Lost and Found (A Werewolf Wars Novel Book 4)

by Bethany Shaw

  He scanned the area, ensuring it was safe for him to continue toward Sarah. Daniel tore into a wolf a few feet away, but the other wolves had vacated the area—more than likely moving to intercept the Harris packs. Vincent double-checked to ensure his brother didn’t need his help before racing toward Sarah.

  The smell of copper permeated the air, causing his heart to lurch. Sarah. Snarls and growls ripped through the air. She had to be close since the smell of her blood was strong; worse, she could be in the thick of the fighting. He pushed his aching body to run faster. Please be okay.

  He ducked his way through the fighting wolves. His pack seemed to have Malakai’s men outnumbered; now he just needed to find Sarah. Vincent inhaled sharply as his eyes darted around trying to find her. He froze as he came across her lifeless form. Why isn’t she moving? Is she okay? She wasn’t dead—she couldn’t be dead. Please be okay. Sprinting, he stopped in front of her, nudging her with his nose.

  Her body flopped lifelessly. Vincent whined as he licked her face, trying to wake her. She didn’t move. He sniffed her face, frantically searching for a pulse. A steady thrum met his ears and he huffed, relieved. She was alive, but needed medical help.

  As if sensing the urgency, one of the pack’s Jeeps rumbled down the road. As the vehicle approached, he quickly recognized the occupants. Devon drove with Lark in the passenger seat. The car came to a halt a few feet from him.

  Lark rushed out, falling to her knees as she bent down and rested her forehead against her sister’s. “Sarah? Sarah?” she whispered, desperately.

  Vincent whined and bumped Sarah’s head with his as he ran his muzzle over Sarah’s ear. Nothing.

  “Let me see her please,” Devon ordered, looking to Lark then Vincent.

  Begrudgingly, Vincent backed up, knowing Devon would take care of her. Lark pulled back from her sister, tears sliding down her rosied cheeks.

  “Keep an eye on my back,” Devon instructed as he opened his medical bag. Vincent turned back to the fighting as Lark stood and held a revolver with a shaky hand.

  Vincent held his breath, anxiously waiting for Devon to finish whatever he was doing to Sarah. The minutes stretched on endlessly.

  Finally, Devon rocked back on his heels and looked up at him and Lark. “She’s stable. I’m going to get her up and back to the ranch.” Devon gingerly lifted Sarah up into his arms. “Come on Vincent. Gene’s got this covered,” Devon spoke to his brother, glancing at the ongoing fight.

  Vincent bobbed his head up and down and raced forward to the jeep. He hopped into the still open passenger door, taking a seat in the trunk area. Devon and Lark laid Sarah carefully across the back seat.

  Her arm fell lifelessly onto the floorboards and Vincent whined. Sarah had to be okay. She was going to live and be all right. She had to be. He loved her. I love you, Sarah. You have to live.

  ***

  Vincent impatiently paced the hallway outside the infirmary. It had only been a few moments, but it felt like an eternity. Devon had forced him out of the room so he had space to work on Sarah.

  She hadn’t woken up yet, and every minute she remained unconscious made him worry more. What if her injuries are severe? What if she doesn’t wake up at all? His mind was riddled with horrifying questions—questions he didn’t want to even contemplate the answers to.

  Sarah was going to be okay. They’d overcome too much for her to fall now. She was the strongest person he’d ever met and he couldn’t imagine living in a world without her in it. He ran a hand through his matted hair and jammed his hands into the loaner hoodie he’d gotten from another member of the pack.

  “Vincent?” his mother’s broken voice drew him from his thoughts.

  He turned slowly and met his mother’s hazel eyes. She gasped and stumbled back; Emily and Marcus caught her, helping to keep the elder wolf steady.

  “How is this possible?” she choked out as she rushed forward and pulled him into a hug. “You’re here. Alive.” She kissed his cheek and forehead as she mumbled incoherently. Tears streamed down her face, and her whole body shook with happy tears. “My boy.”

  “It’s okay, Mom,” he said, holding her tight.

