Rehabilitated By My Mate (Night Grove Falls: Midnight Haven #8)

Chapter 1

Russo

“You need to shake things up,” Ansel sighs.

I blink, looking over at my brother. “What?”

We’ve been sitting on my porch for the last half hour, and I must have zoned out. I’ve been doing that a lot lately. I’ve been bored, on edge, and listless. It’s a weird mix of emotions.

“You need to do something,” he urges.

I frown. “Do what?”

“I don’t know, brother. Something. Anything!” He looks at me carefully. “You’ve been like a zombie for the last month since we wrapped things up with the cult. It’s like you have no purpose, no drive. That’s not like you. It reminds me of when you got out of the Marines.”

I know he’s right. When I got out of the military, I was lost. I didn’t know what to do with my life.

I was twenty-six, and I thought I would’ve found my mate by then.

I thought I’d be settled. Instead, I was back in Night Grove Falls, injured and alone.

Well, I had my brother and the pack, but it wasn’t what I needed.

I needed my mate. I still do, though I’ve given up on finding her.

I only enlisted in the Marines so I could travel and get out of this small town. I figured it was my best chance at finding my mate. I did eight years, three deployments, two bases, and never caught even a whiff of her scent.

When I was blown up, I knew it was time to get out, but I had no idea what I wanted to do next. Coming back here and helping the Midnight Haven deal with the threat of the cult north of our packs’ land helped, but now they’ve been dealt with, and I have nothing. No challenge, no job.

“Maybe take a trip,” Ansel suggests.

I snort. “And go where?”

“Anywhere! Pick a place on a map and book the ticket.”

“Pass.”

He sighs, sagging back in his chair, then says wistfully, “We could go together. We could look for our mates.”

Ansel wants his mate as badly as I do. The only difference is that he still has hope. I don’t.

Being back home can be hard. All our friends seem to have found their mates recently, and seeing them happy and in love is a double-edged sword. I’m happy for them, but so jealous and sad that I’m still alone.

My bear paws at me, whining. I don’t know what to say to him. I can’t assure him that we’re fine, that we’ll find her, because I don’t believe it.

“You haven’t been struggling with it?” I ask my brother seriously.

“With not having my mate?”

“With not having a purpose. With the cult being over. With no real job to do.”

“Yeah,” he says softly. “It’s been an adjustment. There’s still work to be done with the Midnight Haven, though. Still people who need help.”

“It’s not the same.”

“No,” he agrees.

I’ve always been a grumpy loner. I used to think that was okay, but now I wonder if having more friends or a wider social circle would have helped in moments like this.

Ansel and I are the only ones left in our family. Our parents passed years ago. Luckily for me, Ansel and I have always been super close. He’s the one I turn to when I need advice or help, and I know it’s the same for him with me.

“Every day is the same now,” I groan, scrubbing my hands down my face. “Get up, eat, do chores or run errands, do a patrol or security check, have dinner, go to bed.”

“That’s why you should take a trip or find something new to do,” Ansel says. “Nothing will change unless you make a change.”

I know he’s right, but it’s tough to find any motivation right now. “I’m not even sure where to start.”

“Let’s take a trip. Maybe getting out of town will help.”

“All right,” I agree after a beat, knowing he can hear the lack of enthusiasm in my voice.

My bear groans, curling up inside me. He’s basically been hibernating for the last month, and his boredom only compounds my own.

“I’ll send you some ideas,” Ansel says, pushing to his feet.

“You can plan it.”

He shakes his head. “We’ll plan it together. I’ll talk to you later.”

He claps me on the shoulder, and I watch as he ambles down the steps and walks toward his cabin.

The sun is setting, so I stand to carry out my nightly patrol around my property before going inside. I trudge off the porch and follow the worn groove in the grass around my property.

I think about Ansel’s suggestion, trying to decide if I should come up with an excuse to get out of the trip or just suck it up and go. Maybe it would be good for us both. Maybe—

I’m so distracted, I almost miss the small figure lying in the tall grass at the edge of my land.

“Shit!” I hiss, hurrying over and crouching beside her. “Are you okay?”

No response.

My bear perks up inside me. Blood, he rumbles, scenting the air. She needs help.

As I gently roll the woman onto her back so I can see her clearly, her scent hits me. Realization slams into me.

Mate! my bear roars.

I’m frozen in shock, staring down at the curvy girl.

“Holy shit,” I breathe.

My bear lunges. Help her! Claim her! Save her!

That snaps me out of my shock. My hands move over her, looking for injuries. Old, dried blood is smeared on the parts of her I can see. What happened? Did someone hurt her? I swallow the shock and anger clawing at my throat, knowing she needs my help.

“It’s okay, mate. I’m here. I’ve got you.”

Why hasn’t she healed? my bear asks.

Then I smell it. My mate is a bear shifter too. My bear is right; shifters can usually heal themselves. Which means her injuries must be bad.

“Fuck!” I lift her gently into my arms and rush up the back porch steps.

Was the threat still out there? my bear demands.

I bite back another curse. If whoever did this to my mate followed her here, I’ll kill them.

My bear growls low and deep inside me as I lay my mate down gently on the couch. Reaching for my phone, I step back out onto the back porch to call Dr. McAdams. I sprint through the perimeter check as I tell Christian about his newest patient. He’s on his way when I step back inside.

I didn’t pick up any other scents outside, but I’m not taking any chances. I hit dial on Ansel’s number as I sink onto my knees beside my mate.

“Russo? What’s up?”

A smile pulls at my mouth. “You’re not going to believe this, but I just found my fated mate.”

“What? You’re kidding!”

My smile fades. “No. She was unconscious in my backyard. And she’s hurt. Badly.”

“Did you see anyone else? The person who did it?” he asks, all business now.

“No, but—”

“I’m on my way. I’ll call some of the guys to patrol. See if we can pick up any scents. We’ll keep her safe.”

“Thanks, brother.”

“Of course. Be right there. And Russo?”

“Yeah?”

“Congrats, bro.”

My bear growls triumphantly.

I nod even though he can’t see me. “Thanks.”

We hang up, and I sit and wait.

Wait for the doctor.

Wait for my brother and friends to patrol.

Wait for my mate to wake up.

It’s the longest night of my life, but for the first time in forever, I feel alive. I finally have my mate.

Now to keep her alive…