Page 60 of Alpha's Claim

Let me OUT, the bear snarls.

Never,I reply.

Teddy frowns at me, but turns back to steady Matthais against the wall. He’s alive, his canines elongated as his bear fights the poison.

“Shoulder,” Matthias gasps. “Silver bullet.”

Teddy raises his hand, his nails elongating to claws. He scratches at Matthias’ shoulder. Matthias roars loud enough to shake the walls as Teddy digs the bullet out.

I win the fight with my bear and rise to go to Wren. She’s lying slumped on the floor, her eyes closed, her face pale. I put a hand to her throat, feeling for a pulse.

It’s there, but it’s faint.

“No,” I pant. “No…” I’ve failed Paloma.

I’ve failed Wren. I’ve failed everything.

Teddy helps Matthias to his feet. Matthias limps to me.

“It’s too late,” I say. “He injected her…just like he said he would.”

“Pick her up.” Matthais kneels beside me. His shoulder is a bloody mess, but he looks determined. He opens his vest and pulls out a carefully rolled fabric case that contains a number of vials. He holds one up and readies a syringe. “Get her upright.”

Teddy reacts first, kneeling and carefully sliding a hand under Wren so he can sit her up.

I cradle her head. “It’s okay, Wren. We’re Paloma’s friends.”

She mumbles something, but doesn’t open her eyes. She looks so much like Paloma, with the same heart-shaped face and dark hair. She’s thinner, and fine-boned like the bird she’s named for. Her body weight is as light as a handful of feathers.

“Extend her arm,” Matthias orders. He’s deep in doctor mode. Or maybe it’s Alpha mode. He certainly used alpha command when he spoke to Axel and Canyon.

He swabs Wren’s arm with antiseptic. Her limb looks tiny and fragile in comparison to his large hand.

“Wren, listen to me.” His voice is deep and soothing. “You’re going to be okay. I have the antidote.” He preps the syringe and checks it for air bubbles.

“What is that?” I ask. The liquid is clear, but my shifter sight detects the faintest pink tinge.

“A special cocktail I created myself. It includes a cure-all donated by a vampire friend.”

Vampire blood can heal humans.

I watch Matthias inject the blood and bow my head over Wren. Even my bear is quiet, hoping it will work.

The dead silence is broken by her high-pitched gasp.

“Her heart’s beating stronger.” Matthias rises, folding up his medicine kit. “But we need to get her out of here.”

I rise with Wren in my arms. “I need to go after Paloma.”

Teddy turns. “Then this door needs to go.” His eyes flash, and he tears into the wall beside the vault door. He rips out chunks of drywall and hits a rock wall. He doesn’t stop trying to worry the stone, clawing around the rounded steel door to pop it free.

“I’ll take her.” Matthias holds out his arms. I carefully lay Wren in them, and he cradles her against his unwounded shoulder.

I turn and help Teddy claw into the wall. His body grows, muscles swelling into the fur-covered bulk of the bear. With his bear power, he rips the door out of the wall.

My twin faces me as the bear.Go, he seems to say.Get your mate.

“Keep Wren safe.” I clap him on the shoulder before racing down the dank tunnel.