Monday, October 21st Pt. 3

My jaw must be sitting on the desk, in complete shock by the time she’s finished handing the first stapled packet to Deven who then passes it to me.
“The difficulty most alpha’s have with this paperwork is this second one. It’s a much larger number of pages to look through and most don’t like the restrictions placed on an individual who’s PTSD is severe enough to warrant these kinds of restrictions but considering what happened at Purple Mountain I do feel this is the best thing we can do to protect Cole.”
She slides a second much larger stack of papers my way.
“I understand having a lack of trust in me so if you desire to read through these documents on your own I can give you two days time to read, sign and get back with me. The short version of what is in there is a recognition that Cole suffers from debilitating PTSD that renders him, at times, unable to make appropriate adult decisions. He is listed as a special needs, high maintenance individual with a permanent mental disability. At this time his movements are restricted to level five sanctuary packs only. He has an assigned GPS/RFID wristband that any time he travels outside of the pack he is required to wear so he can be identified and found should he wander off. In signing this paper you are declaring yourself alpha over Cole. That you agree to provide all necessary medication, therapy and overall care that he needs as a permanent member of the Crimson Dawn pack. Now, the top question I get is how long do these restrictions last?”
She looks at me as I nod.
“This is the first recognition of a mental disability contract that we’ve created that includes a yearly evaluation clause. It’s taken the council a long time to recognize the needs of individuals like Cole and along with their needs the recognition of their ability to heal from such trauma. You will be provided an assessment by the council every year to be completed by you or one of your doctors charting his progress towards recovery. When he shows that he’s capable of making appropriate decisions while in a mental health crisis, if he has the desire to leave your pack, he may do so.”
I sit back in my chair trying to wrap my mind around such an unprecedented situation.
“When does it take effect?” I can’t help but ask.
“It’s immediately binding. At the moment, under his operation underground name of Colton Alexander Carter, Cassius and Deven are making medical decisions for him. Once you sign these papers that responsibility will become yours. My understanding is that you were planning to leave before Cole is ready to go.”
“Yes ma’am. The only reason I’m still here is because of how sick Jessa is. Cole becoming paralyzed could not have been anticipated but his need for me also keeps me from rushing home.”
“I do feel you deserve to know that Cassius and Deven have documented your interactions with both Jessa and Cole since you got here. Cassius has been very hesitant to consider letting him leave since getting him back in September but the way he witnessed Cole seeking you despite his fear of you has changed his mind. He and Deven both agree that you are the alpha best suited for his care.”
“Thank you.” I nod slowly.
Turning back to the papers in front of me, I pause as I contemplate what to do. I don’t have the clarity necessary to decode the legal language used in these papers and Cole simply doesn’t have the time to wait for me to get my act together or get these back to my legal counsel.
“Can I trust you? Can I trust that these documents say exactly what you have spoken to?” I question.
I know it’s a bold move to make such a statement towards a high council member but considering the lack of help I received in the beginning I have to know.
“I will remind you that this conversation is being recorded and I will go the extra step of sending everyone here the audio file.”
I look at her completely confused where this conversation is going.
“If you sign the contracts now I will give you six months to have your personal legal counsel comb through it. I will give you my personal contact information and if you find anything that needs to be discussed I will come to you.”
I look into her gentle green eyes as she returns the same to me. It takes a good minute before she nods.
“You’re a lot more protective of him than I anticipated. I promise this is the right thing to do.”
She pats my hand from across the desk. It only takes her a moment to pluck a pen from the holder beside Cassius’s closed laptop and click it open.
“I will set a date to meet with you and give you the opportunity to make adjustments if you feel that it restricts Cole too much.”
I finally break my eye contact and take the pen. She guides me through the numerous places to sign before I finally get to put up the pen.
“I need to make copies. You will have your own copy of these documents before I leave. I understand your concern. I need you to realize that I had nothing to do with the delay in getting you the information that you needed to remove him from his pack before he left. I promise you. You have done the right thing.”
“Thank you.” I nod slowly as a new sensation enters my head.
‘No. Please, stop with the shots. It hurts.’
I look around me as Cole’s voice fades. Everyone looks to be a mixture of curiosity and concern.
“Someone is giving Cole shots in his back. I’ve got to go before they try to put that epidural in.”
I rush out of the office and down the hall to Cole’s room before they have time to speak. Cole’s only savior ends up being his difficulty in maintaining the curled position needed to place the needle.
“You will stop!”
I put all of my alpha aura behind the command not knowing what rank this doctor is. He looks up, stopping his progress in the process. Cole’s screams echo off the walls of his room as he feels the strength of my aura. I knew he wouldn’t take it well but I’m honestly ill prepared for him to cover his head as he screams. I can only imagine the memories it must have brought up.
“Who are you to be ordering me to stop when the order for him to receive an epidural was given to me nearly three hours ago? I have done all the checks necessary to verify he’s the correct patient to receive one.”
“I am Dr. Demetri Black. I am also the alpha of the Crimson Dawn pack.” I introduce myself as I step towards Cole.
“He’s also Guardian Ad Litem and has medical history on Cole that we’re not aware of.”
I pause as I hear Tina’s voice behind me supporting my command for him to stop. He sighs hard but ultimately puts the large syringe with the epidural needle on the end back in the tray.
“Thank you.” I relax as I step closer to Cole. “Easy, Cole. I know you’re afraid but I need you to lower your hands.”
“Noooo.” He cries as he squeezes his hands in his hair.
“We need to talk, bud.”
He shakes his head hard as he whimpers ‘no’ again. I look around me, spotting a stool to sit on. I push the stool with my feet to the head of Cole’s bed. Watching him closely I notice him flinching at every sound that’s made in the room. He’s squeezing his hair in his hands so hard that they visibly shake, yet no one makes a move towards him.
“I’ve never felt the need to do this with you before but your terror appears to be a lot more intense than it was while you were at my pack. I’m going to sit in front of you and use touch to calm you.”
“No.” He tenses even more. “I’m naked. Touch hurts when I’m naked.”
“Not from me.” I attempt to reassure him as I get comfortable on the stool. “Just to help clarify one part that’s different is telling you what I’m going to do before I do it. I used my touch a ton while you were with me before.”
It’s a relief when my fingers grazing his fisted hands seem to relax him enough to start breathing better than before.
“That’s it Cole.” I praise. “Let your instincts be your guide. We need to talk. You do need this relief but I believe talking will help you greatly.”
He slowly starts responding to the feather-like caressing I’ve started on the back of his head. It takes him several minutes before he’s able to take his hands out of his hair and calm his breathing to a normal rate.