Chapter 22
The soft sound of snoring woke Hayden up out of a deep sleep. He had no idea where he was. His brain was foggy and lazy. Warmth surrounded him and a serious sense of peace and safety was flooding into his body from the hand holding his own.
It was weird.
It was good.
He tried to remember how he got to this cozy, dark room.
He’d gone to his stepdad as expected. The usual had occurred.
Burning medicine and broken ribs. Harsher than usual but not unexpected.
He couldn’t remember finding the cars. Memories swamped him of the burning, burning pain radiating all over his body, especially in his ribs and lungs.
Drake’s face floated across his foggy memories. Drake saying they were going to the hospital. Hayden wanting to live if Drake wanted him to live. Drake’s command to live. It was everything.
It took so much effort but he had to know who was sleeping beside him. Who was holding his hand? No one had ever made him feel so comfortable and safe. Beta Marcus was going to be so mad he wasn’t guarding the cars.
Somewhere in the back of his mind he heard his mom calling his name through the mind-link.
She’d never called him through the mind-link before.
There was no hurry to respond. He was too comfortable and feeling safe to care.
He cut the link and worked on turning his head instead.
The small movement reminded him of his tender ribs.
At least the pain was less than the level he was used to.
Disobedient eyes finally allowed him to open them. He was back in the room Tarra said was his. An IV drip was hanging beside the bed going into his left arm. That had never happened after a beating before. No wonder the ribs weren’t screaming at him.
He finally got his head turned to the right and gasped when he saw Drake sleeping beside him, holding his hand. He didn’t think mates allowed their mates to sleep in the same bed as someone else. Unless, maybe it was okay because Hayden had the shit kicked out of him and could barely move.
Drake’s sleepy eyes cracked open and he gave Hayden a soft smile. “Hey, how ya feeling?”
“Good,” Hayden said. It had been a long time since he’d felt any level of good. He could get used to that.
Drake squeezed his hand. “There’s no reason to feel any pain. Let me get the nurse and we’ll get you more comfortable.”
“How…?” Hayden couldn’t finish the question.
“You have multiple broken ribs, a broken nose, and a punctured lung. It’s been four hours since the last dose of pain meds. Don’t be afraid to ask for more. You won’t heal as fast if you’re in pain. Doctors orders. She’ll be here later to check on you.”
“Oh, okay.”
“I’m going to get the nurse.”
Hayden hated the loss of Drake’s hand in his own. The world felt a little less safe and the pain in his ribs went up noticeably. He wasn’t used to his world feeling safe. It was a nice change.
“Hello, Hayden. My name is Rene. Why don’t we get you up to use the bathroom. It’s good for those ribs to move every few hours. Keeps blood clots from building up. Don’t worry if you need to complain about the pain.”
Hayden did groan as the nurse and Drake got him up and moving.
His ribs were on fire and his lungs were unhappy.
By the time he got back into bed, his legs were rubber and the world spun slightly.
Marcus’ beating was way worse than he’d known.
If Drake hadn’t found him, he wouldn’t have made it through the night.
“Okay. The next dose of pain meds should last about four hours,” Rene said. “Don’t you dare keep quiet if something changes. If something goes wrong, we’ll need to get you back to the hospital. So, help us help you and speak up if you notice anything.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Hayden nodded at her no nonsense tone.
“Good. Food. Lunch is up and I expect you to eat. Easy bland foods to wake up growing appetites.” Rene smiled as she left the bedroom.
“Toast and chicken soup,” Drake said as he rolled a tray in. “Water and soda.”
Hayden eyed the food nervously. It wasn’t a large amount.
Maybe a few sips would be okay. And for the second time, Drake picked up the soup and spoon, and slowly fed Hayden.
Hayden was too weak to fight being spoon fed, too weak to feed himself, and thoroughly enjoying this handsome guy taking care of him. He was liking it a little too much.
Hayden waved Drake off after half the soup was gone. He couldn’t do any more. At least he didn’t feel like he was going to puke this time. It would be nice to keep the food down.
“Want some toast? Water? Soda?” Drake asked as he obediently put the soup down.
“I’ve never had that soda. Is it good?” He’d been eyeing the clear bubbly drink on the tray. Honestly, he’d never had any sort of soda drink. Not that Drake needed to know that.
“Here, I’ll let you decide.”
Hayden sipped through the straw and almost died and went to heaven. Sweet, bubbly heaven assaulted his tongue. He’d never had something so refreshing.
“Pretty good?” Drake asked with an amused smile.
“Yeah, I like that. Thank you.”
Drake took the soup and toast back to the kitchen and came right back. He sat in the chair and slipped his hand into Hayden’s, much to Hayden’s surprise. What was even odder was the sense of peace that flooded through his body. Everything was better when Drake held his hand.
