Page 54 of The Wolf Slayer

Sliding off the examination table, he looked down at himself. Someone had dressed him in some light shorts. Weak and dizzy, he slowly made his way to Niev. Christa stayed by his side, holding him upright. He fell on his knees before the sofa and he reached his love and savior. As soon as he was safely on the floor, Christa walked away into the back of her home.

He was afraid to disturb her. She’d shown more strength than he ever could’ve imagined. She fought a wolf with nothing but a knife. He owed her his life. She could’ve run, but instead she stared the beast in its eyes and had chosen to fight. He’d wanted her to run as soon as he’d known he’d lost the fight. He’d tried to tell her to run for her life, wanting her and his unborn child to survive. He should’ve been angry with her for putting herself and his child in danger, but he wasn’t. If she’d chosen to run away, he wouldn’t have survived. If it weren’t for her bravery, he wouldn’t have had the chance to see his child be born and Niev would’ve had to raise their child on her own.

“Niev.” His hand was shaking as he raised it to gently touch her shoulder. “Beautiful?”

She flinched and quickly sat up, prepared for anything. She’d changed clothes and seemed to have taken a shower, her hair still damp. It took her a few moments to realize that he was kneeling in front of her.

“Blake.” She sounded accusing. “What are you doing up? You should be resting.” She paused, brows furrowed in confusion. “How long did I sleep for?”

He caressed her cheek. “I don’t know but it probably wasn’t long enough. I just woke up and needed to hear your voice and see with my own eyes that you’re okay.”

“I’m fine, but you’re not.” She pointed at the wounds that Christa must have stitched up. “I can take care of that.”

“I know, but I don’t want you to. You’ve done far more than I can repay.”

“Pay me with food and we’re even.”

“Well, I’m glad I’ve already prepared food for you two love birds.” Christa walked in the room from the back of her house holding a plate in each hand. She handed them to Blake and Niev before sitting down in her armchair.

Niev devoured her plate faster than Blake could blink. He handed her his plate and she didn’t hesitate to clear it as well. He had no appetite. His whole body ached–there wasn’t one part of him that didn’t hurt. Turning his body, he leaned his back against the couch. He pulled his knees to his chest, closed his eyes, and rested his head on his knees. He wasn’t able to get up or move any further. His body simply wouldn’t obey. His muscles screamed in pain with each movement. Niev had laid back down and was playing with his hair. He was dozing and could have easily fallen asleep when he heard the door. He forced himself to open his eyes and look up. His father came in followed by his mother.

“Father.” He wanted to get on his feet but could barely lift his head to look up at him.

“Stay where you are, son.” He looked worried. “How are you?”

“Alive,” was all Blake could say.

His father nodded. “Niev already told me what happened, so I won’t ask you to repeat it.”

He pulled a chair closer and sat down, Blake’s mother standing behind him with her hands on his shoulders.

“I need to know if you believe that they were waiting for you or if you may have surprised them? Were they just scouting, or do you think it was a planned attack?”

Blake moved his head back, resting it against the couch. He closed his eyes and tried to remember what had happened as best as he could. “At first I only had a feeling something was wrong. I wasn’t sure what it was, something just didn’t feel right. When I got out of the truck, I caught a scent of adrenaline and bloodlust. A red wolf showed up right in front of Niev. He was ready to fight, and I couldn’t let him hurt her.”

Maybe he should’ve tried to delay the fight, but seeing Niev in such great danger, he hadn’t been able to think straight.

“She was in danger, Father. He was so close to her… my wolf pushed me to attack.”

“Your wolf wouldn’t have reacted so strongly if Niev hadn’t been in danger. He did what he was born to do–he protected her and your child.” His father paused and leaned back, taking a deep breath. “I’ve decided not to avenge you and continue the aggression. We, of course, will defend ourselves if we are in any kind of danger, but we won’t strike first. I’ve ordered everyone to take shelter closer to the village and everyone has been moved into the inner circle. Seth has sent out a few men to stockpile food, but I don’t wish for this information to be known. It would spread an unwanted wave of panic and rumors throughout the pack–especially the women. As soon as you feel strong enough, I want you to come to the main house. I know you won’t be able to patrol but I need you to help organize and plan.” He looked past Blake to Niev. “Niev, I know I can’t ask you to do anything, but it would be safest for you to stay with us, where we can protect you. Mayra and I would love to welcome you in our home for the meantime.”

Niev nodded. “I’ll help where I can. Just put me to work.”

How was she still able to keep going? How was she so strong? If Blake could choose for her, he would hide her away in the main house, where she was safest. Though he knew she would never let that happen. He saw his mother’s face and knew immediately she was thinking the exact same thing. His mother was very traditional. In her eyes Niev should be resting and preparing the nursery for their child and maybe even knitting and sewing infant clothes. Knowing Niev, she would never do that–especially not now.

His father got on his feet and walked out without another word, his mother following him.

With her eyes inspecting his torso, Niev said, “I want to heal your other wounds.”

“Niev–”

She interrupted him before he could argue with her. “No, I don’t want to hear it. Christa, please bring me something to open up the stitches.”

To Blake’s surprise, Christa followed her demand without hesitation. Niev kneeled next to him and gently started opening up his stitches. After each wound she opened, she cut into her palm leaving the blade in her skin and letting the blood drip into his wound. If she was in pain, she didn’t let him see it. He watched as his blood vessels and skin grew back together. With each healed wound, his pain eased until it was more than bearable. He grabbed the scalpel Niev was using and sat it aside.

“Enough. No more”

“But...”

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