Chapter 6

“Adam? Adam?!” Ella shrieked, laying his body slowly to the ground.

She quickly checked for a heartbeat – faint, but still there. Adam’s breathing was shallow, and his head was burning to the touch. Ella worked hard to calm her nerves. Years as a healer prepared her for instances like this, but nothing prepared her for the one to be Adam.

Emme and Aaron ran over, worried looks on their faces.

“What happened, Mom?” They asked in unison.

She looked at them, their deep, caring eyes snapping her back to the problem at hand.

“It’ll be okay. I need you to watch over Adam while I contact the physician, okay? Just make sure he’s still breathing while I’m on the phone.”

The twins nodded and knelt down next to their dad. Ella pulled out her cell and dialed the pack physician’s number. C’mon, pick up! After seven rings, the line opened, and Ella heard a hesitant “Hello?”

“Gereth, it’s Ella. I don’t have time to explain. Adam needs you in the park. He’s collapsed and I can’t treat him here.”

Ella hung up after Gereth confirmed he was on his way. Ella sent a quick text to her father to meet them at the park so he could watch Emme and Aaron while she tended to Adam. She shoved her phone back into the pocket of her jeans and knelt down again. Not wanting to upset Aaron and Emme more, she opted to check Adam’s gashes after they were somewhere more private.

“I’m going to have Grandpa come pick you guys up, okay?”

“Where are you going?” Aaron asked Ella, his voice quivering with worry.

Ella placed a calming hand on his shoulder.

“Don’t worry, Honey, I’m just going to make sure your dad is okay.”

Aaron nodded, turning his head back to the figure of his father laying pale on the ground.

“Is he going to be okay?” Emme asked quietly.

Ella looked over and could see Emme’s eyes tearing up. Her heart melted at the sight.

“Oh, Baby. Of course, he’ll be all right. Your father is very strong.”

Ella faked a small smile, hoping her children bought it. She didn’t know if Adam would be all right at all. She didn’t even know if he could come back from this. But she was going to do her best to make sure he got better. I shouldn’t have let him push himself so hard.

Within minutes, Ella’s father arrived at the park, a worried look on his face.

“Thanks for coming, Dad.”

“Of course, Sweetheart,” he replied, cupping Ella’s face tenderly and planting a kiss on her forehead.

“You take care of Adam. Don’t worry about Aaron and Emme.”

He gave Ella a small understanding smile before turning to his grandchildren and putting on a happy face.

“Who wants to see the tent Grandpa just put up in his backyard?” He called to the twins.

Aaron and Emme immediately forgot about Adam and ran to their grandfather excitedly. He guided them away from their father, walking with them back to his house. Seconds later, an emergency vehicle parked on the street next to Ella. She turned to greet the pack members exiting it.

She saw Gereth climb out the back with another pack member she didn’t recognize but could tell was from the hospital. Ella also saw Adam’s Beta, Clint, climb out from the passenger side.

Gereth arrived first, quickly followed by his colleague with a gurney.

“Thank you for coming so quickly,” Ella said to Gereth.

Gereth grunted in reply before stooping down to check Adam’s vitals.

“His heart rate is regular, but weak. And his breathing is shallow. Morgan, grab the O2, and let’s get a mask on him.”

“Yes, sir,” Morgan replied, bringing the required equipment over and strapping on the mask over Adam’s nose and mouth.

“What are you doing back?” Ella heard a gruff, disproving voice ring out behind her.

She turned around, not surprised to see Clint standing with his arms folded across his chest. He had never really liked Ella, even before she had abandoned her pack those five years ago. He had every right to hate her.

“Everyone blames you for Adam’s state. Where was your loyalty to your pack? Your loyalty to your mate?! Because of you, Adam is barely clinging on to life.”

Ella bit her tongue. Nothing she said right now would help the situation, and she knew Clint’s words were true. She was the reason Adam hadn’t healed. She was the reason he was being lifted onto the gurney, fighting for his life.

She turned back to Gereth, stopping him a moment before he could wheel Adam back to the ambulance.

“Please, let me come with him. I’m the best healer you’ve got.”

Gereth shook his head.

“We’ve been treating him all these years without you, we can definitely do it now.”

His words stung Ella and she took a small step back.

Morgan looked at Ella sympathetically. “You’re too close to this anyway, Hun. It’s best if you step away and let us do what we do.”

Morgan gave Ella a small, sympathetic smile before turning away to help wheel Adam to the ambulance. Ella took a step forward, wanting to argue.

“But—”

She was cut off by Clint’s brusque voice. “You heard the doc. We don’t need you. We are better off without you.”

Those words stopped Ella in her tracks. She was frozen in place, pierced through the heart. He’s right. Ella stood unmoving as Clint strutted back to the vehicle and climbed into the passenger seat. She watched breathlessly as they drove away.

Tears formed in Ella’s eyes, and in that moment, there was only one thing she wanted to do. She ran as fast as she could, tears streaming down her face. When she neared the territory line, she stripped, not caring who saw, and transformed.

Ella let her auburn wolf take over, burying the pain. She ran blindly, trusting her instincts to keep her safe. Ella had no idea where her feet were taking her, just as long as it was away from Adam.

Ella let the feeling of the earth and branches under her paws relax her. The breeze flowing through her fur felt so freeing. She hadn’t been on a real run in years. She missed the way it made her feel. Ella tossed aside her worry and focused on her journey instead.

She knew she would have to return eventually, but right here, right now, she was just Ella. Ella let out a howl. That felt great! She howled again, letting her emotion flow through the sound.

Ella realized too late that another wolf was near. She could smell him, and then suddenly she could feel him. As the topped the ridge she was climbing, she slammed right into the other wolf. They tumbled down the hill together, landing at the bottom with a thud.

Dazed, Ella lay at the bottom, shaking her head and trying to get back up onto all fours. The scent of the wolf was off. She was suddenly on alert. This wolf was a lone one. She knew lone wolves could be dangerous, feral even.

But he didn’t attack. He just stood there, looking at her with his deep blue eyes. His mahogany brown fur was spotless other than the tip of his sleek tail, where a patch of silver fur grew. The wolf lowered its head before transforming into a handsome man.

His deep brown fur changed into a dark-brown mop of hair which somehow made him look even more devilishly handsome. Ella tried not to stare at his beautifully sculpted, naked body and backed away slowly.

“I’m not going to hurt you,” the man started, his voice like warm honey. “I just want to know if you’re okay?”

Ella cocked her head, confused as to why he even cared.

“You seem distraught,” the man continued. “Do you need help?”

He offered her his hand. Ella hesitantly stepped forward, shifting back into her human form, forgetting she was completely naked in front of this stranger. She took his hand, allowing him to help her to her feet.

“I’m Cassius,” the man said, introducing himself.

“Ella,” she replied, blushing as she stared into his wonderous blue eyes.

Ella slowly pulled her hand out of his, letting it drop to her side.