Page 57 of Alpha's Choice
Fluttering noises mixed with the sound of whispers passed overhead and I spun around, trying to catch sight of what was there. The deeper shadows of the cave swallowed the creature from my view.
I slowly turned in a circle, stretching out my senses, straining to find some sign of its location. More fluttering and something landed on me, tearing into my back.
I bucked, falling backward to loosen the grip of the creature. Rolling to my feet, I dove for it before it could move away, and my teeth sank into what felt like a leg.
It screamed and kicked out, smashing its free foot into my nose. I kept my teeth clamped tight, its movements causing my bite to sink even deeper, tearing at its flesh.
Matthew growled and paced behind it, ready to join in if needed. We wanted to take it alive. It flapped its arms and lifted a few feet off the ground, fighting against the strength of my jaw clamped around it.
It dove at me, its teeth sinking into my side. Pain erupted where it bit me, burning through me. My jaw loosened, and the creature pulled free, scrabbling up the side of the cave. Matthew jumped, missing the creature and barreling into the cave wall.
I could feel the blood flowing from the wound it inflicted. I was dizzy, the burning in my veins causing my vision to fade in and out. Struggling to stay on my feet, I heard the whispering sound of the creature as it moved toward Matthew, who was shaking his head after hitting it against the rock.
I let out a roar and threw myself at the creature before it reached him, my teeth finding its throat and tearing the flesh from it. Its screams faded to nothing, and I watched in the low light as its breathing slowed, coming to a stop.
I stumbled to the side, the blood from the bite wound still flowing. My wolf healing should have slowed it by now, but I was growing weak from the blood loss. Matthew shifted and ran to me.
“Alpha. Stay with me. I’ve linked for help.” He struggled to pick up my wolf, half dragging me through the cave. Kira joined him, adding her strength, and soon I was outside the cave.
They laid me down and put pressure on the wound. I could feel burning pain radiating out from the bite wound but was on the edge of consciousness. My last thought was of Emma. For once I was thankful she had denied me marking her, knowing she wouldn’t feel the pain of my loss.
CHAPTER29
Emma
“Emma. Wait up.” I turned and saw Megan headed my way as I passed the library. “Here’s the book you wanted.”
She handed me an old book with faded bindings. Her face showed hesitation as she asked. “How did things go with Jenny?”
“She’s awake. I think she’ll be okay.”
“That’s wonderful.” She stood there, shifting back and forth as I flipped through the book. “Emma, I’m sorry I believed Lisa.”
“She’s your friend, and I’m not. It’s understandable that you’d believe her.”
She gave a bitter laugh. “No, it’s not. She’s been obsessed with my brother and being Luna for so long that I should have questioned her motives. Especially with Tobias thinking so highly of you.”
“The mate bond motivated Tobias. He was all in from the start, before knowing my name.”
“True.” Megan considered my point. “He’s a romantic at heart.”
I looked up the stairs, my feet heavy as I thought about facing him after breaking his heart. Megan tilted her head and watched me. “Are you going to see him?”
“I want to. But I’m worried he won’t want to see me.”
She rolled her eyes. “Rejecting him was stupid. Thinking he won’t want you back is even stupider.”
Megan made a shooing motion with her hands, encouraging me to go see her brother. If I weren’t so nervous, I would appreciate the acceptance her actions implied.
I started up the stairs, but she grabbed my arm, stopping me. I looked at her, confused, and saw she was mind-linking someone.
Her eyes cleared, and she looked at me with panic. “Tobias is injured. He’s on his way to the hospital now.”
I didn’t stop to think and just ran, Megan on my heels. We reached the hospital in time to see Tobias get loaded on a gurney. Matthew crouched over him, pressing a blood-stained shirt hard against his torso.
“Tobias.” I moved to follow, but two nurses stepped forward and blocked me. Matthew’s gaze flicked over at me before moving back to focus on his Alpha.
“He’s going into surgery. You need to wait out here.” One nurse placed a calming hand on my shoulder. “Let me show you to the waiting area, Luna.”
