Page 54 of The Wolf's Captive
“What are you doing?” The words were pushed through my gritted teeth as Malone almost tripped out of the door.
His clumsy footsteps jarred the dagger that was still embedded in my womb. There went my chance of giving Malone an heir. The thought squeezed tears into my eyes. Why did the universe always trick me into believing that I could finally have some happiness? I’d almost been broken when Malone had turned me. And yet, I’d found something to live for, something for myself. Only for it to be ripped away.
“I’m taking you to Victor,” Malone muttered, going to a nearby window.
Opening it haphazardly, he thrust his head out and howled, his voice box changing to carry the sound on the wind. He was calling his pack, alerting them of… well, my imminent demise, I should think.
Tears slipped from my eyes as he pushed forward, trying to be as delicate with me as he could. I wanted to just pull the bastard blade out, but I knew that the silver would make it impossible for me to heal. Victor was my best chance at survival.
“Why did you come after me?” Malone glanced down at me, growling.
Shaking my head, I sucked my bottom lip into my mouth. “Because you mean everything to me. I don’t care about a stupid ritual. You were in danger.”
“I can handle myself.”
His gruff tone hitched at the end. Yeah, he could. That didn’t mean I was going to let him fight the big bad witch alone. He had been pinned against the wall. If I hadn’t arrived, she would’ve killed him.
“The witch? Is she still a danger?”
A tiny smirk lifted his cheeks. “You made sure that she’d never hurt anyone again.”
“Good,” I whispered, relaxing against his shoulders.
The pain was starting to lessen, instead becoming numb. It was a relief from the gripping agony that had been cramping my whole body.
“Don’t close your eyes.” Malone’s voice was urgent.
“What’s going on?” Manual’s scent slipped up my nose as he joined us. “Shit.”
Yeah. Shit.
“We came instantly,” Rochelle said. “We could feel that you… wait, it’s not you, it’s Della.”
Her gasp resounded around my head as she leant over Malone. He nudged her out of the way, jerking me enough to bring back the pain. I hissed loudly, pinching his skin in protest.
“Sorry, my love,” he whispered, navigating the now swarming pack. “She’s severely injured,” he shouted at everyone, “get out of my fucking way.”
The wolves parted, allowing Malone access to the stairwell. He looked down at me before descending rapidly, jolting my wound with every step.
“Are you doing this on purpose?” I asked when we’d reached the bottom.
His eyebrows raised as he pushed on, the rest of the wolves following behind. “I’m keeping you awake. If you go to sleep, you might not…” His throat closed and tears, actual tears, came into his eyes.
Blinking them away, he cleared his face and headed through the ballroom. Fuck, the man really did care for me. Good job, too, considering.
The numbness was spreading again, the black dots dancing in my eyes. If I just rested for a moment, I would feel better, surely?
“Please, Della” he begged, his low deep tone finding its way to my heart, “keep your eyes open.”
Wrenching them open, I stared up at him, focusing on his eyelashes. Why were a man’s eyelashes always longer than a woman’s? It wasn’t fair.
“We’re almost there,” he said, trying to smile reassuringly.
“I could feel her pain,” I heard Rochelle say from behind us. “It confirms that she’s our alpha too.”
Her voice was strained as the others agreed. Apparently, my alpha status had been proven again. Shit, how could I ever live up to that? Especially if I was dead?
Malone trod down the stone steps carefully. The door to the basement already stood open. Had no one followed me?