Page 40 of Fated Surrender

“Connor, I thought you said this guy was more up close and personal?” Bran asked.

“He’s broke pattern,” Connor said, exhaling slowly, dread pooling in his stomach.

“What does that mean?” Caleb asked.

“It means we have a bat-shit crazy shifter on our hands that has taken up a recent interest in hunting rifles as opposed to filet knives,” Bear explained.

“Wonderful. Just what I wanted to be dealing with before Thanksgiving,” Liam muttered.

“I sent Riley to get Doc, they should be here soon,” Bran said.

“Thanks, the last time I was shot, Casper tried to sew me up. It wasn’t pretty,” Ricochet said.

“We’ll try to avoid that this time,” a crisp, cultured voice drawled. Connor turned to see Doc and Felix rushing up with Riley.

“Thanks, Doc,” Connor said.

Connor watched as Doc helped Ricochet lift his shirt. Like the rest of the squad, he was wearing fatigues. Out of nowhere, he felt a flash of panic. Looking around and frowning, he couldn’t place where it was coming from.

“Damn,” Doc said.

“What?” Connor asked.

“There’s more damage to his shirt than to him, and it’s closing up right before my eyes. I am flushing the would to get debris out, to avoid infection, but this shouldn’t take long.” Doc said, watching the bleeding slow to a trickle.

Doc went to stand and swayed. Felix steadied his mate.

“Claybourne?” Felix asked, concerned.

“Just got dizzy for a second. I’m fine now.” Doc kissed his mate on the cheek.

“I work with my animal a lot, and I’ve learned how to speed up my healing a bit,” Ricochet said, wincing as he rotated his arm. He looked up at Connor. “Dude, I’m starving. Healing burns calories.” With Baron’s help, he stood.

“Come on, guys, let’s grab lunch and then head out for patrols. We’d just be right back here in an hour anyway to eat,” Connor said, pointing to the diner. He couldn’t shake that uneasy feeling. He looked around, trying to determine if they were being targeted, but didn’t see anything.

“I’ll run and get Madison from the clinic and drop off our gear,” Felix said, taking both medical bags.

“I’ll go with him.” Bear offered.

“Be careful,” Connor and Doc said at the same time. Felix stood to attention and snapped a salute. Ricochet laughed. Felix trotted off with Bear as the others walked into the diner.

“Let me guess, you boys are hungry?” Ma asked, laughing.

“Yes ma’am,” Baron said as the Sentinels all grabbed a chair. Everyone else sat where they normally did.

“Call me Ma,” Ma said.

“Okay, Professor’s Ma,” Jaws smiled.

“Why do you keep calling Connor, the Professor?” Benedict asked.

“Maybe he doesn’t do it at home, but with us, he has this annoying-as-hell habit of answering a question with not justone, but two or three questions,” Baron said. Everyone started laughing.

“Hey!” Connor protested.

“Sorry man, but you do. But, that’s okay, it usually makes me think,” Finn said, laughing.

Connor shrugged his shoulders.

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