Chapter 10 #2
“If you don’t want one of my bitches to challenge your soft mate during the next Blood Moon, get me my new land,” he instructed, crouching down next to us. “Pleasure doing business with you both.”
I remained beside Lucian. Prepared to shield him with my body. Agony spiked up my side, but it was bearable in the face of Lucian’s bloody body under me safely.
“Don’t be too upset, sweets,” Drake taunted, as he smoothly stood. “He’ll live.”
I growled, watching him leave. Bastard! The trees moved with his retreat, and he was gone.
I waited in the silence, my breaths mingling with Lucian’s harsher ones.
“I’m sorry,” I whimpered, sliding my hand under his neck, bracing it so it wouldn’t lie on the grass.
He didn’t twitch or groan, and that scared me more than anything.
He desperately needed medical care. My hand wouldn’t stop trembling as I grabbed at the slim cell phone Verity let me borrow.
It was one of those pay-per-use ones that only served to make calls or simple texts.
Finally getting a hold of it, I pulled it out of my pocket and hesitated.
This would drag her deeper into my world.
Lucian trembled, unconscious. I didn’t have a choice.
I dialed Verity, and she answered immediately.
“Did you leave?” I croaked.
“No, I’ve been sitting in my truck, watching the forest you disappeared into with that guy. Girl, I know you’re heartbroken, but maybe shacking up with that guy?—”
“Drive up to the spot you saw me disappear at. I need your help.”
“Okay, be right there.”
I let out a relieved sob and clicked off the call before she could ask any further questions.
Lucian was bleeding from all over his face and from the many injuries slashed into his skin.
The bat with sharp edges had caused this ripping damage.
I’d never get the image of them hitting him with such viciousness out of my head.
Of him jolting with each strike as if they reveled in the sound of the bat meeting flesh.
What was even worse? We couldn’t go after them. Shifters followed few laws, and one of them was not to step on an Alpha’s private land. I’d been the one to fuck up.
He’d gotten hurt because of me. I had no doubt he knew to never come to this territory. Drake didn’t need to tell me it was my fault. I knew. I should have asked more questions.
Lucian coughed, and blood slipped from the corner of his mouth.
Oh, thank Moon, he was awake. He rolled onto his side. Carefully, I slid my hand to his shoulder, helping him stay propped. He spat into the grass and rolled back with a groan.
“Are you okay?” he croaked, his hand searching for mine and clasping it. It wouldn’t stop shaking. I held it tight.
“I’m sorry I dragged you into this?—”
“Stop.” He coughed and groaned. He squeezed my hand. “Stop, mate.” His words slurred.
Lights beamed through the trees, blinding me as they turned.
He stiffened and was pushing himself upright in the next second.
“Lucian, don’t move,” I admonished, my hands hovering over his bloody arm. I didn’t want to hurt him more than he already was.
“Get behind me,” he wheezed, his pained body curling forward. The engine cut off.
“Joey?” Verity called out.
“I’m right here,” I screamed back. “Stop, Lucian, she’s my friend.” He swayed, and I quickly slid behind him, curling my arms around his torso, to keep him upright.
The trees swayed and moved, then out came Verity.
“What the fuck?” she murmured. “What the hell happened?”
“Remember the no questions bit?”
“Right,” she muttered and hurried to crouch next to me. “Hospital or . . .?”
“Help me get him into your car.”
She nodded tightly, and I slid over to make room for her next to him. “Pull his arm over your shoulder; we’re going to have to stand at the same time.”
She quickly did as I asked and put her arm over mine. Lucian’s head flopped forward.
A slight discomfort speared my chest when her skin touched his, but it was easy to ignore with the throb spiking through my temple.
“On, three,” I said, bracing my legs under me. “One, two, three—” We pushed and got him on his feet. I spread my own to balance us.
“Holy, crap, he’s heavy.” Verity panted.
His leg buckled, and there was a bulge at his ankle.
“Girl, I think your man’s bone is broken.”
Emotion clogged my throat. Lucian didn’t make a sound with our first step, even though it dragged his beaten body. I didn’t know where I pulled strength from, but I heaved, carrying him with Verity’s help.
“Faster,” I gasped, single-handedly focused on getting him to the safety of the car.
It felt like forever, but at the same time, a blink of an eye.
Sweat beaded at my temples, and both Verity and my panting were loud.
I reached for the back door’s handle and popped it open.
After sliding in first, I pulled him against me, while Verity let him go.
His legs hung outside, and I knew bending them would hurt.
I opened the other door at my back and propped my hands under his arms and pulled with Verity guiding his legs.
“Tell me when his feet clear the door.” I was going to be sore when all this was over, but it would be nothing compared to the damage to him. His body was littered with lacerations. And other than his ankle being broken, I was pretty sure he might also have a broken rib.
“Now.”
I stopped pulling and propped him upright.
“Josephine?” He sounded so confused that it broke my heart.
“We’re almost done, Lucian.”
He groaned, and I rolled the window down, stuck my hand through to prop his shoulders on, closed the door, then carefully released him so he leaned against the shut door.
Verity got inside the driver’s side, and her keys jingled. I ran to the passenger side as Verity revved the car.
I patted my pocket as I sat down.
“Fuck! I left your phone out there.” I whipped around to look at Lucian struggling. We didn’t have time.
Verity put the car in drive, and it burst forward.
“Fuck that phone. Your man is dying.”
“Thank you.” I let out a dry sob. “Take a left out of the lot.”
“But the city is in the other direction.” I gave her a pointed look. “Right, no questions.” She sped onto the main road. I turned to look at Lucian where he lay with his head against the seat, unmoving.
“Speed up,” I croaked.
Verity stomped on the accelerator, and the car jolted forward. I grabbed my sweater from the middle console, turned my body to the side, and tossed it over his midsection to cover his shivering form.