Reborn Luna (Hope and Keith) novel Chapter 36

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22.Rogues–1

Hope

I hold him tight, one arm beneath his armpit, the other across his shoulders. His breath is ragged, each gasp like glass breaking.

“They’re coming,” he whispers, eyes wide, staring past me.

He’s terrified. His eyes are flashing back and forth. His wolf must be fighting him to shift, to try and protect him.

My pulse spikes. I half–drag, half–carry him toward the clinic’s side entrance.

“Come on, I need your help to get your side. You need to be looked at.”

At first, he resists, but then he starts moving, letting me lead him inside. He’s heavier than he looks, but I

press on.

A crash of the door slamming open startles us.

Edward comes barreling out. “Hope! What-?” He skids to a halt, scanning the alley.

“He’s hurt,” I gasp, putting more of the male’s weight on my hip. “Says someone went after him.”

The male tries to rise, his limp steps carrying him a bit further inside. That’s when I got a better look at

him.

He’s not a grown male. He’s a juvenile.

Edward snatches the door, shuts it. He walks quickly, looping the boy’s arm around him and taking him to

the treatment room.

“What’s your name?” Edward asks, helping him onto the exam table.

“Leon,” he winces as he sits.

“You’re pretty banged up, Leon. Care to fill us in and tell us what’s going on?”

Leon’s eyes shudder, I can almost see his guard going up.

“It’s going to be okay. Edward is one of the best healers I know and one of the best males. We won’t let

anyone hurt you.”

A moment passes.

Leon’s fingers twitch, voice raw. “Rogues… after me. They… they killed my father.” His voice breaks on a sob. “T–tore him apart.”

Mother helped us. Rouge weren’t a huge problem for packs anymore, but for loners, they were a vicious

threat.

5:22 Boques 3

Rouges lived by primal, animalistic rules where they preyed on the weak. They took and pillaged, and anyone who stood in their way was disposed of.

“Rogues?” Edward echoes. He glances at me and I incline my head standing to give them some space as he works.

Edward rolls up his sleeve. Splintered wood and metal pieces are embedded in his arm. Deep scratch marks are along his ribs.

Those will scar, my wolve says.

I suck in a breath but say nothing. Anger wraps around me like a second skin.

This poor pup will be traumatized by this experience. The life of a loner is hard enough but to be forced to live this life so young.

I look at the roundness of his face and features that have not yet hardened, despite his size he can’t be more than fifteen.

Edward, already in gloves, begins cleaning the wounds. “Hope, lock up the clinic–now.”

I turn; adrenaline sharpens me. I cross to the front door, lock it, and bolt it.

There is still a possibility the rogues will be bold enough to show their faces here. If they do, they’re going to be in for a surprise.

When I go back inside, Edward’s voice is calm, clipped. “Steady… it has to soak to make sure it doesn’t get

infected.”

Leon flinches.

“So, how did you get here?” I ask

“I ran. After they-” he takes a deep breath before continuing. “I had a chance to escape. I thought I could lose them on the black market.”

“That was smart,” I reassure him.

He looks from Edward to me. “What if they come here?”

I kneel beside him, heart pounding. “You’re safe here. I promise.” My voice feels small.

I can see he doesn’t believe me, but he nods anyway and says, “Thank you.”

Edward pulls out a mending kit and numbing needle. “I’ll finish patching you up and then you can rest,

okay?

“Alright,” Leon says.

I sit back on a stool, hands folded in my lap. Leon’s eyes find mine.

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