Austin POV
The moment she nodded, I didn't waste another second. Her scent hit me the moment I leaned closer—blood, smoke, and something else… something warm and unfamiliar. My wolf stirred restlessly inside me.
Mate.
The word echoed faintly in my mind, but I forced it down immediately. This wasn't the time to think about that.
Right now, she is bleeding.
Badly.
I slid one arm under her shoulders and the other beneath her knees, lifting her carefully from the cold ground. She tensed for a moment, clearly not used to being helped.
"Relax," I muttered quietly. "You're going to make it worse."
She didn't respond, but I could feel how weak she had become. A few minutes ago she had been fighting like hell against those panther shifters. For someone this injured… She was unbelievably stubborn.
My eyes scanned the street once more. The panthers I hadn't killed had already fled. Cowards.
Good.
I carried her to my SUV parked across the road and opened the passenger door with my elbow before gently placing her inside.
She winced when her back touched the seat.
"Hold on," I said, shutting the door quickly before moving to the driver's side.
The engine roared to life, and I sped off down the empty road.
The entire ride was silent except for her uneven breathing. I glanced at her briefly.
She looked pale… but her eyes were still alert.
"You're lucky," I said after a moment.
She let out a weak scoff. "Lucky? I nearly died."
"If I hadn't come back, you would have."
Her eyes shifted toward me.
"…Why did you come back?"
The question hung in the air.
I tightened my grip on the steering wheel.
"Something didn't feel right," I said simply.
That wasn't the full truth.
The truth was my wolf refused to leave town the moment we saw her earlier in the bar.
But I wasn't ready to explain that.
Not yet. After several minutes of driving, the road changed from pavement to gravel as we entered the forest surrounding pack territory.
Tall trees lined both sides of the road, their shadows stretching across the headlights.
The forest sang beneath as I approached the enormous forest cabin.
Finally, Aria's cabin came into view. I stopped the car and quickly got out before opening her door again.
"Can you walk?" I asked.
She tried to push herself up.
The moment she did, her body nearly collapsed.
I caught her instantly.
"Yeah," I said dryly. "That's what I thought."
Before she could protest again, I lifted her into my arms and carried her toward the wooden cabin. My heart was pounding as I carried her close to my chest; she looked so fragile. The scent of herbs and smoke drifted through the air.
I kicked the door open.
"Aria!" I called.
A moment later the old healer stepped out from the back room, adjusting the glasses on her nose.
Her sharp gaze immediately landed on the woman in my arms.
"Well," he sighed. "Looks like trouble found you again, Beta."
"She was attacked by panther shifters," I said. "She's losing blood."
Aria nodded toward the bed.
"Lay her down."
I walked over and gently placed her on the mattress.
The moment she settled, she exhaled softly in relief.
Aria immediately began examining her injuries.
"Hmm…" he murmured. "Bruised ribs. Deep claw wounds. Head injury."
He glanced at me.
"She's lucky you brought her when you did."
"I know."
Aria began mixing crushed herbs and oils together. The room filled with the strong scent of lavender and sage.
While he worked, I leaned against the wall, watching.
She noticed.
Her eyes met mine.
For a moment neither of us spoke.
Then she cleared her throat slightly.
"Hey…"
I straightened up.
"What?"
Her voice was quieter now.
"…Thanks."
I frowned slightly.
"For what?"
"For saving me back there," she said. "Those panthers would've finished me."
She paused before adding,
"I'm not exactly used to people stepping in to help me."
I studied her face for a moment.
Strong.
Stubborn.
Dangerous.
Yet somehow… fragile right now.
"You handled yourself pretty well," I admitted. "Most people wouldn't survive five minutes against that many panthers."
She smirked faintly despite the pain.
"Good to know I impressed the Beta wolf."
Rowan chuckled softly from across the room.
"Impressed or not, she still needs healing," the old man said while applying the herbal paste to her wounds.
She stares slightly but makes no response.
I crossed my arms, still watching.
"What is your name?" I demanded.
Her brows knit in confusion. "Selin," she responded.
I turned my head slightly, making a nod.
"I will be right back. " I told Aria
Moments later. .........…
I entered the room holding some blueberries with milk as I approached where Selin was lying.
"Here, I bought you some snacks; make sure you eat them. You need strength," I told her.
She winced slightly but stayed quiet. All she did was stare.
I crossed my arms, leaning against the door, still watching. And for the first time that night, my wolf settled.
Because somehow…
Bringing her here felt like the right thing to do.
I thought.