Chapter 3
Colton knocked on Steel’s office door, waiting for permission to enter.
He learned it was the safe thing to do unless he wanted to add to the file of Jackson’s Visual Sexual Exploits he had in his mind.
Nope, better safe than trying to scrub his eyeballs of another image of his brother blowing his mate.
“Come in.” After hearing the all clear from Steel, Colton entered, sitting down opposite him.
“What’s up? No, let me rephrase that. Did you need me for something?”
Steel chuckled at Colton’s reference to the wording Jackson had used earlier and said, “Yes, my brother Slate is trying to help a bunch of Mexican Wolf shifters that have come under repeated attacks. They don’t have the medical facilities to handle the large numbers of injuries.”
“What types of injuries?”
“Not life-threatening but lots of them. Slate plans to outfit a clinic and hospital for them. In the meantime, he’s looking for the culprit behind the attacks.”
“Okay, so, what am I needed for?”
“It seems Dad’s been bragging about you to my brother.
Slate asked if you’d consider compiling a list of equipment his clinic and hospital would need.
The medical personnel in Mexico are simply too busy trying to keep up with treating the wounded and don’t have the time.
I’ve already cleared Slate’s request with Jackson. ”
Colton tried to hide his excitement. How perfect it was!
It would give him experience in setting up medical facilities in remote rural areas that would help him when he joined Frontline Doctors.
“Sure, I can do that. I need to talk to Slate and the doctors in Mexico so I get a clear picture of what’s needed, but sure, I’ll be glad to do it,” Colton said, trying unsuccessfully to hide his excitement.
“Here’s the contact info for my brother. He can put you in touch with the doctors. Thanks for doing this, Colton. It will benefit a lot of shifters. Oh, and please don’t worry about the cost. Slate and I want the very best.”
Colton left Steel, heading downstairs to his office while thinking about the job he’d been handed. He stopped when Carson grabbed his arm. “Why are you grinning like a fool, bro?”
“Steel just asked me to help his brother with a medical problem in Mexico,”
Colton boasted. “I never expected to do this until I joined Frontline Doctors.”
“What are you doing?”
“I have to figure out what’s needed in a rural clinic and hospital Slate’s building down there.”
“Really? How cool. I’m happy for you, bro.”
“What about you? Have you started working for Dire Enterprises yet?”
“Just on my way to Steel for my orientation,” Carson grinned.
“Have fun,” Colton said, continuing on to his office.
~/~/~/~/~
“Rudy, get in here,” Josiah yelled.
Rudy, second-in-command of the Silver Point Pack, walked in and sat down, knowing his Alpha was angry.
“Why hasn’t anything happened yet?” Josiah demanded.
“Everything’s in place and our agents are ready to go when he arrives. But until the package is there, it’s a waiting game.”
“Dammit,” growled the Alpha, “Isn’t the project behind schedule?”
“Yes, but in cases like these, there are variables, so patience is needed.”
“Fuck that. Speed it up. I want results sooner than later. I’m getting tired of your failures. If you’d killed the brothers before Jackson mated, none of this would’ve been necessary. Capiche?”
“I understand,” Rudy replied.
~/~/~/~/~
Colton dialed Slate’s number, waiting for him to answer. He wondered what Slate was like—serious like Steel or more fun loving.
“Hello,” a voice similar to Steel’s said.
“Hi, is this Slate?” Colton asked.
“Yes, who’s this?”
“Oh sorry, I’m Jackson’s brother, Colton.”
“Oh wow, am I happy to hear from you,” Slate said. “Has Steel told you what I want?”
“Yes, he did, and I’ll be happy to help. Can you tell me what this is all about? I know very little.”
“That sounds like my brother,” Slate chuckled. “I’m working with the Mexican Wolf shifters who are being attacked. The injuries aren’t fatal, but some are very serious. Especially if the victims are fighting back.”
“Who’s the attacker?” Colton wondered if it could be another paranormal species.
“We don’t know yet, but it’s another wolf shifter. The real problem is that the medical personnel are working in primitive conditions. Some shifters have already died because they couldn’t get treatment in time.”
“Why would shifters need treatment for wounds that aren’t life-threatening?” Colton asked. What Slate was saying just didn’t make sense. If a shifter got a non-fatal wound, shifting would take care of the healing.
