Page 11 of The Bull's Head

Chapter 4

Callum wondered if he’d see Teddy again. He never thought he could have fun running with a bear, but he did. True to his word, Teddy had watched over Callum, ensuring he didn’t slip in the mud or get struck by fallen branches. He’d been nothing but attentive during the several hours they were out.

When he heard a familiar footfall, Callum made his way for the gate. His heart thudded a little faster, and he wasn’t sure why. When Teddy stepped into view, carrying a large bag, a frisson of fear zipped through Callum. Was Teddy here to experiment on him now? Had they gotten the information they wanted? Was Teddy one of them after all?

“Hey, hi,” Teddy called cheerfully. “I?—”

His voice cut off, his eyes widened, and he dropped his bag, then rushed for the gate and yanked it open. What was inside the bag spilled out, rolling onto the forest floor. There were apples and pumpkins and…. Callum stopped. Teddy had brought him treats? He wasn’t there to hurt Callum?

“I am so sorry,” he said, scratching Callum behind the ear. “I should have thought about what you’d see with me coming near you carrying a bag.”

Callum breathed a little easier as Teddy continued to stroke his neck.

“It was stupid of me,” he whispered, his breath fluttering the hairs around Callum’s ear. “I wanted to surprise you, but not like this.”

Callum nudged Teddy, which made him chuckle.

“Does this mean I’m forgiven?”

A few tentative steps toward the bag had Teddy moving again. He rushed over and picked it up, then cleaned off the vegetables he’d brought. After brushing dirt from it onto his shirt, he held out a small pumpkin, which Callum devoured.

“Like pumpkins?”

It was only one of the best things ever! Callum could eat them all the time. Even in human form, he loved pumpkin pie, pumpkin tarts, and pasta with pumpkin sauce. If it had pumpkin, Callum was in love with it.

Teddy held out an apple, and Callum grabbed it in his teeth a moment before crushing it in his powerful jaws. Others had tried to bring things for Callum, and he never touched them. He only ate the hay when he was beyond hungry, preferring to reach through the fence to snatch the tender stalks of grass. What was different when Teddy gave it to him?

“I have a surprise for you.” He reached into his back pocket and pulled out a small box. “I promise, it’s nothing bad or scary. If it’s something you don’t like, let me know, and I’ll take it away so you never have to see it again. Okay?”

Callum nodded. Teddy opened the box, and inside was an ornate cattle grooming brush like Father used to use on Cooper right before Mom braided his hair. No one ever brushed Callum’s.

“Is this okay?”

In answer, Callum pressed his body against the fence, eager to be pampered a little.

“I’m going to take that as a yes.” Teddy came to the gate and pulled it open.

Callum moved closer, nudging Teddy into a corner.

“I’m guessing you really want this,” he said. Teddy started stroking the brush over Callum’s coat, pulling out the dead hair that had matted there for years. “If I hurt you, please let me know. Some of these snarls will take a while to get out.” He ran the brush through the hair, the teeth making a swishing sound that was music to Callum’s ears. “Maybe tomorrow, if you’re up for it, we can see about getting you a bath.”

A bath? Oh, that would be glorious. Callum hadn’t been bathed in way too long. He probably smelled like the shit that was matted in his hair. Hyde and his so-called scientists never gave a damn about the people they tortured. The only time they bothered to do cursory cleaning was when they wanted to “experiment,” and they refused to touch the coat unless it had been washed.

“I watched some videos on YouTube, seeing the best way to do this without causing you any pain,” Teddy murmured as he continued his ministrations. “I learned a lot of things about Highland bulls. You’re among the most beautiful bovines in the world.”

Callum preened a little. He’d always heard how gorgeous Cooper was, but no one ever said he was anything but scrawny. He was probably even worse now, since he’d been starved half to death.

“Your hair is amazing,” Teddy whispered, seemingly hypnotized by the rhythmic brushing. “It’s rough, but it’s still got a softness to it.”

Callum pushed Teddy back, nudging him downward.

“You want me to sit?”

He did without further question. As soon as he was seated, Callum lay with his head in Teddy’s lap. Teddy put the brush aside.

“I think we can work on the brushing later.” He wrapped his hands around Callum’s head and scratched deep into the fur, his nails actually touching the flesh. Callum’s leg involuntarily kicked and twitched.

“Yeah, I thought you might like that,” Teddy said, a hint of wonder in his voice. “Because I want you to trust me, I have to tell you what’s going on. Mal, he’s the First of the Wald Pack—that’s what they call this group—and his mate, Alp, want me to work with you. They’re hoping that we can get the poison out of your system, and it’ll allow you to shift back.”

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