Chapter 18
Chapter Eighteen
Kip
Initially, the incessant beeping from the machines had grated on my nerves.
Now I was afraid they’d stop completely.
Mase had been in the hospital for nearly a week, hooked up to ventilators and so many machines about whose function I was clueless.
The doctor explained everything to John, but I heard small bits of their conversation.
Things like catastrophic skull fracture, bleeding on the brain, leakage, and other things I blotted out.
All I could see was my lover lying so still in the bed, his eyes closed, his face ghastly white.
Come back to me, Mase. I know you’re in there somewhere.
They said that any wolf would have died from the damage. Mase being an Omega was the only thing that had saved him. The doctor told Mason’s folks that having me as his Dominant had given him the strength he needed to survive the calamitous wounds.
None of this went anywhere close to easing the rage burning inside me.
Someone had set out to murder Mase, and the thought made me want to rip anyone who came near him limb from limb.
Each night I sat at his bedside, holding his hand, telling him all kinds of nonsensical things because I had no idea what to say. Our parents kept telling me to go home and get some rest, but I couldn’t. I needed to be by his side in case something happened.
He’s so still, so quiet.
It wasn’t the Mason I knew, but a pale echo of him.
Fiona had pulled me to the side on one visit.
She explained to me how surprised she was that I’d felt Kip’s panic, because that meant our bond was strong.
Probably stronger than he would have had with any wolf.
She told me how grateful she was to me for being in her son’s life, and thanked me for guiding him. Speaking of which….
“I’m ordering you to get better, do you understand me?” I croaked, bringing his hand to my mouth and gently kissing his knuckles. “I need you, Mase. Please come back to me.”
And the tears came then. With no one else around, I could give them free rein. I didn’t have to be stoic. I could be a grieving man who missed his Mase so. I would gladly trade places with him. Taking on his pain would be the absolute least I could do.
Sadly, that wasn’t an option open to me.
There’d been a constant string of visitors.
John had come several times, telling me not to worry about work.
My guys were handling things fine and they sent their regards.
Our parents showed up every morning and stayed until late in the evening.
Fiona looked as though she’d aged at least ten years as she sat at the bedside and cried. And as for my parents?
Man, I had never seen my dad so pissed off. He told me he would find out who’d hurt Mase and he’d deal with it. I told him no.
Whoever had done this was mine. I just needed Mase to wake up so I could focus on it.
The pack showed up, a line of people each carrying flowers or little baubles, all of them wanting to pay their regards. It took everything in me not to lash out, asking where they’d been when he was suffering in high school, looking for something to hold onto.
My siblings Deron and Maia came in, looking bedraggled, both more somber than I’d ever seen them.
They even hugged me before they left and said to call if I needed them.
They both said they’d be happy to join Dad in finding out who’d hurt Mase and help him end them.
It felt good to know they’d accepted Mase in my life.
The days passed with no change. The doctors insisted he would get better, but I didn’t share their confidence.
Until I could look into those eyes I loved so much, I wouldn’t believe anything.
“I heard one of the nurses saying I needed a shower,” I whispered to Mason. “Apparently I stink.”
“Maybe because you do,” came a voice from the door.
I jerked my head up. John stood there, his eyes puffy. He came over to where I sat and put a hand on my shoulder.
“Still no change?” he asked.
“No, and I’m worried,” I admitted.
“Mason is strong and he has you as his Dominant,” he informed me. “He will get through this.”
Of course he was strong. He’d survived his whole pack shunning him. I wanted to shout it, to punch John in the jaw, but I held back because Mase would either disapprove or else be angry I hadn’t waited for him so he could watch.
I laughed, the sound loud and shrill.
This is it, I’ve finally cracked. I’m going insane.
Two nurses entered the room, and I immediately went on the alert. There had only been one at a time, unless they were with the doctor.
“Is this him?” one of them asked.
“It is,” John replied. He grabbed me and pulled me close, locking his arms around mine, pinning them to my side.
“What the fuck are you doing?” I shouted. I snapped my head back, catching him in the jaw.
