Moonstruck

Chapter Twenty-four

*Liana*

It had been two weeks since my attempted abduction and nothing else out of the ordinary had happened. Despite that, Zev was still on alert and overprotective of me. He rarely let me out of his sight and if he wasn't with me, he had someone from the pack with me or if I was alone, I couldn't take one step out of the house. Today I had had enough, I needed a little freedom.

With a sigh, I loaded groceries into the car, borrowed from the Hunters. Zev had gone with his father to work with the pack and check in with the shifters as part of his alpha training. I didn't let him know I was leaving the house, he would have insisted that someone come with me and I didn't want to put anyone out. I had been told repeatedly by Brooke that I could use any of their cars so I decided to take her up on her offer instead of staying at the Hunter's house alone. Zev would probably freak out when he found out but I needed to feel like I could breathe like everything was normal. I had left a note in case anyone worried and I had my cell phone with me although I hadn't mentioned in the note that I was going grocery shopping, as I knew Brooke would insist that I didn't need to chip in but I wanted to help out. They were so nice to let me live with them, the least I could do was buy a week's worth of groceries for the family.

After closing the trunk, I started to go to the driver's side when I paused. I had that feeling again, like at the bold and beautiful dance, like I wasn't alone even though I couldn't see anyone. Danger! My wolf howled. I quickly opened the car door and got in, starting the car and rushing out of the parking lot. Heading back to the Hunters, I gasped as a dark truck slammed into me. Thankfully my car still moved and I surged forward, only for the truck to slam into me again, making me swerve off the road. Not sure what to do or what was going on, I got out of the car and started to run, intending to shift once I reached the woods. I could hear someone getting out of the truck but I didn't dare stop to see who was after me. I was just about to enter the woods when a shot rang out and I dropped to the ground, a searing pain in my side. "No!" I gasped, afraid that whoever had shot me would shoot again. But I could hear the person running back to the truck and driving off. I wondered if shifting would help, it should accelerate my healing right? But it burned so much, I couldn't get my wolf to come out.

Liana!

Tears streamed down my cheeks as Zev's frantic voice popped into my head. I wished he was with me, holding me. My vision was starting to go dark. Zev...I've been shot...it hurts...

Shot? Where are you? Hold on Liana, I'm coming to you!

Near the clearing by the woods...Zev, it hurts...I can't shift...

I'm on my way, I'm almost there! Hold on for me...Liana?

I love you... I gave in to the darkness and passed out.

*Zev*

I raced to the clearing in my wolf form, having already called my dad and told him to give Lorelei word that I would be bringing Liana to her office. Shot...someone had shot my mate! Who and why? Why would someone want to hurt my Liana? And what was she doing near the woods? I had thought she was at home! I stopped when I saw her lying unconscious on the ground, blood spilling from her side. I gave a loud howl before shifting and gently cradling her in my arms. "Liana? Talk to me, please!" I pleaded, willing her to open her eyes. "Oh, baby...hold on..."

I lifted my head when I heard my dad's car pull up. "It's bad, Dad." I choked out when my father hurried over to us.

Konrad knelt next to us, wincing when he saw her wound. "Get into my car and we'll take her to Lorelei. She's waiting for us. Son, this wound looks like more than a simple gunshot wound."