Chapter 10
The following morning, Teddy was gone when Byk woke up. The room seemed oppressively empty, and it gnawed at him. Had he done something to drive Teddy away? Maybe he didn’t like it when Byk clung to him. Or maybe he snored without knowing it. He wasn’t sure what else it could be.
When the door opened, Byk found out where Teddy had been. He had a tray laden with food! Byk could smell French toast, butter, syrup, bacon, sausage—the list went on and on. The smile on his face was a balm to Byk. Though it hadn’t devolved into a full-on nightmare, he’d still dreamed about Cooper, and a thrill ran through him when Cooper crossed home plate to score the winning run in their game against Viceroy. Byk hadn’t even gone to the game, but it was as fresh in his mind as if he were there. He shook his head, doing his best to banish the remnants to oblivion, and instead turned his attention to Teddy.
“That is heavenly.”
Teddy placed the tray on the bed, then scooted it closer to Cal. “Everything on this tray, including the bacon and sausage, is vegan. The good thing about having so many shifters who can’t eat other things. I know I should have asked, but I figured you might at least be vegetarian.”
Again with Teddy thinking about Cal’s needs. The first person in the history of ever to do that.
“I am vegan. Cows can’t eat meat, and even though my human side would probably enjoy it, I figure I don’t want to get sick.”
Teddy nodded. “I get it. Bears are omnivores. We can eat anything and be happy with it. In this case, I’m fine having the same thing as you.”
“Oh, if you want meat, go ahead. It won’t bother me.”
He shrugged. “I’ve never been a big meat eater—well, except for salmon when Ivan and I went fishing.”
“And by fishing, you mean?—”
A cute grin made Byk smile too. “Yes, we went in bear form and batted them out of the water, then ate them on the bank.”
He and Cooper had never done anything together, except maybe fight. “I’d like to meet your brother.”
“Well, I invited him to visit. If he does, I’m sure he’d like to meet you too.” He nodded toward the tray. “Eat. We’re going to get your weight up, Dr. Hamilton’s orders.”
“I used to be… thick,” Byk blurted out, then winced. “I mean… never mind.”
Teddy laughed, and Byk wasn’t sure if he was laughing at him. “I’m a bear. You want chunky, you’ve got a battle on your hands.”
“But you’re not at all bulky. Well, except for the muscles.”
“Which, back on the farm, was me being what you call chunky. The thing is? What I am now works for me, but there are times, late at night, when I would go into the kitchen and grab out a tub of Ben and Jerry’s cookie dough, and scarf it all down.”
Ooh, ice cream. “I love ice cream.”
“If you eat your food like a good little bull, I know where we can get some you’ll be able to eat.”
That was enough for Byk to kick-start his appetite again. He tucked in, groaning at tastes he hadn’t had in far too many years. “It’s all so good,” he mumbled around a mouthful of French toast.
“Alp told them to be ready in case you were hungry later. The bunny has taken a shine to you.”
“He’s a nice person.”
“Everyone here is, I believe. I haven’t met them all yet, but they work so hard to get things right, especially for the children.”
“I get it. I’d like to have a tour, if that’s possible.”
Mostly because Byk wanted to see if those horrors remained. He knew he was in what used to be a laboratory, but the panic he expected wasn’t there. All that he felt was Teddy’s calming presence.
“I’d like that.”
“I know you have to get back to work, so I can?—”
“No, you can’t. I spoke with Malachi, and he said the paperwork can wait. He wants me to stay with you.” He cocked his head. “That is, if you’d like that.”
“I most certainly would,” Byk said eagerly.
“Good. I too would like that.”
“Question? Where are you from? I mean, I notice a trace of an accent every now and then, but I can’t figure out from where.”
“Me and Ivan were born in Vyezhyi Log, a small farming community in Russia. The area was perfect for us, because it had many evergreen forests for us to run in, plus it was dry and cold. Definitely a place a bear could feel at home. Our house was a two-story one of brick and wood. We grew mainly wheat and barley, which our mother used to feed us during the lean months. Everything we needed, we grew or harvested ourselves. Need clothes? Then go out and kill animals to provide the skin. We had nothing, so we wasted nothing. It was… a lonely life. Being gay, especially in Russia, was frowned upon or illegal. I had to hide who I was, while Ivan went out and slept his way through the girls in our village. And I’m sure there were more than a few boys in there as well.”
“He’s bi?”
Teddy shrugged. “Ivan won’t label it. I believe it was more a convenient place to stick his dick.” His cheeks flushed. “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to be so crude.”
“It’s fine. Not like I don’t know what a dick is, right?”
“I don’t doubt it. Anyway, our sister, she was angry that our father expected her to do what he called ‘woman’s work,’ when she was easily as tough—or tougher—than the boys. Father wouldn’t hear of it. He insisted a woman should know her place and demanded Ilya learn hers. Instead, she left and, after a few years, started a life for herself in New York. She asked us to come see her, but only me and Ivan went. We fell in love with America and wanted to stay. Then we met Hiram, and he made it happen.”
