“I wasn’t here,” Torrent protested. “I had that wolf cub to collect with my team and had to pick up a lion cub. I’ve been gone a lot.”

“Shit,” Jaded groaned. “Let Creek handle this. Take the medic inside with you. We’ll wait out here.”

Shadow struggled to his feet when they stopped talking and staggered a little when the room spun. He stopped, took a few deep breaths and made it to the window by the door. He fisted the curtain, tore it from the rod and wrapped it around his waist.

Someone stepped onto the porch just as he reached the door and unlocked it. He swung it open and had to lean heavily against the frame to stay upright. Torrent hadn’t attacked to take Beauty away. That dulled some of his rage but he was still furious over what had taken place.

The tall female wore jeans and a T-shirt instead of NSO Security gear. Her long brown hair was pulled back into a ponytail and her dark gaze swept over him from head to foot. “You poor thing.”

Shadow winced. He must look hellish and pathetic to get that response from a female. The human male carrying a medical kit hesitated behind her. Shadow glanced away to take in the scene outside. Four Jeeps were parked in front of the cabin and two council members had arrived with the female and medic. Torrent sat on the grass in front of them. The male’s cold blue eyes turned his way and held his attention.

“I’m sorry,” Torrent stated. “I thought…well, she’s Gift. Nobody told me you were allowed to touch her. You were really upset when I saw you last and I thought you might have snapped.”

“What are you talking about? What happened?” Creek put her hands on her hips, glancing between them. “What else has happened here?”

The human cleared his throat. “May I approach him? Is he a Wild Zone resident? Do you need to calm him down before he’s treated?” He stepped from behind the female. “I’m here to tend your injuries. You’re bleeding. I’m not the enemy or here to hurt you.”

“I’m not a resident or feral,” Shadow growled but then softened his tone. “Just angry but you may approach. I’ve worked with humans for a while now.” He shot a glare at Torrent. “You could have asked what was going on before you threw me out a window.”

The female stepped closer, effectively blocking his view of the male who’d attacked him. She reached toward him and he instantly recoiled, jerking away, and nearly fell on his ass when he slid away from the doorframe. She gasped, backing away. The medic tried to step around her but she gripped his arm.

“What is wrong with you?” She flashed fang, looking wary. “Don’t attack.”

“You can’t touch me.” He righted his body by gripping the frame again and waited for the world to stop spinning as his vision adjusted.

“You need to be treated.” She inched closer and tried to touch him again.

He growled. “Not you. I don’t think Beauty would want another female to put her hands on me.”

Her eyes widened in surprise, but then she grinned. “Okay.” She stepped aside. “He’s all yours, Mike.”

The medic advanced with determination. “You fell out a window?”

“I was thrown.” Shadow backed inside the house and leaned heavily against the wall. “I struck my head on the way down. I was punched a few times in the face too. I’m pretty certain I have a concussion.”

“I’m Mike.” The human set down his case, bent and opened it. “Can you sit? You’re pretty tall and I need to examine you.”

Shadow just slid down the wall to sit on the floor, careful to keep the curtain around his waist since he could sense the female hovering in the doorway. He glanced at the stairs as he strained to hear any movement from above. Beauty was still up there. He began to worry. It shouldn’t have taken her long to throw something on and return to him. She might be hiding from the human.

He remained quiet as Mike looked him over, only slightly growling when the medic touched his sore head, finding the lump. The medic used a bright little light to look into his eyes to check his pupils’ responses next. The male sighed.

“I need to take you to Medical. I think you’re right about the concussion but we need a doctor to take some scans to see what’s going on inside your skull. Are you dizzy? Nauseous? In pain?”

“All of the above,” Shadow admitted softly. “Creek?”

The female stepped farther inside the cabin.

“Can you please go check on Beauty?”

“Is she injured?”

“No.” He glanced at Mike, then her. He didn’t want to insult the human but he might be the reason Beauty hadn’t returned to the lower floor.

She seemed to understand. “Right. He’s male and human.”

Mike sighed. “Right. She’s Gift. I’m taking him to Medical.”

“I won’t leave Beauty.” Shadow shook his head but groaned at the pain it caused.

“I will protect her,” Creek swore. “You need treatment. She’s safe and two council members are on scene. They will stay outside. You don’t need to worry about anything but getting better.”

Shadow didn’t want to leave but he knew it would be stupid not to see a doctor. His head pounded and he feared he’d throw up.

“Beauty!” He raised his voice. “I will be back really soon. A female is here. Do you want to stay with her or go with me?”