Page 24 of Noah

“Okay, I’ll do that. I wish I could tell you more about her condition. She looks pale and tired,” Oleg said, looking worriedly at her.

He grunted. “Was sick before. Cold, very cold.”

For a minute, Oleg tugged at his hair before his expression cleared. Taking a moment to rummage through a drawer, Oleg grabbed an item from his small kitchenette. Noah frowned and Oleg demonstrated it on himself. When it lit up with only numbers, Noah nodded to use it.

It was Oleg who told Cain, “She had hypothermia. I don’t think she has it now; her core temperature is normal. The incident must have happened recently if he’s mentioning it.”

“Does she need a doctor en route with her?”

“As I said son, I’m not a doctor.” Oleg spared him a glance. “But your male here isn’t happy with her condition, and he’s covered in blood. The incident was likely violent and not very pleasant. It would be risky to send them to the hospital. Considering that it wouldn’t be secure, I thought it would be worth waiting for your people.”

“Yes, you are right. Let’s get him settled here and find out what has been going on.”

“Okay, we’ll wait for your call.”

“Yes, and thank you, Oleg. Not everyone would have stopped to help us.”

“While I tried to catch my breath, your male sat beside me looking bewildered and about to become the press’s chew toy. I couldn’t leave him hanging, could I?” Oleg chuckled.

“Nevertheless, we appreciate your help. As I said, not everyone would have helped.”

“Ah stop! I do what I can for my neighbours even if they live behind big arse walls miles away.”

Then, Oleg read the address in a jumble of words.

“You’re in Baye City, which isn’t too far from Moon. We’ve opened a new entrance which means we can pick you up in an hour.”

Noah tilted his head in confusion. Oleg explained, “There was originally only one entrance. Your people quickly built city walls for your safety. I guess once security was in place and trustworthy people were hired entrances were opened elsewhere.

“City?” Noah wondered if it was as large and filled with metal and concrete as this one.

His stomach clenched at the thought. He shuddered. Could he live in a brick or steel box again? Noah made a sharp noise in his throat.

Oleg didn’t flinch as Noah expected him to.

Instead, he smiled kindly at Noah, confusing him. “Don’t worry about it. You must be confused, I’m sure. I don’t mind if you shout and growl about it. Not much frightens me.”

Oleg nodded and checked her pulse to ensure Noah’s female was still alive. “You’re asking about the city your people have?” Oleg looked up at him. Noah nodded briefly.

“It’s quite large. It is much larger than a city. We call it a city out of habit. It was originally small before they built and added to it. They have holiday homes, parks, wildlife, and well…you’ll see when you get there.”

He grunted in acknowledgement and carefully observed her chest rise and fall. He was concerned about her. Oleg wasn’t wrong to say he was worried about her; he wasn’t happy with her limp and lifeless position as she hung over the chair.

She was more subdued than ever, and he wanted her eyes open. He nudged her face with the back of his hand. His mouth turned down when her head rolled, and she didn’t bat an eyelash.

This wasn’t like the unnatural cold room he had been in. She had been shivering and must have been in pain. When she stopped shaking, there was still pain tightening her eyes. He alerted his captor with his frustrated howls. They laughed him off and told him they would get another female.

Noah had almost threatened to kill him, then remembered his last threat which ended in hours of torture at his captors’ hands. He laughed while electrocuting Noah.

Noah wasn’t afraid for himself; he was afraid of what would happen if he left her. The only thing keeping her warm was his body heat. His deeply protective instinct was triggered when she hugged him and snuggled into him.

It made him want to cuddle her and keep her warm, but he couldn’t explain why. His instincts compelled him to shelter her, and when it was time for him to leave, he grabbed her and held her tightly.

The thought of leaving her behind was almost impossible. He thought he might turn feral, like a wild beast, like the animal his captors accused him of being.

What would happen if he became what they called him because of one female?

His whole being was attuned to her laboured breathing and pallid skin as her chest rose and fell. Suddenly, he was afraid of the answer.

---