We edged closer until she could gently nudge him. When he didn''t resist, she kept nudging beneath him until finally hoisting him onto her back. The forest around us was dense and shadowy, the air thick with the scent of pine and damp earth. Carrying him through this tangled wilderness was no easy task-he was heavy, and it was clear we had to include this kind of endurance in our training. The trek back to the cabin stretched on for over two hours, but there was no other ce where I could properly care for him.


    When we reached the cabin, we had to shift our forms just to open the door. Then, shifting back, we lifted his barely conscious body and dragged him inside. She lowered him as gently as possible onto the floor beside the bed. I shifted again, quickly grabbing one of his shirts to throw over him—being naked seemed to unsettle him—and helped him onto the bed. He groaned softly, and I understood why. His skin was marred with shallow scrapes and deep, angry cuts, evidence of how viciously he''d been targeted. Whoever had done this wanted him to suffer.


    I gathered every rag and healing ointment we had stocked in the cabin. While I boiled water, I checked in with Rory, helping him strategize for his men. I sent a message to Ryker, asking for a few more soldiers to assist and scout the surrounding area. Janelle and Justin would move on if the shadowy figures recognized Finn and we couldn''t glean enough information about their destination or ultimate goal. Still, we couldn''t dismiss the possibility that they might return to Dark Moon seeking revenge.


    Slowly, I began cleaning Finn''s wounds, most of which were concentrated along his torso. It was clear they aimed for vital organs, but either theycked the skill to inflict fatal damage or Finn truly was as formidable inbat as he imed. Every time we sparred, I came out on top. Now, I found myself doubting whether that was ever really the case.


    I tried to roll him over, but a deep cut ran from his left shoulder, disappearing beneath him. I couldn''t tell how far it extended. He resisted my efforts he was a big man, and I wasn''t exactly fragile, but this was a struggle. “Come on, Finn. Let me help you," I urged softly.


    "Just leave it," he slurred, his voice thick with exhaustion.


    "Absolutely not. Flip over now, before I have to get rough with you."


    There was a sharp breath, then silence stretched between us. Was he really going to ignore me? Just as I reached to grasp his shoulder, he suddenly flopped onto his stomach, his head still turned away. "That might be the nicest thing you''ve ever said to me," he muttered into the pillow. I couldn''t help but smile-there was the feisty Finn I knew.


    “I''d never stoop so low as to say something nice to you," I teased back.


    He chuckled, muffled by the pillow. "I won''t tell anyone. Mate''s honor." His words froze me in ce.


    We hadn''t spoken about this since the night of the attack. I didn''t want a mate- never had, not after what happened with my former pack. Yet, somehow, the Moon Goddess had decided to toy with me after all these years. I had told him no, but after what Amy did to him, and seeing how he was rejected, I couldn''t bring myself to stoop as low as she had. I refused to cause him more pain-no one deserved that. But I couldn''t be his mate.


    I pushed thement aside, focusing on cleaning the wounds. Many of the


    scratches were beginning to heal, but some of the deeper gashes stubbornly bled


    on. His wolf''s healing powers should have kicked in by now.


    "You know what you have to do, don''t you?" my wolf whispered inside me.


    "No," I replied firmly. "His wolf needs to heal him."


    "His wolf can''t right now. Finn is ready to let go. His depression runs so deep, even his wolf can''t pull him out. He needs his mate. You have to show him there''s still a reason for him to stay."


    "Why me?" I asked bitterly. "I''m no good for him. Not as a mate."


    "That''s not your decision."


    "Why not? It wasn''t my choice to be caged and abused either. What does the Moon Goddess want from me?"


    "I don''t know. But right now, put on your big girl panties and help this warrior. He''s under your protection, part of your pack. Your job is to bring all your warriors back."


    I groaned inwardly. "I hate it when you use logic on me."