so there were more healing duties than usual. He didn't get a break until nightfall,

ugh to her. That set off alarm bells. Dylan headed

she said, clearly shaken. "What

It must've been right before Perry passed out-Gina had been t

d by her panic. "What

hing that had gone down with Francis setting Perry up. Now Dylan looked just a

"Poor Perry, she's been through so much ever sinc

d breath. "We need to fig

r sports car parked out front caught his eye. He r

to the car, knocking on the window. The car stayed still for a moment, then th

ble-serious trouble. I'm asking you to help us get her

with Benjamin and didn't even know who Dylan was. And why

" Dylan pushed, getting desperate. "Can y

lipped. Dylan could tell his patience was wearing thin. Bi

who can save your br

ard

just tried to feed him some ridiculous lie. Perry? A healer? That sounded insane. She was just a youn

I hate being lied to. Tell me how you know about Benjamin. You'd better

one of the healers Byron contacted. Perry and I grew up together. She got interested in healing werewolves be

apping on a photo. "Look, this is Perry. You've seen her in this outf

tending to a dying werewolf. He'd been chasing after any traces o

heck it out. Especially considerin

th Dylan and asked ser

ng the phone back in his pocket. "She's been hiding her identity. Richa

trouble?" Richard thought

is or Tom. And if someone found out who Perry rea

ichard's expression hardened insta

om saving Benjamin?" the thought shot

r what, we're finding her. Byron, get those trackers ove

ed from the driver's s

acking Perry down, she had alr

. She scanned the room, cautious. The curtains were drawn tight-no way

about healing-someone had kidnapped her for another reason. Her

nxiety crept in-until a moment later, a werewolf came stroll

here, all smug, re

eyes hard. He only had a bathrobe on, that creepy grin smeared across his fac

If Tom tried anything, she'd fight tooth and nail to get away, even if t

Tom sneered, clearly enjoying the fear in her eyes. "But don't worry. As

yes landed on several nasty ulcers on his torso, and she instantly felt the bile rise in her

ing around with different females. Finding out he

that hit a nerve. He yanked his robe tighter around his body as those sores start

we make a deal? Tom Pierce, I treat

s her only shot at buying time and maybe getting out. She knew how bad his co

ely dismissing her. "You? Fix me? Y

r what you try, you've got two years max, and that's bei

o home. He stared at her for a long second, suspicion creepin

he knew he was starting to believe her. "Honestly, if I wasn't trying to figure out w

is body-his ugly little secret. This might be hi

nce, chin lifted high. She'd trained for this since she

ly if you listen to

g. I'll do anything you-" Tom didn't get to finish.

ed back as Richard strode in, eyes dark and full of barely-contained f

" Byron sa

here, but she instinctively edged back a little, anxiety bubbling inside her. Then Richar

o clue how Richard had tracked them down. He forced a st

o his gut. Tom shrieked and crumpled to the ground, moaning in pain. Still, he didn't d

hard's overwhelming presence crushed any thought of a fight. Tom shakily push

voice was low, steady. "If you want to make him pay, now's your shot.

ngerous yet strangely alluring. Perry blinked, dazed by th

r more than she liked. But as her thoughts refocused on Benjamin's condition, urgency surged back. She gasped and shoute

d looked genui

about Benjamin's situation?

Perry said, trying to keep her voice calm. "Tell Dylan to m

sitate-he floored the gas, and the engine roared as the car sped toward the h

e than before. We're doing everything we can, but... it's

expression clouding his face,

a serious look. "You know wh

a nod. "Dylan already sent

e him?" Richard asked,

ooked-drawn to her without even fully realizing it. The thought co

already planning her next steps. She didn't notice Richard

ve his expression had become. At th

my mate," the thought