Brothers!?!?

Chapter Seven

(River & Teams' POV)

After getting in the truck and making our way to HQ with Nyxton, me and the guys were all talking amongst ourselves. Everything was going great until Jake pointed out that Nyxton wasn't moving. We thought at first he was just sleeping because it had been hours on the road that he went without rest but that wasn't it. Up close he was barely breathing.

Doc Jax rushed over to Nyx and quickly examined his condition. "It's not looking very good. He is unconscious from the blood loss and shock. We need to get him into surgery immediately."

"And if we don't?" Cole worriedly asked.

"Then he won't make it and this mission would have been for nothing."

It was lucky that they were pulling up to the navy base not ten minutes later. They rushed through check in and security before making a speedy race to the nearest hospital. Jax got out of the car and assisted with placing Nyxton on a gurney and rushing him into the OR. They had trouble at first figuring out ways to begin the surgery seeing as his anatomy was slightly different from a normal human. It was even more helpful that he was shifted back into his human form from being unconscious. It would be weird and more difficult to do surgery on a panther.

Doctor Jax headed the operation. After confirming Nyxton was out and a drip was set up to keep him under for the surgery, he began. First he removed the bullets imbedded in Nyxtons body. Then he stitched up any open and profusely bleeding wounds. Nyxton would need a blood transfusion except the only issue is he more than likely wouldn't match up with anyone.

Running out of the OR and into the waiting room where River and the team sat impatiently, Jax relayed the harsh news. "I took out the bullets and fixed up his open wounds but we have a problem. In order for Nyxton to fully heal or even survive the surgery, he needs a blood transfusion. The thing is... his blood is different from ours. We would need a living relatives blood to save him. Were you able to find any family?"

"Ty should be bringing me the results from the blood tests you gathered and any other information on any 'Nyxton' in the security systems around the world we could gather."

"When do you think he'll get here? We can't hold up the operation for long."

"He should be coming through the doors any minute actually."

Right on cue Ty came rushing into the waiting room like a man on fire. Breathing heavily, he passed the papers to River before collapsing into the hospital chair next to Leonard and the snack machine. Everyone glanced to River in curiosity for the results on the information. What they found out completely floored them.

"..... He's my... step brother!?" River stated, not fully processing the words.

(Nyxtons POV)

The two males from Rivers team snapped their heads in my direction. They seemed glad to of found me. I don't know why. It's not like I'm friends with them or anything. They thanked the damn blabbery female for the help and cautiously advanced toward me.

A snarl snaked its way out of my mouth as my claws extended and I tensed further. They were going to strike first or I was. I had to see how they would play this out. It would be a waiting game that's for damn sure.

I clutched the meat closer to my body when the males searched me head to toe, assessing my new attire. Their roaming gazes halted on the hordes of meat packages stashed in my arms. No way in hell was I giving up my findings. I hadn't had a real meal in quite some time. They would have to pry it all from my dead rotting corpse before I ever let these juicy delights go.

'Like that could happen. I'd beat their ass before they could even lay one finger on me.' My inner cat snarked.

One of the males, Cole I believe, started to calmly make conversation with the other male. "Marcus, you seeing what I'm seeing?"

"Yeah man. He has the same green eyes and facial structure as River and his mom. Can't believe I didn't see it before. What do we do? Can't just keep standing here with all these people near us. Could get ugly."

Cole glanced around at the gathering crowd of shoppers they were attracting before replying, "Probably should give River a call. Inform him that we found Nyx."

They talked as if I wasn't even standing right here. What the fuck type of weird things were they saying anyway. Who looks like that River guy? And what's this about his mom?

'Fucking loons.' I thought as I rolled my eyes. Then continued to glare as if peering into their souls while tuning back into their conversation.

"Alright. But first we gotta get big guy here to come with us. River won't like it if we harm him in any way. Over protective older brother instincts taking charge." Marcus said as they both turned to look at me.

I let loose a thundering growl before glancing around the store. Maybe I could just leave without starting anything. My instincts said go with them but my head said to wait and fight. There really was no place for me to go even if I got away from these males. They would either find me anyway or I'd end up in a military testing facility after being reported to the authorities.

"Listen Nyx, we don't want to fight with you. We just want to bring you back to the hospital to get checked out and make sure your all healed up before we take you to your new home we promised you. The little kitten you took a shine to is already there and waiting. We have a few things to talk to you about but River wants you to get comfortable before he does any questioning. You won't be locked in an interrogation room or cell. You'll be in a room with lots of space so you won't feel cornered. We only want to ask a few simple questions and in turn answer any you might have. Would that be okay with you?" Cole explained.

I could detect no lies from the male, just truth and sincerity. His body language gave no signs of deceit either. 'I should just go with them for now. It could have been an even worse situation. Like getting captured and caged again.'

Softening my tense body I gave a very minuscule nod and let the males walk ahead of me. I followed suite a few seconds after to provide some space. We were passing through the grocery doors when a loud siren went off almost making me drop my meat. It fucking blew out my ears that's for damn sure. The males turned back around to see what the commotion was about before realizing something.

"Shit. Forgot to put the meat back. Nyxton put the meat down, we have plenty stocked up back at your new place." Marcus said while pointing to the cashier female that gave away my position.

I growled my anger at being commanded to do something. Especially from another male and especially when I'm a free person now. Besides there was no way I was putting this meat back. I was hungry, no scratch that, starving and planed to eat this on the walk back to wherever it was they said I needed to go. Let them try and take it.

"Fuck! Okay, sorry! I'll just pay for it." Marcus grabbed his wallet from his back pocket before throwing a hundred dollar bill down and telling the chick to keep the change. Then the males proceeded out the doors and led me back the way I came.

The whole time I struggled to keep distance between me and the males while juggling keeping distance from the humans surrounding me. It was making me antsy but really mad. I even snapped my canines in a mans face for bumping into my shoulder and then proceeding to tell me off for not watching where I was going. He sure as fuck didn't escape unscathed.

The males seemed to of tried their best to stick to less populated roads. If they were doing it for me then they could stop. I didn't want their help. Even if it was better and less stressful.

Ignoring the males, I ripped open a stake package and dug straight in. The meat was so fantastic I had no words to describe it. It melted in my mouth and coated my tastebuds with the over flowing blood seeping from the slice.

The few humans we passed, including the two males I was following, made shocked and revolted faces. It was probably the fact they liked their meat cooked and I loved it raw to the bone. Personally, I think you can savor the flavor better this way.

"That's just sick man. How can you eat that?" Cole gagged as he stared at me chew the raw stake.

So focused on the meat I didn't even care that I answered the male. "...Tastes good.."

I glanced at both their stunned faces before tossing the rest of the stake in my mouth and starting on a set of the ribs. I was left with one package of chicken legs and a pork chop by the time we made it back to the one place I refused to enter. The fucking hospital.

"Finally here! Alright let's go on in. River is waiting for us with the rest of the team." Cole stated joyously before turning to me and stopping in his tracks at my expression.

The only thing I thought was, 'I'm NEVER going back in there. EVER!!!'