“Fuck! Hurry up,” John told them. “He’s stronger than you might think.”
A second later I felt a prick in my arm, and within moments the world was spinning. John dropped me into the chair beside the bed, but I wasn’t about to give up. I stood—sort of—then cocked my fist and swung for his face.
It never landed. I fell, sprawling across Mase’s bed, unable to feel my legs.
“John, don’t do this,” I begged, my voice slurring.
“It’s for your own good,” he said.
And then everything went dark.
I don’t know how long I was out. When I woke, the sun was high in the sky and I was strapped to a bed beside Mason’s. I glanced around wildly, then my gaze landed on John, his head tucked into his arms at the table.
“John, what the fuck are you doing?” I struggled against my bonds.
He lifted his head, and I flinched. Judging by the darkness beneath his eyes, he was exhausted.
“Hey, good afternoon,” he rasped out. “Feel better?”
“Get this shit off me!” I demanded, tugging against the straps once again.
“Relax,” he ordered. “We’ll take them off.”
He reached for Mason’s call button and pressed it. A few moments later, the same two nurses came in and started to unstrap me. They were clearly practiced hands, because it wasn’t even two minutes and I was sitting up, ready to throw myself at John, despite the weakness washing over me.
“What did you do to me?” I asked.
“You were falling apart,” he said simply. “You needed rest, but whenever anyone suggested it, you shot them down fast. So I made the decision to sedate you, to force you to get some sleep.”
“You did what?”
“They also gave you an IV because you hadn’t been eating or drinking and you badly needed the hydration.”
The door opened again, and a man walked in, tray in hand. On it was a turkey sandwich and chips. He placed it on the bed beside me and then left.
Reluctantly I picked it up and took a big bite. It was dry, but still tasted delicious.
Then I noticed I wasn’t wearing my jeans or T-shirt.
“What’s going on?” I ground out.
John sighed. “You stunk, Kip.” He wrinkled his nose. “Like… really bad. The nurses talked with me, and after you were sedated they changed you into some scrubs while they washed your clothes. Your stuff is in the cabinet next to the bed.”
I ran a hand over my face, noting how smooth the skin was.
“You shaved me?”
“I did.” John didn’t show an ounce of remorse. “You’re one of mine, and if you aren’t taking care of yourself, then I have to do it for you.”
My anger bled out of me. He wasn’t being a dick—he was helping me stay strong for Mason.
“I’m sorry,” I said.
“Don’t be. I would have done the same if it was my wife or our kid.
It shows me—the pack—the depths of your feelings for him.
Plus, I owe Mason for not doing what I should have as a leader.
” His face contorted. “I didn’t listen to him at all.
I thought my way was the best, not caring for his feelings.
I was willing to sacrifice his happiness for the pack, and that can’t happen.
I profoundly regret that, and promise to make it up to him. ”
“If he wakes up,” I said softly.
“He will. I swear it.” John sounded so earnest.
“I wouldn’t have to if you guys would shut up and let me rest.”
I was by his side in a heartbeat as John pressed the call button. “Mason? Baby?”
He was quiet for a few moments, then he opened his eyes slowly. “Kip?”
Hallefuckinglujah.
I clutched his hand.
John walked to the foot of the bed. “Hey, kid. How are you feeling?”
Mase tilted his head to look at John, his eyes unfocused. “Hey, Alpha. What are you doing here?” Then he blinked. “Wait. Where am I?”
“You’re in the hospital, Mason. Someone attacked you,” John informed him.
“Attacked me?!” His brow furrowed. “No, that can’t be right. I was weeding my tea plants and… and….” He turned his face toward me. “Huh. That’s weird. I can’t remember.”
I bent down and kissed him gently. “Oh, Mase.” My throat seized. “I thought I’d lost you.”
He tried to reach my face, but the tubes in his arms prevented him. “What’s happening?” he asked, a note of panic lacing his voice. “Why can’t I remember?”
“Kip?” John asked. “Do you want to tell him?”
“After the doctor says it’s okay.”
