Page 23 of Unforeseen Mate
“Two guards got off several shots; one of them hit Fallon. It’s a clean through and through but they must have nicked something important. I can get the bleeding to slow, but then it starts back up.”
“I’ll have an ambulance meet you.”
“Are you crazy? Stupid? Or both? We get anywhere near a hospital or medical facility and Strode will have her back before anyone can snap their fingers. I want medics—ones not associated with any hospital—to stabilize her.”
“And then what? How do you plan to get a critically ill patient back to Windsong?”
“Who says I’m bringing her to Windsong?”
“She’ll need a safe place to heal…”
“And you think that’s Windsong?” Hayden scoffed.
“Can you think of some place safer?”
“Any number of them. You have to know that at some point the League is going to try and hit the Resistance where it matters most. Your place has got to be on that list. I will not have my mate…”
“Your what?” Colby snarled.
Hayden hadn’t meant to say that, but the lynx-shifter might as well know.
“You heard me,” Hayden answered evenly.
“She’s human.”
“I am well aware of that, Reynolds, as I am also aware of the difficulties involved, but at least in the Hollow I can see her healed…”
“The atmosphere and heat are toxic to humans… like lethally toxic.”
“I will keep her safe as we travel through the In-Between and can make my home safe for her. Our healers will take care of her.”
Reynolds drew a deep breath. “And then what, Hayden? Hellhounds have always been forbidden to take humans as mates.”
“As you might recall, Hades ignored that rule. Besides, my people are facing extinction, and you and your Resistance want our help. I would think a few females would be more than fair.”
“I think when we’ve defeated the League, you could most likely get approval to take willing females, emphasis on willing.”
Hayden snorted. “You arrogant bastard. How many of those above ground force females into pairings they didn’t want? And how condescending of you to decide after we’ve helped you, bled for you, died for you that you might allow us to take scraps fromthe tables. Maybe the demons and dragons are right. Maybe we’d all be better off to return to the old ways.”
“You don’t believe that any more than I do. I can’t condone you taking Fallon to the Underworld.”
“The Hollow is neither part of the Underworld nor any of the circles of the Underworld, you ignorant topsider.”
“Hayden.”
“Forget it, Reynolds. I’ll find someone to stabilize my mate and will take her home. You and your bloody, fucking Resistance can fight your own battle. Perhaps my warriors and I will take on the winners, and the hellhounds will come to power.”
“You don’t mean that…”
“Don’t I?” growled Hayden.
“I’ll have medics waiting for you at Swansea,” said Colby, defeated. “Hayden, I do understand. Just don’t go off the deep end. We need you, and I get your point. Hell, I get all of your points, but you have to know that no one wins if Strode and his people succeed.”
“I do, but in the same way you won’t allow anyone to interfere with your mate and the work she does…”
“I don’t have a mate,” growled Colby.
“Don’t you?” Hayden laughed. “Mason and Deke seem to think she’s a pretty lynx-shifter by the name of Aubry Hawthorne. You know, the leader of the Shadow Sisters?”