It sounded nice, but Teddy’s voice had an edge to it that could cut glass.
“I’m taking it things didn’t go well?”
“Well, you know that Hiram is the one who sold us out to Hyde.”
Byk nodded.
“When we met him, he made grand promises, told us we could become whatever we wanted in America. Only the truth was, he had us as bodyguards. Ivan liked it. I didn’t. After years of backbreaking work on the farm, I wanted a simple life. Here they have me doing paperwork, and I know that most would find that boring, but not me. It’s quiet, and lets me think and breathe and be.” His cheeks pinked. “I sound stupid, I know.”
He didn’t, though. “No, not in the least. Not everyone is cut out for action and excitement. I mean, it’s great in the movies, but real life? Not so much. Highland bulls are usually pretty sedate. We’re not really aggressive—contrary to what it might seem like—and prefer to take life as it comes.”
“That sounds nice. Bears are aggressive. Our animal side is more demanding, and it’s a constant struggle to keep it under control. Not saying we’d hurt anyone, at least if they don’t bother us, but our needs are pretty basic. Food, water, sleep. Give us that, and we’re mostly content.”
The urge to say something was on Callum’s tongue, but he bit it back and instead chose to nod toward the clothes. “Think we should get dressed?”
That made Teddy grin. “We definitely should. I’d like to take you out today, if you think you’re up to it.”
After years as a bull stuck in this hellhole? “Yes, please.”
“Then if we get the okay from Dr. Hamilton, we’ll head into town. It’s not a big place, but there are a few shops I found that might be of interest.”
Byk snickered. “Let me guess. They sell sweet things.”
Teddy ducked his head, but not before Byk noted his red stained cheeks. “Man, only just shifted back, and you’ve already got my number.”
There was so much to enjoy with Teddy. He might look imposing—and he was—but there was also a sweetness there. Honestly, Byk couldn’t see him as a bodyguard, because he couldn’t imagine this gentle giant hurting anyone.
Teddy smacked Byk lightly on the thigh. “Get dressed. I want to see your new clothes.”
After he moved the tray to the center of the bed, Byk stood. He looked at the clothes they’d brought him and pulled out a shirt that spoke to him. It was split down the center with two different colors, blue and red.
“Interesting choice.”
Byk shrugged. “It reminds me of my bull. Blue is placid, but red is more aggressive. Like, you know, don’t wave a red flag at a bull kind of thing.”
The fact that he had a body to actually wear clothes made it so much better.
Watching Byk touch everything was more fun than the trip, at least for Teddy. He had to put his hands on every piece of fabric they passed, sometimes mumbling comments about how soft they were, or how they didn’t seem to be sturdy enough to actually wear. When he spotted a teal blue sweatshirt, his eyes lit up.
“Like that?” Teddy asked.
“It’s my favorite color” came the hushed reply.
“And will it fit you?”
“Well, it says it’s three XL, so yeah.”
But Byk was nowhere near big enough for this sweatshirt. Not anymore.
“Byk? That won’t fit you. You’ll swim in it.” Teddy put a hand on the ribs he’d seen sticking out as Byk dressed. “Right now, you’re probably closer to a medium, or maybe even a small.”
The pink lip jutted out, and Teddy could see the shine in Byk’s eyes. This trip had been a mistake. It reminded him of things he couldn’t have or maybe never did. Teddy reached for a trembling hand.
“Hey, I?—”
He spun, and his eyes narrowed. “Who the fuck are you?”
The words were spat with such vehemence that it caught Teddy off guard. He reached for Byk again, but this time he was shoved back and ended up on the floor, barely missing one of the displays.
Byk’s fingers curled into a fist. He bent and grabbed Teddy by the front of the shirt. “Don’t fucking touch me, faggot!”
It so shocked Teddy, he didn’t even consider defending himself when the first punch landed on his cheek, just below the eye. Around him, customers were scrambling to get out of the way. Teddy continued to lay there as Byk hammered his face. When he finally let Teddy go, he snorted, stood, and wiped a hand over his hair, then strode out of the store.
Teddy got to his feet and pulled the phone from his pocket. He tapped Mal’s name and had only a moment to wait before he answered. “Something’s wrong with Byk—Callum,” he rushed out. “He acted like he didn’t know me, and then he….”
“He what?” Mal demanded.
Even though he had to say it, Teddy didn’t want to. “He tried to beat me.”
Mal growled. “I’m on my way. Tell me where to go.”
Teddy told him the name of the store. “I have to find him.”
“Don’t engage him. Wait for me,” Mal shouted, then disconnected.
Once he was outside the store, Teddy looked down the street, trying to figure out where Byk could have gone. The overturned trashcans, the frightened look on people’s faces, and the fact that the man himself was chugging along the sidewalk, puffing like a steam engine, told Teddy where to go.
