Lib Novel Page 17
He produces a small bottle from his jacket’s inner pocket and unscrews the top. “This is going to heal you, but it’s going to hurt. A lot.”
The last part is added as an afterthought.
Wolf shifters have faster healing than humans, but that doesn’t mean our injuries are gone within minutes or hours. Large wounds take a full day to completely close up and heal. That said, I don’t know what’s in this bottle, and I certainly don’t plan to find out.
“Don’t even—”
Alex pours the liquid from the bottle onto the gashes on my shoulder, and almost instantly, my cuts begin to sizzle, a putrid smell coming from them. I let out a sobbing gasp as the pain becomes unbearable. Desperate, I lift my other hand to do I don’t know what, but Alex stops me, his voice serious and his expression agitated. “It’s a healing remedy. I’ve treated my own wounds with this. I’m not trying to poison you.”
“So you say!” I try to sound angry, but I’m in so much agony that I can’t even muster up that emotion.
“I am the last person who would hurt you, Sophia.”
I have no choice but to listen to him, but with the agony that is seizing my body, his words barely register in me. Nor does the frustration in his voice.
I squeeze my eyes shut, shrinking away from him in pain. Whatever he’s putting on my shoulder burns my skin, and I bite my tongue to prevent myself from screaming. The agony is a vicious sort, and I struggle to breathe.
Surprisingly, Alex’s voice is gentle. “Just give it some time. The discomfort will go away.”
Will it? I can feel my skin stretching over the wound as it knits back together. One glance at it has me wanting to throw up. My fingers dig in the earth as I’m unable to stop the tears from spilling out. I’ve never experienced something so excruciating, and right now, overwhelmed and in such utter distress, a small part of me wishes that I could run and hide in someone’s arms, that someone would just hold me till this nightmare ends.
But I don’t have anyone, and that’s never going to change.
However, Alex’s hand wraps around mine in a grip so firm that something within me settles at his touch. I let out a shaky breath, telling myself to pull my hand away, but his warmth is comforting. I lean my head back against the tree, my jaw tense as I ride the wave of pain.
“Try to breathe through it,” Alex instructs. “Slow, deep breaths.”
To my surprise, he mimics the action he wants me to take. I am able to follow him, breath for breath, and within a few minutes, I feel the intensity of the pain begin to lessen. I don’t want to admit it, but I feel a sense of comfort with him here. I don’t trust him, but his presence calms me. It soothes me.
“In…and out…” He keeps repeating the phrase, as he draws in air and waits for me to do the same before expelling it.
I’m not even insulted that he’s treating me like a child. It’s helping.
I don’t have an accurate measure of time, but it feels like forever before I’m able to think clearly, the burning sensations finally fading away.
My whole body feels clammy, but this time, when I look at my shoulder, there is no trace of any injury.
I look at Alex, exhausted and stunned at the same time. “How is that possible?”
He notices that my breathing is uneven, and he takes a flask from his side. “Drink.”
I don’t protest, thirstily gulping down the cold water.
The refreshing liquid gives me some of my strength back and makes me feel more aware of my surroundings. My body is aching in a way it never has before, and I know I need to rest. I groan quietly, pulling myself into a better sitting position before looking at Alex. “What was in that bottle?”
He has already tucked it back into his jacket’s inner pocket. His eyes are serious as he says, “You don’t need to worry about it. But you should probably report the assault on you.”
His words make me want to smile humorlessly. “Bold of you to assume that anybody will care. Freddy is the son of someone high up in the pack security team. Nobody can do anything to him. If I say something, they’re going to come after me instead. It’s best that I pretend nothing ever happened.”
Alex’s eyes flash in anger. “Your Alpha doesn’t care?”
“Freddy’s right,” I say, more to myself than to Alex. “Alpha Black would rather be rid of me.” I feel the man before me start, and I realize I’ve spoken out loud again. I give him a half smile. “Don’t sweat it. Thanks for your help. I’ve got it from here. And don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone what you did to Freddy and his goons.”
I try to get to my feet, but I stumble, my legs unable to hold my weight. Alex catches me before I fall on my face. I have a flash of déjà vu—only this time, if he snaps at me about watching my step, I won’t be able to retaliate. But he doesn’t say anything. He just stares down at me, and once again, he doesn’t let go of me as quickly as he should.
His gaze is burning, filled with something my body understands but my mind doesn’t. My heart is fluttering like a hummingbird’s wings. As his eyes search mine, I feel as if somebody has lit a match in the pit of my stomach, the heat slowly enveloping me.
His mouth is too close to mine. I feel overwhelmed with the desire to reduce the distance between our lips.