The ride from Newark was tedious. The snow and sleet made for rough going on the road even with the new Navigator limousines Rémy had them purchase. Once they finally reached Sullivan Street, there was the mother of all traffic jams. He needed to walk off the doldrums that his dream of someday always brought him. Gabriel tapped on the partition that separated him and Gaspard from Leon.

“Take the limo to the garage. Gaspard and I will walk home, it’s only a block and with the traffic snarled because of the accident ahead of us it will take thirty minutes to travel the distance in the limo.”

“Alpha, it’s cold outside and you’re not used to this weather yet. Atlanta is very different than New York City.”

“We’re loup garou. We’re bred for this weather. I’ll be fine, you’re fussing over nothing.”

“Yes, Alpha.”

Just as he got out of the car, he heard a moan. He turned his head and saw a man in an empty lot staggering, trying to remain upright and attempting to fasten his clothing which had been ripped to shreds. There was blood dripping down his leg. His eyes were rapidly closing and his face swelling from many blows. Through the torn clothing, Gabriel could see his white underwear was stained bright red.

He called to Leon. “Wait.”

Gabriel ran toward the man to render aid. Gaspard yelled, “Alpha, you may not want to get involved. Call 911.”

“You call 911. I’m going to try to help him.”

The man staggered across the lot. “Please ... I can’t see and I need to get to a hospital.” The man was small. He wore a cheap suit and scattered all over the empty lot were what looked like graded papers.

Gabriel put his arm out to steady the man. He smelled pears over the stench of urine, blood, and semen. The moment skin touched skin his wolf cried, Mate, Mine.

Gabriel shouted over the Alpha link, Get help now. This is my Mate.

His Mate started talking and couldn’t seem to stop. “There were five of them. They wore ski masks and had a gun. They called me by name. I’m no one. Why would they do this, for a passing grade?” He started to sob. “I’m going be sick.” The man turned around and vomited on the sidewalk. “I’m sorry. That won’t happen again. I think I need to go to ...” The man attempted to walk but fell to his knees.

Gabriel knelt down and put his arm around his Mate’s shoulders. “It’s going to be all right. I promise. Let’s get you to a hospital. I’m going to pick you up and carry you to my limo.” Gabriel stood and lifted him from the ground.

“I can’t, I’ll make a mess. If you call an ambulance or a cab, I can sit and wait on the curb.”

“No, you can’t. You’re bleeding badly and your eyes are so swollen you can’t see. You’re coming with me.” Gabriel lifted him up off the ground and carried him to the limousine.

Miraculously, the accident had cleared and the traffic unsnarled by the time they got to the limo. The gods are kind.

Gabriel placed his Mate in the back seat of the limousine and slid in beside him.

“Which hospital is closest?” he shouted at Leon.

“Beth Israel. Artis has admitting privileges there.”

“Call Armand and get Artis over there now.”

“What’s your name, baby?” Gabriel asked gently.

Kane reached around for his coat to cover himself and felt in its pocket.

“They took my wallet.” He started to sob.

“Easy now, easy. We’re going to get you help. I’m Gabriel Martin, just tell me your name.”

Gabriel was trying to control his temper. Right now he wanted to rip someone’s head off. The rape of a Mate was the worst crime that could be perpetrated against an Alpha. I have to rein it in; my Mate needs me. He’s talking to me. I have to focus.

“Kane Brady, I teach junior English at McClellan. Oh my God, did I lose all of the student’s papers? They had a gun. They hit my face with a pistol and made me suck it.”

Now Gabriel was about to be sick. “Don’t worry, I’ll send Gaspard to collect your things. We’re pulling into the Emergency Room. Let me carry you inside.”

“No ... too much trouble. I’ll walk.” With Kane leaning heavily on Gabriel, he limped into the waiting room. He moaned in pain. Gabriel wanted to tear someone apart now, his Mate hurt, he could feel his pain over the burgeoning Mate link.

“Baby, I’m Gabriel Martin, for tonight you are my fiancé.” He sought out the triage nurse. “I need Dr. Artis, my fiancé has been raped.”