They surrounded the unconscious man, expecting him to jump up at any second.
“There’s no doubt he’s one of the doctor’s experiments.” Xeon picked up the shock collar at the same time it buzzed again. He felt it vibrating in his hand, no doubt it was high voltage.
“Then we can’t leave him here,” Kyro commented.
“I never intended to.” Xeon dropped the collar on the floor. “Let’s get him out of here. Hopefully, he won’t wake up swinging.”
“Man, this sucks!” Kyro commented and shook his head.
“What?” Ryder asked, cocking his head to the side.
“It’s times like this that it doesn’t pay to be all muscles.” Kyro sighed.
“Why? You can carry him all by yourself easily.” Hunter slapped him on the shoulder.
“That means his hairy balls are going to be on my shoulder.” Kyro shivered. No doubt, the mental image passed through his mind.
Hunter and Ryder burst out laughing. Xeon cracked a smile but tried to remain serious.
“Suck it up.” Xeon patted him on the arm. “Let’s get him out of here.”
“How about you suck it up and carry him?” Kyro looked at Xeon.
“That’s what’s good about being the alpha. I get to tell others what to do.” Xeon looked down at the man on the floor. “Now, let’s get moving before someone shows up.”
“Fine, damn it, you two can at least stand him up.” Kyro pointed his finger at Ryder and Hunter.
Together Ryder and Hunter picked up the stranger from the floor. Kyro bent down and pulled the man over his shoulders in a fireman’s carry. He grimaced before he walked out the door with his cargo. Xeon led the way back to the SUV while Ryder and Hunter covered the rear. The entire walk, Kyro mumbled under his breath about sweaty balls being too close to his face.
When they reached the truck, Kyro gently set the man in the back.
“Are we taking him back to the compound?” Ryder asked, closing the back hatch door.
“No,” Xeon and Kyro said in unison.
“I don’t want him waking up and freaking out. I think it’s best if we take him to the bears,” Xeon said. “It took four of us to take him down. We don’t need that at the compound. Besides, Fiona is only a nurse. The bears have a doctor on hand. They’ll be better equipped for this.”
“Hunter, you’ve got friends in the bear clan. Give them a call and let them know we’re coming.” Xeon pulled the SUV onto the road, hoping this delivery went well.
Chapter Nine
It took over an hour to get to the bear’s den on the south side of town. Hunter had called his friend in the clan, and they were now expecting them. Xeon had made it a habit to carry extra clothing in the SUV for moments when they shifted out in public. Now with all of them dressed, it was time to take the bear home. Hopefully, the man in the back was one of their missing clan mates. Xeon pulled into the compound and stopped at the large wrought iron gate. A man came out of the security station with a gun on his hip. He was bigger than Kyro, in muscles and height. Xeon rolled down the window to speak to him.
“What’s your purpose?” the man asked, walking to the driver’s side.
“Vlan,” Xeon greeted him. “We brought a package over for Raul.” He nodded to the back of the SUV.
“Oh, it’s you guys. Come on in. Raul’s waiting in the medic building.” Vlan pulled out a controller, no bigger than a cell phone, and punched in a code. The iron gate slid open, allowing them access.
“Thanks.” Xeon waved as they pulled into the bear’s home.
It was a similar set up to the wolves’ compound. Houses lined the roads with the main buildings in the center. Xeon couldn’t be sure which one would be the medical building until he saw the red cross painted above the door.
“This is it,” Xeon pulled in next to a truck.
“I’m surprised sleeping beauty’s still out back there.” Kyro opened his door. “I’m not throwing him over my shoulders again.”
“You did your work. These two can take him the rest of the way.” Xeon got out and shut his door.
“I’ll carry him, but I’m not slinging him over my shoulders either,” Ryder protested. Hunter followed him around to the back of the SUV.
The naked man was still out cold. The length of time the unknown bear shifter laid unconscious had Xeon worried about his condition. Ryder wrapped his arms around