Chapter Sixty–Three

My father sank with each word. I watched as his world crumbled, and I was sorry for it. It wasn’t what I wanted, but it needed to be said. Beck had caused half the issues here. I was sure of it.

“How can you be so sure?” His voice was soft, but his eyes held a tiny seed of hope.

“I’m not. But if he thinks Ronnie is dead, then we have a chance to catch him.” I gave him that tiny bit of hope. “I might be wrong. I am more than willing to be wrong. But all that has happened isn’t sitting well with me. Something is wrong, and someone betrayed this pack. That person is the same one that attacked Ronnie.”

“You are making a leap.”

“No, I’m not.” I looked next to me at Ronnie. “Ronnie ran all the way from where he was attacked to my room. That gives me a bit of information. He trusted whoever attacked him, and because of the attack, it made him question everyone in the pack. If it was a rogue, he would have mind-linked someone, but he didn’t. He ran straight to us, to you."

“It doesn’t mean it was Beck.”

“It doesn’t. But he said Beck was gone. So either he ran, or he’s dead. And dead men don’t show back up if he finds out Ronnie is dead.”

“So if Beck shows back up…he’s guilty.”

“It would be a strong mark against him, but I would still wait for Ronnie to wake up and get his story. And I would work with Beck to get answers, too. I wouldn’t condemn a wolf just because he made me uneasy.” My father nodded, and I grabbed some water.

“This is going to take more time than I thought. Amy, I think to be safe, you should just eat and drink continuously. Your wolf will help rebuild your blood supply as it empties, but you will need fuel for her to work.” The doctor was still pushing gauze into the wound.

“Has there been any change?” My dad stood and walked closer to the bed as I turned to the cart and started to eat the rest of the sandwiches.

The doctor gave a quick nod. “Not much, but the edges are starting to come together.”

“Dad?” I chugged another glass of water. But there was something missing from this cart, something my body needed. Something in my body flipped. I could feel Nix begging to come out, even though she knew she couldn’t.

“Yeah darling?”

“Can you order me steak, a lot of steak? And more juice.” I tore into another sandwich, but I was suddenly starving. “I don’t even care if it’s cooked all the way.”

“Amy?” My dad came over to where I was and looked at me, but I felt my eyes had shifted.

“I’m holding on to Nix by a thread. I don’t know what’s wrong, but I need meat. Now.” I tore into another sandwich.

The doctor paused. “You can’t shift, Amy. I know you’re newly shifted, and it’s impossible to control your wolf, but if you shift, Ronnie will die.” I nodded and refocused on the food.

As long as I kept eating, I would be fine. I hoped. What the hell was going on?

It’s Ronnie’s wolf, Logan. He’s finally awake. He says they need protein to heal, so he is sending the craving to us, but he’s a little more powerful than he realizes, and Megan is insatiable, which is making me the level head in our trio, and I’m too close to the surface. You’re feeling Megan’s need. Nix’s voice trembled with need, but she sunk her claws into me, refusing to shift.

“Logan is awake and is sending his need for protein to me. His only thought is to heal Ronnie.” I grabbed for another sandwich, but the cart was empty. My eyes raced over the cart. “Fuck.” I trembled with need.

“Amy, it’s okay. They are almost here.” My father sunk down in front of me. “Hold on, baby girl.”

I shook my head. “I can’t.” I felt my face start to shift. “The need is too much.” My bones shifted more until my father pierced my leg with one of his claws. I screamed, and my eyes snapped back to his.

I could see the pain there, but his voice was strong. “Stay with me, baby girl. Focus on my eyes. The omegas are almost done with the first cart of meat. They are running as fast as they can. But I need you to stay here with me. Okay?” He went to pull his claw out of my leg, but I could already feel my bones trying to shift. I grabbed his hand and forced his claw deeper into my leg. “Amy.”

I tossed my head and grimaced. “I won’t let Ronnie die.”