Chapter 4: Trust

Ethan

Jackson ordered two wolves to flank my mate, keeping her safe, but also making sure she followed my order.

Alpha? Jackson asked through our mind link.

She's my mate, I replied, watching Grace's subtle movements as she walked ahead of us.

Oh shit.

Yeah.

Does she know? She doesn't act like she recognizes you as her mate.

I'm not sure. She's a lone wolf, but she's in medical school studying human and veterinary medicine.

He turned and looked at her appraisingly. Wow. A smart one.

Apparently.

What did she say about your leg?

That I need surgery.

Well, no offense but I could have told you that.

I fought back a grimace as Shadow tried to help manage the pain shooting through my shattered leg. Let's see what she says when we get to the pack. And find her a shirt. I don't like her walking around our warriors with no clothes on.

Jackson took off, rushing toward our pack lands. When he returned, Hunter carried a shirt to her in his mouth. I watched her reaction carefully.

"We're about to enter my pack. You're an unmarked, unknown, young female. I thought you might like a shirt to put on to cover yourself," I said, trying to sound reasonable rather than commanding.

If she refused, I'd insist, but I hoped she'd choose to put it on without me having to demand it. Thankfully she did, looking almost relieved. Good. She wasn't the kind of woman who flaunted her beautiful body for all to see.

When we arrived at the medical center, I was taken straight in, asking Jackson about other injuries our warriors sustained and what happened to Kane's pack. He gave me the list of casualties as we walked in, shifting and continuing to talk as Dr. Richards rushed up to us.

"Alpha, let's get you into a room so we can look at your leg. You'll need x-rays," he said with practiced professionalism that never quite reached his eyes.

"Yes, I will," I agreed. "She comes too." I nodded toward Grace.

"The girl has a name," she mumbled under her breath.

I stopped and turned to look at her, watching her eyes go wide. She obviously hadn't been around many Alphas lately or had forgotten how sensitive our hearing was. Her habit of talking to herself was oddly endearing.

"Grace. Come with me." I turned back, letting my warriors help me into the x-ray room.

"Who are you? Get out!" Dr. Richards barked at her as we entered.

"She's with me," I stated firmly, ignoring his blustery attitude.

She glanced at him and then at me, and I was pleased when she instinctively moved closer to me rather than backing down. Now that I could see her in better light, I noticed just how striking she was. Her copper-flecked chestnut hair framed a face that revealed every thought that crossed her mind. Her eyes were a deep jade green, reflecting intelligence and wariness in equal measure.

I caught several of my warriors stealing glances at her. Mine, Shadow growled possessively in my mind, and I silently agreed. It was definitely good she had that shirt on, or I might have had to rip some eyes from their sockets.

As Dr. Richards prepared the x-ray machine, I noticed Grace frowning, her head tilting slightly as she watched him work. When the doctor left the room, I beckoned her closer.

"What was that look?" I asked, my patience thin from the throbbing pain.

"What look?" she countered.

I just raised an eyebrow at her. Perhaps the pain was making me less amenable to small talk. I was trying to ignore it, but it wasn't easy, and Shadow couldn't heal me until the bones were properly set.

She glanced behind her to ensure the doctor was gone, then leaned in closer. Her scent filled my nose—clean antiseptic mingled with something like wildflowers and rain.

"Why isn't he taking side views? He only took a view from the top," she whispered. "And there's wolfsbane in your wound that needs to be neutralized first. That's not scientifically sound."

My eyes widened slightly at her observation as Dr. Richards returned, putting the x-ray up on the lightbox.

"Well, Alpha, your leg isn't salvageable. I'm afraid we're going to have to remove it," he said dispassionately, as if he hadn't just told me my entire world was about to collapse around me.

I felt my stomach clench and my heart skip a beat. At the same time, I heard Grace suck in a sharp breath beside me. Without a leg, how could I remain Alpha? Without my rank, without a pack to lead and protect, I had no idea who I was.

"Dr. Grace, what do you think?" I asked, hoping desperately for another option.

"Doctor?" Richards asked condescendingly, his lip curling slightly.

"Studying to be," she replied, standing straighter. "But I would suggest getting x-rays of the sides of the leg before determining if the leg has to be removed. And treating the wolfsbane poisoning immediately."

"You heard her, Dr. Richards. Side x-rays. NOW!" I barked, my temper slipping. Grace jumped slightly at my tone, but I couldn't help it. This asshole was going to tell me my leg needed to be removed without even conducting a proper examination?

Richards continued to glare at Grace while he reluctantly took more x-rays. When he returned, he put them on the lightbox and turned to her with a sneer.

"What do you think now, doctor?" he asked mockingly.

Grace walked to the lightbox, looking closely at first one, then the other x-ray. "Do you have the original?" she asked, turning to Dr. Richards. He huffed, but handed it to her and she set it up on the lightbox beside the others.

She stood back, her head tilting from one side to the other. I watched her, a flutter of hope rising in my chest despite my efforts to remain detached.

"Grace?" I couldn't keep the question from my voice.

"We can salvage the leg," she said, turning to me with quiet confidence.

"You've got to be joking!" Richards exclaimed. "His leg is shattered!"

"Yes, it is," she agreed calmly. "And it will take a lot of time and patience. But Alpha Ethan has time, and I have patience."

"Do it," I told her without hesitation, putting my future into this woman's hands and hoping I wouldn't regret it.

As Richards stormed out to gather supplies, I caught the calculating look in his eyes. I'd deal with him later. Right now, all that mattered was that this strange, brilliant woman might save not just my leg, but my identity as Alpha.

As the words leave my mouth, I realize something has fundamentally shifted. I've led my Pack through countless battles and made life-or-death decisions for years, but this—trusting this unknown woman with determined eyes and gentle hands—may be the most significant choice I've ever made.

And the most dangerous.