Chapter 164
Friday, February 2nd
(Dimetri’s POV)
It’s been a week since we admitted Cole to Crimson General’s ICU. It’s been nearly two since he arrived in my territory and he’s spent more time in medical than any prospect I’ve ever had.
I managed to get over to the hospital Monday as well as yesterday. He responded to me yesterday but he was fearful, as if he didn’t recognize me or where he was at. Due to his severe anxiety they’ve been keeping him mostly sedated. I agreed that was best until he was stable enough to return to the wing.
They did a spinal tap on him Monday after I left. I am far from pleased with the report Dr. Christiansen gave on how it went. Although the test came back negative for infection they didn’t sedate him enough and he didn’t respond to the local anesthetic resulting in an extremely painful procedure. Outside of that disaster of a procedure, his stay at general is going well.
I met with Jamie Saturday, Cole’s birthday of all days. I made sure that I scheduled plenty of time for him. Considering his attachment to Cole, I knew that learning Cole had gone from being in the medical room on the second floor to the ICU in a matter of days would be devastating and it was.
I invited the young man to stay with us. I was grateful that he agreed to stay a week. I gave him the option of staying in one of the guest rooms downstairs or the medical room Cole was in for a night. I was surprised when he chose the medical room.
He explained that he needed to be near his friend’s scent. I can’t blame him there. He headed back to the prospect’s apartments this morning after I met with him and updated him on Cole. He wants to see him. I promised he could as soon as he was in the wing again.
There’s a soft knock on my door. I’m not expecting anybody for another twenty minutes but I’m not overly busy either.
“Come in.”
My voice is stern but neutral. The door slowly opens revealing a nervous Damian behind it.
“Are you busy, dad?”
“No, not at all. Everything okay? You sound like you don’t want to be here.”
He growls nervously as he looks around, removing his shoes by the door before taking a seat in front of me.
“The only time I came in here as a kid was to get spanked so….., sorry I don’t really like being here.”
He’s rubbing the back of his neck nervously as his eyes are trained to the ground.
“I didn’t realize that those spankings had such an effect on you.”
“Those were the only times you brought me here, was when I was in trouble. Mom never allowed us to get close to your office like Maddie and Lynnie get to do. I’m sorry dad. That’s not why I’m here. I’m already upset and mom telling me to meet with you while you were in here just makes me even worse. I’m not certain why.”
“It’s okay, Day.”
I stand from my seat, motioning him to do the same. He stands silently but it’s easy to see that something is weighing hard on him. I walk around my desk to him and gently pull him into a hug.
He wraps his arms around me as I place my hand on his head. It only takes him a few seconds to submit to my movements, gently encouraging him to lay upon my shoulder. It’s not until he’s there that he realizes he hasn’t outgrown the comfort of my scent.
He relaxes completely into my hold as we stand together in silence. I move my hand to his back and gently rub between his shoulders waiting for his heart rate to return to normal.
“So what has you so worried, Day?”
He lifts his head up off my shoulder. He’s much more relaxed but worry is still in his eyes.
“It’s Jessa actually. She’s been staying with me since Cole went into the hospital. She’s really torn up about it, unlike any patient she’s ever worked with.”
I motion to the couch against the wall by the door. He nods easily and heads over. I was hoping that would be a little easier on him.
“Has Jessa told you anything about her interaction with Cole?”
“Not much but she does keep saying that he’s her mate. Her wolf is so weak that she doesn’t know how she knows it but that’s the only reason she has for being so upset.”
I nod my head, understanding his confusion.
“I do believe that they are. I think the mate bond is what allowed Cole to relax like he did.”
“She keeps talking like she’s going to lose him. Did he say something about rejecting her?”
“No, actually he said the opposite. He said that he’s been looking for her and he was sorry that he wasn’t the strong wolf he wanted to be when she met him. That he understood if she wanted to reject him and would accept her rejection if that was what she chose. Has she asked for details on the rumors about him?”
“Yeah.”
He’s rubbing his neck nervously now. It seems he’s hesitant to continue the conversation.
“What did you tell her?”
“I explained that the accusations were not proven and given the harsh treatment he’s getting back home that you believed he’s being blamed for what others are doing but the rumors a pack mate spoke about was that he is a pedophile and a rapist.”
He hangs his head low, looking guilty for what he’s said about Cole. I place my hand on his, encouraging him to look at me. I wait to speak until he does.
“She does need to know. Out of everyone here knowing the rumors exist is something a mate needs to know. Hopefully, like I started until I was given additional information to sway me, she can remain neutral and give him a chance to prove he’s not that kind of person.”
I rub his head lightly as he nods his head again.
“Now, Cole is finally responding well enough to the therapeutic binders and antibiotics he’s receiving at General that they’ve started reducing his sedative but I’ve had some unsettling news that the nurse he’s used to has an emergency and took off today. Dr. Christiansen is concerned he’s having a hard time with the nurse caring for him today. So, I’m planning on taking everyone over after I deal with your brother.”
“You’re really going to spank him over not getting the wheelchair?”
“No, not completely. He’s still denying that Melody told him no before he got her to come over that night and he’s refusing to provide the names of the girls he’s had sex with. I even gave him an extra four days on house arrest before coming to this conclusion. This is his punishment for his denial of knowingly engaging in statutory rape, his defiance involving the names of the girls he’s been with and his active bullying of Cole.”
Another knock at the door alerts me to the schedule of events happening. I know it’s my delta, Anthony, so I call him to come in.
“Your mom’s not going to be far behind so unless you want to watch.” He shakes his head hard as he starts to get up.
“I want nothing to do with any of it.”
I reach for his hand, stopping his rush to get out the door.
“Sit down Damian, relax a little. I could still use your help.”
He sits back down but the worry is still in his eyes as he looks briefly into mine.
“Talk to me Day, what’s going on?”
“I don’t think I’m going to carry on physical punishment when I take on the pack.”
He blurts it out quickly telling me it wasn’t exactly a planned statement but it was a truthful one.
“I said the same thing when I was your age but as I’ve gotten older I have come to realize that it can be a helpful tool for some wolves. It may be your brother getting spanked but there is a lesson in this that all of you will get. That’s where I need your help. I linked your mom and asked her to bring your sisters. His spanking won’t be very long and I need you to bring them in when Anthony leaves.”
The next knock doesn’t wait for an invitation. My very nervous luna and my pissed off looking son walk into the room. Damian and the girls look more nervous than Lucas about his punishment. I’m trying to remember if I’ve ever felt the need to be harsh like this with him before.
Madilyn’s high sensitivity, high even for a pup, has allowed me to coddle her a bit more with discipline than Madisyn. I’ve ended up hitting her fully clothed with my hand on several occasions when nothing else has worked. I stand with Damian as the rest of them get further into the room.
“Have I ever spanked you before now?” I ask, staring into his eyes.
“Before Cole came, no. I can’t believe that my second time is over a wheelchair.”
“And there lies the problem. It’s not just about the defiance Lucas, it’s about the reason you chose not to help Cole.”
“Why dad? Why are you so keen to help a pedophile? How can you allow him to be here when all he’s going to do is hurt them?”
“Damian, head to my office next door, shut the door behind you.”
I manage to growl out as I keep full eye contact with Lucas. I watch out of the corner of my eye as Damian ushers Maddie and Lynnie out with a soft click of the door.
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