Chapter 18 Rey
REY
For two days and two nights, Rey sat perched on a chair beside his bed, where his one true mate lay.
He begged and raged at their ancestral spirits, demanding Carter’s return to him and praying for his little wolf to open his eyes.
Seth had healed as many of Carter’s wounds as he could when they’d found him lying beneath the tree, stopping Death from taking his mate, but Carter’s body had been so damaged Seth hadn’t been able to heal everything completely that day.
Every time Seth used his ability, it took a lot out of his alpha’s mate, meaning Seth had to repair a little at a time.
Rey sat hunched over, elbows on his knees, hands fisted beneath his chin.
One leg bounced with nervous energy. His hair hung loose around him, messy from the many times he’d run his fingers through it.
His gaze never left Carter’s prone body.
Kasey had brought him food more than once, but not a morsel had passed his lips, hunger nonexistent in his grief, fear, and guilt.
Grief at seeing his mate lying there broken.
Fear that Carter would slip away if he closed his eyes or walked away from him.
And the guilt because he’d sworn to Carter his ex would never hurt him again.
“You need to eat and get some rest. You won’t be any good to Carter if you pass out from exhaustion,” Kasey said from nearby.
“He has to wake up,” Rey rasped.
Kasey moved to stand next to him, setting a hand on his shoulder and squeezing gently. “He will, Rey. Have faith. Our ancestors will guide him back to you.”
“Why hasn’t he woken up then?” Rey demanded. “Why is he still in a coma?”
His alpha ignored his anger, knowing Rey wasn’t directing it at him. “It takes time for the body to heal. Even ours. We may have elevated healing abilities, but we aren’t invincible. Seth said he’s healing and is confident he should wake soon.”
Being a vet, Seth had access to medical equipment.
There was an IV hooked up to Carter, keeping him hydrated.
The bruises Rey had first seen littering Carter’s face and body when Carter had shifted back to human in his slumber had enraged Rey.
He wanted to bring the prick back to life and eviscerate him all over again.
Now those bruises had faded. The split lip was gone.
Even the puckering of flesh where the bullet, removed by Seth, had penetrated Carter’s shoulder had healed. Yet Carter still hadn’t woken up.
Seth approached the bed to take Carter’s blood pressure again. He listened to Carter’s heart and took his temperature. “No fever, Rey. That’s a good sign. His blood pressure and heart rate are normal levels.”
“So why is he still unconscious?”
Frowning, Seth set aside the electronic thermometer. “He went through something traumatic. His mind may be shielding him for now. I have no reason to believe he won’t wake when he’s ready. When his mind and body are ready.”
Kasey patted Rey’s shoulder. “We’ll be downstairs if you need anything, Rey. Get some rest. As your alpha, I order you to try.”
Rey’s wolf growled, prowling in his mind.
He slid from the chair to his knees beside the bed, ignoring Kasey and Seth taking the stairs down to the ground floor.
Laying his head on the bed, bracing both arms on the mattress, Rey kept his gaze locked on Carter’s face, one hand holding on to one of Carter’s firmly.
“Come back to me, little wolf. Open your eyes.”
Despite Kasey’s alpha order, Rey still only drifted, dozing lightly.
Every sound and every shift in the room’s energy roused him.
He prayed every time he’d find Carter’s eyes open, watching him.
Only when it grew fully dark outside again did Rey’s prayers receive an answer.
He sat with his face in his hands, again begging those unseen forces to return his mate to him, when he heard a small intake of air.
Jerking his head up, Rey saw Carter’s eyes were open, though a touch unfocused. Rey jolted forward, leaning over Carter. “Little wolf. How are you feeling?”
“Rey?” Carter said, lifting a shaking hand to touch Rey’s cheek, a frown on his face. Reality must have crashed over Carter because tears filled his eyes. “D-Darryl…”
“Shh, little wolf. He’s dead. He can never hurt you ever again.” Rey cupped Carter’s cheeks, brushing away the couple of tears that had leaked out. “I’m so sorry, my mate. So fucking sorry. I swore he wouldn’t get near you, that he’d never lay another hand on you, and I broke my promise.”
Carter shook his head. “It’s not your fault, Rey. I know you never would have let him take me or hurt me if you could have stopped him.”
Rey brushed kisses over Carter’s forehead and cheeks, then captured his lips in a soft, sweet kiss. One filled with the promises and hope for their future. “Never again, mate. Never again will anyone hurt you. I’ll destroy anyone who tries.”
