Page 5 of Ultimate Freedom

Before he could go any further, her eyes fluttered open, and she answered with a groan. “Ca-an it wait till I’m feeling better?” Her eyes roamed the room and then she let out a sob. “Where’s Nito?”

Chapter Four

Once Whit knew Demi was in Dawson’s care, he made it his business to follow the trail left by the wolf. He thought it went to the trees because of the pawprints, but they could have been old ones.

Then he backtracked and saw where Nito had run to the cabin and then came out from behind the shed to attack at the truck. Knowing he was missing something, he searched around, and that’s when he saw the body of the wolf lying not three feet from the cabin. The recent snow had covered the dark fur, making it impossible to spot him unless one looked carefully.

He must have been trying to get to Demi after she’d been shot. With his scenting ability, he probably smelled her blood. As Whit approached warily, knowing he and Nito had never bonded, he called out using a low, calm voice. “Nito. It’s me, Whit. Let me come close, boy. I just want to help you.”

He lowered his body so as not to appear threatening and inched closer to the prone animal, only to hear a warning snarl.

Thank God, he’s alive.

If he’d had to tell Demi she’d lost her wolf, he didn’t know what she’d do. Considering she’d once told him she hated dogs, this guy mattered like a best friend. He sat back and made a decision. He’d need help to get the little bastard inside the cabin, but once Nito knew Demi was there, he’d surely settle down.

Turning back to the animal, he leaned in to reassure him he’d be back. Getting too close, Nito lunged before he fell back weakly.

“You little bastard, you bit me.” Whit pushed his hand into the snow where the teeth had grazed the skin. Then he heard a whining sound that made him turn back to the wolf. He saw Nito staring at him as if questioning. “What? Now you want tobe friends. No wonder Demi calls you her little bastard, you’re a menace.”

When he stopped raving, Nito whined at him again. No more snarls. No more attitude. It was as if once he’d heard his name, Bastard, he decided Whit could join his small group of family.

Tentatively, Whit held out his hand and this time Nito lay quivering but quiet. “I’ll be back with help, boy. Then we’ll take you to Demi.”

***

Once he’d explained the situation to Lexie and the Sheriff, things moved quickly. “I have something we can give him.” Lexie opened her medical bag, searching for the vial she wanted. “It’ll put him out long enough for me to make my examination and hopefully be able to treat him, and then to get him into Demi’s room.”

She went along with Whit and the sheriff to where the animal still lay, and once Whit had approached and was able to secure Nito’s head, she quickly injected the pentobarbital and within minutes, they made a sling out of the heavy tarp they’d brought so they could haul the big wolf up to the cabin.

With everyone helping, they were able to carry him inside where Lexie used her skills to sew up the long gash the bullet had made. Once she’d finished, she sat back exhausted. “Thank God it only grazed him. It was deep but not fatal. Now that the bleeding’s stopped, he should be fine.”

Once more, they lifted the tarp and carried him to Demi’s room to make him as comfortable as possible.

In the kerfuffle, Demi woke up once again and watched as they placed the wolf close to her bed. “Is he badly hurt?” Her voice sounded shaky… her lack of strength noticeable.

“He’ll be fine, honey.” Whit calmed her quickly. “The doctor sewed him up where the bullet tore a strip out of hisshoulder. He lost a lot of blood, but he was awake when I found him. The bastard had enough strength to bite me too.” He showed her his wound and chuckled when she pretended not to see it.

“Dawson said Nor-rie shot the kil-ler.” His lady was quickly fading.

He caressed her cheek and leaned in close. “Yep. The bad man’s gone, and the good guys won the day.”

“I’m glad. Nito?”

“Once again, he’s a hero.”

***

During the long hours of the night, Demi heard her door being opened often while various people looked in on her. The doctor became a regular visitor, along with Norrie. Whit stayed in the room the whole time, and his presence soothed her as did the panting she heard from the floor area.

Towards dawn, she woke and called out but there was no answer. Whit must have left, and she found herself alone. She tried to move to the edge of the bed to see Nito, but her body’s weakness wouldn’t allow it. Upset, she fell back against the pillows. That’s when a wet nose poked at her hand in the dark, and she felt Nito’s presence by her side.

Overcome with gratitude for her pet, feeling weak as a baby, a sob broke loose that she didn’t expect. Emotions lower than at any other time, sad and frustrated because she couldn’t check Nito for herself, she tried to stop the tears.

Suddenly, a loud grunt sounded as a huge animal awkwardly climbed to be by her side. He straddled her body with his front paws. As if he knew what she had wanted so badly, he’d come to her, close enough for her to be able to hug him and cry into his fur. “Thank you, baby. For saving my life again.” She ruffled the softness around his ears. “You’re my little bastard, you know that, right? I love you so much.”

A warning growl began but soon stopped. Demi realized the door had opened but closed without anyone appearing. Whit must have sensed it wasn’t a good time to intrude.

Demi continued to stroke Nito’s fur and place kisses on his face now lying close to hers. The large animal allowed her this behavior, but she had a feeling it was only because they were both survivors sharing wounds, both thankful for being alive, and both accepting they were now a team.

---