Page 47 of Howl You Doin'

"What happened?" His heart lurched at the sight of her torn clothes and the dark bruises forming on her pale skin. She swayed, and he caught her before she could fall, scooping her up against his chest. Her head lolled against his shoulder, her usually vibrant red hair matted with dirt and blood.

His wolf howled inside him, furious that someone had hurt her. He carried her through his living room, kicking aside the scattered papers from his abandoned work. The scent of her blood made his hands shake as he settled her carefully on his couch.

"Stay with me," he murmured, brushing her hair back from her face. Her skin felt clammy under his touch. His protective instincts screamed at him to find whoever did this and tear them apart, but he couldn't leave her like this.

She needed him here, now. Everything else could wait.

Caleb grabbed the first aid kit from under his kitchen sink, along with a clean washcloth and bowl of warm water. When he returned, Fiona had managed to prop herself up against the armrest, though her face was pinched with pain.

"You know," she said weakly, "this wasn't exactly how I planned to get invited to your place for the first time."

Despite his worry, Caleb felt his lips twitch. Even beaten and bloodied, she was still trying to make him smile. "Next time just ask me to dinner instead."

Caleb grabbed his phone, punching in Dr. Harrison's number with shaky fingers. "Becca, I need you at my place. Now." He barely waited for her confirmation before hanging up.

"I can heal on my own, you know," Fiona protested as he guided her to his bedroom. "Perks of being a witch."

"Humor me." He helped her onto his king-sized bed, trying to ignore how right she looked there among his dark sheets. "You're hurt, and I need to make sure nothing's broken."

"Such a mother hen." She winced as he helped her lie back.

His hand trembled slightly as he examined a particularly nasty scratch on her shoulder. The sight of it made his wolf want to tear through the night hunting for revenge. "Who did this to you?"

"You already know." She caught his wrist, her touch steadying him. "Rachelle and her two pet thugs."

Caleb's growl rumbled through his chest. "I'll hunt them down. Every last one."

"My hero." She tried to sit up but fell back with a groan. "Though maybe save the heroics until after we deal with these scratches? I'm bleeding all over your Egyptian cotton."

"They're just sheets." He got up and left the room, returning in a blink of an eye with the washcloth and bowl of warm water.

He dabbed at a cut above her eyebrow, forcing his touch to remain gentle despite his rage. "Though I have to say, for someone who just got jumped by three wolves, you're surprisingly chipper."

"Well, you should see the other guys." A proud smile crossed her face. "I may have singed off Rachelle's eyebrows. And one of her minions is probably still trying to put out his tail."

Despite everything, Caleb found himself chuckling a little. "That's my girl."

The words slipped out before he could stop them. Fiona's eyes widened slightly, but before she could respond, he busied himself with cleaning another wound. His wolf preened at calling her 'his', even as his human side panicked at the slip.

"I mean... you did good. Defending yourself." He cleared his throat. "Though next time, maybe try not to walk alone at night when there's a hostile pack out there?"

"Aw, you do care," she teased, then hissed as he found a tender spot. "Though I might take that advice, considering how well tonight went."

Becca's arrival brought a wave of antiseptic and mint into Caleb's already overwhelmed senses. The pack doctor's gray hair was still mussed from sleep, but her hands moved with practiced efficiency as she examined Fiona.

"Seriously bruised ribs," Becca announced, her fingers probing Fiona's side. "And a concussion. The cuts are superficial, though they'll sting for a few days."

Caleb's wolf paced restlessly as he watched Becca work. Every wince from Fiona made his hands clench.

"Good news is, you'll live." Becca pulled out bandages and antiseptic from her medical bag. "Bad news is, no fire-slinging for at least a week."

"A week?" Fiona's outraged squeak made Caleb's lips twitch despite his worry. "But what if-"

"Doctor's orders," Becca cut her off, applying butterfly bandages to the cut above Fiona's eyebrow. "Bed rest for two days minimum. After that, light activity only. And someone needs to wake you every few hours tonight to check on that concussion."

"I'll do it," Caleb said immediately. The thought of leaving Fiona alone tonight made his wolf bristle.

"Of course you will."Becca's knowing smile made him want to growl. She packed up her bag and headed for the door. "Ice those ribs every few hours. And try not to get into any more fights with rival pack members, dear."

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