The Huntress

Seven

Payne:

    They brought her in on a stretcher. Her scent swirled in the air making my wolf furious because of the condition she was in. Even in her state, I wasn't anywhere close to being in good conditions my self. The screaming was starting to get to me. Someone had hurt her. Badly. Once she stopped crying out. I was able to briefly relax. 

    "Payne, you shouldn't worry like this. We need your heart to be steady," a woman said coming over to me messing with the things that are linked to my arm with a needle. 

    They had explained this to me when I was first brought in. Apparently, I had been internally bleeding for some time. It was from all the trauma my body had received over the years. As Jack the Alphas brother walked in and went to her side a little more power came over me. He walked right over to the room I had seen them take her in like he had some sort of right to do so.

     Mine. My wolf growled in my head. I fought him back.

    I am not in any shape to do a single thing about this. I might not even be worthy of a mate and that boy he looks like everything she would ever need. He's of alpha blood. Not an heir but certainly powerful enough to keep her safe.

    I sat back taking in deep breaths of that intoxicating scent that has swirled in the air. I'm not entirely sure what it is but I want to keep taking it in. It's what she smells like. It's calming me enough for the nurse to smile at me approvingly. A growl made us both jump. We looked over to the room Jack had just walked into.

    "Get off of me now," her beautiful voice rang through the room bouncing off the walls with power.

    "Zulu, relax you've been shot," Jack said. I sat up on sheer instinct. Shot?

    "Payne," the nurse scolded.

    "Zuluna, get back in the bed. You're going to open up your wounds," the doctor shouted appearing in front of her door. 

    She pushed him out of the way as she looked around frantically. From across the room, her eyes fell on me. All I can do is stare back. Her arms went up removing the tubes that were similar to my own as shoved people out of her way. She didn't stop until she was at the feet of the bed I am. Her expression is blank.

    "What's wrong with him? Who did this to him?" She growled. Jack came over to her confused and ready to reason with her. Her expression completely changed into something angry. I know that look and she's giving it to the others around the room. I doubt that in this moment there is anything that would be able to stop her. She came around the bed closer.

     "Baby, calm down..." a loud growl escaped from me. I have no idea why or how but it did. Everyone near me, except for her, all flinched away frightened.

    I couldn't stand yet but my arms did move. I pulled my mate close to me by her wrist. Instantly I felt a gentle warmth go up my arm and flow through my body. I let out a breath of relief. She let me hold on to her without complaint.

     "Are you okay?" she asked concern and warmth in her eyes a look I haven't received since I was taken from my mother's side. 

    "Shouldn't I be asking you that?" I asked. My voice still hoarse and broken from being unused all these years. The growl hadn't helped in the slightest.

    "I'll be fine I always am," someone handed her a file and she sat down next to me to read it. Her breathing began to pick up to the point where her chest was rumbling with the threats of angry growls.

     "Zulu, what's wrong?" Jack asked looking at me.

     "I'm going to transfer him to the hospital immediately. I need him tested for everything you can think of testing him with," no one moved. "Today! Now!"

    "Do what she says," the alpha demanded walking in. Everyone scrambled. "Zulu what's going on?"

    "My mate can die from this. I won't allow that," my wolf and I beamed knowing she just claimed us as hers.

    "Your mate?" Jack asked.

    "I'm sorry, Jack. We'll talk about this later. Right now he's my main priority,"

    "You're not even remotely okay," he protested but was ignored by her and the alpha.

    "Who shot you?" the alpha asked/

    "A rogue. Varco let me go just like I said he would," she said.

    "A rogue?" they both asked. 

    "I didn't catch the scent of a rogue," 

    "Because it wasn't here. I had a long run from Fire Rose. And yeah, a big rogue. That's not important right now. Just run a follow-up watch. Don't give him a window to cross in here," With that being said everyone began to leave the room. Except for the two of us.

    "You're going to be fine. I'm going to fix you. Then when you're healed I want you to tell me everything that's ever happened to you and why," I nodded feeling warmth leak through my eyes and slide down my face.

    "I'm sorry," I whispered wiping away the tears. She scooted closer to me and took my hands in hers.

    "Don't apologize. What's your name?"

    "Payne Franco," she smiled.

    "That's a really cool name," she giggled the sound making me shiver.

    "What's your name?"

    "Zuluna Heatherstone. Everyone calls me Zulu,"

    "Zuluna Heatherstone," I repeated after her. She closed her eyes and smiled.

     "Say it again," she demanded.

     "Zuluna,"

    "Zulu we're ready for transfer," Dr. Macias said.

    "Let's get you fixed up," she said and stood up. She walked ahead and every once in a while she would turn around to look at me with that same warm look in her eyes. Now I finally realize why I had to endure all that I did and she's perfect.