Page 34 of Shifter's Homecoming

He pushed himself to a sitting position. He quietly ripped the needle out of his arm, ripped the tape off the board, and flexed his elbow against the flow of blood coming from the hole there, willing it to stop. He stripped off the robe, and put his uniform pants on, ignoring the pain in his leg as he did so. His mate slept through it all.

When he had pants on, he hauled himself to his feet, then paced around in the tiny partitioned area until he felt confident in his strength, at least enough to do what had to be done. He went to his mate, bent, and picked her up in her sleep, murmuring softly to her. “Stay asleep, female. I’ve got you.”

She stayed asleep. When he was up and moving, she snuggled into his chest, running a hand over one of his pectorals. “Mmm,” she said in her sleep. He couldn’t be sure what she said next, but it sounded like, “I missed you.”

Trent’s chest seemed to seize up. He’d never felt the feeling before, but he could guess what it was. It was a paralyzing grip around his heart that made each step he took both heavier and lighter at the same time.

He positioned himself next to the bed and he laid her down gently, then took her shoes off. He put a blanket over her, then retreated to the corner of the little room and settled in to watch over his mate.

23 - The Point of Entry

Reed got off the 4-wheeler. She stretched and stared at the forest in front of them. There it was, the lined ravine and the downed tree.The point of entry.

Reed moved forward without waiting for Troy or the others. She justhadto touch it, that downed tree that was caught in the bough of another tree, marking a predator’s path into the forest. She justknewit was still alive, and it had something to tell her.

The air was cold, the sky was dark and the night was silent. Reed stripped off her glove and touched the hard bark, hoping… knowing what was going to happen.

The path leading under the tree lit up pink, just like it had in her mind yesterday morning.

“Oh,” Reed gasped lightly. She ducked under the tree, stepping onto the pink. The path itself was slim, barely wide enough to walk on, but the pink was bright and sure and steady.

Troy came up behind her. “That’s it?” he asked, his voice slightly awed.

“Can you see it?” she asked him, pointing at the ground.

He looked close. “The dirt? The path?”

“The pink. Do you see the pink?”

He looked puzzled. “No pink,” he said.

“Oh… ok then. Right. It’s just me that sees it.” She shook her head and muttered, “you’re not crazy,” to herself, then started down the path, holding her hand out behind her to Troy.

“This way,” she said. “Your brother is this way.” She followed the pink trail.

She was glad to walk after all night spent on the four-wheeler.

Something told her she would not be quite so glad after a few hours.

24 - Rowan’s Affliction

Trent drowsed on his feet and his mate slept in the bed until the sound of a knock woke both of them. He opened his eyes to a room bright with sunlight.

Rowan was up and moving right away. She threw him a dirty look when she realized he’d put her in the bed, and another dirty look when she saw his pants were on but his shirt was not, and the dirtiest look of all when she saw his I.V. was out. She grabbed up her shoes and slipped them on, her irritation palpable.

“Stay here, get undressed, and get in bed,” she told him firmly.

He only stared at her, meaning to follow her out, but she realized it quickly and held a hand up. “Trent, no,” she said softly. “If word got out that I’m still treating shifters, I’d lose every patient I have. I would have to move,again.”

Trent stopped. He backed up. He sat down. The feeling of being in over his head overcame him again. He had no idea what to do. Should he follow his instincts? Or maybe he should do what he’d been sent here to do? Or should he acquiesce to what his mate wanted from him?

He sat. “I’ll sit here.”For now.

Another knock came on the door, louder this time. His mate looked that way, her expression urgent.

“I told you to lose the clothes and get back in bed,” she hissed at him.

“I’ll sit here,” he repeated. He needed to be ready to protect her.

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