Alpha's Promise

Chapter 4

Riley POV

I galloped through the forest, weaving through the trees in my wolf form. The moon was out in force early this morning, illuminating the forest, lighting my path well. My prey’s scent was faint but clear, and as I stalked like a predator going in for the kill, my ears twitched at every rustle in the underbrush. The rabbit’s heartbeat vibrated in my ears; its fear was almost palpable.

Just as I was about to pounce, a sharp, metallic scent hit me. It was blood. Human blood. I stopped, the scent overriding my instinct to hunt. As I sniffed the air, I zeroed in on the source and moved cautiously, with my senses on high alert.

The smell grew stronger as I approached an area of shrubbery. There, partially covered by a blue tarp, were a leg and an arm, pale and smeared with blood. I whimpered softly. I instantly shifted, my bones cracked and reshaped until I stood in my human form, the chill of the early morning air hitting my bare skin.

I walked slowly towards the tarp, my heart pounding. I knelt and pulled it back. It revealed a woman covered in blood. She appeared to have multiple stab wounds marring her body. Her face was bruised and swollen, and miraculously, she appeared to be breathing, albeit faintly. My chest tightened. She needed help, and fast.

Closing my eyes, I reached out with my mind-linking with my pack members.

“I found a woman in the woods. She’s badly injured. Multiple stab wounds, but still breathing. I need medics here ASAP with a gurney and life support equipment.”

The response was immediate. “On our way, Beta. Hold tight.”

I gently brushed some blood away from her face. “Hold on,” I whispered, my voice rough with urgency. “Help is coming. Just hang in there.”

Her breaths were shallow and irregular. I didn’t know how long she had been there, but she was cold and wet. It looked like the tarp had protected her from the rain and cold somewhat. I sure hoped help would get here faster.

She was a fighter, that’s for sure. I couldn’t imagine what could have gone wrong in her life for her to end up here in this condition.

Finally, the rustling of leaves signaled the arrival of the medics. They moved swiftly through the trees, carrying a gurney and medical supplies.

“Over here!” I yelled, waving them over at me.

They rushed to my side, their faces grim as they assessed her condition. “She’s lost a lot of blood, Beta. It’s not looking good. We’ll get her back to the Infirmary and see what we can do."

They got to work quickly, trying to stabilize her for transportation. Jess looked up at me. “Good job finding her, Riley. We’ll take it from here.”

I nodded. “I’ll meet you back at the hospital. I’m gonna have a quick look around, see if I can pick up any scents.”

Jess nodded, and they lifted the woman onto the gurney, securing her and hooking her up to the life support equipment. I watched them carry her back to the truck, my mind already focused on the task ahead. Someone had done this, and I was going to find out who and why.

As the medics disappeared into the forest, I took a deep breath, my senses still sharp. This wasn’t over. Whoever did this would pay.

I shifted into my wolf form and ran further into the woods.

***

The night had been brutal, with rain drenching the forest and washing away any chance of picking up a scent. Frustration gnawed at me as I scoured the area for clues. In my wolf form, I inspected the ground, finding drag marks that led to car tracks. They headed back toward the highway. From there, there was nothing. No clues, no trail to follow. I let out a howl of frustration that echoed through the trees.

I doubled back to the site where I found her, the poor girl left for dead. The scene was a mess, the rain making everything slick and muddy. I was consumed with the need to know who did this. I wanted justice for her. I didn’t even know who she was. But I knew she didn’t deserve this. No one did. She was all alone in the world at that moment. I felt responsible for her. I just hoped she would survive this.

I knelt where she had lain, the tarp and surrounding earth still stained with her blood, and offered a silent prayer to the Moon Goddess. “Please, let her make it. Keep her safe.”

There was something about her that stirred a deep sense of protectiveness in me, an instinct I wouldn’t ignore. I had to check on her and make sure she was okay. With that, I pushed forward and made my way back to the pack hospital with urgency.

***

The hospital was quiet, and the sterile scent of antiseptic filled the air. I stalked through the halls, and I headed to the critical care unit. When I entered, one of our pack healers, Galena, looked up at me from the woman’s bedside.

“How is she?” I asked, my voice rough with concern.

“She’s stable, but it’s touch-and-go. Those stab wounds were deep. She’s lucky you found her when you did,” Galena replied.

I moved to her bedside, my eyes taking in her pale, swollen, and bruised face. Machines beeped softly, monitoring her fragile state. She looked so small and vulnerable lying there; it was hard to believe she had been subjected to such a horrific ordeal.

“She’s very strong,” she said, as if reading my thoughts. “If she can make it through the next twenty-four hours, I think she’ll pull through.”

I nodded in agreement. “I’ll stay with her.”

“I thought you might. That will help her to have someone here with her, willing her to fight.” She then gave me a knowing smile and left us alone. I pulled up a chair and sat beside her, my hand hovering over hers, not quite touching. I didn’t know why I felt so connected to her, but I wasn’t about to question it. I just knew I had to protect her.

As the night wore on, I kept my vigil, my mind racing with thoughts of who could have done this and why. But for now, all that mattered was her.

“Hang in there,” I whispered. “You’re safe now. I’ll make sure of it.”

I leaned back in the chair, never taking my eyes off her.

Then, without warning, the machines erupted into chaos. My heart pounded as the line on one of the monitors went flat. A cold wave of dread washed over me. I watched helplessly as nurses and doctors stormed into the room, with a sense of urgency as they wheeled in the crash cart.

I stood there, rooted to the spot, my mind reeling. The words ripped from my throat, raw and desperate, “She’s not breathing!”