A Ravenous Pack: Wolf's Hunger 5 Books

by A. K. Michaels

  “First things first. I’m gonna get this trap off him, but if you don’t mind, will you let him know I’m no threat. I don’t fancy getting my face ripped off with one of those fucking paws. Do you see the size of those claws?”

  Sheba smirked at her Beta’s tone. Looked like Ray was no longer the biggest Shifter in the Pack. “I do, they’re huge.”

  She kneeled down, running a hand over the bloodied mane of the Lion whose sparkling blue eyes locked with hers. “Hi, we’re here to help. This is Ray, he’s my Beta, and he’s going to get that trap off you. Just don’t hurt him. Okay?”

  Her mate made a chuffing noise, barely audible, but she took that as an assent. As did Ray, so he went around and used his impressive strength to pry the trap apart, huffing and straining his muscles to do so. When he was done, he threw the offending metal away, cursing loudly.

  “Fucking bastards. When I find out who put that on our land, I’ll fucking kill them.”

  “We have more important things to attend to, Ray.”

  As she said that there was the unmistakable sound of a transformation. “What? No! Don’t! You need to heal.”

  But the Lion didn’t heed her words and the most beautiful man she’d ever seen appeared before her, his arms reaching for her. She went willingly into them, his lips landing on hers for a kiss that scorched her soul and seared her heart . . . for all of two seconds before he fell into unconsciousness. Or was it death?

  “Ray!” she screamed, certain she’d found . . . and lost her mate within the blink of an eye.

  Fox had fought with all his might, he’d killed all but four of the dirty mutts. Their bodies lay littered all around him, their blood covered him from head to tail and made him want to puke with their stench. Eight. He’d killed eight of the fucks. But there was still four before him and boy were they pissed he’d killed their friends.

  Not only that, but they’d saved the best ‘til last. The biggest and strongest were now standing before him and Fox was fucked. He was tired, groggy, and had lost so much blood that he knew he wouldn’t last much longer. Could he take one more out? Yeah. Sure he could. Just one more and then, maybe, just maybe, one more.

  Come on, pull your shit together! You can do this! Don’t let these dirty mongrels beat you! You’re a fucking Lion!

  Yeah, an injured Lion with a bear trap on your leg and who’s lost a shit load of blood and got more injuries than you can count. Ass!

  Taking a deep breath in, he steeled himself for the next round of fighting. He would not give up. It wasn’t an option. If he lost then he would go down fighting and each one of the fucks in front of him would know they’d been in a battle with a damn Lion. As two of the remaining rogues stepped forward, Fox saw the biggest damn Wolf he’d ever laid eyes on slam into the two beasts that had hung back.

  The jet-black newcomer took on Fox’s opponents with deadly precision, attacking them with finesse as well as using his immense size. Fox was impressed, or he would be if he had time to watch and wasn’t so damn exhausted. Right now, he had his own problems with the remaining two who were moving in on him. He just hoped he had enough gas in his tank to keep going long enough to hold on because it looked like the black Wolf might just save his ass, but his eyes weren’t focusing properly, and his heart was beating erratically. Looked like his blood loss had caught up with him and his end was near.

  Then another miracle happened . . . a streak of pure white shot through the air and landed on the back of the rogue nearest him. Damn it all to heaven and back. It was the Wolf from his dreams!

  Fox watched entranced as she tore into the beast right before his eyes, ripping its belly apart, and he sure as hell heard when her jaws broke the cocksucker’s neck. Way to go, girl! And then it hit him, like a shotgun shot in his chest . . . she was his mate.

  He knew it as certainly as he knew his own name. This white She-Wolf, this beautiful and proud creature that was fighting to save him . . . was his.

  Only she was probably too late.

  He felt his body shutting down. His heart stuttering in his chest, his paws felt cold, fuck, he didn’t even feel in pain any longer . . . that was a sure sign he was too far gone. Wasn’t that just fucking great? The Goddess sends him his soul-mate and he ups and dies on her. Wonderful!

