Chapter 480
I cut quickly, while she bit her lip to stifle the scream threatening to escape. Toya swiftly returned with the towel. “Hold this here until I’m done. I don’t want her to bleed out while I finish.” Teva nodded as I moved aside. Shelly’s eyes were clenched shut as I slid past her head. “Okay, Shelly, I know this will be hard, but just breathe normally.” She snorted, and I smiled. “As normally as you can.” I grabbed the bowl and placed it beside her head. “Breathe in the smoke as much as you can.”
“I can do that.” Rick joined Toya, nodding at the towel. Toya looked to me; I nodded in return.
“You have to push hard against it,” she said softly, “but try to be gentle.” She moved aside, and Rick took her place. He pressed against Shelly’s armpit, and she hissed. “I’m sorry, Shell. I love you so much. You’re doing great.” He leaned over and kissed her shoulder.
I wafted the smoke over her face, watching as it began to relax her. “Good.” I placed my hands on her temples and then focused inward.
Nix stood at the barrier, ready. “Get on.” I hopped onto her back, and she took off, Megan running alongside.
I turned to my other wolf. “Are you coming with us?”
Megan nodded. “You’re going to need the help.” I didn’t argue; she was right.
We ran until the trees shifted, revealing the landscape of Shelly’s mind. Her wolf waited, the anger gone. “Welcome back.”
“Hello again,” I called as we passed her. “What’s your name?”
She ran beside us. “My name is Shanara.” She circled us. “What are we doing? Why are you here again?”
“We’re hunting something.” Nix slid to a stop; Megan ran a few steps away and circled back. Shanara, realizing we’d stopped, ran back, skidding to a halt in front of us.
“What are we hunting?” Shanara sat, staring at Nix as if awaiting a command.
Nix stared at the smaller wolf. “We don’t know, but I have a feeling you do.” I slid off her back to approach Shanara.
“I don’t know what you mean.” She settled on her belly, and I knelt beside her.
“Shelly was violated, and so were you. Your mate’s bond with Rick is sacred, but Vince branded you with a parasite. He’s been draining your power, your strength, when you needed it most to protect your pup.” My words held her attention; she understood. “Something is here that shouldn’t be.” She looked away.
“I don’t know what you mean.” But I knew she was lying.
“You love Shelly?” I framed it as a question, though I knew the answer.
“Of course I do.” She scoffed.
“And you love your mate and pup.” She glared at me.
“Obviously.” She shook her head, clearly exasperated.
“Then tell us where it is.” I ran my hand through her fur; she leaned into me. “You’re tired, I know. So am I. I’m here to help you, to save you.”
She sighed. “It’s a waste of time. No one can save me.”
Nix growled softly. “Get up, Shanara.” She sprang to her feet. “I don’t waste my time. I’m here to hunt the thing leeching from you. And after you, I will do the same for the omegas, and then I will push myself, my human, and my wolf sister to the brink to save your mate. The least you can do is help us save yourself.”
Shanara shivered, but nodded. “There’s something that hunts in the dark. I can never catch it, but I feel it, and when it leaves… I’m tired.”
“Where?” Nix rubbed Shanara’s side, trying to comfort her.
“The deep,” she shivered. “It used to be my home, but whatever’s there forced me out.”
Nix circled her again, Megan joining her. “Show us.”
Shanara shook her head. “I don’t know if I can.”
Megan pressed against her. “We’re here with you. We will help you take back your home.”
Shanara looked between us, regaining some courage. After a moment's hesitation, she nodded. “Okay.” I approached her.
“If it’s alright with you… I’d like to stay with you.”
Shanara nodded, and I hopped onto her back. “Hold on tight.” Then she took off, towards the darkened trees.