Deadly Seduction (Feral Protectors 3) Read Free Page A

She never left the den unless she was with a large group. And even then, she could barely contain her panic.
    “We need to pick up the pace. I’d like to reach the den within the next hour,” Lucian said.
    Gwen hurried to keep pace with the group. In addition to losing her physical stamina, she’d also packed on enough extra weight to make the normally easy hike a test of endurance. As she climbed the switchback trail up Howling Mountain, her thighs trembled. Short bursts of air rushed in and out of her lungs. But she wouldn’t complain. She refused to show any more weakness. She’d have plenty of time to catch her breath later.
    When they reached the enormous wooded gate outside the Dark Moon Pack’s den, she leaned against the granite wall. Her heart thumped against her ribcage. As they waited for a wolf to unlock the gate, the tempo of her heart gradually slowed.
    A young male swung open the gate. “You must come quickly. He’s having trouble breathing and the swelling is increasing.”
    Gwen followed the group into the den. It had been cut into the mountainside and offered them protection from the elements. The layout was similar to that of the Silver Creek Pack’s den in that it branched into two main corridors. As they hurried past the great room, a somber gathering of men spoke in hushed tones.
    One of the men gestured toward them. “Akila’s finally here!”
    The other wolves turned to watch as they passed. Akila nodded a greeting but didn’t stop. Deep within the cave, they passed a series of small rooms. Most of them had curtains of cloth hung across the doorway for privacy.
    As they approached the last room, Lucian stopped. He whispered. “Do what you can to save him, or at least make him comfortable if there’s no hope.”
    He pushed back the cloth covering the entrance to Nosh’s room. Akila walked in first followed by Fadian and Lucian. Gwen stepped trailed in behind them. It took a moment for her eyes to adjust to the darkness. She inched closer to the dais where Nosh lay deathly still.
    She sucked in a breath. “Oh my God.”
     

 
    Chapter 2
     
    Gwen surveyed the riot of gashes and bruises which covered every inch of his skin. Her stomach rolled but she managed to keep the contents down. How was he still alive?
    His normally deeply tanned complexion was as pale as a full moon. His almond-shaped eyes, a testament to a Native American heritage, twitched but didn’t open. Thick strands of long black hair clung to the edge of his face.
    Akila turned to Gwen. “We’ll need hot water, gauze, and tea tree salve.”
    Gwen dropped the basket. She rushed to add wood to the crackling fire pit in the center of the room. She turned her back on the dais and fought the wave of memories which threatened to overwhelm her. She’d looked like that once, after the attack. Maybe not as bad, but still, she’d been completely incapacitated for days.
    She shuddered and reached for a cast-iron pot. After filling it with water from a nearby bucket, she hung it over the fire. She dug through the basket to retrieve a rag.
    As she stood and crossed the room, she took inventory of the worst injuries. He had at least one broken leg and a fractured arm. A temporary sling held the damaged arm against his chest. A jagged slash at least an inch deep ran from his right hip to just above his knee.
    Akila took the rag. “Please tend the water for now. As soon as it boils, bring it to me.”
    “Is he…”
    “He’s holding on by a very tenuous thread. We need to clean the wounds, set the leg and get the fever down.” Akila turned to Lucian. “How long was he missing?”
    “Not even a day. We found him within hours of the accident.”
    Akila frowned. “He wouldn’t have lasted a single night outside. Exposure would have killed him.”
    “How can we help?” Lucian asked.
    “I’ll need a sturdy piece of wood to immobilize his leg. Then get another bucket and fill it with fresh water from the river.”
    As Lucian