Monday, May 13th Pt. 17

“I agree. It will happen. What else?”
“For the moment, I feel he will be most comfortable in Cody’s tight fit pajamas. I know it seems odd but the medication I am using to make him more comfortable works best with body hugging clothes but he will need his own. Cody is six months older and six inches taller. The summer pj’s will work but the rest of his clothes won’t.”
“I’ll be stopping over at the Nova’s house tomorrow evening. I’ll be getting his belongings while I’m there.”
Cass and I stop as we see his mouth move but can’t hear what he says.
“What do you mean you don’t have anything?”
Sheila’s voice is as shocked as I feel. Cassius motions for Sheila to come over.
“Hey little guy. I know you’re still afraid but I need you to talk to me again.”
He brushes Clayton’s hair to the side.
“Do you have any clothes, shoes, stuffies, anything?”
“No sir.”
“What have you been wearing?”
“What they give me doesn’t fit except the shoes. Everything else is very tight and short. I don’t know whose it is.”
“Thank you. I still need to stop over there. I’ll let them know in the morning that I’m coming but I’m not going to mention that it’s about you.”
“Why?”
“Because you’ve been gone for hours and they haven’t linked with me asking about you. You deserve better.” I can hear the sadness in his voice.
“It’s not your fault, Cass. Just like it’s not his. You had no way to know they would take advantage of an orphan like this.” I try to reassure him.
“I’m sorry I didn’t do this the first time. Your experience with me may have been less terrifying if I had. May I hold you?”
I’m surprised at how passive his voice has become. He smiles gently as Clayton lifts himself from Sheila’s shoulder and allows Cass to take him again. This time he’s completely calm with only a small whimper when Cassius wraps his arm under his bottom.
“Alpha Cassius, do you think he would like this?”
Cody has reappeared. I had wondered where he had gone but didn’t want to distract by bringing it up.
“That is very generous of you but you need to understand that there are no take backs. Clayton has not only lost his family but his entire pack. He got brought to a strange new territory and a family that claimed to want to love him didn’t. They hurt him.”
“I have two of these and it smells like us.”
Clayton tentatively reaches for the small stuffed wolf, taking it in his hand while Cody beams with pride.
“I think you will do well here. I’m so sorry the first family was such a failure. What they have done will not go unpunished. I do not tolerate abuse.”
He rubs the small boy’s head as he paces gently.
“As I started off saying, I think finding out how he’s doing in school so we can get things comfortable for him here is the best thing for him. I also want to get him placed in the same class as Cody. They will both be in first grade next year and having a familiar face will allow him to relax with the environment.”
So far Cassius has nodded his head to everything I’ve mentioned.
“Both of us will need a modified work schedule. Both Clayton and Colton need consistent care. Sheila is very capable but my medical background is important considering what Aaron was able to find. He wanted Cole back tomorrow but I told him that Cole needed a break from the sedative. That it would be better to return Wednesday or later.”
“He called and told you what he found?”
Cassius seems shocked considering I had to leave early.
“What schedule do you need?”
“Thank you.” I whisper as I did not anticipate such cooperation.
“The clinic can handle me being there just two days a week. So the preference is Monday, Wednesday and Friday off for me, Sheila Tuesday and Thursday although I will need her home with Clayton when I take Cole back to Aaron. He told me that he was able to get his wrist corrected and cast in less time than we thought so you agreed to several MRI’s.”
I pause as I hate what has been found.
“Dev.”
Cassius tries to get me back as Sheila takes Clayton for his bath. I smile as she stops beside me, turning so I can see the sleepy pup.
“I’m sorry it’s so late. Don’t fight mama Sheila and use your words. If the water hurts, tell her and she will add medicine to make it better.”
He nods slowly as I lay my head against his.
“Remember this, Clay. You will never be spanked with us. There are consequences both good and bad for every decision but putting our hands on you in punishment will never be one of them. Ask Cody. He won’t lie to you.”
“Thank you.”
His voice is exhausted but relaxed as they leave for our room, Cody trailing behind her.
“Deven, what did he tell you?”
Cassius asks as he stands a short distance in front of Colton.
“The MRI’s revealed that he is still healing from two skull fractures, two dislocated shoulders, two fractured vertebrae in his neck and multiple rib fractures. Aaron wants him back for a CAT scan on his head, chest and abdomen.”
“That’s at least four hours in the machine. Can he mentally handle that?”
“I’m not certain if he can physically handle that much.” I answer honestly. “To have an involuntary protection aura produced while his wolf is in a coma also makes me believe he’s an alpha.”
“I mentioned that when it happened.” Cassius replies as he reaches over to Colton. “Colton, my son, we need to get you back to bed.”
“Aaron is preemptively listing him as an alpha as they are the ones who struggle the most with anesthesia.”
“Is that something you’re testing for?”
“With the blood I took last night, yes.”
“Cole, I need your help getting you up. I don’t want to scare you or hurt you. Is there anything painful right now?”
He finally opens his eyes but just like an hour ago, it’s quite the struggle.
“I’m going to wrap my arm under yours. Grab my shoulder. Let’s get you out of this chair.”
He nods silently as he tries to follow Cassius’s directions. He ends up yelping hard several times before Cassius has him in his arms. It’s obvious he wants to move but Cass is insistent that he recovers from getting up first. Once his swaying stops, Cassius lets him go and follows close behind him to his room. I assist him with his personal needs before getting him back into the bed. Despite his broken ribs it is obvious that he prefers his side. Unfortunately making him comfortable is proving to be a big challenge.
“Colton, I know today has been a very challenging day but I do feel that Cassius should see your back.”
He steps forward as he whimpers. It’s easy to tell it’s something he’s very afraid of.
“Colton, I’m not going to hurt you.” He tries to reassure him as he steps closer to the bed.
“No! No! Please. I’ve been bad. As soon as you see it you’ll use it.”
I’m kneeling in front of him as Cassius arrives at the other side.
“Has it been used against you before?” Considering his amnesia I’m surprised he asked.
“I don’t know. Everything is instinct. I don’t know why I say what I say or fear what I fear.”
His voice shakes as badly as his body. I’m at a loss as to why this is so frightening considering his lack of memory.
“Cole, can you roll so you’re more on your stomach than your side?” Cassius is calm and very caring towards him, helping him to adjust his position. “I’m going to tell you each step I take starting with lifting your shirt.”
“No.” He cries out as he buries his face into the pillow. “This better be something big.” He halfway scolds for putting Colton into such a panic. I slide one hand into his casted hand while the other gently pets his hair.
“Cass isn’t going to hurt you.” I try to calm him.
“Yes he will. I’ve been bad, I deserve it.”
“I’m going to push your shirt up high.” He’s gentle but with the sternness needed to keep Cole from fighting. “Relax. I promise I’m not going to hurt you.”
I keep my movements slow as he relents unwillingly to what’s happening, squeezing the pillow in his hand until it shakes. Cass stares silently at the scar I saw earlier.