  Slumping to the ground, he placed his head on his front paws and watched as she stalked towards the other rogue who was backing away from her, obviously trying to save his skin. However, she was having none of it. He could feel her fury. It was in the air all around as she followed, and low and fucking behold, he felt her unleash a power only one type of Wolf could wield . . . an Alpha. Shit a brick. His mate was an Alpha.

  Wasn’t that a turn up for the books?

  He couldn’t tear his dimming eyes away as she dispatched the rogue, even when the black Wolf had transformed and approached him warily. He waited and when she too transformed, his heart sped up at her beauty. Her emerald eyes were somewhere he could get lost in . . . if he got the chance. When she came over and heard her telling him the man was a friend and was going to remove the trap, he chuffed, trying to tell her it was okay. But, when her friend did, it wasn’t the relief he’d expected, and that was another sign he was too far gone. In fact, he didn’t feel it at all. Yeah, he was on his way out.

  That made his decision clear. He had to touch her, hold her, kiss her, one time before he left her forever. He forced his transformation, ignoring her pleas to stay in his Shifter form, and held out his arms. She came to him, falling against him, and when their lips met, he felt as if he was already in heaven.

  She felt perfect in his embrace, her skin on his was like nothing he’d experienced before, he tingled where they touched, and he was sure he would never be happier than he was at that very moment in time. Then his eyes started to dim, he felt his heart slowing . . . and he knew he was going to lose her.

  No! he roared in his head as darkness wrenched him away from the one person in the universe whom he yearned to stay with.

  Sheba was distraught as her mate lay prone in her arms, tears streaming down her cheeks. “No, no, no! Wake up! Please, wake up!”

  Ray gently removed the man from her arms, picking him up and standing. “We need to get him home. Contact Dion and get him to meet us with a vehicle, Sheba. He needs medical attention as soon as possible. He might not make it even then, little one. You have to prepare yourself for that.”

  “What? No! I refuse to think like that.” Sheba shook her head. “He’ll survive. I know he will.”

  Ray shook his head. “Sheba, be reasonable. Look at his wounds and he’s transformed so his beast can’t help him. But let’s just get him home so Tilly can help him. Contact Dion, now.”

  “Dion can’t help.” Sheba sighed. “He’ll be out patrolling for rogues, remember? Ari! I’ll contact Ari and get her to meet us. She can use the truck and come get us on the trail near the waterfall. We’re not too far from there.”

  “Shit, yes,” Ray replied. “I forgot almost everyone is out today.”

  “Ari, are you there?” Sheba used the Pack link, hoping they weren’t out of range.

  “Sheba? Is that you? You’re a bit faint, what’s up?”

  “Yes, it’s me, and I need your help. You need to leave camp. I need you to get the truck and meet us as near to the waterfall as quick as you can. Got it? I need you to do it now. Bring Tilly with you and tell her we have someone who is severely injured. He’s lost a lot of blood. This is an emergency, Ari. No talking, no questions. Just act. Can you do that?”

  To her complete and utter surprise, her friend responded succinctly. “Yes, on my way. You won’t hear from me again unless I have a question or Tilly needs information. Bye.”

  “All set. Ari will meet us with Tilly. Are you sure you’ll manage carrying him all that way?” Sheba asked worriedly. Her mate wasn’t a small man. In fact, she suspected he was almost as tall as Ray was, maybe not as muscular but still a large burden to carry for more than a few miles.<
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  Ray nodded as he answered, “I’ll manage. We have no other choice, Sheba. He needs help as quickly as possible and we’re out of options. We need to leave, now. You should go Wolf and guard us and I’ll take your mate. It’s the only way we’ll make it.”

  She ran a hand down her mate’s face, feeling how clammy his skin felt and her worry for him increased ten-fold. “Okay, let’s go.”

  Shifting quickly, she set off, using every ability she had to ensure the path ahead was clear of danger, she led the way. Her mind a tangle of emotions as her head turned back time and again to glance at the man the Goddess had sent for her. He was magnificent. His dark hair a stark contrast against his now pale skin and she wished she could see into those gorgeous, sparkling azure eyes once more. His nakedness meant she could peruse his entire body and what she saw pleased her and at the same time scared the shit out of her. So many injuries marring his beauty. She could also see he looked underfed. Why was that? She didn’t have time to figure that out right now as she focused once again on getting them safely back to the waterfall.

