Lunar Eclipse

26 - Night of the Lunar Eclipse (Part II)

The fat, red-orange moon is bleeding tears.

"We haven't had such a clear full eclipse in years."

"Yeah, it's pretty."

Pushing back into my seat, I try to restart the blood circulation in my long legs. Fuck those lengthy car rides. "How much further?"

"I'd say about ten miles." Niccolo taps his finger against the screen of the GPS. "These roads aren't even on here."

"But you're sure we've entered their territory?"

"Positive. It started as soon as we crossed the bridge."

"Cool." Now the only question is: what will we find at their packhouse? My dearie sister has probably turned everything tipsy-turvy.

Squinting at a dark lump in the road, I straighten. "Hey, watch out."

Niccolo turns the steering wheel; the SUV whips around before sliding to a stop on the loose gravel. On closer inspection, the thing is moving.

"Fuck, it's alive." I get slowly out of the car. My legs tingle, but it's not all related to the cramped space of the passenger seat. The flooding adrenaline allows for a shift within a breath.

"It's a hurt female. What do you want to do with her?"

"Is she human or wolf?"

"Hard to tell." Niccolo prods the young female with his foot. "There are bite marks and she's naked. I'd say she's a wolf."

"Then get Arabella." I squat down next to her, my fingers carefully parting her trembling arms to get a better look. "What happened to you, little wolf?"

She groans in pain. Her eyes are bruised closed and I can't tell if she's looking at me. At least she's awake. That must be a good sign.

Arabella comes running, Niccolo following with her bag. I grin. He's usually such an ass, but the second Arabella wants something, he turns into a tame pup. Why they both refuse to acknowledge that they are true mates is beyond me.

Arabella pops her bag open. "She's really hurt. Looks like several wolves took chunks out of her."

"Is she going to make it?"

"I'm not sure. If I could get her to shift, it would make things easier, but she's probably too weak."

The young female groans again as the beam of Niccolo's flashlight roams over her body. "Look. Her whole face is bloody. This female is a mess. Maybe it's best to put her down."

Arabella soaks up some of the blood around the female's mouth with a cloth. "They tore out her tongue."

"The fuck. Who would do that?" That type of cruelty makes me sick. Not even our prisoners of war are mistreated this badly.

When Arabella's cloth hits her lips, the female digs her fingernails into my skin. She must be in incredible pain. "Maybe we should put her down." One shot in the arm and sayonara.

"She looks well-nourished and might be able to pull through." Arabella's gaze flicks up to me. She hates to take a life, but the ultimate decision is mine.

"We are hundreds of miles away from home. Is she even fit for transport?"

"The worst that can happen is that she dies under my hands. Let me at least try to save her."

"Fine." I smile at Arabella's eager face. Our pack would be screwed without a dedicated healer like her.

Arabella's frantic wave summons the two fighter wolves who have been driving the second SUV. "Let's get her into the back. I need to start an IV before we can leave."