C9 HER

Aeron's POV

Once my mate calmed down, I lowered my head and took in a few breaths. I placed a hand against the back of my neck as I stood up. So much rage has been inside of me ever since the doctor told me what she had endured. He had to use tweezers to pluck each silver strand he found. Using a heated blade, he also had to cut the dead skin that was left hanging on her back.

The internal claw marks are what I was furious about. Doctor Linn knew better and allowed a woman to stitch up those wounds. "Alpha, if I may ask, who is this woman to you?" Dr. Linn asked once he disposed of the syringe, "If you don't know her mate, then there are no ties between you and this woman." He said. I watched him carefully as I looked at the woman. Slowly, I leaned back.

"I feel responsible for her," I said and turned towards my mate.

Oh, how I wanted to scream at the top of my lungs that she was my mate, she was my everything. But I knew better than to declare her a Luna when she wasn't even awake.

For all I know, Dr. Linn could have been the one who had abused and raped her. I needed to remain silent until she was up. I cleared my throat from the growl that was trying to escape, "I left my pack and came back to find a woman almost dead on my land.

What if her mate-" I hated saying that word. I hated even thinking she had marked someone else- "Decided to declare war because our men almost killed her?" I asked.

"She could be a rogue." The doctor said and leaned against the wall.

Doctor Linn was in his mid-forties and taller than the rest of us, and skinnier. His large forehead now had a set of wrinkles, and how brown hair was receding to the middle of his scalp. His gray eyes looked at my mate for a second and then looked down as he pinched the bridge of his nose, moving his glasses away,

"She might not have a mate. She could have been forced to bear that mark." He said and sighed, "From what I can tell from her blood work and her body examination, this wasn't the first time she was starved. She's malnourished, and some scars seem to be given years ago, still trying to heal." I closed my eyes and shook my head.

"Nonetheless, she shouldn't have been raped because she trespassed on my land!" I growled loudly and glared at the doctor.

I've been waiting for Jack to accidentally slip up one of these days, but he has been quiet.

"For all we know, she could have been a rogue whore, and they just decided to leave her-" His voice stopped speaking once he saw me glaring at him.

"If you have something to say, say it," I said in a stern voice.

"I just believe you would be happier doing your Alpha's duties than watching over a girl that is nothing to you." The doctor said truthfully.

'Kill him.' Aero ordered, but I only blinked and tilted my head

"I will continue doing my Alpha duties, but I will also stay by this woman's side until she is fully healed." I said and glared at him, "If you have a problem with that, I can gladly find another who will tend to her."

Doctor Linn bit his tongue, but nodded as he dismissed himself from the room and closed the door tightly. I allowed my shoulders to slouch as I grabbed the woman's hand and looked towards her sleeping face.

Very slowly, my finger tracked down her swollen cheek and around the tape that held the tube in place. I leaned my head down and kissed her hand, and closed my eyes. Silently, I prayed for the moon goddess to watch over my mate and offer her wisdom at this moment.

Slowly, I looked over to my mate. Her hair was pulled back and tucked under the tape; looking at her made my stomach turn. Her beautiful, long lashes looked to be resting as I grabbed a chair and pulled it to her side.

I was the leader of a ruthless pack, a strong pack. An unbeatable pack, yet at this moment, I hated this pack. I hated that I had a feeling they did this to my mate- no, I knew they did it.

I will find out who they are, and I will remind everyone why I'm the Alpha of the most feared pack.