Lone Wolf (The Wulf Pack Book 1)

“What the hell are you doing?” He spun her around to face him, eyes wide, jaw clenching as he gnashed his teeth together.

“I am showing him what happened.”

“No,” his grip on her shoulders tightened. “Put your fu*ken shirt back on.” he growled the words. Willow only shook her head, reaching her hands up, she slowly pulled the bandage off of her chest. His eyes widened, frozen as he watched her peel it from her skin.

He had only seen it twice, days ago, when she was still being forced to sleep because of the pain. Now, his eyes were unwavering as she slowly revealed the half-healed marks on her chest. Her state of undress forgotten as he laid eyes on the raw flesh. She hadn’t bleed from the marks in two days, but they were nowhere near healed.

Each claw-mark was coated in a soft, pink scab and if you looked closely, you could see where each stitch had been keeping them closed. The center was still red, puckered around the edges, too wide and too deep to be scabbed over fully.

Rage’s lips parted in a gasp, too shocked at the sight to stop her from turning and revealing her nearly naked torso to his brother.

The sounds of chains rattling was what pulled him from his frozen state. He looked over at his brother to find Fury with both hands over his mouth, his eyes wide and watery. He was surprised at the horrified look on Fury’s face. How did he not have a clue of what he had done to her in his fit of anger?

Tenderly, Willow pulled her shirt back on, biting her lip as she fraught the pain of the movement.

“I hope that in the future, you can come to terms with my choice and learn to care for me as your sister.”

Her confidence wavered as she turned and caught sight of the look on Rage’s face. Gone was the anger, in it’s place was shock and grief. She had a feeling he was mentally beating himself up about it, again.

She grabbed his hand and lead him from the room. He obediently followed, too lost in his own thoughts to do anything else.

He was vaguely aware of her stopping and asking someone something before leading him into a room.

“Rage, Rage it’s okay, come on Rage, come back,”

Her hands were cupping his cheeks, forcing his head down to look at her as her voice called for him, slowly drawing him out of his own mind.

“There you are.” She smiled as his eyes cleared, focusing on her standing in front of him. She lifted herself up, as far as she could and placed a quick kiss to his lips.

“Don’t ever do that again.” He growled lowly, pulling her to him, wrapping his arms around her. “Your clothes stay on around other males. They don’t need to see what is mine.” His growl vibrated through her and she giggled.

“Yes sir.” She joked, and he growled again, this time in warning. He was being serious and did not appreciate her joking. “I won’t Rage. You know me better than that. I wouldn’t take my shirt off in front off just anyone.”

She flinched as she realized what she said. She felt him stiffen and knew she had struck a nerve. Rage pulled her away from him, holding her shoulders so he could look her in the eye.

“Did he see you naked before?” She rolled her eyes dispite his red face and clenched jaw.

“No,” her hand moved to cup either side of his face, “only you.”

A throat cleared from the open doorway causing Willow to jump and spin around. Her face flushing red with embarrassment.

A nurse stood in the doorway, a knowing smirk on her face.

“Do you still want me redress your wounds or would you like me to come back?”

Willow woke as she felt the bed shift, a slight breeze hit her as the blankets were lifted, drawing a shiver from her.

She let out a whine as chilled arms wrapped around her warm body. A chuckle rumbling against her back as she is pulled against a bare chest.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to wake you.” Rage whispered into her neck, placing a soft kiss there.

“You’re cold,” she whined making him chuckle again. “What time is it?”

“Two, go back to sleep baby,” He kissed her once more on the head before settling down behind her.

“What were you doing?” He groaned, leaning his forehead against her back.

“I was in a meeting and then met with Hunter.” She frowned, twelve hours was a long time to be in meetings.

“About what?” He let out a heavy sigh. He was exhausted, all he wanted to do is sleep. He leaned away as he felt her roll to face him. He sighed again as he looked into her innocent brown eyes.

“Do you remember that war I said was coming?” She nodded her head silently. “Well it’s started.”

“Oh.” He watched as she bit her lip in thought, she was worried, as she should be.

“Hunter wants to get as much done before I leave.”

When her eyes shot to his, widdening he realized what he said. He mentally cursed, he had been holding off on telling her.

“You’re leaving? Again?” She sat up, looking down at him, panic filled her chest at the thought. He couldn’t leave, she needed him here. What was she going to do without him here?

“Shh, it’s okay, everything is going to be alright.” He was sitting up now, holding her shoulders before pulling her against his chest.

She didn’t notice she was crying until she felt her cheek against his skin.

“I will come back, I promise.” He whispered into her hair as she cried. He knew she would take it badly.

“How long?” Willow managed to hiccup, trying to stop crying. She knew she was being mire emotional than she should be.

“Four months.” Rage tightened his arms around her, pulling her tighter against his chest, “I’ll be back before the pups are born.”

She took in a shaky breath, nodding. His words calming her slightly.

“When do you leave?”

“Two days,” he mumbled into her hair, placing a kiss on the top of her head.

He loosened his grip as she pulled back, looking at him. Her tear-stained face and shinning eyes tugged at his chest. She leaned into his palm as he cupped her face, brushing away the remnants of her tears.

“There are some things that need to be taken care of before I leave.”

Willow’s eyes fluttered open as she frowned. His tone had changed from a serious one to one with a teasing hint to it.

A smirk lifted the side of his mouth, a mischievous look in his eyes. He leaned down, brushing his lips softly against hers.

“One of them,” his lips brushed along her jaw and down her neck. “I can take care of right now.”

He kissed her neck as his hands found their way to her back as he slowly eased her back to the bed.