Free Wolf’s Heart by Ruelle Channing, Cam Cassidy Page A

it behind her ear. “You’re gonna sleep, Carlee. You’re safe, and I won’t let anything else happen. You have my word. I will wake you when we get to Savannah.”
    “Wait, how did you know I was going to Savannah?”
    “Don’t worry about that. Just close your eyes and sleep.”
    Her eyes fluttered closed as they flew down the highway. It wasn’t like her not to push and argue for her answer. That, alone, told him she was in bad shape. There was no radio, no music, just the hum of the road and the sound of Carlee’s breathing as she passed out.
    He couldn’t stop touching her even as he drove them south. A touch of her hair, caress across her thigh, and he watched as she slept, her breathing calm. She needed to see a doctor. Her incision wasn’t bleeding anymore but he had seen enough active duty injuries to know that it needed medical attention. At the very least, she needed antibiotics, clean bandages and something for the pain. As the street lights lit her face, Ryden could see the bruises from the beating she’d taken. Her eyes got to him the most. Still swollen, the bruises were fading to hues of purple and yellow. Her lips were still puffy, and she had a few cuts along her face that didn’t look too bad. Still the marks made his wolf growl. Taking her to a hospital wasn’t an option until he knew just what they were running from. Instead, Ryden called a doctor friend.
    The phone rang on the other end, and Ryden fervently hoped he’d answer. “Hello, Dr. Hammond speaking.”
    Ryden gave a sigh of relief at hearing his friend’s voice. “Cal, it’s Ryden. I need a favor.”
    “Anything you need, Ryden, you know that. What’s wrong?”
    Ryden had known Cal for many years. He was one of the medics who’d been responsible for keeping the pack patched up when they were injured. Werewolves healed fast, but sometimes not fast enough to keep from bleeding out or losing limbs, and no way in hell would they just leave a brother behind because he was hurt. Cal had played a pivotal role in maintaining the pack’s health.
    “I have a friend in need of medical attention. She was hurt and has been treated, but she’s not in the best shape. Someone is after her and until I know for sure who we can trust, I can’t risk taking her just anywhere.”
    “No problem, bring her to my private clinic. How long will it take you to get here?”
    “I’m not sure but give me at least a couple of hours.”
    “Call me when you get in town, and I’ll meet you there.”
    “Thanks, Cal. I appreciate this. I owe you one, friend.”
    Ryden heard him chuckle as he hung up the phone. It was a favor he knew the good doctor would cash in eventually.
    His clinic was in North Carolina. Cal had gone into private practice after leaving the military and had made quite a name for himself. Ryden drove through the night, not stopping, and called Cal just as he was minutes from the office. Carlee had slept during the drive and only stirred when Ryden picked her up and carried her in the back way.
    Her eyes opened as they walked inside and she looked confused. “Ry? Where are we?”
    “Easy, Buttercup, I’ve got you. We’re just going to get something for the pain. Relax, Cal is going to fix you right up.”
    “Something for the pain sounds great. You can shoot me with anything right now, and I won’t care…medication, that is.”
    Cal met them as he walked in, and ushered him to a private room where Ryden laid her on the bed. “Thanks, Cal. I’m worried. She was beaten a few days ago.”
    “Anytime, Ryden.” He shook Ryden’s hand and looked down at Carlee. “Tell me what happened and then I’ll give you something for the pain.”
    Carlee clutched Ryden’s hand and looked between the two. Ryden trusted Cal and knew whatever she had to say would be safe.
    “Carlee, I wouldn’t have brought you here if I didn’t trust him. We can’t help you if you don’t tell us what happened.”
    Her voice wavered a bit as she spoke,