Page 7 of Blinded
Kurt nodded. "We found one in Bridger's body as well. They got him in the front shoulder."
I narrowed my eyes as I looked at Kurt. "Someone drugged him before doing this?"
"It looks that way." Kurt blew out a long breath. "I'm waiting to hear back from the wolves I sent up to the scene, but it looks like all the violence was done while Brett and Bridger were unconscious. What troubles me most is the fact that Paul and John said they smelled humans. If humans did this, I don't know what to think. Was it an attack on what they thought were two wolves, or are they aware of what we are, and they are coming after the pack?"
Cohen rubbed his hand over his chin. "From the wounds Brett came in with, the attack was angry. Brett was repeatedly beaten with something heavy, then stabbed numerous times, not to mention his eyes. I've never seen violence like this."
I continued to gently caress my hands down Brett's arms. "Did any humans know about you?"
Brett shook his head. "I've never told any human. My pack is small. We blend in well. I don't think even the elders have any humans they've trusted with what we are."
"Maybe Bridger told someone?" Cohen glanced at Kurt.
"Not that I know of, but we hadn't talked a lot before I came to visit. I mean, we kept in touch on social media and stuff after college, but didn't really share much. I'd just gotten into town on Friday, so we hadn't had a lot of time to catch up. I do know he was dating a human, but he never mentioned having told her our secret."
Kurt frowned. "He was dating a human?"
"I met her Friday night. We were supposed to go out again Saturday night after Bridger and I got back," Brett told us.
"That's highly unusual." I shifted slightly, wrapping one arm around Brett, splaying my hand over his chest. His heart pounded against my palm, and I swear my own heart fell into rhythm with his.
"He said she liked it rough, and that he didn't have to hold back with her like he did with other girls." Brett leaned back, allowing me to support him even more.
"Shit, that isn't good." I glanced at Kurt. Most shifters avoided sex with humans because we liked it rougher, and it was hard to resist biting someone during orgasm. It was possible to hold back, to keep from allowing our wolves to come forward at that point, but there was always a risk.
"Do you remember her name?" Kurt asked.
"Beth. He didn't say much about her other than sex was hot, and she loved to submit to him. In college, we… I mean Bridger was into some kinky stuff. He liked rougher sex. Liked pushing limits with the girls he dated."
I didn't miss that he'd said we, and that had my blood rushing as I wondered what Brett was into. It was only the fact that he was still injured and recovering, and that we'd just met that kept me from picking him up and taking him somewhere we could be alone so I could find out.
"And these were human women?" Kurt asked.
"Almost always. We went to school in San Diego. There wasn't a pack very close that we could associate with. We'd go up north from time to time. The few wolves in the area around our school were mostly lone wolves. There was a small pack, but they weren't very social or welcoming. They offered to let us run with them once a month, but other than that we never saw them." Brett reached up to rub his eyes, but Cohen reached over and stopped him.
"I need to wrap your eyes again." Cohen stood and started to gather supplies.
"If he ever lost control of his wolf, he never told me, but then again, that's not something I think he would share. It would mean he wasn't in control, and for Bridger, control meant everything." Brett leaned a little harder against me.
"He needs rest, Kurt." As much as I wanted to find whoever attacked Brett, my biggest concern was for my mate. He needed to heal. It was strange to care so much about someone I didn't even know. He was part of me. The moment I caught his scent, something deep inside me shifted. He was the most important thing in my life now, his wellbeing more important than my own. It was overwhelming and scared the hell out of me. I wasn't the most affectionate or caring person. I didn't let many get very close to me, but as I held Brett against my chest, I was sure there would be no secrets between us, nothing I wouldn't tell him. I just needed him to accept our mating and face that he wasn't alone.
"Let Cohen rewrap his eyes, then you can take him to rest. I'm sure you two have a lot to discuss anyway." Kurt smiled. "I'm glad you both found each other."
Brett sighed.
I kissed his neck softly. "We'll figure it out." I understood how scary being suddenly blind probably was. It was something I couldn't even begin to imagine. I didn't have the first clue how to make things easier for Brett, but as his mate, it was my job to find a way. I wanted to kill whoever did this to him. I would have wanted to anyway as Bridger had been a member of the pack, but having it be my mate who was hurt made it personal. Once I was sure Brett was safe and healing, I would do everything in my power to find whoever did this to him.
"Lean forward for me, Brett." Cohen kneeled beside him. "I'm going to wrap your eyes again. Keep this on until I take it off. I'll contact an ophthalmologist I know who will be able to help. I don't know much about this kind of stuff, so until I can get him here, don't touch your face." Cohen looked at me.
I understood he was telling me to keep an eye on him. I had no clue what the damage was or how to treat it. I had to trust Cohen to guide me when it came to anything Brett needed medically.
"You'll feel stronger in the morning, but shifting again should help take away the last bit of ache and pain from the attack. Bayne has my number if you need anything. Don't hesitate to call me if something feels off. With the condition you were in, you're lucky to be alive," Cohen told Brett.
"Right, so lucky," Brett grumbled. "You should have let me die."
I growled, unable to hold my wolf back.
"Easy, Bayne." Kurt watched me closely. "Brett, I know this is going to be a challenge, but you'll overcome it. My father knew a wolf who was born blind. He had a good life. You will too once you get used to it."