“I-I thought you were dead. He said he’d killed you,” Carter said, agony in his tone and face. “I thought I’d lost you. But I had to get back to you. No matter what. I tried, Rey.”
“I know, sweetheart. I’m so proud of you for staying alive. When I woke up on the ground and you were gone—” Rey’s voice cracked, and he swallowed hard. “I didn’t know what to do. My wolf almost took over, but Kasey heard me through the pack bond.”
Rey ran his fingers through Carter’s hair, unable to stop touching him.
It grounded him, confirmed for him and his wolf that Carter was truly alive and safe.
“Thank the ancestors, I had GPS on my truck. We were able to track you through it. When we got to the gas station and I saw the police, the ambulance and the man they were loading into it—” Rey had to stop again, unable to continue with the horrific thoughts that flashed through his mind.
“The man, the trucker, oh god. He shot him.” Carter’s chin wobbled. “Was… Was he dead?”
Rubbing his stubbled chin over Carter’s cheek and neck, Rey said, “No. When we got there, they were loading him into an ambulance, and he was still alive.”
“D-Darryl threatened to kill everyone at the gas station if I ran,” Carter said. “I didn’t want anyone to get h-hurt, but I couldn’t stay there. When the gun went off and the man went down, I-I—” Sobs cut off whatever else Carter intended to say.
“Shh, sweetheart. He’s okay. No one else was hurt.
You couldn’t have known he would really hurt anyone.
” Rey comforted Carter, his heart aching for the misery and guilt flowing from his mate.
Sliding onto the bed, he gathered Carter close to his chest, careful of the IV still connected to him.
He ran his hands everywhere they could reach, soothing his mate the best way he knew how.
When Carter had cried himself out, Rey said, “The trucker survived, sweetheart. He’ll make a full recovery. ”
“How do you know?” Carter hiccupped.
Rey smiled and tapped his temple. “Kasey just told me. Him and Seth are downstairs.”
Thank you, Alpha.
Let us know when you are ready for us. Seth is waiting to check Carter over again before we leave the two of you alone.
I’m sure you, and your wolf, are eager to reclaim your mate now that he’s safe and awake.
Amusement came through the pack bond, and Rey couldn’t stop the low growl at the thought of staking his claim on Carter again.
But they both needed a shower. Rey had only left Carter’s side to relieve himself, and Carter had not only trampled through the woods, but had been lying in bed for almost three days.
He’d cleaned Carter the best he could with a washcloth, but that could only do so much.
“Seth wants to come examine you, little wolf. Are you up for that?”
Carter nodded. “I’m okay.”
Rey relayed the message to Kasey, and seconds later, he heard both men coming up the stairs. Releasing Carter, he slid off the bed and moved back to the chair.
Seth smiled. “I’m so glad you’re awake, Carter. You had us all worried for a bit there.”
Seth took his blood pressure, heart rate, and temperature again. He also removed the IV from Carter’s arm. “I think more rest, some food, and you’ll be good as new. Just take it easy and don’t overdo it for a few days.”
“He won’t,” Rey said.
“Thank you for healing me, Alpha-mate,” Carter said.
“None of that alpha-mate stuff. Call me Seth.” Seth patted Carter’s hand and stood. “We’ll have to grab some lunch next week. Get that visit in with the animals like we talked about and maybe discuss an upgrade to the computers at the clinic. Hmm?”
Carter beamed at Seth. “Sure! I can’t wait!”
Rey gave Seth a grateful glance as he moved toward the stairs. “Your business cards came in yesterday. Do you want to see them?” Rey asked.
“Yes! Are they pretty?” Carter asked, almost bouncing on the bed.
Rey couldn’t have wiped the indulgent grin off his face even if he had wanted to.
His mate was adorable. The fact Carter still had such an innocent, open reaction to something so simple after everything he’d gone through sent warmth and affection washing through Rey.
If he had any say in the matter, his mate would never lose that innocence.
“I’ll go get them while I walk Kasey and Seth out.” Rey followed them down to the first floor. “Thank you for saving my mate, Seth. Anything you ever need, all you have to do is ask.”
Seth slid his arm through Kasey’s and smiled. “You know you don’t have to thank me, Rey. I’m glad I could help and that your mate is all right. I think he and I will be good friends.”
Kasey bussed a kiss to Seth’s temple. “We’ll talk later, Rey. Go spend time with your mate.”