  Claire’s body trembled uncontrollably under his fingers as she cried into his shoulder. He looked passed her and met his twin’s eyes. Emily’s emerald eyes brimmed with unshed tears, her hand covering her mouth. Coming out of her daze, Emily lurched forward and joined in the hug. He held his family tight, glad to be home again.

  “Are you hurt?” his mom asked, pulling back to appraise him. Her eyes narrowed, scrutinizing every visible mark.

  “I’m okay, Mom,” he promised.

  “Thank heavens,” she croaked, pulling him into another hug. She pulled back again her eyes wide. “Sarah? Is that Sarah in the infirmary?” she asked panicked.

  Vincent nodded solemnly and Emily placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.

  “Is she hurt bad?” Claire gasped.

  “I don’t know. She was unconscious,” he said, swallowing his emotions down. Sarah needed to be all right.

  “She made it this far, she’ll make it a little bit further. I still can’t believe you are here. I thought I lost you,” Claire said, shaking her head still unbelieving. “How did you get away from the Lunas?”

  Vincent shrugged. “Sarah. I don’t know what I would’ve done without her.” His eyes drifted to the shut door. He couldn’t take his mind off his blonde companion. The only thing he wanted right now was to hear her soft, melodic voice so he would know she was fine.

  Claire followed his gaze and clasped his arm tightly with her hand. “Worrying outside the door won’t change anything. Let’s get you something to eat and we’ll check back in a few. I have a pot of chili brewing on the stove.” She didn’t wait for him to respond; going into full mother mode, she pulled him down the hallway to the kitchen.

  Chapter Twenty

  Sarah blinked through the fog as she slowly woke up. Her sluggish mind fought to piece together where she was and what happened. She remembered running and being caught. And screaming. Then everything went blank. Where am I? What happened? Where is Vincent? Is he okay? She sat up quickly, desperately searching. Her head spun from the quick movement, causing her vision to go black.

  “Hey, whoa,” Lark’s voice soothed as it came closer. “You’re okay,” she said, carefully lowering Sarah to the bed.

  Sarah swallowed. Vincent wasn’t in the room. Where is he? Tears blurred her vision.

  “Calm down, sweetie,” Lark coaxed, placing her cool hand on her sister’s forehead.

  “Vincent?” Sarah croaked.

  Lark smiled, running her hand through Sarah’s hair. “He just left. Devon had to practically drag him out. He’s been sitting in here the past two days nonstop.”

  Vincent had sat with her to make sure she was all right. She smiled inwardly at the sentiment. He’d sat in her room for two days. Wait. I was out for two days!

  “Two days?” Sarah whispered hoarsely.

  Lark nodded. “You had a few deep puncture wounds in your abdomen, but nothing vital was damaged. Devon thought your unconsciousness was mostly due to exhaustion. How do you feel?”

  Sarah stared up at the ceiling, assessing herself. “A little sore and stiff, but okay,” she answered honestly. Even though her body had been through the ringer, she felt oddly well. Probably because I slept for two days straight.

  “Good,” Lark murmured as tears filled her eyes.

  “What’s wrong?” Sarah worried. Did someone else get hurt? Had Gene been injured—or worse?

  Lark closed her eyes and a few tears trickled down her face. “I’m just so glad to have you here.” Her voice broke and her bottom lip trembled. “I never gave up hope that you were alive. And when we found you, you were so still. I thought I lost you again,” she sniffled.

  Sarah’s hand instinctively went to her side, gingerly touching the spot where the Alpha had left his mark. “I’m okay. It’s okay,” she assured a
s Lark bent down, pulling her into a tight embrace. Sarah cringed slightly in her sister’s death grip, but didn’t want to move either.

  “Don’t ever do that to me again,” Lark said, pulling back and giving her sister a stern look before grinning and squeezing her again.

  “I won’t,” she promised. It was a promise she would do anything to keep.

  But there was still danger out there—or was there? What happened to Malakai after I passed out? “Malakai?” she whispered.

  “Dead. Gene took care of him and the rest of his pack. Gene took a group of men up to the Lunas place yesterday afternoon. It was abandoned. He said there appeared to have been lots of fighting for dominance after the Lunas fell. The place was completely destroyed.” Lark let out a long breath. “It’s over.”

