Chapter 126
“Why would you want to protect me?” He whispers, shocked that anyone would even care.
“For the same reason you protect the pups in your pack.” I hold my hands out to him again.
“Come to me. I want you to relax so you can comprehend the change in the terms of your run with me.”
His eyes are wary, searching within mine for the lies he’s heard before. Fearful and exhausted, he places his hands in mine. Before he can step towards me I close the gap between us. I can feel the tremors in his body as he grabs ahold of my shirt. I wrap my arms around him, pulling him into a hug as he lays his head upon my shoulder.I hold him gently, waiting for the room to relax with the news of my sudden change.
“As we were discussing before, I am changing Cole to an off book run. Normally, I go with a semi off book run which means that all information about the prospect comes to me and I document two separate files but I keep the run by the book. The majority of prospects that have come for a run that I discovered were abused ended up with this type of documentation.
Semi off book does not require the prospect to know that it’s occurring as everything else stays the same. It's only in the worst situations, the ones that are life threatening, that I will take a prospect completely off the books.”
“Have you done that before?”
“Yes, Damian. Out of the twenty-four wolves before Cole, I’ve taken four completely off the books.”
“You really think I’m that bad off?”
“Don’t you?”
I can’t help but whisper, shocked at the idea that he wouldn’t see it the same way.
“Your father can access your file at any time. If he’s capable of injuring you to the extent you are right now then there’s nothing he won’t do to you. I need you to talk to me and the only way I can get the level of trust needed for you to open up is to make certain no one knows until I have you safe.”
“He’ll never let me go.”
“That’s why I need you to talk to me. I already have the photographic evidence of the injuries he caused you. What I don’t have is the complete story behind it. I’ve managed to put together a general timeline of what happened but that is based on a mix of what Dallas has said, what the evidence is showing me, and what you’ve given me. You have managed to admit that your father is the main abuser and he’s started getting your oldest brother involved in it. Your brother is the one responsible for your head laceration and concussion. You also told me that your current injuries come from a singular beating and that you were chained while he did it. Lastly you told me the reasons he gave your brother for the beating being so severe but I still don’t have the complete story. The cuts and bruises all over your body are obviously excessive force. The burn on your leg and the needle Angela dug out of your neck, they are torture but I can’t protect you from your pack without knowing what happened to you. I won’t stop trying to find another way but the quickest and safest way is for you to talk. I’m hopeful that by taking you off book I can gain your trust and keep you here.”
He leans into me harder as he squeezes me closer, I can barely hear the whine he’s trying to hide despite being next to my ear.
“Let’s lay down. I think getting you off that leg will be a lot easier on you.”
I feel him nod against my neck.
“Please, I feel like I’ve been hit by a truck.”
“Step back, you’re not far from the bed.”
He takes a small step back, brushing against the bed as he does. I hear him hiss as he squeezes his arms around me. I put my hand on the back of his head as his forehead presses into my neck. I can tell he’s holding his breath trying to keep himself from yelping in pain.
“You need to breathe, Cole. Pant son. Angela, what can we do about the pain?”
“I’ve already maxed him out on toradol and Vicodin, both shots were IM in his right leg.”
“Is there anything stronger that we can give him?” I desperately ask as I help him sit on the bed.
“I’ve upped him to the strongest level of Vicodin I can give outside of the medical wing. He has to be admitted to the hospital wing to receive IV codeine, morphine and fentanyl are only available at Crimson General. Taking him off book does not eliminate the mandate that he’s reported to the council if he’s admitted to Crimson General.”
“I know.” I sigh softly as I help him through the final step of laying on his side.
“I’m going to finish up his leg.”
I nod as I start laying down beside him. He has stiffened up and buried his face against his arms.
“Wrap your arms around me Cole. I’m going to help you through the bandaging since it seems to be hurting you badly.”
It doesn’t take much coaxing to get his cooperation. I pull him into me gently. It seems like once the Ativan starts taking effect it becomes easier for him to accept my desire to cuddle with him. I can’t help but smile as he chooses to snuggle into the crook of my neck, the place where my scent is strongest and all wolves seek the comfort of a parent or mate. While he may only understand the power contained within my aura it appears that at least his wolf still finds comfort in my scent. He grabs my shirt in his hands as Angela lifts his burned leg, struggling to place a curved pillow with an absorbent pad between his thighs.
“Patrick, can you give Angela a hand.”
“Yes sir.” He responds after he’s started walking towards the bed.
“Keep it gentle but firm. Follow his movements.”
“Yes ma’am.”
“Be patient with him, Pat. There’s a lot going on with this young man.”
“Yes sir. I’m sorry but have you seen his leg? It looks worse than what it was in the picture.”
“It has gotten worse, Pat. I’m actually really concerned about it. I was planning on saying something to Demetri about placing a call to Dr. Christiansen. See if we could get him an emergency appointment with the burn specialist over at General.”
Cole suddenly pulls his leg hard toward his center hearing the conversation between Patrick and Angela.
“Let him go, Pat. I had a feeling he wouldn’t like hearing that but it is unfortunately where it’s at. Once Demetri settles him down I’ll have you help get him where I need him to do the wash.”
He winces slightly as I rub the back of his neck, something I’m doing a lot more than I planned to considering his sensitivity towards submission.
“Please alpha, don’t put me in general. Please don’t involve the council. They’ve never helped. Things get bad. Really, really bad.”
He’s gasping through his words trying not to cry out.
“Cole, you’ve already expressed a lot of fear towards septicemia and I agree that there is a lot to fear. If the infection is getting worse then bringing an expert over to the wing is the best next step for treatment.”
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