Page 32 of The Bull's Head

“Don’t engage him. Wait for me,” Mal shouted, then disconnected.

Once he was outside the store, Teddy looked down the street, trying to figure out where Byk could have gone. The overturned trashcans, the frightened look on people’s faces, and the fact that the man himself was chugging along the sidewalk, puffing like a steam engine, told Teddy where to go.

Although Mal had ordered him to wait, he couldn’t lose sight of Byk, so he followed behind him, doing his best to keep a safe distance. What had set him off? Was it Teddy touching him? That didn’t make sense. He’d touched Byk plenty of times and hadn’t gotten that kind of reaction. In fact, he seemed to enjoy the contact. But that changed, and now he didn’t seem to know who Teddy was.

Was he sick? Could Hyde have done something permanent to Byk? What could cause him to act out like this? When Byk stopped outside a bar, Teddy watched as he pushed the door open and stepped inside. He called Mal to let him know what was going on.

“Has he seen you?”

“I don’t think so, no.”

“I spoke with Dr. Hamilton, and she’s as confused as we are. She wants to get Callum back to the clinic as soon as possible.” He blew out a breath. “And we have to make sure he doesn’t shift in front of people.”

That was easier said than done. Teddy could stop him, sure, but not without hurting him. Byk was too fragile, his bones too exposed. When he’d lain atop him in bear form, it was only luck that prevented Byk from being injured after he’d shifted back to human. But if he was to shift, it would spell disaster for everyone.

“I’m not going to ask you to hurt him,” Mal said, “but we can’t let our secret get out.”

And Teddy knew that, he did. It had been instilled in him since he was first old enough to shift. Hiram broke that sacrosanct law and had paid for it with his life. Still, this was his Byk—his bull—and Teddy had sworn to protect him. He couldn’t hurt him, even if it meant exposing shifters to humans. “I’m sorry, First. I can’t?—”

“No, you can’t,” Mal said sternly. “And I don’t expect you to. Callum is my responsibility, not yours. If action must be taken, it will be me who does it.”

Teddy had no doubt that Mal would kill Byk if he deemed it necessary. He was also aware that it would only be done for the good of all shifters. That didn’t matter, though. “I can’t let you do that, First.”

“Excuse me?” Mal snarled, his tone icy.

“I promised Byk I would protect him. If it means I have to do so against you, then that’s what I’ll do.”

He expected Mal to rage at him, accuse him of being disloyal. Instead he hummed thoughtfully, then said, “Good friends are hard to come by. I’m glad he has you. I swear to you, I will do everything in my power to not hurt him.”

And Teddy was sure Mal was as good as his word. Damon had vouched for him, and that had been what Teddy needed to hear.

“Thank you, First.”

“Don’t thank me, because I’m going to need your help. We have to draw him out of town, get him to a remote location where no one can see him if he shifts.”

“He’s already angry with me, so I think I can probably do that.”

“You could be hurt,” Mal reminded him.

“I understand, but I’m still the best choice. Besides, I’m a bear. We can take a lot of damage and shrug it off.”

“If you’re sure. I appreciate your assistance. Lead Callum back toward the enclosure. We’ll meet you there.”

“Understood. I’ll be there as soon as I can.”

The call was dropped, and Teddy slipped his phone back into his pocket. He hadn’t been entirely truthful with his First. Yes, as a bear, Teddy was a lot harder to hurt, but as a human? He was nearly as vulnerable as Alp. Not that it would stop him.

He straightened his shoulders and made his way to the bar Byk had entered. He found him standing at the bar, a mug of beer in his hand. The air was redolent with the scents of steak, fries, and chocolate cheesecake. If Teddy had time, he’d indulge in that dessert, because it was obviously made fresh. Maybe once he got Byk back, he could bring him here properly.

Byk drained his mug, then slammed it down on the bar top, demanding another. The bartender stepped over to him, an annoyed look on his face.

“That’s five bucks,” he said, his tone telling Teddy he’d asked for money before.

“Gimme a fucking beer!” snarled Byk. He reached out and grabbed the bartender by his shirt and dragged him close. “You don’t wanna see me pissed off. Gimme my drink. Now.”

Teddy rushed forward and grabbed Byk’s arm, holding it in a death grip. Byk let the man go, and he scrambled away.

“Forgive my friend,” Teddy said, not taking his eyes off Byk. “He got bad news today, and he’s out of sorts.” Teddy let go of Byk, and reached for his wallet. He took out a twenty and slid it toward the bartender. “For the trouble.”

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