Page 3 of Rehabilitated

Mate! my bear roars.

I’m frozen in shock, staring down at the curvy girl.

“Holy shit,” I breathe.

My bear lunges. Help her! Claim her! Save her!

That snaps me out of my shock. My hands move over her, looking for injuries. Old, dried blood is smeared on the parts of her I can see. What happened? Did someone hurt her? I swallow the shock and anger clawing at my throat, knowing she needs my help.

“It’s okay, mate. I’m here. I’ve got you.”

Why hasn’t she healed? my bear asks.

Then I smell it. My mate is a bear shifter too. My bear is right; shifters can usually heal themselves. Which means her injuries must be bad.

“Fuck!” I lift her gently into my arms and rush up the back porch steps.

Was the threat still out there? my bear demands.

I bite back another curse. If whoever did this to my mate followed her here, I’ll kill them.

My bear growls low and deep inside me as I lay my mate down gently on the couch. Reaching for my phone, I step back out onto the back porch to call Dr. McAdams. I sprint through the perimeter check as I tell Christian about his newest patient. He’s on his way when I step back inside.

I didn’t pick up any other scents outside, but I’m not taking any chances. I hit dial on Ansel’s number as I sink onto my knees beside my mate.

“Russo? What’s up?”

A smile pulls at my mouth. “You’re not going to believe this, but I just found my fated mate.”

“What? You’re kidding!”

My smile fades. “No. She was unconscious in my backyard. And she’s hurt. Badly.”

“Did you see anyone else? The person who did it?” he asks, all business now.

“No, but⁠—”

“I’m on my way. I’ll call some of the guys to patrol. See if we can pick up any scents. We’ll keep her safe.”

“Thanks, brother.”

“Of course. Be right there. And Russo?”

“Yeah?”

“Congrats, bro.”

My bear growls triumphantly.

I nod even though he can’t see me. “Thanks.”

We hang up, and I sit and wait.

Wait for the doctor.

Wait for my brother and friends to patrol.

Wait for my mate to wake up.