Page 64 of Bonded

“No… no this, it not that. I mean, what we were doing… but it’s not…. oh my God!” She groans as he helps her up. With him holding her arms, she leans her forehead against his chest, not just to steady herself but also looking for a little comfort. “I can’t explain this.”

Riley, unsure what he’s doing, wraps his arms around her. Kat’s hardly able to speak because the wound hurts and the pain clouds her thoughts. She feels sick and faint. But also, there’s a weird feeling swirling inside her head, something she’s never experienced before. A churn of emotions, like all the cells in her body, are racing around in a chemical reaction. She forcefully pushes Riley back, away from her.

It’s like Luna’s guarding her, and she growls. All she can smell is Ryan, and she looks to the door searching for him. A sense of loss coming over her when she can’t see him. The whole thing overwhelms her senses and Kat’s confused.

Riley reaches out to her again, but she pulls away. “Kat, it’s okay, don’t be upset we’re going to sort this.”

She shakes her head and wipes the tear of tiredness that rolls down her cheek. “Sorry about this, today has been… well, I can’t describe it. This was not how I imagined it was going to be. Sorry.”

“Come, sit down. Let me look at you.” He wraps her in the blanket and then, pulling the cart beside them, he plonks himself on a stool in front of her and begins to gently clean up the wound. “Okay, so this is going to hurt a little…” He smiles as she cocks an eyebrow at his comment. “Okay, maybe not that much. But just tell me if you want me to stop.”

Then, keeping the pressure on, he carefully places a few stitches neatly into the skin.

“There…” He leans back and takes a breath, “That should do it. It’s probably going to scar. The wound is really deep. I can’t even imagine the force it would take to do something like that to someone. Sorry… sorry not my business.”

“It’s okay. And yeah, it will scar… It’s meant to. That’s the whole point, so everyone knows. I mean, so other wolves, they’ll know that I’m bonded to someone and that Ryan claimed me. Luna—he claimed her.”

“Bonded? And that’s what this is? Okay…” He takes a nervous breath, “But I still don’t understand. Why would you let him do this? It seems kind of… well, antiquated to let someone ‘claim’ you. I mean—”

“I can’t stop it. It’s something that has to happen. It’s not really a choice. It’s like we were chosen for each other. Oh, how do I explain this? It’s just not a human thing, it’s… animal. But I guess that’s what I am, right?” Her lip quivers and feeling over-emotional, she bites at the inside of her cheek. “I’m just a wild animal—I told you a freak.”

Hearing the pained tone in her comment, he frowns. “Hey, I don’t see you like that. I don’t see a freak or an animal.” He strokes her hair back from her blood-smeared face. “All I see is a beautiful and intelligent woman, who… if I’m being honest, looks a little lost and confused right now. Kat, you’re amazing.” He stares at her eyes, the green color mesmerizes him and he can’t help himself—transfixed he can’t resist and leans forward and kisses her softly on the lips.

“Riley, don’t!” she snaps, holding him back. Resting her hand gently against his chest. “Sorry, but you can’t do that, not now.” Concerned, she looks to the door and hears voices she recognizes in the corridor outside; Zak and Digby talking. “I’m so sorry, I wish things could be different but now—”

“No, I’m sorry I know I shouldn’t have done that. It’s just after the other night, I can’t stop thinking about you.” He takes a breath and noticing the blanket rested in her lap, he shuffles awkwardly and tries to stop himself from looking at her breasts—he can’t. “Oh… and I still have your wolf plushie, the toy from the fair. I still have her at home.”

She looks at him, his expression, and smiles placing her hand gently against his cheek. “I really enjoyed the other night, and I love talking with you. It’s like you understand me, and that means so much. Please… don’t let this come between our friendship. Riley, tell me you’ll still be my friend; you won’t leave me?”

“I won’t.” He smiles, pulling her close. “I’m here for you. Kat, whatever you need, whenever. I’ll always be here.”

***

Digby’s pacing the corridor as Zak hands him a bag filled with clothes. “So, I got Oz and Bud to go to the picnic and clean-up.”

“Good. I just… What the fuck…” Digby growls, stopping his pacing as looks through the window into the room—seeing Riley, his arms wrapped around Kat’s naked body, holding her. “What the fuck is he doin’ now?” He throws the door wide open in angry disgust. “Hey… Hey you! You get the fuck away from her, right now! Do you hear me? Get your filthy paws off.”

Throwing the coffee to the floor, in two strides he’s shoving hard against Riley’s chest.

“Oh, shit!” Zak steps up making a grab trying to stop him, but it’s too late, he has his hands on Riley pushing him around. Lashing out in one punch he sends the doctor crashing to the floor.

“I’m gonna fuckin’ kill you!” A mist descends and his wolf growls loudly as he puffs out his chest and towers over his victim. Riley trying not to show his fear backs away but is stopped from escaping by the wall. “Kat is mine and you need to keep the fuck away from her!”

“Ryan!” Kat screams, jumping from the bed. “Ryan, stop it!” She pushes against his chest; Zak, also trying to force him away. “I said stop it! Ryan, please don’t hurt him. He wasn’t doing anything. We were just talking.” She grabs at his arm, using all the energy she and Luna can muster to force him away.

“I saw you from the window, I saw his ‘talking’. He needs to learn, once and for all. Freaks like you…” He jabs a finger in Riley’s face—as he continues to cower on the floor. “You need to stay away. Do you understand me? You don’t fuckin’ go near her. Am I clear?”

Rubbing his face, afraid, Riley nods. “Mm-hm… Yeah, I… I’m sorry, she was upset I was just trying to comfort her. As a patient, that’s all.”

“She’s not yours. You wanna take her from me? Then come on, try it.” Taking a deep breath, he puffs his chest—making himself look bigger, and he bares his teeth as his blue eyes glare brightly.

Kat stands between them, forcing him back. “Ryan, you’re being ridiculous… Stop it!” He growls, but she stands her ground and stares back. “Stop it right now.” Luna also snarls at him.

He rubs his hand over his face—calming himself. “Get dressed!”

“Zak… tell him, tell him to stop. Please, Riley wasn’t doing anything.”

Zak can’t do anything; he’s still trying to understand this whole situation. First, he arrives to see a shirtless, Digby covered in blood and now Kat—naked, also covered in blood.

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