Chasing A Runaway Mate

Chapter 17

Wren

Everything was silent, the air still. Wren knew his mind was regaining some of its strength, but his body hadn't caught up yet. It was strange, though, wandering through one's own mind, not knowing what to expect. His eyes adjusted as the blackness gave way to some light in the distance. Unsure where this light had come from, Wren walked towards it.

The light's warmth hit Wren's skin as he neared, and it was only then he realized the cold he had felt before. For a moment, he became concerned that the light might be luring him towards death, but as he got closer, this feeling ebbed away. This couldn't be death. This light felt warm, inviting and familiar somehow.

As he neared what could only be the source of the light, it became stronger until it was near blinding. A silver line seemed to surround the source. Something which Wren had been unable to see before. The color reminded him of something. But what could that something be? As Wren tried to access his memories, he became aware for the first time, that they had been unavailable to him until now. With this realization, all his memories came flooding back to him in a rush which had Wren staggering backwards.

A longing feeling grew in his chest the longer he looked at this silver light. A fleeting moment of pure joy and happiness floated to the forefront of his mind. Silver hair and face Wren could look at forever.

Wren stepped forward, reaching out to the light. He desperately wanted to hold on to the happiness it brought. The moment he reached it, it disappeared and blackness returned.

The darkness wasn't quiet this time, however. No, in fact, as Wren concentrated on the surrounding sounds, he became aware of the smells as well. The strong scents of the medical tent tickled his nose. But there was something else as well. A sweet smell, out of place and very familiar.

Wren's eyes cracked open. His eyelids still felt heavy and out of practice. A sharp intake of breath drew his attention to the right. Gray eyes, set in the most beautiful face he had ever seen, peered at Wren with deep concern. Katina. How was it possible she was there? Flicking his eyes to the figure who stood close by, Wren recognized Alpha Black. He must've called his sister and brought her here. Part of him was thankful to the man, but he was also furious that Black would bring his sister to the edges of a war-zone.

Returning his gaze to his mate, Wren saw silent tears fall down Kat's face. He could not have that.

"Why the tears, darlin'?" Wren asked hoarsely. He ached to touch her in some way, but was too scared to spook her.

"I'll give you two some privacy. It's good to see you on the mend, Commander," Black said before turning on his heel and heading out of the tent.

There was definite relief on Kat's face, but Wren could see she was frightened of something.

"Are you going to tell me what's wrong, Katina?"

Kat looked away before retrieving a glass of water from a nearby table. She reached towards Wren, his heart squeezing in his chest as she neared. Gently, she lifted his head and helped him to take a sip of the water. It felt soothing as it ran down his throat, but was nothing compared to the feeling of his mate's hands on him. An uptake in Kat's heart rate betrayed her reaction to touching her mate.

"Darlin', at some point you're going to have to say something," Wren said with a small smile.

"I don't know where to start." Kat's voice was barely above a whisper. Wren wished they could have proper privacy.

"Why don't you start with why you are here?"

"I'm here because you are injured."

"Hmm. Let's try this again. Why did you come here when you learned I was injured?" Wren gently placed his hand on Kat's where it lay on the cot. She didn't pull back, and he let out a small breath of relief.

"It's difficult to explain. And I don't want to do it with an audience listening in." She looked down at where her hand disappeared under his large one. She turned her hand so her palm was facing up. The feeling of her fingers lacing through his had Wren's chest tightening.

"Very well. We can talk about it later."

Kat smiled at him and Wren knew that he would do anything for her to smile like that at him. He wanted nothing more than to make her happy. If she let him, he would make it his life's mission to ensure her happiness.

"Commander Wren, it is good to see you are still with us. You had us very worried there for a moment." The doctor had walked over without them noticing it. She did a quick assessment of his wounds before making further notes on her clipboard.

"How's he looking, Doctor?" Kat asked with concerned interest.

"Well, he is looking like a new man compared to this morning. He still has a ways to go before he'll be back to his old ways, but I expect a quick and full recovery."

"Does that mean I can get out of this bloody bed then?"

"Well, I suppose you will have to, seeing as we are breaking down camp."

"Breaking down? What's happened?"

"Oh right, you wouldn't know. Well, it's all over. Cold Moon has been defeated. The Council will most likely convene to decide what will happen with the remainder of the pack."

"And Ivan?" Wren asked anxiously.

"Dead," Kat answered with venom in her voice. "So does that mean he is OK to travel?" Kat asked the doctor.

"Well, yes. It'll be uncomfortable with all the jostling around, but he can handle it," she answered with a wink. Kat didn't look like she liked this at all.

"Well, I'm sure a private jet will be more comfortable than military transport." Kat said, raising one slender eyebrow.

"Hold on. No one is flying me out on a private jet. I'll be just fine, lass."

"Well you have a choice then, lad. You can fly with me or go back to Headquarters with the rest of the crew." Wren found Kat's obvious display of jealousy amusing and endearing, but thought it best not to show it.

"She's right, Commander. It will be much more comfortable, not to mention quicker, if you went back with Katina." Kat gave the doctor a look which clearly screamed that she had not asked nor wanted her opinion on the matter. Hiding a laugh behind a cough, Wren decided to deescalate the situation.

"Of course I would rather travel with you, darlin'. I hadn't known that's what you meant when you suggested I travel by plane."

"Wonderful. I'll let Headquarters know of your change in plans." The doctor smiled, pretending like she was unaware of the tension between her and Kat, and left them alone again.

"Before we go anywhere, though, I have to speak with the other Commanders and your brother. And then I desperately need to wash. Maybe not even in that order."

Wren let go of Kat's hand so he could push himself up into a seated position. The room seemed to tilt around him for a moment, but his equilibrium returned quickly enough. It was then that he realized he was completely naked under the thin blanket. It slipped past his waist and settled on his hips. The nudity didn't bother Wren, but feeling the scorch of his mate's eyes on his naked body sent a shiver down his spine which settled in his stomach.

Kat's eyes darted back up to Wren's face and there was no mistaking the heat in them. It took all of his self-control not to close the distance between them and seal his mouth onto hers.