  Ray trudged behind her, never faltering as he carried his heavy load, cradling her mate like the precious cargo he was. Sheba had never felt so powerless in her life and she hated the fact she could do nothing to help her mate. Seconds seemed like minutes, and minutes dragged into what seemed like hours as they cut through the quickest route back to the trail where they would meet Ari. She would be there before them but the quicker they got there then the better it would be for her mate.

  Damn. She didn’t even know his name, and he didn’t know hers. At least he seemed aware they were mates. Why else would he transform and do what he did?

  The memory of his lips on hers was something that would never leave her. It was bittersweet. She could never forget the sensations that coursed through her, feelings he had brought to life inside her . . . and then he’d been yanked away from her in the blink of an eye. He had to survive because if he didn’t then Sheba wasn’t sure she’d be able to either. She wouldn’t be able to breathe without him. She couldn’t live if he weren’t in this world. If he went to the hunting grounds then she thought she might have to follow him there because she couldn’t live here without him.

  Her heart was so hollow at the mere thought that it seemed her only option.

  Tilly’s voice broke her out of her melancholy before she sank any lower. “We’re here. How long will you be? How badly injured is my patient and who is it?”

  Sheba jerked with Tilly’s intrusion, looking around to see where they were before responding. “We’ll be at least another thirty minutes, possibly a little longer. Ray’s carrying him and he’s no lightweight. He’s lost a lot of blood, his hind leg was caught in a bear trap and we don’t know for how long, but he’s also been attacked by rogues. There’s multiple injuries and he’s unconscious. His skin is clammy and pale and his heart is slow. I’m worried, Tilly. Very worried.”

  “Who is it, Sheba?”

  Sheba paused, the words difficult for her to say because if she did then she was admitting it was her mate that was on the cusp of death. But the Healer prodded her.

  “Tell me, Alpha. Who is so grievously injured?”

  “My mate, Tilly. It’s my mate!” A sob broke free and a howl tore from her throat as sorrow encompassed her entirely.

  “Shoot, okay, Sheba. It’s going to be all right. Just get him to me quickly and we’ll work together to heal him.”

  Her words made no sense to Sheba and she didn’t bother responding as pain and grief ran through her. All she cared about was getting to the meeting point and praying the Healer could help her mate, some way, somehow, heal him and bring him back to her.

  At last they saw the trail up ahead, the truck parked with the engine running and Ari and Tilly pacing back and forth. As soon as they saw them, Tilly was racing toward them. When Ray stopped, Tilly waved him on. “Don’t stop, keep walking. I’ll assess as we go.”

  Sheba had never felt so happy to see anyone in her life. She transformed and started to ask questions but Tilly held up her hand to shut her up. Ari arrived with clothes for both her and Ray. “I brought you both some clothes. I didn’t think you’d want to arrive back at camp stark naked.”

  “Thanks,” Ray said. “I’ll dress once we get him into the truck.”

  Sheba didn’t say anything, dressing as she walked, and managing to do it without falling flat on her face. Tilly tutted as she looked at the various wounds, shaking her head, and finally sighing as they arrived at the truck where the back seats had been put down to make it easier to place a fully-grown man. Ray placed her mate in and Tilly climbed in too. Sheba joined her as Ari went around to drive but Ray beat her to it as he pulled on the clothes Ari had brought for him.

  “I’ll drive. It is my truck after all. Get in so we can get him home.”

  She heard Ari whispering, “Is it true? Is that Sheba’s mate?”

  “Yes, it is but he’s hurt real bad, Ari. I’m not sure he’s gonna make it,” Ray whispered back although they both knew she’d hear.

  “Fuck,” Ari stage whispered back.

  “Exactly.” Ray pulled away on their way home.

  Sheba’s heart was lodged in her mouth with worry.

  “Tilly, is he going to be okay?” she finally found the courage to ask but at the same time wasn’t sure she wanted an honest answer.

