Monroe (8)

I was pulled chest to chest with McCoy as his arm held me out of view of his brother. I think I might die of embarrassment since his brother is my student. I'm not even sure he knows about the mate situation yet.

"Brother, this was on the door to the packhouse." he was holding out a letter, and it was at that moment I saw he covered his eyes, so I quickly buttoned my shirt.

"All it says is 'you can't have her.' what does that even mean" McCoy whispered. "she is covered. You can open your eyes now."

"I figured it was about our new Luna since the Alpha made it known he found her. Maybe a rouge found out," Taylor said. I was proud of him. That was a clever Idea.

"I need to contact the Alpha. Also, Taylor, go get Max. He might have some insight into the nearest rouge situation. Roe, see if you can use your methods to trace the author of this letter." McCoy Picked up his phone as Taylor ran away, but before I grabbed the letter, I slid up next to him.

"my methods are called magic." I followed that up with a kiss on his cheek, knowing he was as frustrated as I was, but still, who can pass up a tease. I took the letter to Baxter's office because I assumed that was where we would meet when he returned. What I didn't expect was not having any answers from any tracking spell. Then, the door to his office nearly burst off the hinges as Baxter entered. He comes in on me being a bloody mess on the floor, trying to scry for the author of the note. I was so desperate to find an answer that I cut my arm open, thinking I could amp the spell up with a bit of blood.

"Who do I need to kill?" Baxter's arms gripped me off the floor. The strength made me squeal, trying to get out of his grasp, and the tone had me curling in on myself and my sticky, wet clothes.

"I don't know," I whispered. My eyes landed on the small pool of blood on the floor. It rolled to the map instead of creating a path to the owner of the letter, which is sanddened on the map. There was a ringing in my ear as I watched the blood, my blood. I should have gone out for an animal, but I didn't think I'd be searching this long. It was still pouring out of my arm. My brain clanged around in my head, and my feet slipped on the pool, smearing the ever-growing red on the floor. When the hands released me, my knees slammed into the pool.

"damn, it," a rough voice grabbed my arm, wrapping it up. The pain was worse than the mounting ache in my head. "what were you thinking? Heal yourself"

"ROE, HEAL YOURSELF." I felt my stupor fade away.

"close," I said and motioned at my own arm. I couldn't get the blood back in, but could stop the rest from leaving. Darrel held a bloody towel while Max pushed Baxter a couple more times. I leaned into the chest of the person holding me while the rest of the room came into view.

"what happened, and why were you bleeding like that?" McCoy asked, tightening his grip.

"I thought it would strengthen the spell, but it didn't work, and I sort of lost control."

"Roe," Baxter whispered; he was met with a fierce growl from behind me. "I'm sorry I was so focused I didn't realize you were hurt."

"Don't talk to her," McCoy growled, his arms tightening more, but this time in a comforting manner rather than the pain I felt before. "You don't even look at her."

"McCoy." Baxter got up, but Max leaned in and spoke before he said more. I turned in his lap so my face was tucked into his neck. I was so tired, bone tired. My head and arm ached in pain. "I am sorry. I worried about my mate that I didn't register what was happening."

"I failed. There was no trace on that letter like it appeared out of thin air," I whispered.

"we will follow other leads, Roe. This isn't defeat, and Esme is fine. Baxter has people watching her. She is safe. You are the only one in danger tonight," McCoy whispered. He rose to his feet, taking me up in his arms. "Alpha, if you allow, I think I should help clean up Monroe and lay her down. I think she should stay here tonight."

"I'll send someone to her apartment to get her something to wear to work tomorrow," Darel said

"I'll get someone to clean up this mess and see what we can save of your supplies, Roe," Max said, glancing at me in McCoy's arms; he had made the mistake of touching my supplies before and got a severe talking to, but I was too tired.

"of course, all of you go do that and then meet back here to discuss suspects," Baxter said. McCoy's arms tightened on me, not liking the idea of leaving me, but he would follow orders. I opened my mind to Baxter.

'go easy on him. it is hard to see what he just saw I sent out'

'I will. No wolf should ever have to see their mate bleeding like he just did. I am truly sorry about what happened. I didn't mean to yell while you were injured'

'you yelled at me? I don't even remember; I was too out of it with the blood loss and the magic. Honestly, you didn't do anything. I wanted to save Esme and got so wrapped up in the spell that I didn't comprehend what I was doing .'

'Can that happen? Getting lost in a spell?'

'Sometimes'

'rest well, Roe, you are safe now'

'goodnight Baxter'