Page 5 of Kai's Hunger

He touched the back of her neck, then her shoulders and arms. He pressed his fingers along her ribcage, then lower along her legs. “I don’t think anything is broken.”

“Why isn’t she waking?”

“It might be a concussion,” he answered as he began to lift her from the table.

I stepped in his way. “I’ll carry her.”

Creeg scowled at me. “What’s wrong with you? Were you hurt as well?”

“No.” I scooped the female into my arms. “She swerved to keep from hitting me and plowed into a tree instead.”

“You feel responsible for her,” Creed surmised, as he headed for the machine that would scan her brain.

I glared at the giant monstrosity. “I hate that thing.”

“Be glad we have it. It will give us answers.”

I placed her on the table and watched as Creeg went to work. It took too long and I was getting restless. When Creeg finally turned toward me and sighed, it worried me. “Well?”

“She will recover, but she has a serious concussion. She needs to be monitored for the next twenty-four hours. Maybe longer.”

Guilt washed over me as I pressed a palm to the female’s forehead. “It’s my fault. I was reckless.”

Creeg went to a cupboard and pulled out a sheet, then moved to cover the female before asking, “Hunting?”

“Yes, but I shouldn’t have run so far.” I pressed a palm against the top of her head. Her hair was such a pretty shade of red. Deep. Nearly crimson. “I’m uncertain why I was on that side of the property.” I’d been drawn in that direction. At first, I’d thought it was prey that had called to me. Now I wasn’t so sure.

“OurYuciloninstincts don’t always listen to reason, Kai.” He nodded toward the female. “She’ll be okay. She just needs rest.”

“And the cut?”

“It’s already stopped bleeding and it’s not serious enough to warrant stitches. I’ll put something on it to prevent infection, then bandage it.”

I let out a heavy breath and made a decision as I watched on. “I’m bringing her to my room.”

Creeg had a tube of ointment in his hand, but my words stopped him from administering it to the unconscious woman. “She should stay here,” he growled. “I need to keep her under observation.”

I knew Creeg would take that stance. I crossed my arms over my chest and glared at my doctorly brother. “Fine, then I’m staying here, too.”

He shook his head and went to work spreading the antibiotic ointment to the cut. “That’s unnecessary.”

I glanced around the room and spotted a padded chair at Creeg’s desk. It wouldn’t be very comfortable, but it didn’t matter. I’d make do. “It’s not up for debate.”

Creeg opened his mouth, no doubt to argue further, but a moan caught our attention. I looked down and saw the female shifting around. She blinked a few times, then her gaze landed on me, then Creeg. I sniffed the air. Fear. She was completely terrified. “You are safe,” I rushed to reassure her. “I brought you to my brother’s clinic.”

Her pretty green eyes darted toward Creeg, then back at him. “Van,” she mumbled.

“It’s still on the side of the road.” Her fear worsened and I reached for her, taking her hand in mine. “My name is Kai. You passed out.”

Creeg stepped closer and smiled. “You have a concussion and a cut on your head. Is there pain anywhere else?”

She bit her lower lip and started to sit up. I placed a hand behind her back and helped her to a seated position. She pressed a palm to her forehead. “Sore.”

I quirked a brow at her. “I imagine so after hitting that tree.”

“There was an animal. I swerved.”

“I’m sure he’s grateful for your quick thinking.” Guilt washed over me. “What’s your name?”

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