Although Mal had ordered him to wait, he couldn’t lose sight of Byk, so he followed behind him, doing his best to keep a safe distance. What had set him off? Was it Teddy touching him? That didn’t make sense. He’d touched Byk plenty of times and hadn’t gotten that kind of reaction. In fact, he seemed to enjoy the contact. But that changed, and now he didn’t seem to know who Teddy was.
Was he sick? Could Hyde have done something permanent to Byk? What could cause him to act out like this? When Byk stopped outside a bar, Teddy watched as he pushed the door open and stepped inside. He called Mal to let him know what was going on.
“Has he seen you?”
“I don’t think so, no.”
“I spoke with Dr. Hamilton, and she’s as confused as we are. She wants to get Callum back to the clinic as soon as possible.” He blew out a breath. “And we have to make sure he doesn’t shift in front of people.”
That was easier said than done. Teddy could stop him, sure, but not without hurting him. Byk was too fragile, his bones too exposed. When he’d lain atop him in bear form, it was only luck that prevented Byk from being injured after he’d shifted back to human. But if he was to shift, it would spell disaster for everyone.
“I’m not going to ask you to hurt him,” Mal said, “but we can’t let our secret get out.”
And Teddy knew that, he did. It had been instilled in him since he was first old enough to shift. Hiram broke that sacrosanct law and had paid for it with his life. Still, this was his Byk—his bull—and Teddy had sworn to protect him. He couldn’t hurt him, even if it meant exposing shifters to humans. “I’m sorry, First. I can’t?—”
“No, you can’t,” Mal said sternly. “And I don’t expect you to. Callum is my responsibility, not yours. If action must be taken, it will be me who does it.”
Teddy had no doubt that Mal would kill Byk if he deemed it necessary. He was also aware that it would only be done for the good of all shifters. That didn’t matter, though. “I can’t let you do that, First.”
“Excuse me?” Mal snarled, his tone icy.
“I promised Byk I would protect him. If it means I have to do so against you, then that’s what I’ll do.”
He expected Mal to rage at him, accuse him of being disloyal. Instead he hummed thoughtfully, then said, “Good friends are hard to come by. I’m glad he has you. I swear to you, I will do everything in my power to not hurt him.”
And Teddy was sure Mal was as good as his word. Damon had vouched for him, and that had been what Teddy needed to hear.
“Thank you, First.”
“Don’t thank me, because I’m going to need your help. We have to draw him out of town, get him to a remote location where no one can see him if he shifts.”
“He’s already angry with me, so I think I can probably do that.”
“You could be hurt,” Mal reminded him.
“I understand, but I’m still the best choice. Besides, I’m a bear. We can take a lot of damage and shrug it off.”
“If you’re sure. I appreciate your assistance. Lead Callum back toward the enclosure. We’ll meet you there.”
“Understood. I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
The call was dropped, and Teddy slipped his phone back into his pocket. He hadn’t been entirely truthful with his First. Yes, as a bear, Teddy was a lot harder to hurt, but as a human? He was nearly as vulnerable as Alp. Not that it would stop him.
He straightened his shoulders and made his way to the bar Byk had entered. He found him standing at the bar, a mug of beer in his hand. The air was redolent with the scents of steak, fries, and chocolate cheesecake. If Teddy had time, he’d indulge in that dessert, because it was obviously made fresh. Maybe once he got Byk back, he could bring him here properly.
Byk drained his mug, then slammed it down on the bar top, demanding another. The bartender stepped over to him, an annoyed look on his face.
“That’s five bucks,” he said, his tone telling Teddy he’d asked for money before.
“Gimme a fucking beer!” snarled Byk. He reached out and grabbed the bartender by his shirt and dragged him close. “You don’t wanna see me pissed off. Gimme my drink. Now.”
Teddy rushed forward and grabbed Byk’s arm, holding it in a death grip. Byk let the man go, and he scrambled away.
“Forgive my friend,” Teddy said, not taking his eyes off Byk. “He got bad news today, and he’s out of sorts.” Teddy let go of Byk, and reached for his wallet. He took out a twenty and slid it toward the bartender. “For the trouble.”
“I don’t need your fucking help,” Byk snarled.
“You need it more than you think,” Teddy said. “You’re sick, and you need me.”
“Fuck off, faggot.” He turned back to the bar. “Give me another beer.”
The bartender, a human, stood straight, stared Byk in the eye, and said, “You’re cut off.”
That enraged Byk. He lunged at the bartender, and the only thing that saved the man was the wooden bar that stood between them.
Teddy clamped a hand on Byk’s shoulder and spun him around. “Knock it the fuck off!”
Byk snarled and clenched his fist. He swung, but Teddy grabbed the hand in midair and held it there.
“I’m ready for you this time. You can’t hurt me.”
“The fuck I can’t.”
Byk thrust his leg up, his knee slamming into Teddy’s balls. It hurt like a bitch, but it wasn’t going to stop Teddy.
“Best you can do?” Teddy taunted him.
A sneer marred Byk’s usually sweet face. “Not even close” came the reply.