36. Juliette
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
juliette
The mood in the emergency room is a somber one.
Now that everyone’s seen for themselves that I’m alive, the reality of the situation has sunk in.
Kash will barely look me in the eye as he paces the length of the space beside my bed.
Wyatt and Beck are on each side of me, my Alpha obsessively checking my vitals while my Beta holds my hand, his thumb rubbing back and forth to soothe me.
Their scents have taken on bitter tones, and I fight against the urge to sneeze.
Charlotte is out in the waiting area with the rest of the family.
Once she was able to get a look at me and was told that Mama was going to be just fine, she cheered up immediately, but the entire situation has been a lot for the adults to take in, especially Hudson and Kash.
Knowing their own flesh and blood tried to kill me has been difficult to comprehend.
I want to comfort them, but that will have to wait.
My head is throbbing, and my chest will probably have a gnarly bruise from the seatbelt, but I'm ready to get the hell out of here and back home where I can simply spend time soothing the harsher edges the accident has left in its wake.
The doctor comes in, pulling the curtain back and closing it behind him as he looks down at my chart.
“All of the scans have come back clear. No broken bones, no internal injuries. You’ll just need to keep an eye out for any extreme symptoms as a result of the concussion, but I’m sure Dr. McCoy here will stay on top of that. ”
It’s the first time I’ve heard him referred to as doctor , and it’s a shock.
I can tell the other guys are used to it though, as they don’t even flinch at the title.
It just proves there’s still so much about these men that I need to learn, and I’m beyond grateful we’ll have the rest of our lives to do just that.
“Does that mean we can take her home?” Wyatt asks, gripping my hand tighter. “She’s been through a lot, and I’m sure she’ll get better rest in her own bed.”
The doc nods. “Of course. I’ll send the nurse in with the discharge paperwork.”
The second he’s out of earshot, Beck asks, “How are you really feeling, little mama?”
“As expected, honestly. My head hurts, and my muscles are already getting stiff, but in the grand scheme of things, I got off easy.”
“You were incredibly lucky, and I for one am thankful Beck was on scene. I can’t imagine having to get the call from anyone else,” Wyatt whispers. He lifts my hand, kissing the back. “Please don’t scare us like that again.”
“Don’t plan on it.” Then a thought occurs to me. “Did anyone call Elliott?”
“I did,” Kash murmurs, checking his phone. “She said she expects a phone call as soon as you’re up for it. She wants me to tell you that she updated the other girls too, and that you and Cadence have officially used up your Give Elliott a Heart Attack cards.”
“Oh boy. The next group call is going to be interesting.”
The curtain once again opens, but this time it’s Hudson standing there.
It’s obvious he’s been crying, and my belly flips.
I can count on two fingers the amount of times I’ve seen this man in tears, so I know whatever it is, it isn’t good.
I’ve already thrown up once in the ambulance, and I’m starting to worry it might happen again.
“Gramps? What is it?” Kash stops pacing, giving Hudson his full attention.
“The doctor just came out and let me know that they weren’t able to save Jack. His injuries were too severe.” His voice cracks, and I wish I could get up and hug him right now.
Kash is frozen in place, the silence in the room drawing out.
“I—I’m sorry. You probably don’t care, but I just wanted?—”
I reach out my hand, and he latches onto it like a lifeline. “Hudson, he was your son . Of course we care.”
He nods, looking around the room as he composes himself. “They asked if I wanted to identify the body, but I told them I’d check with Kash first.”
The Alpha hasn’t moved a single muscle, and I’m starting to worry. Squeezing my hand, Beck meets my concerned look and starts to stand.
“Kash?” he asks softly.
“I don’t need to see him,” the other Alpha says firmly.
“I understand this has to be hard for you, Gramps, but I’m…
” He runs both hands down his face, staring up at the ceiling for a second before he clears his throat.
“I’m sorry, but I’m glad he’s dead. It means that Juliette is safe and I don’t have to kill himself myself for what he’s done. ”
That last thought is said so quietly I’m not even sure I heard him right. Hudson closes the distance between him and his grandson, pulling him into a tight embrace.
“You are fully entitled to those feelings, Kash. For all of your sakes, I’m glad this is over…
for good .” He pulls back, steps over to the side of my bed, and leans down to gently kiss my cheek.
“I’m so thankful you’re still with us, sweetheart.
Know I love you, just like my very own granddaughter. ”
The first tear rolls down my face as we share a long look. “I love you too, Hudson. Thank you for everything .”
He nods, then gently pats Kash on the shoulder. “I’ll go handle it. You all just sit here and soak up each other’s company. You’ve earned it.”
He exits, but the tension he leaves behind is so thick you could cut it with a knife. Looking over at Wyatt, then Beck, I let them know, without words, that I need to speak to Kash alone.
“I’m gonna go check on Charlotte,” Beck offers, kissing my temple and standing.
“I’ll go with you.” Wyatt follows him through the curtain, closing it behind them.
The other Alpha hasn’t moved an inch. He’s just staring at the blue pattern on the fabric as if it holds the answers to all of life’s mysteries.
“Kash?”
The muscles in his jaw bulge, his fists clenching at his sides.
“Talk to me.”
His nostrils flare, and if I hadn't been watching him, I would’ve missed the lone tear that spills out.
“How are you so calm about this?” he rasps, finally shifting to look me in the eye.
“I’m alive , Kash. I’ve got the three men I love at my side.
My family is here, and they support us.” I hold out my hand, desperate for him to take it so I can connect with him.
When a harsh exhale escapes his lips and his shoulders droop, he finally takes my hand and kneels beside my bed.
There’s so much pain in his eyes that it breaks my heart.
“He didn’t win, Kash. In the end, he got what he deserved. ”
“You don’t blame me?” he chokes out.
His scent takes on a burnt edge so heavy I can taste it on my tongue.
“You’re not him. You’re the man I love, my best friend, the Alpha I want to bite me as soon as my head isn’t pounding like a bass drum.”
His nostrils flare again, but the hint of cocoa that slowly starts to filter into his scent tells me it’s for an entirely different reason.
“You mean it?”
“With my whole heart, Kash.”
“Fuck, June bug,” he murmurs before leaning up and placing a tender kiss on my lips. “I love you so fucking much.”
“I love you too. And Kash?”
“Yeah?”
“For what it’s worth, I’m sorry about Jack.”
He shakes his head. “From now on, we have no reason to speak his name. He’s the past, but you're my future. That’s all that matters.”
He climbs up on the bed, sliding down until he’s nestled against my side.
His head is resting on my chest—which is honestly pretty damn sore, but I don’t mind because he needs this as much as I do.
My fingers comb through his hair, and we stay like that, doing exactly what Hudson asked of us.
We soak up each other's company while we wait for the rest of our pack to come back and take us home.