Chapter 7
Chapter Seven
Siobhan
Devastation tears through me. A sense of loss so powerful at being pulled away from the steady, handsome alpha that it’s all I can do to keep breathing.
Why couldn’t I catch their scent? Who were they?
Why does it feel like I know them? My omega was pulled to them for some inexplicable reason, and being separated now feels wrong, wrong, wrong.
I try to focus on the nurse’s words, listening as they rattle off numbers and instructions, but it’s difficult to concentrate.
They wheel my stretcher into a horrifyingly bright white room, and I squint when it sends shooting pains through my head.
It sets my omega off even more, and this time I can’t keep the whine at bay.
One of the male nurses peels my eyelids up and flashes a bright light in my eyes, and I cringe away from both him and the harsh light. Another asks me a series of questions that I do my best to answer, but my words feel jumbled.
Next thing I know, I’m hunching over the side of the bed and emptying my stomach.
“Concussion, grade 3. Vomiting, confusion, headache, slurred speech, anisocoria. Possible broken wrist. Prep CT and X-rays.”
More words and phrases that I don’t understand float around me, and my eyes drift closed.
“Stay with me, honey,” a different nurse says, gently tapping my uninjured forearm.
I force my eyes back open, wincing at the light again, and finally, after more questions and X-rays and more tests that I don’t remember the name of, they all leave except for one.
The kind one who patted my arm earlier.
I look at her and tears build in my eyes. She offers a gentle smile and takes my hand in hers. It’s not the hand I want though. Aury and the paramedic’s faces flash in my mind, and I sniffle, wishing they were both here. Or at least one of them.
“You’re going to be okay. You’ve got a pretty bad concussion, but it’s nothing a bit of rest won’t fix. You’ve also sprained your wrist, so we’ll splint it for you. No breaks or fractures though, so you’ll be feeling better in no time.”
“Okay,” I say, feeling as small as I sound. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Is there anyone I can call for you?” she says.
Another nurse bustles around, fixing the split to my hand and arm to stabilize my swollen wrist. I try not to wince at the pain of having it set.
“Aury?” The name pops out of my mouth without me thinking about it, and she nods.
“Is Aury’s number in your phone?” she says, grabbing it from the counter behind her.
My shoulders deflate and I hold in another sniffle when I shake my head. “No…” I say. “Um, maybe my friend, Claire? She’s in there.”
The nurse nods and I give her my passcode, then she’s shaking her head, leaving a message for Claire. “I’ll try again later, hon. I’ll let you have your phone, but no staring at it, okay? Only phone calls. No texting, no scrolling. Understand?”
I nod, forlorn, and she hands it over. “I’ll check in on you in a little bit. Press this button if you need anything.”
And then I’m alone again, as usual.
I don’t realize I’ve fallen asleep until my phone buzzes in my hand, startling me awake. I look down to see an unknown number, and my heart whispers that it’s Aury calling to check on me.
Naturally, I panic, and before I can decide whether or not to answer, the caller is leaving a voicemail.
“Hey Siobhan, it’s Aury.”
My heart flutters at the words, and I feel silly when a giddy grin stretches across my face.
“I hope you don’t mind, but I accessed your info at work to get your number. I wanted to check and see if you’re okay. Anyways, you have my number now, so if you want to talk or if there’s anything I can do, please let me know. Okay, bye.”
A nurse comes in with test results and lab work as I’m lowering the phone, and I bite my lip to hide my smile.
“You’ll be good to go in the next couple hours,” they say as they putter around. “Do you have someone at home or is there anyone who can stay with you?”
“Oh, no,” I say. “That’s okay, I’m fine.”
“Well, we can’t release you alone, unfortunately, as you won’t be cleared to drive or operate machinery for a few days at least. So at minimum you’ll need a ride home.”
“Oh, um. Right, let me see if one of my friends can come get me.”
They nod and then bustle out of the room while I pull up the Omega Gardening Club group chat.
Me: Hey, so I’m at the hospital - totally okay! Just fell and hit my head but I’m good! They’re sending me home but said I can’t drive. Is anyone free to come pick me up?
Claire: OMG are you okay?
Me: I’m fine, really. Sprained my wrist, but it’s not broken or anything. A couple bruises is all. I just need a ride home.
Bea: Thank goodness you’re okay, gave us all a scare there for a sec.
Three dots pop up, then disappear, then pop up and disappear again. They’re all weirdly quiet for a few long minutes, and my heart drops. I thought we were closer than this. Do they really not care that I’m at the hospital? I mean, I said I’m okay, and I totally am, but still…
A flurry of texts all come in at the same time.
Bea: Can’t get away, sorry girl
Claire: You know I’d be there in a heartbeat, but I can’t tonight, I’m so sorry.
Sage: We are not in town, I am so sorry!
Wren: I wish I could!
Tears well in my eyes again and my throat closes. I’m about to throw my phone down when it vibrates again.
Claire: What if you asked Aury? I bet he’d be down to help you. Want us to ask him for you?
And that’s when I realize just how sneaky and colluding my friends are. It’s not that they don’t care—they care too much about things that aren’t any of their business. I glare at my phone, ready to throw it for a different reason this time.
Sage: I can ask Brooks to come get you, if you want. If you do not want to see Aury.
I most certainly don’t want to see any alphas right now.
Not when the paramedic’s capable hands are a ghost on my skin, and their kind brown eyes swim through my vision.
I sigh and wish I had my cards with me. I rarely leave home without them, but the last pull I did right before tai chi was the Knight of Wands, leading me to believe I was guided to continue stepping outside my comfort zone and pushing myself to talk to Aury after class.
But perhaps the universe meant for this to happen, and now is when I’m supposed to be brave. To take a risk, to embrace my inner boldness. Even if my stubborn, independent streak chafes at the idea.
Me: Hey Aury, it’s Siobhan. I got your message, thanks for thinking of me.
So, um, this is maybe a lot to ask, but my friends are all busy and can’t come get me.
The nurse said they can’t release me alone since I’m not allowed to drive and the concussion might make me confused getting home.
Is there any chance you could come pick me up?
His reply is immediate.
Aury: Gladly. I’m so relieved you asked and that you’re okay. I’m on my way - be there in ten.