The door opened, and the doctor entered the room. “Oh, you’re awake. I’m so glad.” He glanced at John and me. “You all need to leave so I can examine him.”
I was going to argue, but realized I needed to contact the family and tell them he was awake.
I kissed Mason again. “I’ll be right outside,” I promised. “I’m going to call our parents and let them know you’re awake. We’ve all been so worried.”
He gave a shaky nod. I leaned in and brushed our lips together.
“Behave yourself,” I said sternly, because my emotions were all over the place and the last thing I wanted to do was cry in front of him. John exited the room right after me, closing the door behind him.
“I’m not crying,” he insisted, despite the evidence on his cheeks. He scrubbed a hand over his face. “My people have been looking into the attack. There was no evidence in the yard that we could find. It was like he was attacked by a fucking ghost.”
His anger mirrored my own, simmering just below the surface.
“You do know that when I find them, I will kill them.”
John’s expression hardened. “I certainly fucking hope so. And you’d better save me the scraps.”
Like there would be anything left after I got through with them.
Mason
I couldn’t believe how shaky my hands were as the doctor examined me. First he took out all the tubes and wires, then he flashed a light in my eyes. Finally, he took the bandages off my head, and prodded the area.
“How does that feel?” he asked.
“A little tender,” I admitted, “but not too bad.”
“Excellent. You’re healing remarkably well. I guess having a strong Dominant really does help an Omega.”
“What do you mean?”
“An Omega receives strength from their Dominant. Having Kip find you, hold you, allowed you to pull that energy into yourself and basically supercharge your healing. Without him….”
I’d be dead. Yeah, I got the point.
“Can I see him?” I was desperate to have him close enough to touch.
“Of course. If all goes well, you can go home tomorrow.”
“Not tonight?”
He gave a soft smile. “Well…. Maybe, if Kip is going to be home. You need that contact, so it would be best if he were near you the whole time you’re convalescing.
Let me get him in here. Remember to keep up with your appointments.
” Then he left, and a moment later the door opened again and Kip came into the room. His gaze locked on me immediately.
“Mase.” His voice cracked.
“I hear you saved my life.” I managed a smile. “Appreciated.”
His lip wobbled and tears streamed down his cheeks. “Mase,” he whispered again as he stumbled toward me.
“Hey, come here.” I held my arms wide, and he collapsed into them when he got to me, lying over my lap.
“I was so scared,” he murmured, his voice quavering. “I kept thinking I’d lose you.”
“I still don’t remember everything that happened.” I cupped his chin. “But I do remember the pain and fear that I wouldn’t get to tell you how much I love you. How much I’ve always loved you.” I slid my fingers through his hair, and the very touch made me feel stronger.
“I will find who did this,” Kip vowed, his voice dark. “And they’ll pay for hurting you.”
“Hey, stop that,” I chided. “You’re not that kind of person.”
He peered up at me and I saw darkness in the depths of his eyes that made me shudder.
“You’d be surprised at the kind of person I am.”
“But I don’t want you to be like that,” I told him. “My Kip is kind, considerate, and wouldn’t hurt any of my fleas.”
He shook his head. “Don’t,” he warned. “I’m on the edge right now, and I know you’re trying to be funny, but you need to remember something. I held your broken body in my arms. I had your blood on me. There wouldn’t be enough showers in the world to get it off my hands.”
Shit. He was terrified, and here I was, cracking jokes.
“I’m sorry,” I said gently.
He sat up and locked gazes with me. “No, I’m sorry. I know you’re trying to make me feel better, but you’re the one they hurt.”
“I’m okay,” I promised, even as a twinge of pain shot through me. “Well, mostly okay. The doctor said I could come home tonight, at least as long as you’re going to be there.”
“I need to—”
“Kip, please. Go home with me,” I pleaded. Because if he didn’t, there was always the possibility he would go looking for the person who did this—and hurt them.
His tight face relaxed. “Of course. Being home with you sounds perfect.”
After that, he had me get under the blanket and sleep.
This isn’t over, is it?
Not by a long shot.