  “It’s over,” Sarah repeated. She closed her eyes, relaxing completely against her sister. They were finally safe.

  Lark pulled back as the door creaked open. Sarah’s heart jumped in her chest, hoping it was Vincent. She looked up expectantly and had to suppress a frown when Devon walked in. Wrong brother.

  “You’re up. How are you?” Devon asked, coming to the bed to examine her.

  Lark scooted back to make room for Devon, but took Sarah’s hand into hers as she nervously worried her lower lip.

  “I’m okay,” Sarah whispered hoarsely, trying to assure her big sister.

  “No dizziness or nausea?” Devon asked, shining a light into her eyes.

  Sarah blinked as dots blurred her vision from the bright light. “A little dizzy when I first sat up, but I’m good now,” she explained her voice finally returning.

  “Any pain?” Devon asked, finally flicking the light off.

  “Nothing horrible.”

  Lark swallowed hard, squeezing Sarah’s hand tighter. “Is she going to be okay?” she whispered, looking at Devon expectantly.

  “I want to keep an eye on your stomach. The puncture wounds looked good when I checked them earlier this morning, but we’ll need to keep an eye out for any festering. Other than that, your x-rays and MRI came back fine. With some time and rest, you’ll be back to normal,” Devon explained.

  “Was I in the hospital?” Sarah asked, furrowing her brows in confusion. How had she gotten back to the Ranch then?

  “No,” Devon replied. “We got the equipment in two days before you arrived. With everything happening, Gene and I decided we needed a real infirmary here.”

  “Well, glad I could help break in your new equipment,” Sarah teased, hoping to ease some of Lark’s tension.

  Devon gave her an odd look, but only shook his head. Lark chuckled lightly under her breath, her shoulders finally slumping from their tight rigid stance.

  “She’s going to be okay,” Devon said, placing a hand over Lark’s.

  Sarah followed his hand, taking in the extra diamond encrusted wedding band on Lark’s hand. Her eyes widened. She’d almost completely forgotten about the wedding. “Is that the ring?” Sarah grinned.

  Lark held her hand out. “Yeah. Isn’t it beautiful?” Lark gushed, beaming.

  “Congratulations! I’m so happy for you,” Sarah exclaimed, throwing her arms around Lark.

  Devon cleared his throat and took a step back from them. “I’m going to go check on Daniel and Nora,” he said, excusing himself. Lark pulled back and gave her husband a tender kiss before taking Sarah’s hands again.

  Devon nodded to Lark and exited. As the door clicked shut, she realized what he’d said. “Oh my God. Are Daniel and Nora okay?” Her stomach lurched violently as she berated herself for forgetting about them.

  “A little banged up, too, but they’ll be all right,” Lark assured.

  Sarah let out a relived breath. We all made it home relatively unscathed. Thank goodness.

  Lark gave Sarah an appraising look and smiled. “You seem better.”

  Sarah frowned, confused, her muddled brain taking a minute to comprehend.

  “I mean your demeanor. You seem like your old self, before...” she trialed off in a whisper.

  Sarah shook her head in understanding. “I am. Oddly enough, being chased by crazy werewolves helped me realize how much I wanted to live. And Vincent...he was great. He really helped me look at everything in a whole new light. If it was not for him, I wouldn’t have made it,” she admitted. Vincent was her rock—and so much more.

  “You and Vincent must have really bonded. I’ve never seen him so serious and worried before,” Lark acknowledged.

  Sarah nodded, wondering how much Lark knew of their relationship. But how much could she know when I don’t know what our relationship is?

  “He’ll probably want to know you’re awake,” Lark added when Sarah said nothing.

  Sarah trembled with anticipation at the thought of seeing him. She really, really wanted to see him—to know he was alive and well with her own eyes.

  “Do you want me to go get him for you?” Lark offered.

  “Yes,” she answered quickly. “But can I get cleaned up first?” she asked. A shower wouldn’t wash away the cuts and bruises, but at least she would feel better afterward.

  “Sure. Let me help you to the bathroom.”

  “Thanks,” Sarah said. Butterflies fluttered in her belly as she gingerly turned to climb out of bed. She couldn’t help but wonder if things would be different between her and Vincent now that they were home. She really hoped not. Whatever they had, she wasn’t ready to let it go—she’d never be ready to let it go.

