The Alpha’s Fated Choice (Alpha's Fated Encounter Trilogy #1)

And then there’s Rita’s odd behavior. What did she mean when she said she lied about the Silver Wolf? Does she know the wolf’s identity? And if Rita knows, who else does? I remember she said, “He knows,” but she didn’t tell me who “he” is. I know most of the people Rita interacts with, but for the life of me, I cannot come up with a single name. Who was she was referring to?

A sense of urgency takes over, and I try to run even faster.

If I’d taken the main road, I would be there by now. But she was insistent I come through the forest. Is her home also being watched?

I finally reach Rita’s cottage. It’s dark. Not even the porch light is on. I don’t see anyone waiting or watching outside. I make my way to the back door, and I’m about to knock when I smell the metallic scent of blood. I go still.

“Rita?”

There’s no answer. Alarm filling me, I test the door knob. It’s unlocked. I rush inside and reach for the light switch. The kitchen floods with light, and I see bloody footsteps on the floor. They come from the next room, cross the kitchen, and lead into the hallway.

The blood is fresh, still glistening under the light.

But I can’t catch anyone’s scent here.

“Rita!” I call, my heart pounding as I follow the footsteps. I hear a faint gurgling sound coming from her study. The door to it is always closed and locked, but tonight, it’s wide open. I’ve never moved faster in my life. When I burst into the study, I see Rita sprawled on the carpet, face down.

“Rita!” I cry out her name, horror filling me as I rush forward. I’m by her side in less than a heartbeat, and I turn her over.

Her throat has been sliced. She’s bleeding profusely, not dead yet. Her eyes are dim, but she’s still fighting.

“Oh, shit! I’ll get you to a healer, Rita. Don’t worry!” I try to reassure her, my heart beating in sickening fear. What happened here? Who did this to my friend?!

Her hands come up and wrap around her own throat, as if to stem the blood flow. “N-No. Sor—”

She can’t seem to get the words out, and with tears in my eyes, I implore her, “Don’t try to talk! Save your energy.”

But she is desperate to tell me something. Lifting one hand, she points at something behind me. I look in the direction her finger is pointing and see a wastebasket. “In…side.”

More blood spills from her mouth, and I sob, shaking my head. “Stop talking! Please!”

She’s not going to make it, I realize suddenly. Even if I can somehow get her to the healer, she won’t survive.

I hold her in my arms. “I’m here with you, Rita. I’m right here with you. I’m not leaving you. You are not alone.”

A tear spills down the side of her face as she gazes at me, a tormented look in her eyes. “S-Sor-Sorry.”

“Rita, you can’t talk!” I beg her, my voice cracking. “Please…”

I reach for my cell phone, hoping to call the healer. Maybe there’s still a chance…But as soon as I turn it on, the battery dies. My heart sinks in distress. I look around in despair and see a landline on the edge of Rita’s desk, right next to us. I reach up for it, but as soon as I grab the receiver, I realize the cord has been cut.

My lips move in a silent scream, anguish piercing me. “Who did this to you, Rita? Give me a name!”

I can see the light fading fast in her eyes. Her hand touches my chest as she tries to form a single word. I lean closer to hear what she’s trying to say.

“-un,” she gasps. “Run.”

“What?”

But that’s all she could say with her last breath. Her body goes limp.

A broken sound leaves my mouth as it hits me that she’s gone.

Holding Rita’s body against mine, I weep. I didn’t realize just how important she was to me until right now, as I cradle her lifeless form in my arms. I treasured my friendship with her. She was so affectionate, so full of life, and so wildly independent. Even the loss of her mate and one of her legs didn’t stop her from living her life to the fullest.

And now she’s gone.

I have to notify somebody. I have to alert the pack security team.