Chapter 22

(TOMMY POV)

We were sitting at the dining table eating when we heard the first howl. It sounded strained and pained, one you hear only when a wolf is in intense pain. It sounded far off but it was loud and concerning enough to bring us to our feet and make our way to the front door. Another howl echoed through the nearby forest startling birds sending them rushing away from the trees in fear. I stepped out of the front door and stood just in front of the pack house trying to pick up a scent and listen from which direction the sound was coming from.

Once more the sound rang but this time it was less than half a mile away. Whatever it was it was moving fast and getting closer. Some others had come out to see what was happening and as the unknown wolf approached us, we took a stance ready to fight if needed. The next howl was clearly a call for help, not a threat and a stunning wolf came barreling toward the pack house. My eyes widened and before I could move the wolf stumbled and landed before me already shifting back into human form until Maya was laying there.

Panic and fear took over me and I rushed to take her in my arms. She was bleeding from I am not sure where and her wrist was red and purple like it may be broken. She had not been in wolf form long enough for it to heal completely so whatever happened to her, happened only a short while ago.

"Maya? What happened?" I ask.

"James....alpha...." She tries to explain but she is far too weak and soon she is unconscious in my arms.

My heart pounds loudly threatening to burst out with the amount of hurt I am feeling holding my hurt mate in my arms. I should not have left her! I should not have let her leave with James! What had he done to her? I picked up Maya's fragile body and carried her into the pack house down a hallway and into the pack doctor's office. There was a small bed inside along one of the walls and I careful placed Maya on it, so the doctor could examine her. I felt like I was about to collapse myself at this point, I could not live without her. She has to be ok!

"Tommy, I need you to step back a little so I can examine her better. Don't worry, I will take good care of her." The pack doctor tells me softly slowly removing my hands that were holding Maya's hand tightly.

I nod at her and drop myself in a chair close by. The conversation I had with Maya early is running through my mind and regret is eating at my me. I thought I was protecting her by pushing her away but look what had happened. She was still in danger even with my best efforts to keep her safe. She was lying her bloody and hurt and nothing I had done had protected her at all. My mate was not safe, and I had just let her go so simply as if she was nothing to me. How could I have done this to her? After everything she had been through, I should have kept her close and cared for her!

I couldn't hold back the sobs that came rolling out of my mouth as I looked at Maya laying in that bed. What had James done to her? Where was she going that she got hurt like this? She had shifted, and she was beautiful in wolf form! The most beautiful creature I had ever seen, and she had found her way to me.

I tried to remember the words she had said, 'James and Alpha'. Did James know something about the alpha that was after her? Had the alpha attacked them? Was James working with him?

The last question shook me with realization. Could James have been working with the Alpha and that is how he knew Maya was here, that's Maya was his mate? Damn! He hated James but he had not suspected he even knew this mysterious alpha. There were no obvious signs that James would actually hurt Maya, that is why he let her go with him. What an idiot! How did I not see it sooner?

If Maya had gotten away though, where was James? I took out my phone and sent a message to the guys telling them to do a sweep of the area up to the pack border and see if there was any sign of James. It was time for him to explain what he knew!

"Tommy? I finished my exam." The doctor says gaining my full attention.

I stand quickly and rush to Maya's side, taking her hand and gently kissing it.

"What are her injuries?" I ask.

"It looks as if she hit her head pretty hard, she has a broken wrist as well, deep cuts on her hands, and some bruising on her abdomen. These injuries are common in car accidents, my guess would be that she escaped from one. Her adrenaline must have made her shift and she somehow found her way here." The doctor concluded.

I looked at her with a slight smile, of course she found her way to me. She will always find her way to me.

"She has begun healing, but it looks like it will be a little slower than what it should be. She will need plenty of rest." The doctor explained.

"Does she need to stay here?" I ask.

The doctor shakes her head. "You are free to take her, just don't shift her too much and make sure to keep a close eye on her. Since she is not awake right now it is hard to determine if the head injury cause a concussion or not. If she seems out of it or has a fever or vomiting, call me right away." The doctor says.

She neatly wraps Maya's wrist to stabilize it and gives me the ok to take her. I carry her to my room, and I place her slowly on my bed. This was not the way I had hoped to welcome her into my room, but I did not want her to be anywhere else. I wanted her right beside me, and I would be here as long as she needs me. Even with her injuries and being slightly disheveled, she was still the most beautiful girl I had ever seen. Maybe it was the mate bond attracting me to her, but I had never seen anyone like her.

She was stunning in every way and I wish I would tell her how much I adore her. I want to tell her every day that she is a dream come true and no matter what, from this day on I would never let her go again. I was stupid before, but now there was no way she would go anywhere, and I would not be there.

I needed a new plan.

One where I could keep Maya safe, but also keep her hidden. Why was this Alpha so hell bent on getting to her? One thing was clear to me. He didn't want to kill her; he wanted her alive.

But why? What was it about Maya that he needed her alive?