Leap of the Lion (The Wild Hunt Legacy #4)(22)
Wait, had he actually thought that? Talk about badger-spirited meanness. He gave himself a good mental shake. The female hadn’t asked for any of this to happen. He’d sure run down the wrong trail when he figured she’d been in the city on a dare.
Captured as a cubling and held prisoner for a decade. Ripping her arm and leg open to remove the human devices. She was a fucking brave little cat.
Shay’d given her the room near the end of the hall. Owen opened the door and then turned the covers back on the bed.
Gently, Gawain laid the female on the mattress. Despite the bumpy gravel road to the Wildwood, she hadn’t woken once. She was exhausted. Poorly fed. Young and fragile and incredibly determined.
Unable to help himself, Owen touched his fingertips to her cheek. Silky soft…and overly warm. “She’s running a fever.”
“Not surprising. Her leg looked nasty.” Gawain tucked the covers around her. “She’ll shake off the fever now the infected wounds are clean and closed. The healer looked competent.”
“Aye, Donal’s incredible.” Fuck knew the healer had saved his ass more than once. Owen frowned down at the female. She was so tiny and helpless, and he wanted to settle into a chair and keep guard until she woke. Talk about being an idiot. He shifted his weight and caught his brother watching him.
“Want to stay?” Gawain asked.
“No. We got her delivered.” As off-balance as if he’d put a paw into a gopher hole, Owen headed out the door. Quickly.
“Herne’s antlers, Owen, slow down.” Gawain followed him down to the ground floor. “She’s a female, not a rabid skunk.”
He grunted.
A laugh halted his flight.
Shay and Zeb were in the sitting area near the stairs.
Grinning, Shay asked Gawain. “Was there ever a time Owen liked females, or was he born this way?”
Gawain stopped dead.
Ice in his gut, Owen stared at his fellow cahir. As far as he knew, his mother had despised him at birth. He had no memories of love, only of the stinging slaps she had dealt out. The hatred and the screaming, swearing abuse.
Shay’s smile faded. “A brathair-faoirm, I didn’t mean to…”
“Way to step on your own tail, brother.” Zeb always sounded as if he’d eaten rocks for breakfast. “Did the female wake up?”
“No, she’s sound asleep,” Gawain said.
“Sorry, cahir,” Shay said, still looking at Owen. When Owen nodded, he continued. “I didn’t get a chance to tell you, but we put you two in the large corner room next to hers. It has two oversized beds.”
Owen shook his head. “I’ll stay in the cabin I rented, thanks.”
“Cosantir’s orders.” Zeb’s black eyes held open amusement. “He said the female trusts you, and she doesn’t know anyone else here.”
“He also said to remind you that you’re to remain on two legs and rest.” Shay’s smile faded. “I don’t know what’s going on, but Calum sounded like a pissed-off wolverine. Made my fur stand on end.”
“Fine, I’ll stay for a day or two.” It was too much work to argue. Fuck, he was tired, and it seemed nothing was going right today. As if Calum’s orders had sucked away his energy, Owen sank into the nearest chair. Come to think of it, he’d just been healed. Like Darcy, his tail would be dragging for a good day or so.
Gawain gave him a concerned look and asked Shay, “Mind if I scrounge up some food for him from the kitchen?”
Before they could answer, the front door swung open, and Bree hurried across the room. Her pretty breasts bounced with every step, and her hair was such a golden yellow it seemed as if the sun had entered with her. “Vicki said the Cosantir sent over a hurt female. Is she badly injured? Has Donal seen her?”
Shay snagged her hand, pulling her into his lap. “The healer tended her. Gunshot wounds. Am I right, Gawain?”
“Aye. Infected. He had to remove a bullet.”
“Well, my God, who shot her?” Bree’s eyes narrowed as if she were ready to take on the attacker.
“Humans.” Zeb’s eyebrows lowered. “Glad I wasn’t there at the healer’s. Even strong shifters yell when Donal digs for a bullet. A female’s screams would break my heart.”
“She didn’t scream,” Owen said slowly. “Though she had tears streaming down her face, she was completely silent.” By the God, she’d been amazing.
“Impressive.” Shay squeezed the female on his lap. “Calum said she’s underfed, which means she’s in the right place, aye?”
“She’s in exactly the right place. Donal and I have been working out the optimal nutrition for post-healings.” Bree’s nod held the determination Owen had come to expect from the pretty blonde.
Humans called her a chef. Considering what she created in a kitchen, he’d call her a magician.
Zeb smiled at his mate, a rare sight in the lethal cahir. “She’s asleep, but Owen could use some food now. He got shot rescuing her, and Donal patched him up.”
“I remember how crummy I felt after being healed.” Bree jumped to her feet. “One big sandwich and the fixings coming up.”
Gawain gave her a pitiful look. “I didn’t get shot, but…any chance you have more food in there?”