“Hey, where are you going?” Juice called out as I ran after the wolf.
“I think Hades knows where Ashley is. Get an ambulance up here in case she needs it.” I didn’t stick around to make sure he heard me. Branches snapped under my feet as I scrambled to keep up with the big wolf.
Hades led me straight up the hill through trees so dense that they blocked out most of the daylight. When I lost sight of him, he’d double back and nudge his nose against my leg, urging me to go faster. He finally slowed as we neared the edge of a small clearing. My heart jumped into my chest at the sight of a body on the other side.
Hades jumped over it and ventured another few yards into the trees. It had to be Ashley, but I didn’t want to look. I gritted my teeth and forced myself to kneel down next to her. She was on her side with her head buried under a pile of leaves. I gently flipped her over, bracing myself for the worst.
Staring down at Spike, I blew the air out of my lungs. He was dead, either from the gaping gash on the side of his head or the ring of teeth marks at his neck.
Relief coursed through me as I got back to my feet and made my way toward the wolf. Hades stepped to the side and revealed Ashley curled up in the fetal position. I fell to my knees and searched for a pulse. She was breathing. That’s all that mattered.
“You up here, man?” Juice called from down the hill.
“I’ve got her. Where’s that ambulance?” I didn’t want to move her, but there was no way anyone could get to her this far up the mountain.
“Five minutes out.” Juice stepped into the clearing. “What the hell happened here?”
Hades lifted his head and rubbed against my thigh before taking off into the woods.
“I think Hades saved her,” I said. That was the only reasonable explanation. “Look, her pants are burned. He must have pulled her away from the fire.”
“What about him?” Juice grimaced at what remained of Spike.
“I don’t know. We need to get her out of here. Help me move her?” I eased my hands under Ashley’s shoulders and carefully lifted her upper body while Juice handled her legs.
It was slow going, but we made it to the road and met up with the ambulance. The paramedics assessed Ashley on the way to the hospital. Her vitals were good, and they didn’t see any life-threatening injuries. She’d probably passed out from the big bump on her head and would need to have the burns on her legs treated. They said she was lucky, but I knew better. She never would have been in the woods if it hadn’t been for me.
By the time we arrived at the hospital, Lightning was out of surgery. He’d been shot in the left arm twice, but they were able to remove the bullets and expected him to make a full recovery.
“I guess it’s going to take more than a couple of bullets to keep you down.” He was going to be fine. I didn’t allow myself to think about how I’d be feeling if the worst had happened. “I’m glad you’re going to be all right.”
“Hell, I’m used to holding off entire offensive lines.” Lightning offered a weak smile. “How’s your girl?”
“She still hasn’t woken up. I should have known better than to think I could have it all. I’ve got to let her go.” Saying it out loud felt like stabbing myself in the heart. It was the only way, though. I’d failed Ashley and wouldn’t put her in danger again.
“What are you talking about?” My brother squinted at me, his face so pale against the white hospital sheets.
“Fuck, man. It’s all my fault.” I was to blame. Ashley never would have been hurt if I’d kept my distance.
Lightning shook his head. “Don’t do that.”
“Don’t do what?” I shot back.
“Try to take the blame for every goddamn thing that goes wrong. Shit happens and we do the best we can.” He lifted his good shoulder in a slight shrug.
“It’s not that easy. I should have known better than to let myself get involved.”
“That’s right. God forbid you put yourself out there. You might start to fucking care about someone else.” Lightning narrowed his eyes and stared at me. “That’s it, isn’t it?”
“I don’t know what the hell you’re talking about.”
“You’re scared to put yourself out there because you’re afraid you’re going to get hurt.” He slapped his hand down on his thigh. “All this time… I always thought you were so tough that you didn’t need anyone. But the truth is you were just afraid.”
“I think you’re still fucked up from anesthesia.” His words hit way too close to the truth. It was easier to keep myself closed off than to risk caring for someone. If I hadn’t opened myself up to Ashley, I wouldn’t feel like a miserable piece of shit for being the reason she was in the hospital. I got up, needing to take some space.
The nurse who’d been shuttling between Ashley’s room and Lightning’s stuck her head through the door. “She’s awake, and she’s asking for you.”
I looked at Lightning. “I’ve gotta go. I’ll be back to check on you in a bit.”
