Henry opened the rear door.The five kids piled into the back seat, chattering like boisterous birds.This had been an adventure, something out of the ordinary that they could tell their shifter friends.He caught Maia’s frown but didn’t comment.As soon as he dropped off the kids, he’d take Maia to Gavin because she was feeling Amanda’s blows.He could still smell blood but couldn’t see any on Maia’s clothing.
The kids filled the silence, asking questions, which he answered truthfully.Yes, Laura would charge Amanda for the attack.No, nothing terrible would happen to them for showing their animal selves.No one would believe Amanda.Laura and Charlie would make sure of that.
Maia was listening closely, even though her head was back against the seat and her eyes closed.He hoped she understood no shifter would hurt her.They were the same people—hell, would she leave him and return to her house now that they’d captured her stalker?
He didn’t want that.He wanted to keep her close.Keep her safe.
But he couldn’t tell her any of that now—not when the kids were in the back seat.
Henry stopped in front of the family home.He texted Megan and told her Gerard would be home soon.He’d explain.“Tell your mum I’m taking Maia to Gavin,” he said to Levi.
“Yes,” Levi said before he and his friends sprinted to the house.
“They love you,” Maia murmured.
“They love you, too,” he replied because it was nothing less than the truth.“Are you okay?”
He didn’t mean physically because it was easy to see her injuries bothered her.He meant mentally.How was she coping after learning she was living with shifters?
“You and the kids saved my butt.”A noticeable shiver ran through her.“Amanda would’ve hurt me worse without your intervention.Right now, I’m numb.I can’t wrap my head around the fact Amanda was responsible.She was friendly from the first day.Yes, she had a temper but never directed it my way.”
Henry wanted to hug her, hold her, and tell Maia everything would be okay.It wouldn’t—not for a while, so offering platitudes was no use.He set his vehicle in motion, backing up and heading toward Middlemarch.
Maia’s eyes closed, but she wasn’t sleeping.Henry glanced across at her, worry filling him as he felt her pulling away.Was it that he morphed into a wolf?Or was it something else?
Ten minutes later, he pulled up outside Gavin’s surgery.Maia didn’t move, and his worry increased as he rounded his vehicle to open the passenger door.
“Maia, come on.Let Gavin assess your injuries, and we can get you home.”
She let him help her from the vehicle, placid in a way that wasn’t Maia.Henry’s worry increased, but he remained silent as he guided her to the front door.
It opened, and Gavin was there, his green eyes scanning Maia from head to foot in one visual sweep.“Charlie called and let me know you’d be coming.Bring her into the surgery.”
Henry nodded.Charlie would’ve told Gavin that Maia knew about shifters.
Once they were in the surgery, and Maia sat, Henry squatted in front of her.“Can I remove your clothes so Gavin can see your injuries?”
Maia stood and raised her arms, grunting in frustration when she couldn’t manage properly.Henry helped her to peel the clingy fabric over her head before tugging off her leggings.She winced and gasped when he pulled the fabric from her hip.The stench of blood combined with mud was more prevalent now.Blood trickled down her leg and plopped in spots on the tiled floor.
Gavin moved closer while Henry silently cursed, wishing he’d been faster getting to her.Her upper body bore bloody scrapes, and bruises were already forming against her creamy skin.It was her upper thigh that was the worst.
“When did you have your last tetanus shot?”Gavin asked.
Maia frowned.“I don’t recall.”
“I’ll give you one now.”
Henry held his breath, waiting for Maia to protest that Gavin wasn’t a doctor, but she said nothing.
“What hurts most?”Gavin asked.
“Leg,” she said without hesitation.
Gavin nodded.“Once I clean out the mud and wood splinters, it should heal quickly.When is your next rugby game?”
“This coming weekend,” Maia said, frowning.“I have a rugby camp the weekend after that.”
“I doubt you’ll be match fit by this weekend,” Gavin said, using his usual honest assessment.“But you should be okay for light training by next week.If I were you, I’d tell your management.Be honest about your capabilities because you might worsen the injury if you try to play.”
