Page 34 of Cupcake

His human side was hurting, broken, and tired.

Lightning flashed in the sky. The storm was over them now. Lion Logan headed toward a cluster of tall trees that would hopefully offer them some sort of break from the steady rain coming down.

There was a snap before intense burning pain.

Lion Logan roared into the darkness as he fell. His leg! His paw!

Shh! His human side pushed to the surface. It’s okay. We’re injured.

Hurts!

Lion Logan roared again.

His leg was gone! Lion Logan tried to move his paw, but the burning and pain made him dizzy.

“Logan!”

Lion Logan heard the voice. It was far away. Too far away.

He roared again.

Hurt!

He tried tugging his paw up but couldn’t.

Rain fell hard, pelting him.

“Logan!”

Settling his big head on the ground, lion Logan whimpered.

Help. Help was coming, his human side told him.

His human half pushed harder to take control. No, he needed to protect his human side. The pain. He threw his shoulders back and fought to get out of whatever held him. They had to save themselves!

“No!” A human dropped down beside him. “Logan, calm down. Please calm down. I need to get you out of the trap.”

Lion Logan snarled. They couldn’t protect themselves like this. He snapped his massive jaws at the human, who scrambled away. He fought harder to free himself.

“Levi! I found him. He’s stuck in a bear trap, but he won’t let me get close!”

Get out! They needed to get out and get away.

Danger!

“I know, but he’s doing more damage! Please, Levi! Fine!”

Ignore the pain. Fight. Get away.

“Logan! Help is coming,” the human said. Wait, lion Logan knew this human. The scent teased his memory.

He huffed as he rolled his head to look at the threat. Teeth still pulled back. Bite. Tear. Protect!

Gargoyle mate. Human. Family.

Family! His human half screamed at him. Don’t hurt family!

Lion Logan collapsed.

---