Chasing A Runaway Mate

Chapter 16

Kat

Kat had just finished unpacking. It had taken longer than it should have. There simply was not enough space in the small wardrobe for all her clothes. In the end, Kat had decided to leave some of her clothes in her suitcase, and stowed it under the narrow bed. A desk under the window doubled as a bedside table, the three items the only furniture in the small room. At least she didn't have to bunk with anyone and the view from her window was pretty.

A knock on her door broke the silence and Kat moved to open it.

"Anton. What are you doing here? I didn't think it was up to you to welcome newcomers." Anton Greyson stood in the door with a somber look on his face and his hands in his pockets. Kat took this in and a prickling feeling ran up her spine.

"What's happened, Anton?"

"May I come in, Katina?" Anton asked calmly. It just made her more on edge.

"Out with it, Greyson." Kat said through clenched teeth.

"Very well," Anton sighed. "I received a call from your brother -"

"Is he OK?" Kat interrupted.

"Yes, he is fine -"

"Then who? Wait -"

"Yes. He is gravely injured and still at the camp. He cannot be moved just yet. He's lost too much blood and therefore healing very slowly."

Kat didn't need Anton to say who he was speaking of. She knew it could only be Wren. Her Wren. With a burst of clarity, Kat knew in her heart that he was indeed her Wren. She rushed to the desk and retrieved her phone and purse before grabbing her jacket from the wardrobe. Anton scrutinized her as she rushed about the small room.

"You'll need more than just that jacket. It's a different type of cold up there. The jet is waiting for you when you are ready. Get what you need. A driver will take you to the airstrip. I've arranged for a helicopter too. It will be waiting to take you to the encampment once you've landed."

Anton stepped into the room and stopped Kat with a gentle but firm grip on her upper arm.

"I can't lose him too, Anton. Not before I'd even really had him." Fear of losing her mate was all-encompassing. Something she knew Anton understood.

"I know, sweet girl. He's strong, and I know he won't give up. Especially if he knew you were there, fighting with him."

Kat gave him a small smile but said nothing. To her surprise, Anton wrapped her in a tight hug. Tears welled in her eyes and she returned the hug. He stepped away from Kat and gave her an encouraging smile.

"You have my number. Send me word when you can." And with that, Anton left as quietly as he had come.

*****

The moment the seatbelt sign turned off, Kat was on her feet, pacing the short length of the isle. She was way too restless to sit still. It felt wrong to her. How could she sit calmly while her mate needed her? Kat knew she was doing everything she could to get to Wren as fast as possible, but she couldn't help but feel guilty about the situation he had found himself in. And it had nothing to do with the fact that it was her uncle they had set out to kill.

Kat couldn't help but wonder if Wren would still have gone on this mission if she had accepted his mate-bond right away. Would he have even returned to the Council? She wasn't sure, but Wren didn't seem like the type who would forgo his duties. Besides, it took a lot of dedication and skill to become a Commander in the Council's forces.

After what felt like an age, the plane finally touched down on the runway. Within fifteen minutes, Kat was airborne again. This time in a helicopter. It was her first time in one. If the situation was different, she might've found it exhilarating. Half an hour later they could see the rows of tents where the Council had made camp before launching their attack on Cold Moon. There were people everywhere and when the helicopter neared, Kat could see they were busy breaking down camp.

The helicopter landed and Black walked up to it to greet his sister. Kat's fury returned and she directed its full force on her brother.

"You were supposed to keep him safe!" Kat shouted, still a few feet from him.

"Kat -" Black tried to get out but she wouldn't let him.

"No, Black! And why the f**k did you call Greyson instead of me? Don't you think I would rather have heard it from my brother? Or were you too cowardly to admit you couldn't do the one thing I asked of you?" The words were out before Kat could stop them.

"Careful, sister. You wouldn't want me shouting for the entire camp to hear what I've done for you over the years." Black said in a quiet, steely voice.

"I know... Sorry... it's just..."

Black closed the distance between them and gently took his sister in his arms. She felt his strength and his warmth, and realized how much she missed her brother.

"I understand your feelings are all over the place now, Kat. And I really am sorry Wren is hurt. Just so you know. There isn't a man alive who could've persuaded him not to carry out his duty. He's a good man, Kat. And for the record, I didn't call you myself because I didn't think it was the type of news you should receive over the phone. Anton is the only person there I could trust with breaking the news to you."

"I understand. Thank you."

"You ready to see him now?"

Kat did not feel nearly ready, no matter how eager she had been to get to Wren before. She was terrified of what state he might be in, and what her reaction to it might be. There was also a hollow feeling in the pit of her stomach. What if he didn't want to see her again? What if he had moved on with his life? Kat had, after all, not given him any reason to think that she might accept him in the near future. Unable to voice her feelings, Kat simply nodded and gave her brother a small smile.

Black led her to a large tent which had been erected in the middle of the camp. The strong smell of blood and antiseptic filled the surrounding air. Two men stood sentinel by the tent's entrance. They nodded at Black before stepping aside to let them in.

There were cots arranged in two neat rows along the side of the tent. Each one had an occupant. They were all in different stages of healing, but all were conscious and talking. At the back of the tent stood a cot separate from the rest. A lone figure lay on it motionless. A woman with a clipboard stood next to him, taking notes. Kat's steps faltered as she could make out Wren's red hair and pale skin.

"You can do this," Black whispered quietly, placing a reassuring hand on the small of Kat's back.

Kat nodded, took a deep breath before walking quickly until she reached where Wren was lying. A blanket was drawn up to his waist, but his torso lay bare. His chest looked impossibly broad. A series of faint scars could be seen against his pale skin. Kat stored the images away in her mind. She would one day ask him exactly how he had obtained those scars. Thick, white bandages surrounded his throat and wrapped around his chest partially.

"Alpha Black," the woman greeted Kat's brother.

"Doctor. This is my sister, Katina." Black made introductions. The doctor scrutinized Kat, and she got the distinct impression that she knew Kat was Wren's mate. How much more the doctor knew about the situation between Wren and Kat was unclear, but Kat didn't care either way.

"How's he doing, Doctor?" Kat's voice came out a lot calmer than she felt.

"The healing has been slow. His body had to first work on replenishing some of the blood he had lost. It was only then that he managed to shift back. That took a lot out of him, though. His wounds are starting to heal a bit faster, but there is no telling when he will regain consciousness."

Kat's throat worked around the knot forming there. What had happened to Wren for his injuries to be so bad? Anger bubbled in her chest. A fierce urge to protect her mate and kill anyone who had harmed him. Kat turned to Black, fire in her eyes.

"Tell me the men who did this is dead, brother."

"They are, sister. Along with the cunt who started all this shit."

The doctor said a brief goodbye before slipping away quietly. To Kat's surprise, Black pushed a stool under her. She accepted it, gratefully, and sat next to her mate's bedside.