Wounds to Bear (Heart of The Bear #1)(18)

“He didn’t tell you, did he?”


She raised one eyebrow, and Roman knew she was annoyed. God, his shoulder felt like it was on fire, never mind his paw. He couldn’t even touch it to the ground.

“Tell me what, Jedidiah?”

“We shouldn’t shift with pointy objects sticking out of us.” His gaze swung to Roman. “Or bits of metal stuck inside us.”

Jenna gasped, and reached for Roman, right before Jed yanked the knife out of his shoulder.

Relief was immediate, followed by a different kind of pain. His body wanting to shift, to be held by her.

No—I need to heal—

His bear had other ideas.

He shifted in front of Jenna—again—and collapsed.

“Roman—”

“Gather up the kids, Jenna. We’ll head back to your truck.”

“But he’s—”

“Too stubborn to die from a simple knife wound. You can play doctor once we get him out of here. Go on—it’s time to get them back to their parents.”

“Right.”

Roman opened his eyes, saw her head across the clearing, where the cubs and human kids were huddled in the cave opening. Damn—they’d probably watched the fight.

“They did, little brother.” Jed’s voice shifted his gaze. “What you did was stupid—”

“I had—”

“And it worked. I’m going to make sure our newest prisoner doesn’t go anywhere while we take care of business. Don’t die while I’m gone.”

“Okay,” he whispered. He hurt too damn much to think of a sarcastic comeback.

Jed picked up Paul and tossed him over one shoulder, heading past Jenna and the kids, into the cave. Roman didn’t want to know just how Jed was restraining him. Paul built his own prison the second he threatened a group of innocents.

“Stay here,” Jenna said. She managed to touch every shoulder or cheek before she left them, and knelt next to Roman, opening her kit. “I’m going to at least slap a bandage on your shoulder and your side before Jed manhandles you.” She dug out the familiar supplies, then lowered her head, her hands shaking against her thighs. “You scared the hell out of me, Roman. When you charged him like that, I thought—”

“I know,” he whispered. He swallowed, his throat raw. “Sorry—”

“That I had to see it? Or that you were forced to do it? What exactly are you sorry for, Roman Black?”

“That—” He felt himself fading, and forced what little strength he had into his voice. “That I claimed you before you—understood what you were walking into. You’re—free, Jenna.”

He closed his eyes before he could see her reaction. The pain from all his wounds, the exhaustion of fighting through that pain, finally dragged him under.





Seven





Jenna watched Roman sleep, his fever finally broken, after three days of fighting to keep it down.

She was beyond exhausted, which made dealing with him easier. What he’d said to her before he passed out still hurt, a deep ache that not even sleep would let her escape.

Being rejected by Darrel had hurt, wounding her pride more than anything. But Roman’s rejection struck her deep, and made her realize just how hard she had fallen for him.

Stupid move, Jen. Now you’ll have to leave again—

“How is he?” Lindy stepped to her side, her remarkably young face drawn with exhaustion and worry. It was hard to believe she had six grown sons, a stepson, and grandchildren on top of that.

“Sleeping. The fever broke a couple hours ago.”

“Thank God. Foolish boy, running straight into a knife. I’m assuming he didn’t have much choice at the time.”

“He didn’t.” Jenna lowered her head, blocking out that horrifying moment. Again.

Lindy wrapped one arm around her waist. “I’m so sorry you had such a violent introduction to us, my dear. I hope it doesn’t scare you off. We need your talents here, as you can see.” Jenna did. Now. A vet with a medical degree would be invaluable to shifters. “Why don’t you get some sleep? I saved the bedroom next to this one for you. I’ll wake you if there’s any change, I promise.”

“Okay.”

Lindy’s arm tightened on her waist when she started to move away. “Jed told me what Roman said to you.” Jenna closed her eyes, heat flushing her cheeks. “He loves you, my sweet girl. Don’t let him give you up.”

Tears lodged in her throat, and she nodded, afraid she’d break down if she tried to talk. Sleep wouldn’t be on the agenda, but she could hide from everyone crammed into Lindy’s house, if only for a few hours.

Then she would plan her own escape, before she became more attached to them than she already was.






Eight





Roman cursed himself all the way to Grey’s—Jenna’s—homestead. Mama had told him, with more than a few derogatory terms—exactly what she thought of him letting Jenna go.

He thought it was the best thing, at the time. Good God—she’d just witnessed his bear take down a man, not even a day after finding out he was a shifter. Now, with the sharp ache in his heart growing every hour they were apart, he had to convince her to stay.