“Okay. My Alpha and Luna are coming to talk to you about what happened.” Drake squeezed his hand. “You are safe. You’re not going anywhere. You live here now, but I figured you needed to hear it from Alpha Steven. I’ll be with you the whole time. Okay?”
“I’m not going home? But I’m not 18 yet.”
Before Drake could answer, there was a knock on the door. The nurse let Alpha Steven and Luna Ellen in. Drake moved to sit on the bed and held Hayden’s hand so Alpha Steven could sit in the chair. The Alpha brought another chair over to the bed for his Luna.
“Hello, Hayden, it is very nice to meet you,” Alpha Steven said.
“It’s nice to meet you, too,” Hayden said quietly. Speaking took a lot of effort.
“I’ll make this quick so that you can rest up, son.
” Hayden raised his eyebrows at the word son.
“We know Marcus Haze attacked you. We also know it’s been going on for most of your life.
The doctor has given us the medical records she has on the wolf’s bane he used on you.
Also, we got the X-rays of broken bones now, and previously, are in the file.
The doctor for the Ice Claw Pack also sent his records of the abuse he noted in your case. ”
“Wolf’s bane?” He’d heard the words but didn’t know much about it. “That’s what was in the vials? My twice monthly medicine?”
“Yes. It’s absolutely criminal what he did to you,” the Alpha actually growled in anger. “The Elders have sentenced him to life in prison. They will spend the next five years dosing him. They wanted the punishment to fit the crime.”
“They think it’s that bad?” Hayden asked in wonder.
“You don’t know much about all that wolf’s bane does, do you? I’m aware you’ve lived it. But, you don’t know the specifics of how it’s really still affecting you.”
“No, sir. I just know it burns for hours.” This time Drake gave a deep guttural growl. These people were seriously upset with how he’d been treated. It was kinda awesome. Other pack members had been upset but they didn’t have the power to stop it. These people did.
“Your mother has also been sentenced to life in prison.”
“Is that why she’s been trying to mind-link me? I’ve been ignoring her because she always ignored me. It’s actually the first time she’s ever tried to link me.”
Alpha Steven’s face turned red in anger. His eyes glazed over as he mind-linked someone.
“I’m so sorry, sweetheart,” Luna Ellen said. “No real mother would treat her child like that. I can’t believe how horrid your mothers were.”
“Mom, it’s okay. You’re the best. Hayden will see,” Drake said softly.
Hayden looked back and forth between them and knew he was missing loads of conversations.
“She won’t ever bother you again. Now, you do have the right to see them if you’d like. But that will always be on your terms.” Alpha Steven said.
“Never going to see them again,” Hayden said with finality. Drake squeezed his hand in approval.
“Your siblings will stay in the Ice Claw Pack. Families are being evaluated to raise those spoiled, ungrateful brats. Dean and Jane have been demoted to Omegas and will be taken in by whatever pack decides to have pity on them. And lastly, you, Hayden.”
“Yes, sir?”
“My Luna and I have taken custody of you. I’d like to do the new member ceremony right now so that you can join the pack.
I know you’ve been told you’ll live here and I’m here to reinforce that message.
This is your room, everything in here belongs to you.
You’re now an Alpha’s son and have the status that comes with it. ”
“You’re adopting me?” Hayden said in shock.
“Not exactly an adoption. You’ll be eighteen so soon. So, you’re coming into the family without official adoption. Think of me more as a father-in-law, like I am to Drake. He calls me dad. We are family. Does that make sense?”
“I think so, sir.”
“Dad,” Alpha Steven teased him. He sounded just like Drake.
“Dad,” Hayden said shyly.
“And, mom,” Luna Ellen tapped her chest and winked at Hayden.
Alpha Steven took out a ceremonial knife and took Hayden through the new member ceremony. He nicked Drake and Hayden’s palms to mingle their blood. A whole new pack awareness flooded his mind as Drake pressed their palms together.
There he is, Drake said to Hayden through the mind-link. A big smile broke out on his face. Drake turned to Alpha Steven, “All right, you two scoot. My guy needs to rest.”
Alpha Steven laughed loudly as Luna Ellen giggled. It was even more shocking to see Drake turn bright red with a sheepish smile on his face. Drake quickly escorted the Alpha and Luna to the door. It looked like he was trying to flee the room.
Hayden realized Drake had held his hand the whole time, in front of his mate’s parents, and no one had batted an eye.
They were even leaving him alone with Drake.
What was Jaxom going to think having Hayden in his suite when he got back?
Unless, there was a different reason everyone was so chill about this?
“Am I your mate?” Hayden asked when Drake came back in the room.