Eli.
We mindlink the pack doctors to be ready, and when we get there, they meet us at the back door of the pack hospital with a stretcher. At first, I refused to put her down, but Tristian and the doctors convinced me that if I don't, she would die. I lay her gently on the stretcher. The doctors immediately throw an oxygen mask on her to assist with breathing and insert an IV for fluids and in case they need a blood transfusion. They drag her down the hall to the surgery room, and it takes everyone present to keep me outside.
I refuse any medical attention for myself. I won't take up any doctor's time with wounds that will eventually heal when they could be an extra pair of hands working on Samantha.
I sit in the waiting room for hours with my head between my knees and wait. Tristian sits across from me, tapping his foot repeatedly on the tiled floor.
"What the fuck happened?" He finally asks.
I sit up and look at him in silence. I stretch out my broken arm and the stinging confirms it has much longer to heal. I wave over a nurse from the nurses station who has been eyeing me anxiously since I got in. The doctor must have told her to treat me any means necessary. I roared madly at her colleagues earlier, so I can assume why she hasn't approached me yet. The very petite redhead woman scurries over and bows to me.
"Get me a sling." I order, and she rushes off.
"Gonna ignore me?" Tristian sneers.
"The hunter."
"What?!" He's on his feet now. His eyes were blacked over, and his canines enlongated. "The man you were with?!"
"Yes."
"And you let him get away?!" His chest heaves up and down.
"I was in no position to fight." I lean back in my chair and throw my head back.
The nurse returns with the sling and a first aid kit. My wounds are struggling to heal due to glass and dirt. She begins cleaning them slowly.
"How did you know to come?" I ask my angry beta.
"What?" He cocks his head to the side. "You mind linked us, don' you remember? "
"No." I don't remember mindlinking anyone but with everything that was happening I probably just forgot, or hit my head too hard.
"Did you find him?" I mindlink everyone at the scene. I've been checking in every 15 minutes.
"No." Gabe responds. "Oddly enough we can't even pick up a scent. "
"Shit." I slam my head back against the chair.
"How could you let this happen?" He sits back down, anger present in his voice.
"I dont have to answer to my beta."
"You endangered MY Luna. She can die in there for all we know!"
"SHE IS MINE'S!" I Boom. The nurse runs back to her station, desperate to get away.
Before I can pounce, the doors to the surgery ward open and the doctors come out; Dr. Ramerez is leading the group. They are covered in blood, Samantha's. Tristian and I both stand immediately.
"And look what that got her." He mumbles
"What?!"
"Alpha!" Rameriz steals my attention. "We need to talk." But i don't want to.
"Can I see her?"
She knods hesitantly. I quickly brush by her, and she turns on her heel after me. Using my sense of smell, I sniff out Samanthas' room. They moved her from the surgery unit to ICU. Ramerez must have mindlinked the other doctors to stay put because they do not follow us. Only Tristian does.
When we get to the entrace, I stop briefly and prepare myself for the worst. Ramerez places a consoling hand on my shoulder and squeezes. I know it was meant to be comforting, but It only makes me more nervous.
I mindlink Tristian to keep out, and he responds by audiblely sucking his teeth. It doesn't bother me. She is my mate first before his or anyone else's Luna. One thing is for sure, though: I might need to consider a new beta and Gamma.
I inhale deeply and walk through the doors with my eyes shut. When i open the, I fund it hard to stand. Rameriez hands are on my shoulders once agai, this time to keep me upright and steady.
There she is, lying on her back, her arms at her sides. Tubes are in her nose and mouth. Her arms are covered with tiny scabs and purple bruises. I move close to her and trace my finger just above the, careful not to actually touch them.
"Her veins kept collapsing....We finally found a good one." Says Ramirez.
I look over at the top of her foot where the IV is now placed.
"Is she going to be ok?"
Rameriezdoesn'tt speak at first. I glance over at her. Her face is streaked with silent tears as she fidgets with her fingers. All I could do was look away.
"Alpha..,"Her voice cracks, "She's not gonna make it."
My wolf howls in pain in my hea, causing me to have asplittingg headache. I press my fingers to my temple to surpress the pain and shut my eyes tight. I squat down on one knee as the room begins to spin.