“The attacker’s claws seem to be silver.”
Oh shit. Nothing is worse for a shifter—except maybe wolfsbane—than to be cut with anything that contains silver. “How can the wolf shifter have silver claws? Why isn’t he affected?” Colton asked.
“We’re still trying to figure that out. In the meantime, I need a clinic and hospital set up ASAP.”
“Do you have a building that can serve as the clinic and hospital?”
“Yes. I have workmen renovating it to bring it up to code. It’s gutted, and the interior walls must be replaced but I haven’t found anyone to do that yet.”
“Okay. I can help you with a floorplan and equipment list. I need blueprints first and I’ll have to talk to the doctors, just so I have a starting point for what they need.”
“Give me your email and I’ll send them your contact information. The faster we can get it set up, the less these shifters will suffer.”
“I’ll get on it right away. Oh, by the way, thanks for the opportunity. I really appreciate it.”
“No thanks needed. You are doing me a huge favor by helping me with this.”
Colton chuckled. “Well then, the thanks are mutual. I look forward to working with you.”
After hanging up, Colton sat back in his chair.
This was exactly his life’s goal—helping people who needed medical care in remote parts of the world.
He wished he could go down there to help but knew Jackson would never allow it.
He slammed his fist down on the desk. Damn his uncle, damn the Silver Point Pack, damn their greediness.
Colton realized some time ago his uncle had to die for the brothers to be free.
He just didn’t like the thought of it happening.
Right now, his pack was in prison—a beautiful one with 200,000 acres—but a prison just the same.
A ding came from his laptop—the email from Slate.
Opening it, he saw the name of the primary care doctor in Mexico along with his phone number and email address.
The attachment contained the blueprints for the clinic and hospital.
Colton printed out several copies. Spreading them on his desk, he studied them and started making notes.
Luckily, one of the courses he completed before being forced to abandon his education was ‘Design for Medical Facilities’ so he had some basic knowledge of what was needed.
He was impressed with what Slate had done so far.
New electric, plumbing, fire suppression system, and removal of all contaminated building materials.
He could see they were just about ready for walls to go in.
He started drawing. He would get his initial thoughts down on paper before talking to the doctor.
Consulting his books, Colton drew numerous variations.
This hospital and clinic would have to serve the shifters long after the current crisis was resolved.
He had space for two operating rooms, an ICU that would serve newborn pups and adults, ten hospital rooms and a waiting room.
On the clinic side, exam rooms, outpatient care plus an emergency room and waiting area.
What a sweet gem this place will be. As he was drafting room dimensions, his phone rang.
Without looking to see who it was, he answered. “Hello.”
“Colton?”
Oh shit. It was the voice that ruled his cock. Yup, there it was—a hard-as-fuck cock. Readjusting it, Colton answered, “Dr. Wallace, how are you?”
“Ian, please. I’m calling about your latest report.”
Colton gritted his teeth. “Is there a problem?” he ground out.
Ian heard the anger in Colton’s voice. Again, he was perplexed.
What the fuck is it with this guy? What am I doing to set him off?
If he knew, he could stop doing it. He wondered if this tension would continue after he arrived.
He sighed. “No, no problem. Again, an excellent report. However, I had a question about one of your observations.”
Colton groaned inwardly. Shit, I did it again.
Why was he allowing this doctor to get to him all the time?
He’d worked with asshole doctors during summers while he was in college, and was always able to control himself.
In fact, the nursing supervisors always assigned him to the difficult ones.
Shit. He knew what it was about this one.
It had nothing to do with Ian’s disposition.
Moderating the tone of his voice, Colton asked, “Which comment, doctor?”
“Call me, Ian, please. You pointed out the baby has experienced a larger growth spurt than in any of the previous ultrasounds.”
“That’s correct,” Colton said. “However, Jackson did miss last week’s test. He was away on vacation. Since I really didn’t have anything to compare it to, I thought I’d just note it and see what next week’s test shows us.”
“At this stage in Jackson’s pregnancy,” Ian explained, “a Dire Wolf pup grows rapidly.”
“I know that,” Colton said. “Oracle told me that, but I don’t have any references, because I haven’t found any medical information about a Dire Wolf pregnancy.”
