Page 6 of Wounded Mate
Walk? I can barely breathe. Barely move. I wiggle my fingers.Oh no.Fingers! That means I shifted while I was passed out. I’m in my mangled human form. And this creature, whatever he is, has already seen his fill.
I curl in on myself, ashamed.
“Come on, talk to me. I can’t help you if you don’t answer my questions.”
Since he’s clearly not going away, I muster the strength to open my eyes and see who I’m dealing with.
Huh.A naked man. Petite. Dark hair. Yellow eyes. A shifter of some sort, but he doesn’t smell like a wolf. I sniff and wrinkle my nose.
Gross.
He’s a cat.
His nose is similarly wrinkled. “Hello, pup. You seem to be bleeding all over my territory. Care to explain?”
I open my mouth to answer, but my throat’s so dry no sound will come. I’m thirsty. A stuttering cough awakens the pain at my side, and it stings anew. Pine needles prickle against the tender skin.
I swallow. “I thought this was Mantis Pack lands.”
A low growl emanates from deep in his chest. “No. It’s not.” The man kneels, and I get a better view of his face. He’s pretty, even scowling at me as he is. “You’re over their line and nearly to Pest.”
I am? Huh. Didn’t realize I’d made it that far. So close.
“Did Mantis Pack do this to you?”
I turn the question over in my mind but don’t come up with any way the situation could get worse. “Yes.”
He arches his brows. “Did you deserve it?”
“No.”
“Hmm. Why should I believe you?”
“Because they’re jerks.”
His answering chuckle surprises me. “True enough. Right, can you walk?”
I don’t enjoy being laughed at on my deathbed. “Do you have eyes? They left me here to rot. I can hardly move.”
He sniffs. “Is that any way to talk to your rescuer?”
I blink up at him, fairly sure my guts are no longer as securely contained within my body as they should be. “I’m dying.”
“Don’t be dramatic.” He flails his hand in my general direction. “It’s a few scratches.”
Who is this lunatic? “They nearly sawed me in half.”
“And yet, you’re not dead.”
I must concede that point. “Are you really going to help me?”
“Well, I can’t let you stay here. You’ll attract rodents.” He swats a fly. “See? Now, what’s your name, and what’s your business in my territory? Quickly because if I’m going to save you”—he casts his gaze to the sky—“it’ll have to be soon.”
I’m wary. No one’s ever helped me without wanting something in return. Generally, something I’m unwilling to give. But at this point, what have I got to lose?
“Bela. I’m only passing through. Searching for another like me.” I fling my tail over my naked hip. It never goes away anymore, not even when I shift. “A mongrel without a true human form. I heard he’s been through these parts.”
His eyes light with recognition. “You’re looking for Andras?”
