Everyone spoke at once, but Tyler could at least distinguish which voice belonged to Richard. His voice was slightly older, and his tone authoritative. “Tyler, we’re going to lower Justin into the hole to check out your leg and decide how to go from there.”
Tyler watched as Justin headed his way in human form. They’d brought supplies. The man had a flashlight and clothes on.
“Be careful you don’t land on his rear paw, Justin.” Michael’s voice was filled with concern.
“Watch out, man. I might start to think you care.”
Michael didn’t laugh this time. He didn’t even acknowledge Tyler’s jibe. He did care.
“Hey, I’m Justin. Nice to meet you. Although you probably would have preferred other circumstances. May I?” Justin reached gingerly for Tyler’s rear leg and applied pressure from the joint down to his paw.
Tyler didn’t have any way to respond to Justin since the two were not both in wolf form.
“Talk to me, Ty. Does it hurt?” Michael asked.
Tyler swallowed when he heard Michael call him Ty for the second time that day. No one had ever given him that nickname before. Even his parents had always called him Tyler.
“It’s better than before. I don’t think it’s broken.”
“What’s he say, Michael?” Justin looked up toward the top of the hole.
“He thinks it’s sprained.”
“He isn’t flinching when I manipulate it, and I can’t feel a break. I’m going to say sprained also.” Justin turned his attention back to Tyler. “Want to try to shift? It’s up to you, but I think it’s safe.”
In animal form, Tyler’d had no way to confirm the level of the injury. Now that Justin poked and pulled and prodded on him, he felt confident about shifting. Sprains were safe. Breaks were bad news if a wolf tried to shift with a bone fragment.
Justin sat back, and Tyler quickly shifted. “God, that hurts like a mother.” He looked down at his now-human ankle and twisted his foot in a complete circle to make sure it was intact. A soft bundle landed on his head while he examined the cut on his leg.
“Oops, sorry, Ty. Thought you might like some clothes.” Michael chuckled again. “I just grabbed the first thing I could find.”
Tyler pulled the sweatpants over his injured leg and was grateful to not have to sit on his human ass, freezing. The sweatshirt he tugged over his head was also appreciated.
“Let’s get you two out of there and then decide how we’re going to get back.” The new voice had to be Charles’.
“Here. Tie this around you.” Justin held out the rope.
Tyler stood, hobbling on one leg, and looked up at Justin’s face. “Tyler Evans.” He held out a hand and smiled. “Wish I could say I was glad to meet you, but this isn’t quite what I had in mind.”
“Welcome to the family.” Justin took his hand and grinned back. “This isn’t usually how we treat new mates, but you’re stuck with us.”
“Can we save the pleasantries for later, guys?” Michael leaned over and tugged on the rope as Tyler adjusted it around his waist.
“Okay, go ahead. I’m not going to be much help.”
“Hold on tight with your hands, or it will just slip up around your arms,” Charles said.
“Good point. Got it.” Tyler gripped the rope, and the men pulled. Moments later they grabbed him by the shirt and hauled him out of the hole. “Thanks. I really didn’t want to die in that hole today.” Tyler smiled and took Richard’s hand as the man pulled him to standing.
Charles nodded. “Welcome. I’m Charles.”
“Anyone want to pull me out today?” Justin stood at the bottom of the hole with his hands on his hips while Tyler scrambled out of the rope and tossed it back down.
As soon as they were all five at ground level, Michael spoke. “Can you put pressure on that leg?”
Tyler eased his weight onto his left ankle and grimaced. He could do it, but not for miles. “I think I’ll be better in wolf form. At least then I can hobble more easily back to the house. Three legs are better than one.”
“You think it’s wise?” Michael’s concern was etched on his face.
“Wiser than dying in the woods in the cold.” He chuckled alone and then continued. “I’ll make it. Let’s just get out of here. Besides, it’ll heal faster in wolf form.”
Everyone stripped and stuffed their clothes into the bags the men had brought. In no time they were gingerly making their way back to the house, Tyler keeping the majority of his weight on just three paws.
The conversation on the way back was minimal, and as far as Tyler was concerned, that was for the best. He was too busy gritting his teeth to chat.