Vaelor's eyes snapped open.

Pain ripped through every inch of him.

Then he saw her.

Claire sat beside him, crying so hard her hands shook against his skin.

Alive.

Thank fuck.

His gaze swept the trees.

Listening.

Nothing.

For now.

Bones cracked beneath his skin. Fur disappeared. He shifted back into human form with a low groan.

"Claire…"

"Vaelor!" She threw herself against him instantly, wrapping her arms around his neck. "Oh my God—I thought I lost you."

"I'm here, my mate." His hand slid against her cheek. "Listen to me."

She pulled back just enough to look at him.

"There's an oak tree fifty meters east. Broken branch. Wildflowers at the base." His breathing roughened. "Behind the brush, there's a cave. Stay there until I come for you."

"What?" She frowned immediately. "No."

"Claire—"

"No." She shook her head harder. "Look at you."

"I'll heal."

Blood soaked the ground beneath him.

"In wolf form. A few hours." His jaw tightened. "But I only have enough strength left for one more shift."

"Then shift." Her voice rose instantly. "I'm staying here with you."

"They could come back."

"Then I stay."

A growl rolled through his chest.

"Go."

"And leave you here to die?"

"They're hunting you. Not me."

Silence.

The color drained from her face.

Vaelor pulled her against him immediately, burying one hand in her hair.

"You're safe with me." His thumb brushed her mouth softly. "Always."

Then he kissed her.

Quick.

Gentle.

Dangerous.

"As long as you listen to me for once."

"Fine." She swallowed hard. "Then shift before I change my mind."

"You'll actually go?" His eyes narrowed slightly.

Claire moved carefully onto her knees and lowered him to the ground. The second his weight left her arms, she nearly collapsed beside him.

The wolf growled softly.

"I'm okay." She forced a small smile, then looked at his thigh again.

The flesh was shredded open.

"Oh God…"

She crawled toward a stack of wooden crates hidden near the rocks. Blankets. Water. Emergency supplies.

Pack shelter.

"Smart wolves," she muttered under her breath.

She grabbed two blankets and a bottle of water before hurrying back to him.

Vaelor watched every movement.

Alert.

Possessive.

Even half-dead.

Claire spread one blanket over the ground and slowly dragged him onto it before kneeling beside him on the second.

"I'm going to clean the wounds, okay?" Her fingers brushed over his muzzle gently.

She stripped off the blood-soaked shirt first.

After taking a long drink herself, she tilted the bottle carefully against his mouth, letting small drops fall onto his tongue.

Then she tore strips from the ruined fabric.

Neck first.

Back second.

Thigh last.

The second she touched the torn flesh, Vaelor's muscles jerked beneath her hands.

"Sorry," she whispered quickly. "I know."

He stayed still anyway.

She cleaned the wounds slowly, hands trembling harder every time blood stained the cloth red again.

Finally, she wrapped the makeshift bandage around his leg and leaned back with a shaky breath.

"There." Her voice came out weak. "Done."

Exhaustion hit her all at once.

Claire lay down beside him, fingers sliding through his fur again and again before curling herself carefully against his side.

"I'm just resting for a minute," she said softly.

One arm wrapped around his body.

Vaelor let out a low rumble.

"I'll hear them if they come back."

The words barely left her mouth.

Darkness swallowed her whole.