Monday, May 13th Pt. 3

Sure enough, his yelps can be heard as I leave through the front door. My pace quickens as the morning dew makes my first few steps slick. My young age for an alpha makes for a quick recovery. I’m at the same spot as last night when Colton runs my way. He’s in a blind panic and doesn’t even see me when I step in his way.
“Nooooo!”
He screams as I wrap my arm around his waist pulling him into the chest to chest position we had when Deven put the IV in.
“Please. I’m scared. I don’t want to go.”
He whimpers as he struggles lightly against my hold.
“I’m starting to understand why you fled the hospital. I promise it’s just for the day. As soon as you’re awake enough to walk we will get you home with Deven.”
He seems calmer by the time I finish my promise to him. Without any guidance he has sought out my scent. I keep everything about me calm as I massage the back of his head. My other arm is wrapped around his bottom while I can feel a single hand grasping the back of my shirt.
“I was hoping it would work out like this.” Deven comments as he walks up.
“Has he received anything for his asthma? That’s the only medical condition he remembers being told about in the other hospital.”
“He had a nebulizer treatment around four when I gave him the Valium.”
“I’m no doctor but his breathing seems strained to me.” Deven nods as he waits for the young man to recover from his panic attack.
‘Aaron is not happy about this. I’ve already linked with him explaining why we’re late. I’m not certain what’s going on but he’s not in a tolerant mood this morning.’
I nod as I turn my attention back to the man in my arms.
“I don’t like forcing anyone into situations they are terrified of but I need you to understand that it is a necessity to fix your arm.”
He takes a deep breath and blows it out slowly against my neck. I continue holding space with him, hoping that simply being here with him helps him to calm and regulate his emotions. The same you would do with a young child.
‘How much have you told Aaron?’
I ask Deven so I can prepare mentally what needs to be charted about him.
‘I haven’t. I’ve simply told him to be patient as he’s a high needs patient. Usually that’s all I have to tell him for him to understand that it’s not normal circumstances that the patient is being brought to him.’
‘This time seems different?’ I have to ask.
‘He seems annoyed. Like taking care of Cole is interrupting something important he had planned. Emphasized how this is a favor to you.’
‘Thank you. I will speak to him and make certain he understands his place.’ He reaches over and pets Colton.
“I know it’s hard but we need to head over to the hospital.”
He explains gently. To my relief he releases his hand from my shirt and lifts his head from my shoulder. He nods silently as he steps towards Deven. I keep pace with Colton, staying two steps behind him proving critical to getting him into the car. It takes twenty minutes and two rounds of preventing him from running but we make it to the car and on our way to the hospital.
It’s only a half hour drive to Shadowlands University Hospital but the young man’s struggle has only increased along the way. Deven pulls up to the front doors for general admission but Colton is now resistant to leaving the car. I step inside and grab a wheelchair as Deven tries to get him out. I nod with a gentle smile as I hold the chair for him to sit in. While Deven was able to keep him with the sling it’s apparent that the brace never got put back on. It makes me wonder if his pain is a trigger for these major panic attacks he’s having. I lean down to his ear as he sits back.
“I know you’re beyond scared. That’s why Deven and I are here. It’s important for you to feel that you’re not alone. We will be with you every step of the way.”
He instantly grabs the arm I place across his chest, burying his face into my elbow. Certainly a first for me. I pet his stray hairs off the back of his neck as I gently hush his whimpers. I don’t think I’ve ever met an individual so incredibly afraid of the hospital making me wonder if he was mistreated there as well. I remain outside the door, waiting for Deven to park the car.
“We’re not doing this to hurt you Colton.”
Deven tries to reassure him as he adds his touch to the mix.
“Let’s get him inside. I linked with Aaron as I was parking. Because he is technically a John Doe he wants us to skip registration and go straight to the third floor. There’s a special registration process they will go through in his room.”
I nod as I attempt to move the chair only to find Cole’s feet are still on the ground.
‘Cass,’ Deven uses the link as he kneels beside the chair, working with Colton to slowly place his feet in the rests above the ground.
‘Aaron isn’t happy. Quite the opposite really. I made several requests in an effort to make Colton more comfortable. He’s complaining about how last minute the procedure was asked for and now these accommodations are in even less time.’
‘What did you request?’ I ask as we finally get moving.
I’m following slowly behind Deven.
‘The least amount of people involved as possible and a private recovery room.’
‘Did he indicate if he could accommodate either?’
‘He wasn’t able to give a straight answer as I just asked for them an hour ago. He’s also not happy about how late we are. There’s other surgeries going on today. Although there’s three operating rooms for orthopedics only one has the fluoroscopy he needs for Colton’s arm based on what you told him last night. He had to allow a heart catheterization to go ahead of us as they were ready an hour ahead of time.’
‘That should work out fine. It’s going to take some time to get Colton situated so I imagine they will be done by the time he’s ready.’
‘I hope so. He’s not going to handle waiting.’
The elevator dings as the doors open on the third floor. To my surprise Aaron intercepts us as we get far enough from the elevator for the doors to close.
“This way.”
He speaks swiftly as he points in the direction that he’s heading. It takes a few minutes to get there but he leads us straight into the cath lab, not at all what I had in mind for Colton.
“Aaron.” I try to keep my voice neutral but fall unintentionally into an accusatory one.
“It just came available and I need to claim it before the next patient needs it.”
“Unlike the average werewolf, he is extremely modest. He had huge difficulties in removing his shirt in the presence of two men so Deven could place the IV.”
“So that’s already done?” He sounds excited as that’s one less thing that needs to be done but also puts my concern in one ear and out the other.
“Yes it has but you’re ignoring his need for privacy.”
“I’ve got curtains he can change behind. It’s not that big of a deal.” Aaron’s nonchalant attitude is eating at me but I know I can’t react.
“At least run through the plan of what needs to be done before getting him in the bed.”
This seems to get him where I need him.
“I need him to get undressed. Down to his birthday suit. There’s a gown and pair of socks for him to use on the bed. Once changed, he needs to lay on the bed. I’ve already made a bracelet for him. One of the students will put that on. Then the anesthesiologist will start giving him the sedative so we can get him into traction before putting a cast on his arm.”
While the plan seems simple enough I’m mentally preparing for Colton to run.
“All right Cole, let’s get you into the bed.”
I speak lightly in an effort not to spook him. I park the wheelchair next to the bed where someone has set up everything. I look quickly around but find not only are there no curtains to provide privacy but the lab is surrounded by open windows. I understand that this is a teaching hospital but in this particular situation this is ridiculous.