  ***

  Vincent shoveled the chips and sandwich into his mouth as quickly as possible. Lark and Devon insisted he leave Sarah’s room to shower and eat, but he couldn’t wait to get back. She was going to wake up soon—he could feel it.

  Although, Devon assured him she was fine, he wouldn’t stop worrying until he could stare into her vibrant sapphire eyes again.

  Thinking of Sarah made him eat faster. His mouth was so full, he couldn’t ask Lark about Sarah when she entered. He chewed faster, making his jaw ache, and finally swallowed.

  “Sarah?” he asked anxiously, taking a drink of Coke to wash the food down.

  “She’s awake,” Lark beamed. “And she’s asking to see you.”

  “Is she okay?” he asked, already walking to the door.

  “She seems to be. Devon already checked her over and cleared her,” Lark continued happily. She stepped forward, blocking his path to the door and pulled him into a hug. “Thank you.”

  Vincent flustered at her outburst. “It’s okay. You don’t need to thank me.”

  “I know. I’m just glad to have you both back,” she replied, giving him a small smile. “Go see her,” she slapped him playfully. “I know you want to.”

  Vincent didn’t need to be told twice. He hurried up the stairs, taking them two at a time. Sarah is awake and asking for me. His day wasn’t so glum anymore.

  The closer he got to Sarah’s room the more unease rolled through him. How am I supposed to act? He would just have to take it in stride and pray she gave him some clue as to how she felt.

  He wiped his clammy hands before slowly pushing the door open. He let out a long breath, seeing with his own eyes that she was okay.

  Sarah looked up at him with a grin. “Hey,” she greeted.

  “You look good,” he acknowledged. Her long blonde hair was wet and brushed back from her face. The light blue tank and gray pants fit her curves perfectly. She was exquisite.

  “I’m covered in cuts and bruises,” she mumbled, tucking her locks over a particularly nasty mark on her shoulder.

  “You’re still beautiful,” he admonished, shutting the door behind him.

  “Thanks,” she smiled shyly.

  “How are you?” he asked, sitting on the edge of the bed.

  “I’m glad to see you. It’s been a long morning,” she answered, as she played with the quilt.

  She’s nervous, he realized. But why? Say something. “The way I figure it, you had it easy, Sleeping Beauty.”
/>   Sarah giggled, meeting his eyes. “Are you okay?”

  “Fast healer. I’m good as new,” he promised.

  “Lucky you.”

  They both chuckled before falling into a long silence. Vincent shifted on the bed, contemplating what to say. Their relationship had evolved—at least for him—but her nervousness made him question what she felt. What if she is antsy about how to let him down?

  Sarah opened her mouth, but never got to say anything. A knock thudded against the door before it creaked open.

  “I brought you some soup,” Lark announced, eyeing the two of them.

  Vincent hopped up from the bed. He wasn’t sure what he’d been expecting during this visit, but this wasn’t it. He needed to think of the right way to tell Sarah how he felt and pray she felt the same way, but he didn’t know how to express his feelings and he didn’t want to scare her.

  “I should let you eat,” he explained, back tracking to the door.

  Sarah’s face fell.

  “I’ll come back later,” he promised, grasping the doorknob tightly.

  “Oh, okay,” she whispered.

  Did he upset her? That hadn’t been his intent. “After dinner,” he added, finally getting a smile from her. He sighed, glad the glum expression had left her face.

  “See you then,” she replied, giving him a tight-lipped smile.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Sarah jumped at the sharp rasp on her door. The knob twisted and the door creaked open. She held her breath, her pulse beating faster, anticipating the man who would enter. The door opened and Gene stepped in. Her heart fell, but she forced a smile still eager to see her visitor—even if it wasn’t the man she’d been waiting for all afternoon.

  “Hey,” she grinned as Gene shut the door behind him.

  “I’m glad to see you up,” he smiled. The bed dipped down as he sat next to her and pulled her into a hug. “I wanted to come sooner, but I got held up,” he explained.

  “Lark told me you went to New Mexico,” Sarah acknowledged. “I’m glad you’re here now.”