Ryan swung around, bringing his hand up in a fist and connecting with Magic’s jaw in a loud crack. It was the move that snapped his control. All the events of the past, the hurt from Layna pushing him away, his decision to move on, the worry, all of it came barreling down on him until all he could do was keep pounding at Magic’s face like that would somehow release all the pressure.
A warning growl rumbled from the panther’s chest, but Ryan ignored it, seeing nothing but the person keeping him from his female. And he didn’t care that it was his friend or Josie’s mate or the clan’s leader or anything else. He’d get him out of the way and then go to her.
He heard screaming somewhere in the back of his head. Stop. Please. The guests. Ryan… Ry! But it didn’t matter to him. He’d been calm long enough. He’d taken the human approach long enough, and now things were so fucked up and all he wanted was to see his mate and know for himself she’d be okay.
Blood sprayed across the gravel with his next hit and he felt the cool graze of Magic’s claws as they peeked from his fingertips, ready to attack if Ryan didn’t let up. But there was no way in hell that was happening.
Rearing back for another swing, he was stopped short when a pair of steely arms banded around him from behind. He struggled against the hold, watching Magic stumble backward, grappling with his own urge to fight back. Why wasn’t the cat fighting?
Magic spit blood on the ground, looking around at the people who’d gathered. Ryan surged forward again, only to be jerked back like a dog on a leash.
“Stop this right now.” Mason’s harsh breath rushed past Ryan’s ear, his words somehow breaking through the blind fury. His hold tightened around Ryan as he struggled to rein his instinct to fight. “Ryan,” he murmured, his voice taking on that smooth tone he used when he wanted to ease someone into relaxing. He used it with his spa customers all the time, but he’d never used it on Ryan before. “I knew you’d be back, man. Layna’s with Doc in your room. Now why don’t you go to her, and let me clean up this fucking mess you’ve made.”
Ryan’s breath came ragged. Stiff inhales and exhales he couldn’t force to be normal. Anger and panic and fear all bled together into one raging emotion. Instinctually, he knew seeing Layna was the only thing that could help him. He blinked hard, trying to hold it together. Beth was there, and Josie, both of them staring at him like he was a stranger. Several people watched the scene from a distance. Lodge customers. The part of him that struggled to be sane again, hoped he didn’t cost his clan some business. He’d find a way to make it up to them.
His body shook so hard with adrenaline, he wasn’t sure if he’d stay standing if not for Mason.
“My man,” the cat murmured. “You good?”
Ryan nodded although he was nowhere near good.
“Alright, I’ma let you go, and you getcha ass inside. Do not pass ‘go’, do not collect two hundred dollars.”
Ryan shoved out of Mason’s hold, ignoring his sister and the raging shifter he’d attacked. On trembling legs he made for the front door as fast as he could go, tripping over the top stair when he got there. Luckily he caught himself on the log-shaped handle and pushed through into the lobby. The candy cane decorations caught him off guard and made it feel like he’d been gone for more than a week. Clara sat behind the counter Layna usually occupied, looking frazzled and confused. But he couldn’t check on her now. Someone else would have to.
He clipped the corner and stumbled down the employee hall toward his old room. Correction: his room. He was back and he wasn’t going anywhere.
When he reached the door, he paused to draw in a deep breath. He knew he needed to calm down, but waiting even long enough to breathe only left him feeling more anxious.
With a crank of the handle, he eased the door open and the first thing he saw was the back of Doc Davis’ blond head as she leaned over the bed. The shifter female was arguably the most important member of the clan. The entire lodge really. She’d patched up guests and cats alike, and most recently had come through in a big way when Josie transitioned from human to werecat. He had complete faith in her abilities to care for Layna.
Her head whipped around, sending tendrils of hair that had come loose from her bun into a frenzy. “Oh, good. You’re here,” she said, sounding relieved. But then she frowned, staring at him in the way one does when they’re assessing a threat. “Are you okay, Ryan?” She stepped toward him, hands outstretched as if she might need to support his weight. He tried to look around her to his female, but Doc’s face took up all his narrowing vision. “It’s shock,” she said calmly. “You just need to breathe. You’re in shock.”