149 Ripple … Nathan It was killing me .
Sitting and waiting was killing me .
I barely slept a wink the entire night .
Every second my eyes would dart to my phone until I ran the battery repeatedly , waiting for a return call from L or Nanny .
My hoofs pounded on the wet earth as I pushed myself harder , the early morning air slicing through my lungs as I raced through the dense forest as Ragnar my wolf .
I wanted to escape the uncertainty that had taken root since I helped Le back from her semi trapped state .
I wanted to run away from the words The Dark One had whispered in my eyes , with confidence brimming in his eyes as he told me he was waiting for me all along and knew Ide .
I wanted to run away from the pressure of leading the pack .
All I wanted was to lie beside L and forget .
Oh ! How I wanted to forget everything … But L wouldnt even take my call .
It wasnt like her to ignore me and that made me worried .
Was something wrong ? Or worse , had Ramsey gone back on his promise ? My mind drifted to thest conversation I had with Ramsey before I left White Moon pack .
I need to hear you say it again , I demanded coldly .
That you will not mess with her That youre going to stay with Cassidy .
anymore .
Leaning casually against the edge of a desk , a brow raised , he sighed .
I already told you , Nathan .
Cassidy is my future Luna .
She and I are getting officially mated as soon as these Feral threats get resolved to a good extent .
And L… his voice faltered , his face hardening into a mask of indifference .
Ls yours .
I know that much and I wont interfere .
I narrowed my eyes at him , searching his face for any sign of deceit .
You better mean it , I warned .
Because if you dont … D I mean it , he cut in tersely .
You have my word .
I slowed my pace , shifting immediately back to my human form , chest heaving , hands on my knees .
I leaned against a nearby tree , sweat dripping down my bare torso as I stared at the surrounding forest .
The shback left a bitter taste in my mouth .
I hated how much I still doubted Ramsey , and my unease wouldnt let me rest .
If I dont hear from them by the end of today , I muttered to myself , wiping the sweat from my brow .
Im going to White Moon Pack .
I wouldnt sit idly by while this uncertainty gnawed at me .
Not when L could be in danger or worse , being seduced by Ramsey again .
23:32 1/4 < 149 Ripple … The decision felt like a relief to my growing frustration .
Straightening , I slipped on my T shirt I had discarded before I went running and was preparing to head back when a loud , piercing cry filled the forest .
The cries were raw and filled with anguish that sent a shiver down my spine .
I froze , straining my ears as I tried to locate the direction of the sound .
A few secondster , the cry came again .
This time , it sounded more urgent than it did the first time .
I tensed , as Ragnar hovered on the surface , waiting to strike .
Whatever it was , it could either be a trap or someone was really in distress .
I kept my mind link open , ready to call for backup if need be before quietly creeping towards the sound .
The cries grew louder , more desperate , and I hastened along , still trying to be as stealthy as possible .
Finally , I arrived at a small clearing filled with shrubs and a small stream and stopped .
Lying beside the stream , her legs inside the flowing stream , was rissa Ls younger sister .
She was nearly naked .
Her body was trembling as she writhed in pain .
Her dark hair was matted with leaves ; her skin was scratched and bruised .
But that wasnt all .
She held her twisted right ankle ; pain contorted her face , and she cried out again in agony .
Instantly , I let Ragnar settle before I crept closer to her , looking around for signs that this wasnt a trap .
rissa ? I called out .
Her head snapped up as she turned in my direction .
As soon as she saw me , her hands left her ankle and covered her exposed breasts .
Tears were streaming down her face as she started crying again .
Nathan … thank God , its only you .
I thought I was going to die .
She wailed louder .
Die ? I still kept my distance as my eyes hovered all over her body , looking for our secret pack mark .
Most people think the Pack mark on the left wrist is the only symbol used to mark a wolf but there was another hidden symbol located either at the neck , feet or upper back that is known only to Alphas and Betas and it was so invisible that if you didnt know it was a mark , youd dismiss it as nothing .
That was one way we could tell shapeshifters apart .
My eyesnded on the mark near the nape of her neck , and I sighed in relief .
I reached her in two strides , taking off my shirt and pulling it over her head , covering up her body .
What happened ? I asked kneeling beside her .
Her hand returned to her ankle , clutching it tighter , as she gasped for breath .
I went … I went out for a run and then … I tripped and fell .
That must have been it .
I felt nothing at first , so I didnt bother .
It was when I wanted to rest and wash my face .
I just felt an unnatural movement through my body .
My legs gave way and then this , she pointed at her ankle .
23:32 J 2/4 149 Ripple … She nodded weakly , biting her lip to stifle another cry as I carefully examined her ankle .
The swelling was severe , and the skin around it was already darkening with bruises .
She must have twisted it badly in her wolf form , possibly fractured it .
My gaze swept over her , nothing the scrapes and cuts on her arms and legs .
I thought there was an order prohibiting anyone from running in this forest , I tried to sound as gentle as possible .
What if there was a Feral or worse ? How would you have defended yourself in this state ? I I just wanted to clear my head , she stammered , her voice trembling .
Almost everyone from the pack follows the other trail we created .
I just wanted to enjoy solitude for today .
I didnt mean to … The rest of the words dissolved into a sob and she shook her head , tears spilling freely down her cheeks .
Im sorry for being so clumsy .
Okay , okay , I interrupted softly , my hand resting on her shoulders to calm her .
Dont worry about that now .
We need to get you back and get this ankle looked at , but before that , I need to see if theres something I can do .
Can you shift back to your wolf form ? She nodded and , in a few minutes , a pale brown alpha wolfy in front of me .
I gently lifted her hind leg , examining the injury .
In her wolf form , itll be easier to snap it back into ce and create a cast of some sort .
It could also save her leg from developing furtherplications .
Listen , rissa , I said gently , meeting her gaze , which held mine intently .
Its a dislocation , but I can fix it , at least .
Itll stop any internal bleeding and save you from furtherplications .
So , Ill just snap it in .
Youll change into your human form and Ill make a cast for you .
Can you do that ? She whimpered in response , turning her head away as she shifted the leg to me .
I took it as a sign for me to go ahead .
I finished creating the cast momentster , and rissas eyes were puffy from crying .
I knew she had been in a lot of pain from all the snapping I did , but now she looked more rxed at least , and the swelling had subsided a lot .
Good , were ready to go .
She nodded , lowering her eyelids .
Thank you so much , Alpha Nathan .
Im sure I will heal before we reach the pack , she said .
Are you unting your Alpha blood ? I teased .
Sheughed .
Of course not .
Thank you .
She tried to sit up , and I steadied her with a firm grip .
Easy , I said .
Dont worry , Ill carry you .
But Alpha … she protested .
Its a long way from the Packhouse .
Youll tire .
Dont worry , I dont feel a lot of pain now .
Youre not supposed to move the leg or put pressure on it , I murmured then , without waiting for her approval Iglinned one arm under her knees and the other around her hack lifting her 23,32 > 149 Ripple … effortlessly .
She let out a small gasp , but her arms instinctively wrapped around my neck , her head resting against my shoulder .
As I started toward the pack house , I couldnt help wondering if this was connected to L a sign that something was wrong .
Something was happening I could feel it in my bones .
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