  Her beast howled in her head, pawing at the ground, her heart thudding in her chest as blood rushed through her so fast that her head hurt. Panic was surging up inside her and she felt as if she were about to throw up, but Tilly didn’t respond straight away, which Sheba wasn’t sure whether she was grateful for . . . or not.

  When Tilly turned to her, she saw how serious things were from the look on the woman’s face. Shit! Then the Healer reached over and patted Sheba’s shoulder. Oh damn, this was bad. Really bad.

  “Sheba, I’m not going to bullshit you. He’s seriously hurt and I’m not sure my skills are enough to save him.”

  Sheba cut in, her terror taking over and making her voice shrill and cutting. “What? But you’re the best damn Healer I know. Of course, you can save him.”

  “Sweetie, even the best Healer can only do so much when injuries are as grievous as his.”

  A sound that she’d never made in her life before escaped her throat, a shrill keening filled the vehicle, her heart felt as if someone had opened her chest and was slowly tearing it from inside her. Ari’s head spun around, eyes wide and filled with tears as she stared at them. Sheba shook her head in denial. “No, you have to, Tilly. He’s my mate. I can’t survive without him.”

  “I know, Sheba, I know,” Tilly said quietly. “But I might have an idea, something that could help me help him. Will you listen and keep an open mind?”

  Sheba latched onto her words as if she were drowning, nodding vigorously. “Yes, anything. Tell me.”

  “You’re Alpha. It might be possible to use your power to help him. I’m just not entirely sure how . . . yet. Let me think about it for a bit.”

  “Think about it?” Sheba almost roared. Her intense concern for her mate got the better of her as her emotions boiled out of control and her claws sprang free from her fingers. Only then did she see Tilly frowning and Ray barking back at her.

  “Sheba! That’s enough! Tilly’s only trying to help. If you hurt her then who the hell is going to help?”

  She tried to rein in her anger. Her fear. Her downright terror for the man lying next to her looking like a corpse. It took long moments before she could think straight, but finally she inhaled a huge deep breath and let it out slowly. “Fine, I’m sorry, but I’m terrified right now and he needs to live, Tilly. Anything else is not an option. So, please, come up with something fast.”

  “I’m trying. I promise I am.” Tilly patted Sheba’s arm. “I’ve heard of cases where a forced mating can help. I’ve also heard cases where a Healer harnesses an Alpha’s power to help with healing, but my notes on those are
back in my cabin. I know some powerful Witches who could help too. They’re in town and could be at your place in no time at all. I’m just trying to think of the best thing to do for you and for him. Oh, by the way, do we know his name?”

  Sheba shrugged. “No name, but maybe I should tell you that he’s not a Wolf. He’s a Lion.”

  Tilly whistled, a grin on her face. “A lion, huh? Well that changes things a little. They’re stronger than Wolves. Sorry, folks, I don’t mean to upset any of you but that’s just a fact.”

  Ari squealed, clapping her hands. “A freaking Lion, awesome!”

  “Ari.” Ray scowled over at her. “He’s still injured and lying back there next to death’s door.”

  “Oh, right, sorry.”

  Sheba ignored her friend. Ari would be Ari no matter the situation.

  “Ray, how long ‘til we’re back at camp?” Tilly asked as she started to dress the many wounds on the patient.

  “Be about forty minutes’ tops. If I can get us there quicker then I will.”

  “I see.” Tilly turned to Sheba. “I don’t think we have that long. We need to decide what to do. Are you willing to do a forced mating and then use your power to help him heal? Or do you want me to link with you and try to use your power to heal him? Either way we need to decide now because I don’t think he has forty minutes left in him, Sheba. His heart is slowing and his skin is losing color, both of those signs tell me his body is closing down. I don’t think we can wait much longer far less until we return to camp. I know this is a hard decision but it’s your decision to make and only yours. What do you want to do?”

  How on earth could she make a decision like this? And with no time to think? She couldn’t do it, she just couldn’t . . . only she had to.

  It was her mate that was dying before her. His body covered in wounds inflicted by rogue Wolves on her land. His face pale as snow, skin clammy to the touch and if she didn’t decide and make the right decision . . . then he’d be too far gone and she’d lose him forever. Fuck. Fuck. And, fuck again!