Page 69 of Claiming Ours
Because I did care what happened to me.
I had a future, a happy one, to look forward to.
After tromping a few more yards, the trees thinned, shifting to more of a rocky slope. Small rocks crunched beneath my boots with every careful step. The last thing I wanted was to trip overmy own feet and send myself propelling down into the shallow ravine at the bottom of the slope that was currently filled with rushing water from the heavy rains.
My teeth chattered as I scanned the area, frustration rising as the seconds ticked by. A high-pitched whine had me huffing and making my way to where Hank lay in a submissive position several feet away.
“What was so important that—” I cut myself off and staggered back, falling to my ass when the loose rocks shifted beneath my boots with the unsteady step.
Neither the pain from the fall nor the bits of stone digging into my palms and the backs of my thighs registered as I gaped at the lifeless body. Hank’s big head turned from it to me and back again, his whimper even more urgent.
Fuck.
Fuck.
Fuck.
A gust of wind cut through the area, whipping strands of hair in front of my face. I frantically swept it away to keep my line of sight clear. Breathing hard, I pushed off the muddy ground onto shaky legs and dared a single step closer to get a better look. I regretted it immediately.
There was no way to know for sure if it was Hank’s owner who brought him into the clinic—I only met her once—but the way he protected her body, brought me here, told me it was her.
Mud-coated palms up, I carefully backed away, frantic gaze bouncing everywhere, searching for the person who’d done that to her.
“I need to go get help,” I whispered to Hank as if he could understand me. “Stay here. I’ll be back with help—stronger help.” I swallowed hard. “Someone who’ll know what the fuck to do with all of this, because I’m freaking the fuck out.” Everybreath hurt, the cold air slicing down my throat and into my lungs as my panic grew.
The heels of my boots dug into the saturated ground as I turned and sprinted back the way I came. I ran like I was being chased and my life depended on it—it very well could. Warm liquid trickled down my icy legs as the underbrush tore at my flesh with every fast step.
Despite the cold, sweat coated my forehead and slicked the back of my neck. A few wrong turns sent my fear skyrocketing.Fuck.I couldn’t breathe; my throat had closed up, forcing me to stumble to a stop. Head down between my legs, a lame attempt to not pass out from panic, I didn’t sense someone approaching, didn’t register the snap of the twigs or crunch of the leaves.
A scream ripped from my raw throat when a heavy hand settled on my shoulder. Jumping at least a foot in the air, I wrenched my body free and spun, fist already swinging.
Only for that tiny fist to be caught in a large, calloused palm. Eyes wide, I blinked up at Liam’s face, a relieved sob bubbling up. The anger and worry in his tight features vanished as he tracked the tears leaking down my cheeks.
“Baylee.” His warm hands wrapped around my shoulders and squeezed gently. “Baylee, talk to me. What’s going on?” His palms slid down my arms as he squatted low, gaze tracking along my body. “Are you hurt? Fuck, you’re bleeding. What the hell?—”
“Hank,” I wheezed. Even getting that word out hurt my raw throat.
Liam’s brows pulled in tight and his head whipped to the side, hearing something I clearly didn’t because of the pulse pounding in my ears.
“Over here,” he shouted, though it barely registered despite him being so close. “I found her.” Liam eyed me. “Get your medic bag. She’s hurt.”
Hurt.
Hank.
Dead body.
I frantically shook my head and grabbed his hand, squeezing hard to get his full attention.
“Dead body.” Raising my trembling hand, I pointed in what I thought was the direction of the rocky slope where Hank waited. “Her dog came for me.”
With every word I managed to get out, Liam’s expression grew more serious.
His jaw worked back and forth. “Little Bit,” he practically hissed. “Are you telling me you followed a damn dog out into the woods in just a shirt and boots, and it led you to a dead fucking body?”
“What the fuck?” I turned, finding Memphis approaching, medic bag in hand, clearly having heard Liam’s very accurate summary.
I nodded and stepped in the direction I came—well, thought I came—from. Fuck, I was terribly lost. Sucking in a lungful of air, I released a loud whistle and called out Hank’s name, knowing I’d need his help to get back to his owner.