“I have some very old medical books that explain about Dire Wolf pregnancies. I’ll copy the relevant sections and email them to you.”
“Fantastic! I’d really appreciate it. Any information you can send me would help. Jackson is nervous about the well-being of the pup. I’ve reassured him but frankly, I’ve been relying on my knowledge of timber wolf pregnancies.”
“That’s a good approach,” Ian agreed. “The only real difference is the growth rate for a Dire Wolf pup.”
“Good to know. Is there anything else?”
“Yes, my current assignment will be ending sooner than planned, so I’ll arrive two weeks earlier than I first thought. Would you please tell Jackson and Steel for me?”
“Of course,” Colton said. “Thanks for the heads up. I’m sure they’ll both be happy that you’ll be here earlier.”
“Good-bye, Colton.”
“Bye, Ian.”
Hanging up the phone, Colton promptly thumped his head on his desk.
Fuck. Two weeks to go before he arrives.
He had to solve the problem with his cock.
“Imagine what will happen if I’m in a room with him.
” Colton mumbled to himself. “Pre-come leaking, and everyone will smell my arousal. What I need is a good fuck session with someone since it’s obvious my hand isn’t doing it anymore. But with whom?”
He sat up, leaning back in his chair, staring out the window. He wondered if he could talk his brothers into a trip to the local dance club. He knew he’d be able to pick up someone there for a quick roll in the sack. Hmmm, Jackson would be a problem.
But what if Steel asked his mate instead?
Steel does owe me for helping Slate; well at least Steel thinks so.
After all, the kill-order has been rescinded.
Yes, tit-for-tat might work. Tomorrow, he’d make his pitch to Steel.
Hopeful that he’d found a solution to his never-ending hard cock issue, Colton resumed his work on the floorplans.
~/~/~/~/~
Dr. Ian Wallace was updating patients’ charts at the hospital when his phone rang. Juggling the clipboards, he snatched the receiver from the phone on the desk. “Hello, Dr. Wallace here.” He hoped it wasn’t an emergency.
“Ian, it is Oracle.”
Putting the charts aside, he smiled. “Oracle, so nice to hear from you. What do you have for me this time? Although the last one will be hard to beat…an Alpha/Omega hybrid!”
Oracle chuckled. “No, I don’t have anything right now. What I am calling about is your new arrival date. Colton told Jackson and Steel you will be arriving in two weeks? Is that correct?”
“Yes, my replacement is arriving sooner than expected. I don’t have a clue why since it’s never happened before, but it is what it is.”
“I am glad to hear that. As far as I am concerned, you cannot get here too quickly.”
“Why? Is something wrong with Jackson?”
“No, it is just…all that my first grandbaby has right now is a nurse…well not really a nurse…and I would feel better if Jackson had a doctor taking care of him.”
“Wait a minute. Colton is doing a fine job. Better than a lot of doctors I know. I’m perfectly comfortable with Colton.
In fact, if I had more nurses like him here, my job would be a lot easier.
Do you know how detailed his reports are?
Jeez, they are so complete. It’s as if I were there doing the examination myself. Why are you so worried about him?”
“Well, you have put my mind at ease somewhat. But Ian, you know how important this birth is.”
“Oracle, I know what’s at stake. But you have to trust me.
Jackson and the pup are fine. I’ve seen all the ultrasounds and the pup is right on schedule with his development.
And speaking of Colton, I just sent him some information about Dire Wolf pregnancies.
I wish all my nurses were as eager to learn as he is. ”
“Okay, okay. I understand. Colton is doing a wonderful job. Still, I will feel better when you are here.”
Ian laughed. “I really do understand how you feel. Relax, I’ll be there in two weeks, in plenty of time for the birth.”
“Thank you. You made this grandmother-to-be very happy.”
“Anything for you, Oracle. Is that all, because I have hours of work ahead of me tonight.”
“Yes, good-bye Ian.”
“Say hello to Maximus for me and good-bye.”
Ian hung up the phone feeling out of sorts because of what he felt was Oracle’s unwarranted lack of confidence in Colton. He didn’t deserve it and when he arrived at Steel’s, he was going to have a conversation with her about having some respect for a damned fine nurse.