Friday, October 18th Pt. 3
“Later that night I felt her distress very clearly as I had to lay on top of her, pinning her to the bed while Angela placed an IV near her ankle. It was the only way to put her in a twilight sleep so Angela could perform a two hour surgery on her arm.”
“That’s the only time before now that you’ve had them?” I ask verifying what I’ve heard.
“I’m sorry I took the long way of explaining it but the only time that I know the symptoms came directly from her, yes that’s the only time.”
“What do you know about her medically?” I can sense Cole bringing her back out to the living room.
“Angela and I have both tried to do thorough physicals on her but we have concluded that she’s been medically abused on top of the physical and likely sexual abuse that empaths normally encounter.”
“She hasn’t spoken to you about the abuse?”
“No sir. Through the council's records we were able to find out before she told us about being orphaned around the age of fifteen. The next known records had her on the move about a year later. Angela found her three months after she turned nineteen. She was willing to tell us a little about what Alpha Draven did the evening before she left but only enough for us to understand what she needed to fix her arm. I could tell that she had been abused significantly but unlike the others, transferring her to my pack is all she needed to obtain safety.”
I can feel his guilt increase as he watches Cole. It takes several minutes for him to get situated before insisting that she sit in his lap. The fated mate’s bond is clearly very powerful between them. Despite her initial hesitation with his request, once in his lap, she clings to him hard. Her body shakes as she sobs from the pain and exhaustion that silver poisoning brings.
“Demetri, I need you to join me.”
“She doesn’t trust me. Not fully. I never took the time to work with her like that.”
“She trusts you more than you know.” I encourage him as he stands.
He follows me silently to the chair. I pull my stethoscope from around my neck. The sound is enough for her to pull herself even closer to Cole. He does the only thing he can and simply tightens his hold around her.
“Jessa, my name is Dr. Deven Leroux. I understand you’re scared so I will take this very slow and explain each step.”
She whines hard, pressing her face even farther against Cole’s neck.
“There’s no pain with this. I just need to listen. Breath deep.”
I place my stethoscope on her back, listening to her breathe in several places before looking for a way to listen to her heart. It’s a challenge but I manage to find an opening I can use.
“That’s it. Good girl.” I praise quietly knowing that hearing sensitivity is common. “Jessa, have you ever met a natural healer?” I ask as I swing the stethoscope back around my neck.
“No sir.” She manages meekly.
“Each one operates slightly differently depending upon their power and skill. I’m fairly certain I know what’s going on with you before I even touch you but it’s still important that I initiate a read with you. Mine are painless and only take a few seconds. The only discomfort that occurs is placing my hand on the back of your neck. It tends to evoke a strong submission response in those who have been abused.”
She twitches with a whine as I move her hair to the side. Even Cole whines briefly as I slide my hand onto the back of her neck.
“Breathe, Jessa. Take my hand.”
She manages to pick her hand up enough that I can slide mine into hers. I close my eyes and with a deep breath I’m within her, feeling everything that she feels physically and emotionally. Her symptoms are clearly from silver but my knowledge and experience tell me that it’s not her that’s poisoned. I back out of my connection with her but maintain my touch on her neck and the hold of her hand.
“Jessa, the only reason I backed out is because of how fearful you are. I promised that I would take it slow and explain each step. I have confirmed what I believe is going on before I started the read. You are suffering from silver poisoning but I need to do a read on your wolf. It’s not something I do often so it will take a little time but it should still be painless.”
She’s shaking hard as she breaks down in sobs. I knew telling her would break her but she needs to know what she’s up against. I rub my thumb against her neck as I lean my forehead against her temple.
“I’m not doing this to hurt you.” I whisper in her ear.
“I’m scared.” She finally finds her voice.
“Squeeze my hand.”
I encourage her as I close my eyes again. This time I stick with her head looking for access to her astral plane. It takes several minutes but I find my way. I enter slowly with consideration towards how frightened Jessa is. I don't want to create too much chaos inside her head.
I freeze my movements as I immediately come across a very sick and weakened wolf. The cream and white wolf is lying on her side, her breathing is labored. I continue my cautious approach, not wanting to startle the young wolf that honestly, looks ten times her age.
“Hey there. I’m Dr. Leroux. I’m here to help.”
I speak quietly waiting for a reaction of acceptance, receiving none. I kneel in the grass of the detailed astral plane that Jessa created for her wolf, a common practice that allows the wolf to feel free instead of caged. I place my hand in front of her nose, finally seeing the slightest movement showing her willingness to smell me.
“That’s a good girl.” I praise as I move my hand to her head.
I pet her gently as she keeps her head on the ground, whimpering softly.
“I know what’s going on with you. It’s important that you hang on. The medication I’m hoping Jessa will accept will help you but it’s important that you submit to it. If you don’t let the silver go you most certainly will die.”
I continue petting her as I know it’s been a while since they’ve been able to shift. Her coat is rough and unkept. She is extremely thin with nearly every bone in her body exposed just beneath the skin. Despite how deep I’ve gone within Jessa I can still feel her struggle.
“I’m sorry dear. I’d like to stay longer but it seems my entrance into her astral plane is causing her pain. I must return to my own body now.”
She lifts her head just enough to give me a single lick. I pat her head one last time before heading out the way I came.
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