Protect and Fur [3xtasy Lake 5] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) by Corinne Davies

acrid tang of blood colored the air around him as he quietly crawled along the forest floor. If the bullet had gone completely through his leg, he could’ve shifted into human form, but that would expose him to the hunter, and until he knew exactly where the bastard was he couldn’t take the risk. If the bullet was still imbedded in his leg, he would still be injured in human form because his leg would heal around the shell, which would require invasive medical intervention later on.
    Once he knew he was completely safe he’d take a better look at the wound. Part of the tree next to him exploded into slivers, followed quickly by the sound of a rifle being discharged. The wolf leapt into a run. Lifting one leg, he ran on the other three as fast as he could. Staying put would only allow the hunter to correct his aim.
    Thankfully, the gods were smiling down at him, because as he reached the road a large SUV roared up next to him. “Come on, you stubborn bastard.” Craig pushed open the passenger door. “Can you hop in on your own, or am I going to have to carry your mangy ass?”
    Aiden growled at his friend and managed to hop onto the floor of the passenger seat.
    “Don’t get any blood on the seats.”
    Aiden snarled his displeasure at Craig, who laughed. “I’m kidding. You must be really hurt if your sense of humor is so damaged.”
    Aiden gingerly moved onto the seat as Craig floored it and skidded along the gravel road. “I swear I’m going to change the rules around here. Night hunting? If that’s going to start, then I’m going to talk to Gordon about forming a permanent Guardian force and doing twenty-four-hour patrols. Any poachers are to be bitten on sight.”
    The wolf nosed at his hind leg, and sure enough, there was only a wound on one side. He was going to have to wait until after the bullet came out before he could shift.
    “Dude, you lick your balls on my leather seats and I’ll put you in the back.”
     
    * * * *
     
    Brenna scrabbled wildly against the siding before catching her feet on the window ledge. Falling from this distance wouldn’t have killed her, but it would’ve hurt like a bitch. At the moment all she cared about was finding out what happened to Aiden. She could hear the abbreviated howl echoing in her head. There was a second crack of gunfire shortly after the first, and she prayed the hunter had taken a second shot because he’d missed the first time.
    She put in a quick call to her father, letting him know what she’d heard. Her mom said he’d called a couple of men and they’d already headed out into the forest. Brenna was to stay put in case anyone had been hurt. She quickly changed into a pair of scrubs and rushed downstairs to the clinic. Hopping on one foot, she laced up her sneakers as she flipped on lights and any machines she might need.
    Her cell phone chirped, and a glance at the display told her who it was. “Craig, are you okay?” Her heart was beating so rapidly her hands shook. “I heard the shot.”
    “I’m fine, Brenna. Aiden was hit.”
    Dread washed over her. Another shooting. What if she couldn’t save him either? She’d be responsible for the death of her own Mate.
    “Get him here now, Craig, hurry.” She looked around in a circle, trying to think of what she needed to have ready when he came in.
    “Brenna, calm down.” Craig spoke very evenly in the phone. “It’s not a fatal wound. I can’t tell for sure because the big pussy won’t let me have a look at it.”
    She heard the distinct sound of a wolf snarling in the background. “Where was he shot?”
    “From what I can tell, he got it in the upper thigh. It must still be in there, because he hasn’t shifted.”
    “He might not be able to.” Visions of Alec’s lifeless body on her table filled her memories. “If the femoral artery was hit, he could be bleeding out. Drive faster. What if I can’t help him? He could have internal injuries.” She rapidly pulled open drawers and