Free Terr5tory by Susan Bliler

fresh, but lingered from earlier.  She’d been afraid of whoever had done this and it had him clenching his jaw tight that he hadn’t been there to protect her.  Now, he could scent her anxiety.  She was seconds away from having a full-blown panic attack.
    Eleanor’s room was on the second floor, along with two unused guest rooms, but he instinctively carried her to his room.  Gently, he placed her on the bed and turned to rush to his bathroom.  He came back with a fresh towel and pressed it hard against her wound.
    “Ouch!” she hissed.
    “Sorry, baby.”  He paused at the endearment and shook his head when Eleanor’s brows hiked.  “I mean… Eleanor .”  He looked to the door and growled, “Where’s that fucking healer?”  His eyes jerked up when she sucked in several quick, shallow breaths.
    “Easy,” he crooned, dropping onto the bed beside her and pulling her onto his lap.  One hand still pressed firmly against her wound while the other snaked behind her back and pulled her into his chest. 
    “Wh-what do I do?”
    He knew what she meant.  Last time she’d had an attack he’d talked her through it, encouraging her to follow his breathing and relax. 
    “Just be held,” he soothed, hugging her tighter, not sure the comforting gesture was for her more than it was for himself.  When he’d first seen her after making it back to the compound, his heart had stopped.  Finding her injured, after having been attacked, he’d been nearly unable to restrain his wolf from taking over. 
    He felt some of the tension leave her, even as his ratcheted up.  His eyes dropped to the blood-soaked cloth at her leg as he mumbled, “Where the fuck is Miston?”
    “Here!” he heard Miston shout from downstairs, “I’m here, Alpha!”
    When Miston rushed into the room, Delano lifted Eleanor and placed her back on the bed then stood back, allowing Miston to assess her wound.  He had to distract himself from the fact that the other man’s hands were on her. 
    “Who was it?” he demanded.
    “New wolves, Alpha.  I’ve never seen them before.”
    “What did they want?”
    He felt his breathing stop when Eleanor lowered her head.  He barely heard her whispered reply.
    “M-mate.”
    White-hot rage seared him as the full force of his Alpha power whipped around the room causing Miston to bow his head.  Eleanor too mistook the Alpha’s reaction.
    “I-I didn’t incite or encourage…”
    The Alpha couldn’t throttle the growl that rumbled forth and bounced off the walls, silencing Eleanor’s explanation.  Of course she hadn’t enticed the males, he knew that.  It wasn’t in Eleanor’s character.   Hell, she could have her choice of males, she didn’t need to seek outsiders. 
    Suddenly, the full pack was there crowding the room.  Miston continued his ministrations and when Eleanor whined in the back of her throat, Delano took a step toward Miston before he could force his wolf back.  Convincing the creature that Miston wasn’t hurting Eleanor was damn near impossible.  Delano needed an outlet.
    “How bad is it?” he demanded.
    “It’s deep and dirty.” Miston glanced up before returning his attention to Eleanor’s thigh.  “I need these pants off.”  He was reaching for the button of her jeans when Delano was suddenly there in front of Eleanor, his broad back hiding her from the healer’s view.
    “EVERYONE OUT!” Delano snarled.
    “Alpha? I…”
    Again, the Alpha’s power bathed the room in a firestorm of enraged energy.  Miston bowed his head and backed toward the door the rest of the pack had already exited.
    “I’ll call you when she’s ready.” 
    The door closed with a soft click.
    Delano turned, not looking at Eleanor as he gripped her upper arms and pulled her slowly to her feet.  “Hold on to me for support,” he commanded.  Eleanor’s hands reached out and gripped his lean hips.
    “Alpha?”
    He didn’t speak as he released her arms and reached for the