Friday, October 18th Pt. 12
I state quietly as I look at my watch. It’s been nearly two hours since they’ve arrived and this is going to be one of the most difficult things she will have to go through.
Her face contorts with the pain as she brings her hand to her chest. Placing the medication into the muscle of her arm results in it hitting her heart and lungs first. This is the most intense pain that she will experience muting out the rest of her body feeling the same. It hits first and leaves last.
“I’m sorry sweetie. I promise this is the worst. You will feel the effects of silver tomorrow but once I get a sample of what your wolf is holding I can start giving you the appropriate binders that will flush it out of your system.”
I explained softly as I take her hand in mine. She squeezes me hard as she resists moving away from her chest. While I have never had the discomfort of feeling this medication in my body I detoxed enough empaths during my training that I know all their reactions. Clawing at their chest is both common and dangerous as several have gone into a partial shift and dug holes into themselves.
“Don’t resist, Jess. Let me have your hand.”
I encourage as I attempt to move it towards me again. This time she relaxes. I place my free hand over hers so it’s sandwiched between them. Closing my eyes I go into a light meditative state, willing the pain that’s developing to enter my body. I start into deep breathing exercises as my discomfort increases at the same rate as hers, my biggest concern is if Cole’s pain has increased as well.
“Here. You don’t need instructions on this considering the pain you felt with those deep breaths you took.”
I hear Demetri speak to Cole. He must have found the inhaler and handed it to Cole. I can vaguely hear the sounds of a chair scraping the floor before it goes quiet, feet shuffle quickly around the chair, then the chair is set beside me with a soft thud. Jessa whimpers quietly, shifting subtlety as a means of showing her discomfort.
“Breathe, Jessa. Slowly in through your nose and out through your mouth. I’m sorry I’m a little later than Deven in helping with the pain. Relax, let me have your hand.”
Demetri attempts to comfort her as he gets himself situated. I immediately feel the difference when he joins in. I swear I even heard Cole sigh in relief as the pain gets split four ways instead of two.
It’s as my own pain relaxes into a dull roar over the raging burning sensation that reminds me of being stabbed with a hot fireplace poker that I slowly ease myself out of my meditation and open my eyes. Sheila has left her seat and is beside me, wiping my forehead of the sweat that has beaded upon it.
“Alpha Demetri, you’re sweating as bad as Deven. I’d like to help keep it out of your eyes.” She explains as she steps over to him.
“Yes ma’am. Thank you.” He graciously accepts the same care she gave to me.
“Now that the four of us are a little more relaxed, I think it’s time to educate Cole on the origins of our kind.” Demetri suggests.
“Not just the origins of werewolves though. Protectors, empaths and intuitives have all played critical roles in the development of werewolves into the civilized society that most packs have become.”
I mention as a broad smile covers Cassius’s face.
“I guess since I’m the youngest alpha here and not a gifted wolf I could go first.”
I can’t help but stifle a laugh as laughing while Jessa suffers seems very inappropriate but I can’t help it as Cassius beams like a pup telling campfire stories.
“You’re not the youngest by much.” I mumble with amusement.
“I’m sorry Dev. I keep forgetting that you’re older by six weeks.”
“You seem to be forgetting about Cole and Jessa. She’s twenty-two and he’s twenty-four.”
Demetri beams almost as childish as Cassius. I look at him almost lost when it dawns on me that I feel nothing.
“Demetri, how do you feel?”
I ask cautiously, not wanting to raise the alarm that I’m feeling nothing.
“I thought the pain was over an hour. It was intense when I finally joined but instinctively I feel it’s safe to let go.”
“Keep your hold on her. I need to verify a few things before you withdraw as well. Where did you put my stethoscope?”
“On the table. You sound worried. Wouldn’t a shorter time frame be better for her?”
I refuse to answer as I grab my stethoscope and place it in my ears as I return to her.
“Dev?”
Even Cassius’s mood suddenly changes, not that I can blame him. I am frantic after all.
“Jessa, you need to show me something that tells me you’re okay.”
She whimpers lightly as I try to pull her far enough away from Cole to listen to her heart. She tries to let go of Demetri’s hand as she attempts to curl even further into Cole. For the first time tonight she looks completely relaxed and for the first time in ten years I have a wolf cooperatively assisting in saving her own life. I am dumbstruck by the sudden turn of events. While she’s not completely out of harm's way as there’s always a honeymoon period where they do better than get worse but that rarely happens at the beginning of the treatment.
“Well she’s certainly still alive, Dev but you’re not acting normal.”
“I’ve never had a wolf take up the medication in….” I pause as I look at my watch. “Fifteen minutes.” I nearly whisper. “Demetri, I need you to let go to do a read.”
He lets her go slowly, careful not to allow her hand to simply fall.
“Is it fair to put the chair back?”
He asks, hopeful that this is a positive turn of events.
“If you want to trade it for the reclining loveseat or if you wish to join Charlotte and Sheila on the couch that’s fine.”
I point out his other seating options.
“Jessa, I’m going to visit with your wolf. While things appear positive on the outside I need to verify what she’s doing on the inside.”
I feel her nod as I spot Demetri taking the second chair back to the table. I touch my forehead to her temple, place my palm on the back of her neck and place the other hand on her arm just above the elbow. I close my eyes and concentrate on Jessa, diving slowly as she whimpers. I don’t usually do a read after starting the detox due to the person’s increased sensitivity to pain and other stimuli. While I move a little slower I still find my way to her wolf easily. Considering her dire state the first time I came I knew exactly where to find her. I walk right up next to her this time, kneeling in the soft grass before petting her head. I smile as she manages to wag her tail twice against the grass. Her breathing is more relaxed despite her continuing to lay on her side.
“You took my advice. You took the medicine.”
My voice is soft but I can’t hide the excitement of finding a wolf so willing to accept detox.
“Mate needs us.” I smile as she communicates with me for the first time.
“Yes, I imagine Cole does need you.”
“No, not Cole. Buddy.” She corrects with great hesitation.
“Buddy holds secrets. Very bad, painful secrets. Buddy’s pack is bad. So very, very bad. He will not return. Never again.”
“We are helping him with that. He’s going to stay here a few more months. Jessa is too. Then you will return to Crimson Dawn together.” She thumps her tail against the ground again.
“Alpha strict but alpha fair. Not allowed to hurt others. Must live in peace.”
“Yes, I see that. He cares very much about Jessa and Cole both.”
“Cole needs peace. Deserves peace. No peace without mate.”
“I imagine that’s true for both of you. You knew he was here. Did you know about me? That I could help you?”
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