Chapter 13 Thirteen

Calista’s POV

Another attack hit our borders. Warriors injured, the air thick with the smell of blood.

Nurses and doctors ran through the hallway to attend to emergencies. I got to one of the rooms where some of the injured warriors were being treated and couldn't help but stop.

My eyes scanned the room.

While some injuries weren't serious, others might take months to recover. And this was bad news for the pack.

But the most terrifying thing about this whole thing was we had no idea who the enemy was.

They weren't rogues.

At least that was what I discovered during the attack.

Their scent was off, but it wasn't rogue.

"Any survivors?" I asked my beta, who had blood all over him, and he shook his head.

Again, we couldn’t capture any of them for questioning.

And this seemed to be the real plan, if not a deliberate plot.

"You’re bleeding. You should get yourself treated," Ray pointed out, gesturing to my arm which I hadn't noticed.

"I will get the doctor," Ray said but I stopped him. "He’s busy." I let out a sigh.

My men needed him more than I did. "You can help me bandage it." I said and Ray parted his lips but nodded at the end.

I sat down in the waiting room while Ray left to get a bandage and something to clean the wound.

He returned shortly after with a tray.

I pulled my top off, leaving my inner layer — a tight gray dress with little to no sleeve.

It was a slight cut but deep, judging by how soaked my dress was.

"Are you sure you don't want me to get the doctor?" I shook my head at Ray’s words.

Almost half of my warriors were injured and he was the only doctor treating them. I couldn't risk any lives.

Every life in this building was important, especially the pack warriors.

The pack still needed them. I needed them. Their families needed them.

"Okay," Ray said and was about to apply ointment to my arm before bandaging it when a loud growl erupted through the building.

'Mate!' Isla howled in my head.

Both Ray and I turned our heads simultaneously. And at the end of the hall stood Zane Bluemede. The ruthless alpha of the Blue Moon Pack.

"Get away from her!" he demanded. His eyes burned into Ray as if daring him to disobey.

His aura caused a shift in the air.

My eyes stared at him. Isla stirred in my head at the sight of him and his intoxicating scent, which was hard to ignore.

"Go check on the warriors," I whispered to Ray. He didn't argue.

He placed the bandage back on the tray and hesitantly left.

I let out a breath and turned my gaze back to him, and this time he was walking toward me at the speed of light.

His aqua-blue eyes fixed on me like a predator.

Without a word, he slid his right arm underneath me and carried me in his arms.

"What are you doing?" I demanded with a frown.

And he chuckled. "Isn't it obvious?" His deep voice resounded inside me but I refused to let myself melt in his hold even though I wanted to.

I looked at where he was taking me and it was the path to the doctor's office. The rooms were full because of the many injured warriors.

"Put me down. I can walk by myself," I said but he didn't seem to care. Pack members stared at us with nothing but curiosity.

The females who were in the hospital because of their mates, brothers, or sons couldn't help staring in our direction and it was embarrassing.

I was their alpha, for goddess sake.

He kicked the door to the doctor's office open and it was empty.

He sat me down gently in the chair.

"What are you doing here in the Crystal Pack?" I asked and the door suddenly opened.

Sternly walked in with a tray of medics. His expression was stone hard, just like he was known for.

"It will hurt." Zane knelt in front of me, picking a piece of cotton from the tray. My eyes widened slightly as he began cleaning my cut, slowly.

What the hell did he think he was doing?

What would happen if any of my warriors walked in and found him in this position? The Alpha of Alphas kneeling in front of me?

"Stay still," he scolded the minute I tried to pull my arm from his grip.

I hissed as he pressed the disinfected cotton on the cut.

"You should have been careful," he said coldly. And I couldn't believe I was getting scolded by him for getting hurt in a fight that was beyond my control.

"I was careful." I looked away after saying it, swallowing a knot in my throat.

"I will be more gentle," he whispered under his breath.

His serious expression made my throat tight, and my insides felt hot. My wolf growled at his warm touch on my arm.

"It's done," he said, standing up and saving me from any further embarrassment.

"What are you doing here and what do you want?" I questioned, not holding back my alpha aura.

He wasn't a guest in this pack, so what could he possibly want?

I didn't remember inviting him over.

"Is that what you want to know?" He asked, his perfect eyes staring back at me for a few seconds before he took one more step closer.

"Which one should I answer first?" He asked in a soft, gentle voice.

"Don't you think you have to explain yourself?" I tilted my head to the side, his huge body towering over me like a beast.

I knew I should be worried and afraid that he was suddenly in my pack, but for some reason, I wasn't.

Not even a little.

He might be the most ruthless alpha ever, but I wasn't scared of his sudden presence in my pack.

"I don't like your beta," he stated clearly and I frowned.

I knew what happened when Zane Bluemede didn't like someone.

He murdered his own father because he didn't like him.

He threw his stepmother to the wolves because he felt she was too annoying and offered his sister to the old alpha of the Mountain Pack because he wanted power.

"He is my beta," I said and he chuckled. "You are my mate." He leaned toward me. His hand settled on the armrest with his face inches from mine.

His hot breath fanned my face. My insides twisted on their own.

Butterflies flew in my belly.

"Excuse me?" I narrowed my eyes. What did he mean by I was his mate?

Did he forget he didn't want me?

"If I see him close to you again—" Before he could finish speaking, I slammed my fist against his cheek.

His face shifted to the side at the impact. His beta didn't move. Sternly remained standing by the door with his deadpan expression.

"He answers to no one except me," I warned. Anger blooming in my eyes.

Threatening my beta in my pack was unacceptable.

"I will kill him." He turned his gaze back to me with anger blazing in his eyes.

He wasn't joking.

"Get out of my pack," I growled but he didn't move.

His eyes kept staring back into mine.

"You are mine, Calista Rukers," he declared with all seriousness that chilled me.

His face void of emotion.

My wolf growled at his claim.