"ALPHA!" Her arms wrap around me, and she starts to ball, and so do I. We moarn together until the door makes a loud creek.
I wipe at my face as the door opens, and Rameriez sniffles and turns to see who it is.
"Alpha Briggs? What a surprise!" She scrambles to her feet and bows before my brother.
"Ramerie.. Elii.."
I glance over at him as I slowly rise to my feet and sit in the chair at Sam's bedside. He seems skinnier than I remember. His olive skin is pale, too. He let his hair grow out to his shoulders and stubble gather on his chin. His eyes seem less livelythann theyusede to be, dark beneath them. I mea, Ihaven'tt seen him since his mate passed away. His dull blue eyes study me as well before moving over to samantha.
"This your mate?" He walks closer, standing at the foot of her bed. "Beautiful."
I click my tongue annoyed at his compliment.
"Why are you her, Ethan?"
"News travels fast amongst our packs...Mother called, she is worried. Too afraid to come see you herself." His collective tone never falters.
"Afraid of what?"
"Afraid of you turning into me.." He reaches down and grabs Sam's chart to read it. "I guess." He shrugs and puts the chart back.
Rameriez stands quielty in the corner of the room, her hands clasped together nervously against herstomache.
"Doc?"
"Yes, Alpha Ethan?!" She jumps forwar, bowing her head again.
"Is there nothing you can d, or have you done a poor job?"
My little brother glares at her as she tries her best to shrink into herself and escape his deadly stare. His eyes were black with rage, no doubt him reliving the misery he went through watching his sick mate.He'ss become rageful, spiteful, and cold, said the rumors. Now I have a front row seat to confirm them.
"I did everything. Shee has major damage to her left kidney and her liver, a collapsed lung, significant damage to her skull and brain. Her left arm and right leg have both shattered in at least 2 places. She also needs a blood transfusion, which we can not supply. I don't even know how long we can keep her stabilized without one."
"I. Read. The. Chart!" He roars, and now it is my turn to glare. "You said nothing I didnt already read so why the fuck would that be your response?"
"Do not raise your voice to my pack!" I hiss. "Not to mention this lady litterally pulled you into this world."
He huffs and sighs, running his fingers through his hair.
"Do you not have blood supply on your packlands?" He asked calmer.
"Yes, but werewolf blood!" She protests.
"Wow you would have thought your pack had learned a lesson from mines."
I slam my fist on the armrest of my chair.
"What did you really come for?!"
"For you brother, support. Who else knows what you're going through besides me?"
Silence grows in the room again with all of us just staring at Samantha. It feels wrong. I feel like I am waiting for her to take her last breath. Is she even breathing or is it the machines doing all of it for her? Will I have to pull the plug? I never felt more hopeless in my life.
"Alpha, theres one thing left we can try." Rameriez whispers.
"Really?!" I look to her eagerly. I will do anything I can to save her.
"No." Ethan objects knowingly before Ramerez can speak.
"All do respect Alpha, you were able to make your own decision!"
Ethans' claws spring out and I jump in between them. I tower over him by a few inches. His chest is puffed out to me and I look down on him challenging him to make another move.
"My pack. My decisions." I growl lowly.
"You gonna change your mate?" He growls back, his body suddenly shaking with rage.
I look over at Rameriez and she sliently knods in confirmation. She wants me to change Samantha. Would that work? Samantha is in critical condition, border line death. She literally told me she will not make it. Would her body even withstand the change?
"Forgive me Alpha but she will die regardless." Rameriez boldly reminds me. "Give her a chance."
"Give her a chance?" Ethan cackles dryly. "I gave my mate a chance....I regret it everyday."
He pushes past me and towards the door. Rameriez scurries out of his way visably terrified. He stomps out the room without another word. I drag my feet back over to Samantha's side and slouch into a chair.
"Can I do that?"
"It's better than not trying." Rameirez stands beside me.
"Not that, live with myself. If.. if she dies because of me..will I be able to live with myself?"
Rameriez lets out a deep sigh but doesn't say anything else. We watch over Samantha together for a couple of hours until she finally goes back to her office, giving me privacy. She tells me to think it over, take my time, and be mindful that time is short for Samantha.