Page 2 of Undone
There was one thing Michael couldn’t relate to Anthony on: his love for danger. After years in the military, Ant was clearly still struggling to adjust to civilian life.Truth be told, Michael privately thought Anthony was a bit of an adrenaline junkie.That was why he’d hesitated when his friend invited him to come along to Planet Belith. While Michael enjoyed huntingas much as any alpha, he didn’t share Anthony’spassion for chasing game in dangerous, wild places.
But he had grown tired of the social season, tired of attending endless balls and smiling politely at omegas batting their eyes at him. He’d have to choose one soon enough; his mother was losing patience and wasn’t impressed that he’d been dragging his feet ever since his failed courtship of Liam Blake. Michael understood her reasoning and fully intended to select a mate this year. Still, he needed a break from the ceaseless parties. Sometimes it felt like he was prey, hunted by ambitious omegas and their scheming parents. Not that it was new—he was one of the richest, most powerful alphas in the country. Of course he was a prize; he’d always known that. But fuck, he was exhausted by it all. A break had seemed like a good idea, so he’d accepted Anthony’s invitation.
It hadn’t been a good idea. Putting it mildly.
But then again, if he hadn’t been there, his best friend would have died alone.
He won’t die, Michael snapped, irritated by his own thoughts, but the knot in his gut only tightened. No matter what he told himself, he didn’t really believe it. Medical droids rarely made mistakes.
“You’ll have to sedate me,” Anthony said, breaking the strained silence.
Michael frowned at his back. “Don’t be ridiculous.”
“I’m serious. You’ll need to sedate me while I’m still rational enough to allow it.” He breathed in deeply. “I’m close to losing it. I don’t want to hurt you.”
“You won’t. I’m an alpha, too. I can handle you, no matter how aggressive you become.”
Anthony laughed harshly. “We both know I could kill you before you even noticed it.”
Michael bristled, his alpha pride rearing its ugly head again, but rationally, he knew his friend was right. Anthony had been in the military for years. They might be the same height and build—both tall, well-built alphas—but Anthony’s training made Michael seem like a privileged, idle aristocrat in comparison, no matter how fit he was.
“All right,” he relented, heading back to the ship for the sedatives he’d spotted in the small medbay.
By the time he returned to his friend, Anthony’s condition had worsened. He was hunched over, breathing heavily, and his foul, aggressive scent sent Michael’s anxiety skyrocketing.
“Hurry up,” Anthony said without looking at him.
Michael uncapped an injector and approached him. Not allowing himself to think about it too much, he pressed the injector against Anthony’s neck and activated it.
Anthony shuddered, his body rigid with tension. But he didn’t attack. Michael took that as a win.
After a long few minutes, some of the tension left Anthony’s body. He began to slump over. Michael helped him lean against a thick tree trunk.
“You okay?” he said quietly.
Anthony nodded, his eyes glazed and unfocused. “Thank you,” he said roughly, clearly struggling to keep his gaze onMichael’s face. “I’m glad you’re here—that it’s you. You’re a good friend.”
Michael swallowed. Anthony was talking as though he was saying goodbye.
“You’ll be okay, man,” he said hoarsely.
Anthony gave him a wry smile and shook his head. “Tell my brothers I’m sorry they had to lose me too. I...” He trailed off, his eyes closing.
He was out.
Michael inhaled shakily, a sinking feeling settling in his stomach as he scanned their surroundings. The orange rays of the planet’s sun bathed their camp in warm light, but the silence was deafening.
He was stranded on an uninhabited world with his unconscious, dying friend—and there was nothing he could do.
How many days would pass before anyone came looking?
How many hours did Anthony have left before it was too late?
Chapter 2
He carried Anthony back to the ship. He was heavy as hell, and Michael was panting by the time he got there. It was a good thing he was an alpha.
The ship was in decent condition. They’d been camping outside to make things easier for them—the fresh air helped diffuse their scents. Two alphas in close quarters when one of them was in rut was a recipe for disaster, but now that Anthony was sedated, it wasn’t as dangerous. It was far more dangerous to stay outside. They’d crashed in a relatively safe area, far enough from the volcano that had damaged their ship, but anything could still attack them. Michael definitely felt more at ease with actual walls between them and the native wildlife of this planet. And Anthony would be more comfortable in his cabin, in an actual bed.
