Page 16 of Grizzly's Bear

His voice was the last thing she heard as blessed darkness took her away from the pain.

Chapter Seven

Slade paced beside the couch while Jensen checked over Rissa. She’d scared years off his life when she’d gone down then passed out. He still had no idea what had happened. One moment, she and Ariel had been talking, and the next Rissa had gone pale as she’d backed away. Then she’d dropped to her knees before he could reach her, head cradled between her hands. She’d just woken up before they left home. He couldn’t handle losing her to a deep sleep again.

“How is she?” he demanded, and his brother sighed. At least, this time, Jensen answered him.

“She’s just passed out. Give her a few minutes, and she’ll wake up.” He glanced up and met Slade’s gaze. “I swear.”

“I heard you guys had arrived.”

Slade glanced over as Tony walked into the room.

“What happened?”

“She passed out,” Slade growled as Tony headed toward Rissa.

“What precipitated it?” Tony asked.

“I’ve got this,” Jensen snapped.

Tony held up his hands and chuckled. “I’m sure you do. Just offering to help.”

“Why don’t you both give her some air?” Slade nudged both men aside and squatted beside his mate to check her over. Color was good. Breathing was good. She merely appeared asleep as Jensen had stated. Then again, she’d spent a hell of a long time sleeping while she’d healed from the torture she’d endured. He growled as he recalled how she’d looked the last time he’d found her out cold.

“She’s okay, Slade. She’ll wake up soon,” Jensen tried to assure him. “Why don’t you take her to a room, so she’s not surrounded by everyone when she comes around?”

“I’ve got a Jeep outside,” Tony offered. “I can drive you to the cabin they had prepared.”

“You can use one of the rooms here if you’d prefer,” Tah offered.

As much as Slade wanted to get her to a more private place quickly, he wasn’t willing to stay in the house with who knew how many of the other shifters. He wanted the cabin, but he didn’t want to cause any conflict with the alpha of the pride. He glanced toward his brother, trying to convey some of what he was thinking without speaking aloud.

“Let’s get her to the cabin,” Jensen said, and Slade nodded in agreement. “Rissa will want some privacy, and Slade isn’t much of a crowd person, either.”

“No,” Slade confirmed.

Tah nodded, and his expression made Slade feel as if he understood. “The cabin is completely stocked, but please, let us know if you need anything. We’ve made accommodations for two of you at the medical center, Jensen and Adam.”

“I’m looking forward to checking it out,” Jensen agreed. “Once I see my brother and his mate settled.”

Adam’s gaze was on Rissa, and Slade knew he was reliving the last time she’d been out, as well. The two siblings had a close relationship, though from the conversation on the ride in, there were still things they hadn’t discussed. Jack being one of them.

“Let’s head out, then,” Tony said. “I’m sure all the testosterone in the room isn’t helping her want to wake up.”

Slade growled and wasn’t surprised when the other shifters in the room did, too. Tony grinned as if he’d known how they’d respond to his jab.

“Shut up,” Tah growled with a shake of his head, but there was no anger behind the words, and Tony merely grinned wider.

“Let me—”

Rissa’s moan cut off Slade midsentence. He’d been ready to scoop her up, and now, he sat beside her, instead.

“Rissa?” he questioned, dropping his head toward hers as she blinked open her eyes then closed them again immediately.

“My head,” she moaned, keeping her eyes tightly shut then burying her head in his neck, lips grazing his throat as she curled into him.

“Let’s get her to the cabin, so I can check her over,” Jensen stated as Slade slipped one arm under her knees and the other around her back before standing and holding her against his chest. His brother cleared a path back toward the front door as he continued talking. “I’ll be back once I make sure she’s okay.”

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