow and connection I felt all those times it was the two of us. The ultimate duo. Bringing justice to every case we closed.

I felt the energy flow from my own heart as I pleaded with the fates, not fully understanding what or who they were, but if they could just hear me, if the heart truly held all the power, I begged them to take my power and return Max’s.

The car door opened the same moment Max’s paw twitched. He was pulled from me and placed on a gurney in the parking lot. The black wolf with white paws was removed from the trunk of the car and placed on another gurney.

“He moved,” I whispered, watching the doctors with white lab coats running into the facility. I quickly wiped my cheeks. “He moved.”

Kage stepped in front of me, his large hands framing my face.

“Did you see him move?” I begged. “Tell me you will save him.”

Kage bent down, pressing his forehead to mine. “He will be treated as a pack member. Cared for and grieved like a pack member.”

“But no,” I cried. “He moved.” I swear… I swear I had seen it.

Kage scooped me into his arms when my legs gave out again, my head swimming. Had it just been my desire that had me seeing the movement?

“Don’t make me leave him,” I whispered as I fell against Kage’s chest. “I promised. I promised to never leave him.”

27

LILA

Istayed in Kage’s arms, sitting on his lap, while we waited for the doctor in the medical center. The room was as barren as the rest of the underground floor of the facility. Cold and desolate. The only chairs available to sit on were cheap metal fold-up chairs that groaned under the weight of the guys.

When the doors opened from the back, I jumped up as quickly as I could, wiping the tears from my face.

It wasn’t the doctor, though. It was Clark.

“You!” I spoke through clenched teeth. “You did this!” I moved towards him, ready to throw a punch, knowing it was useless but needing to release some of this anxiety within me.

“It wasn’t him,” Rainor said.

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