The rogue quieted watching her approach. Pain seemed to make it blind, or perhaps that was its madness. Wolves that went rogue eventually lost their mental faculties. Since they spent most of their time in the wild they remained in their wolf forms for extended periods. Gradually they forgot how to shift back. Their ability to link and communicate faded and eventually they forgot they were ever human.
How quickly this process happened depended on the rogue and whether or not they spent time in human cities or joined a group which would help them maintain their mental awareness. There was also a possibility of joining a new pack depending on the circumstances that forced them out in the first place. If enough joined together and staked out an independent territory they could even form a completely new pack, though that was rare. By the look of the one in front of her, Phoebe knew this rogue was too far gone to be saved even if they treated its wounds.
“I’ll make it quick, promise.”
The rogue continued to watch her, wary and uncertain. When Phoebe was within a few feet it suddenly lunged, gnashing its teeth and aiming for her throat. With a shout of surprise Phoebe stumbled back.
Snap!
Pain coursed through her as another trap’s silver teeth sunk deep into her leg. Phoebe fell back with a cry. She could feel Máni surge forward trying to lessen the pain even as the rogue readied for another attack.
Jason raced through the woods with Luke a pace behind the moment Noah’s warning reached him he only had one thought: Phoebe. Lobo pressed forward giving him added speed as he ran. He would have shifted, but the height of his human form was necessary to spot the traps scattered throughout the territory. Barely skirting another he cursed them with a growl. If not for the traps he would have been at Phoebe’s side already.
“Cam! Noah! We’re still six miles out!”
Cam grimaced, “The rogues are only two, Alpha.”
“Reinforcements are on their way!”
“It’s all right, Alpha. Just focus on Luna. She’s gone on ahead. We’ll hold them here.”
“Cam…”
“He’s right, Alpha,” Noah seconded. “It’s our honor to lay our lives down to protect our Luna.”
The link abruptly closed but Jason already had their general location. With a growl he raced on determined to reach them. Suddenly he came to a halt as a pain pierced his mind. Jason shook his head but it persisted.
‘What was that?’
‘Mate hurt!’ Lobo howled. ‘Get to Mate! Now!’
“Jason?”
Not giving his Beta an explanation Jason took off in a new direction following the tenuous link connecting him to Phoebe. By focusing on it the connection strengthened and her pain seeped more and more into his mind. Nothing would stop him from reaching her.
Bursting into a small clearing he took only a moment to register the scene in front of him as a rogue prepared to attach Phoebe’s prone form. Without hesitation he rushed forward snapping the rogues neck in a fluid motion before it even knew he was there. Jason didn’t spare it another thought as he fell to his knees beside Phoebe.
“Phoebe! Angel!”
‘J-Jason?”
Phoebe blinked his scent permeating the pain induced haze Máni struggled to keep at bay. Unlike other wolves, Máni seemed to have an innate resistance to silver Phoebe could never explain. Jason’s face filled her vision and she immediately felt at ease. He really came for her.
“Jason..”
“Shh…I’m here angel. I’m here.” Jason kissed her forehead.
“Jace”” Luke called his attention kneeling beside the trap biting into her leg.
They shared a look as Luke grasped the trap’s jaws forcing them apart despite the burning sensation that coursed through his hands. Once the trap was open Jason carefully pulled Phoebe’s leg free wincing as she whimpered. Luke released the trap letting it snap shut before kicking it away.
Jason gently laid her leg on the ground. Shedding their jackets they ripped their sleeves to use as bandages wrapping her wounds as best they could.
“Phoebe, angel,” Jason returned to her pulling her into his arms and holding her to his chest. “Angel, Phoebe?”
..Jason.” She snuggled into him breathing deep. “
…the pups.”
“Pups?”
“Alpha, the last of the pups just made it out of the woods,” Chaz, the warrior they left at the packhouse in order to coordinate, announced. “They’re saying something about
Luna facing off against a rogue on her own?”
“We’re with her now, Chaz,” Luke answered. “She’s alive but hurt. We’re going to need a doctor to meet us at the pack hospital.”
“Everyone’s gathered in the safe room. I’ll bring these pups there and grab the doctor. What about the rogues?”
Luke turned his attention north hearing the howls of their own warriors as reinforcements reached Cam and Noah,” They’ve been taken care of. Reinforcements have arrived.”
“I’ll sound the all clear.”
“Jason, we need to move,” Luke said
Jason clutched Phoebe close. The scent of her blood was driving him crazy as Lobo pressed forward eager to exact revenge but the rogue was already dead and rage would not help Phoebe now. The trap had bit deep infecting her with silver and there was no telling if she could survive the poison slowly creeping through her.
“Jace!” Luke shouted to get his attention. “Let’s get her to the hospital.”
His Beta’s words finally registered. Wrapping his jacket around Phoebe Jason cradle her as he stood. Carrying her bridal-style he followed as Luke took point to spot traps in their path. If Phoebe died nothing would stop him from killing everyone responsible starting with Graham.
Reaching the forest edge their pace increased rushing to the hospital where a worried nurse met them.
“Oh my Goddess! Phoebe!” she exclaimed the moment she saw them. “This way, hurry!”
The nurse led them to an exam room where Jason could finally lay Phoebe down. He smoothed away the hair that had fallen over her face as he stroked her cheek, “Phoebe, angel. Can you hear me?”
He paid no attention to the nurse circling around them until she grasped Phoebes arm preparing a needle. Jason growled low his eyes gleaming amber as his wolf saw it as a weapon. The nurse yelped feeling his aura press against her.
“It’s-It’s an IV to help her fight the silver.”
Jason forced Lobo back down nodding to her and allowing her to continue. The nurse worked quickly to start the drip before moving to Phoebe’s leg. She gasped as she unwrapped the leg and cut away the jeans to see the damage.
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