Without Reservations

“Would you step outside with me? I’d like to talk to you.”
    “Sure.” He looked back at Bit and noticed he was asleep again. “Dad, you coming with us or are you going to stay with Bit?”
    Joe extended his hand toward the sheriff. “I’m Chay’s father, Joe Winston.”
    The sheriff nodded. “Mr. Winston, you’re welcome to come too.”
    “That’s all right. I’ll let Chay talk to you. I’ll stay here in case my other boy needs something.”
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    Chay blinked and dipped his head at his father. “I’ll be right back.
    Don’t let him freak you out. If he wakes up again, reassure him. And come get me if the doctor comes in, okay?”
    “Got it.” Joe pulled a chair closer to Bit’s bed and sat down.

    Û

    Chay walked back into the little room in the ER in a daze. His chest actually hurt. He wanted to run to Bit and hold him and never let go.
    “Son, what’s wrong? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.” Joe stood and crossed the room to him.
    “Someone cut the brake line on his car. It wasn’t an accident.”
    Joe gasped and sat heavily in the chair.
    Chay strode right past his dad and over to Keaton’s side. He stared at the battered and bruised face and felt his heart sink. He’d just found his mate and now someone was trying to take him away. Someone was trying to kill his Bit.
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    Without Reservations

Chapter Twelve
    Several hours after being released from the hospital and a number of catnaps later, Keaton lounged on the couch. Chay used the arm of the couch to prop himself up, and Keaton used Chay as a backrest. Chay had been all over him since they’d left the hospital. Not that he was complaining. “Come on, Bit, think.”
    Keaton covered his face with his hands and groaned. He rested the back of his head on Chay’s chest. He was dizzy. “I am thinking. And I have no idea. I can’t imagine anyone wanting to kill me. I’m not important enough to kill.”
    The arms around his waist tightened and Chay’s chin settled on his shoulder. “Come on, babe. How can you not know if you have enemies?
    How about students? Have you failed anyone recently?”
    He shook his head and wished he hadn’t when the room started spinning. “No.”
    “Okay, let’s go about this another way. Do you think you getting shot is related? If that’s the case, it’s got to be someone who knows you’re a wolf.”
    “I don’t think so, Chay. I mean, how could they be related? I haven’t lived here long enough. You were the first person I met who realized I was a wolf. Well, you and the game warden, but I didn’t actually meet him until after I met you.”
    Chay got quiet and still for several minutes, but didn’t relax his hold.
    His lips teased Keaton’s ear and then he moved away. “Okay the other night, the night of the full moon, there was someone following us…”
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    “Yeah?”
    “Yeah, and you got shot and now someone cut your brakes. Do you really think those are all coincidences?”
    “Actually, yes. I think the gunshot was poachers. I think it was probably another wolf following us, maybe even your dad, keeping an eye on us. And the car…well the brake line… That sucks, but it still could be an accident, couldn’t it?” Man, he was getting sleepy again. He yawned and snuggled back into Chay, making himself more comfortable.
    “The sheriff didn’t seem to think so. And how do you explain the guy I chased off last night?”
    “Okay, let’s say it was cut. I don’t have any ideas who did it. The only one here who can’t stand me is Remi, and I don’t think he dislikes me enough to kill me. He may be an asshole, but he’s not stupid. He wouldn’t want to go to jail for the likes of me.”
    “I agree Remi didn’t do it. But I don’t agree that these incidents are unrelated. Poachers don’t generally leave their kill. And it wasn’t my father who followed us the night of the full moon, I asked him at the hospital. So think.” Chay smoothed the hair off Keaton’s forehead.
    He jumped when Chay brushed his cut. “Oww. I am thinking.”
    Chay kissed his ear. “Sorry. And you aren’t thinking hard enough.
    This is serious shit, Keaton.” He sighed. “Okay, if I’m correct and these things are related then it’s someone who knows you are a wolf. You already said you didn’t meet anyone here who knows that, until after the gunshot. That means it’s