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“Tempest,” he said, taking a step toward me. It was Anson’s eyes staring back at me, filled with tenderness, concern, maybe even love. But it was X’s I saw. I turned away.
“Tem,” he said again, louder. “At least let me hunt for you. You need to stay by your father’s side. But he can’t hunt, can he? None of the Alphas can. They’re going to die of starvation before anything else. If you don’t want me near you, fine. I’ll respect that. I’ll stay at the old place. The lean-to out in the valley. I’ll keep to myself, out of sight. But I’ll bring you fresh game every single day until your family gains back their strength.”
There was a word he didn’t speak, but I felt it anyway. Not until my family gained back their strength. If.
“I don’t trust you,” I said quietly.
I turned back to him. Behind us, I heard the faint sound of an engine. By reflex, Anson came to my side. His wolf eyes flashed silver.
A four-wheeler zoomed up the trail. Pat was driving, her white hair flying behind her. Without flinching, she threw me a pair of jeans and a t-shirt. She looked Anson up and down. If she was shocked at the sight of him, she didn’t let her face show it. Instead, she threw a second pair of jeans at him. He caught them against his chest, eyes twinkling.
“I need you,” Pat said to me. “Your father’s taken a turn for the worse.”
My heart lurched. “What is it?”
“Tem,” she said. “He isn’t breathing. I don’t know if there’s anything left for us to do.”
“Let me try,” Anson said, stabbing his legs into the jeans. He didn’t even bother buttoning them as he climbed into the second seat of the four-wheeler. It left only the bed open in the back.
“Good,” Pat said. “We could use another strong back up there. You should be warned though, this thing? It’s moved through all the packs. It’s contagious. If you come up there, I can’t guarantee your safety.”
Anson nodded. “I’ll take my chances.”
“Wait,” I said. “I never said you could…”
“The farm’s my property,” Pat said. “Least as long as I’m still breathing. Now get in, Tempest. We’re running out of time.”
I barely made it into the bed of the four-wheeler before Pat sped off down the hill.
Chapter Three
Fear stabbed through my heart. My father lay on his side in the middle of the floor. His chest hollowed out as he tried to suck in air and couldn’t.
“Dad?” I yelled. I got down on the floor, eye to eye with him. “Dad. Stay with me. It’s Tem. I’m right here.”
I pressed an ear to his chest. My father’s heart beat slow and erratic.
“Where’s your mother?” Anson’s voice boomed. My father’s whole body tensed.
“Through here,” Pat said, before I could protest.
Anson went with her. He towered over Pat’s small form.
“Daddy,” I whispered as I pulled my father into my lap. “Talk to me.”
“Ssssss…” He tried to form words, then erupted into a frightening round of coughs.
“Tempest!” Anson called out.
“Go,” my father whispered. “Neve…”
“Don’t quit on me,” I commanded. “I’ll check on Mom and be right back.”
I ran to the adjoining bedroom. Anson had pulled my mother out of her bed and put her on the floor. His body covered hers as he blew into her mouth.
“Oh, God!” I cried, racing to her side.
“Her heart stopped,” Anson said between breaths. “That’s why your father’s not breathing.”
