Christopher
I'm still trying to piece things together but Alec is staring at me, wide eyed and pale. The pain in my chest is killing me and I don't remember when I shifted back, but here I am, sitting surrounded in blood and blood-soaked gauze and blood-covered medical tools. The clinical room smells overpoweringly of me and the vet clinic and Alec's fear.
"Alec?"
Like a spell broken, I see Alec fall forward, bracing himself on the floor, hands spread. The sound and spell of vomit is unmistakable, then I see it everywhere. Alec starts to tip forward and my body moves on its own, getting a hand in between my mate's forehead and floor just in time. I catch Alec's body as it falls toward me, rolling him into my arms.
When I see his face, dirtied and unbelievably pale, Alec's eyes are closed. His pulse is beating harshly at the base of his throat but his breathing is steady.
"Alec? Alec!" No response. I take a look at the state he is in. His work clothes are dirtied as well as damp from sweat and my blood from the smell of it.
What happened? I was out in the field and I was struck with something. How long has it been?
I shift Alec to cradle him closer in my arms. Reed!
Christopher! Dammit, I've been trying to get a hold of you for the last ten minutes, I hadn't heard from you in almost an hour. We're heading over to the vet's, are you still there?
I'm here but turn everyone around back to the house now! I've got to contact my parents.
Got it.
Trusting Reed to get himself and the scouts back to the packhouse, I need to make sure the clinic is locked down. I can't leave Alec alone but his weight is barely anything in my arms as I lift him to bring him with me.
Leaving the surgery room the first thing I see is that the back door of the clinic is wide open. Scenting the air, I smell the only usual clinic's smells and the two of us. Hesitantly I sniff out the doorway. The scent of my blood is a lot less intense, mixed with the usual wild scents. No one else is still here.
I close the door clumsily while still holding Alec but there is only the deadbolt to lock it. Quickly, I head to the front and do the same. The glass doors and windows offer little protection but I feel better turning the lock in place. My eyes scan the view looking for any signs of life but thankfully there aren't any. I look down at Alec's face again, seeing that his pulse has slowed down to a more normal pace calms me very little.
Feeling too exposed up front, especially because I am still quite explicitly exposed, I head to Alec's office. Picturing Dad and Mom together in my head, I call out. Alpha and Mom.
Thank goodness! Reed said he was going to look for you when we couldn't reach you but he just said he's heading back now. Are you okay? My mother's worried voice speaks quickly.
I'm fine. I answer back. But I was attacked. I didn't see them, hell, I didn't even have time to react.
Where are you now? Dad's voice is more controlled, the Alpha at work, but still tinged with concern. I reach the office, entering and elbowing the door closed behind me. There's nowhere to lay Alec down, but I place him in one of the chairs, tipping his head against the backrest and placing the second chair under his feet and legs. Before continuing, I also close the blinds on the windows.
I'm at Alec's, in the clinic. I- I don't know what happened but I was hurt and Alec must have operated on me.
Operated! Mom's voice shook with doubled concern.
I just woke up, I'm fine. But- I have to pause and swallow, looking over at Alec. But Alec saw me shift. He fainted just after I woke up and needs to see the doctor.
I don't understand what happened? Mom asks me.
My dad interjects, his Alpha voice commanding. We'll put the pack on lockdown here. Then, I'll head over to you with the vans and a patrol unit to escort you two back here first.
But, Dad- I break off, the wealth of concerns weighing in my chest.
It'll be okay. Dad's voice is gentler now. Yours and Alec's safety is first, then we can deal with the aftermath.
Yes, Alpha. Oh, and please bring me some clothes, too.
Walking closer to my mate, I place the back of my hand to his face, it's cooling down a little. He must have fainted and who could blame him?
With no idea what else to do to help, I quickly leave Alec and grab some paper towels from the breakroom, wetting them at the sink and heading back to clean him up.
After peeling off and tossing away the soiled gloves, I start wiping his face and hands. Most of the vomit is there and washes off easily. His white lab coat is stained with dirt and grass and some gross stuff. Alec doesn't stir at all as I carefully peel it off him. There isn't anything to do about the rest of his clothes right now.
Unable to stop myself from fussing over him more, I smooth his dark tresses back from his damp, pale forehead. Stroking lightly, I keep watch as he continues his deep sleep. I can hear the vans turn off the main road and head into the parking lot. Leaving Alec, I go peek out front before heading out to meet my dad and the others. The sight and sounds of my pack loosen some of the tension twisting around my chest.
Unlocking the front door and striding out, the patrol members are already shifting. Dad is giving orders to surround the perimeter and stay in pairs and stay close. When my dad sees me coming there is a tinge of relief in his eyes. Opening his arms to me I get pulled into a strong hug. I definitely didn't get my height from my dad, his head hitting the top of my chest but we share the same broad shoulders and strong arms.
Dr. Crane follows out last from one of the vans, a medical bag over one shoulder as well as a bundle of clothes he passes to me as he approaches. "Alpha Christopher, how are you. Does anything hurt?" He asks as I pull the clothes on.
"Not anymore, but Alec's been through a lot." I head back inside, Dr. Crane follows, leaving Dad to deal with securing the clinic. And he'll probably follow the scent of my blood to see the scene of the attack.
"Alpha Marlon already said your mate fainted, what happened?"
"I am still trying to piece everything together. I was injured and then I woke up inside and I think Alec saw me shift. Here, he's in here." I usher the doctor in the room and he quickly gets to work, using his tools to check Alec's vitals.
"That was probably too much to handle." The doctor speaks to me while he looks over Alec's body. "Did he hit anything when he fainted?"
"Uh, no, I don't think so. I caught his head before it hit the floor, but he did, um, throw up a lot before fainting."
The doctor nods. "You said his name is Alec?" He gently shakes Alec's shoulder, there was no response, but he continued. "Alec? I'm Dr. Crane. I would like to move you to be more comfortable until you wake up, okay? I think you'll be just fine in a little bit."
Turning to me the doctor asks, "Is there somewhere we can lay him down fully? I don't want him to get injured when he comes around."
"His apartment is upstairs."
Dr. Crane nods, "Let's take him there."
I carefully gather Alec in my arms again, his head slumps gently onto my shoulder, his face slightly less pale than before. Heading outside, the doctor follows me around the side of the building. My dad comes around from the back side of the building. His own coloring more paled more than Alec's, his strong Alpha persona seems to have shrunk in the last couple of minutes.
I'm fine, Dad. I promise.
Nodding, he follows Dr. Crane and I upstairs and into Alec's apartment, which we found unlocked. It's not like my vet would assume dangers like today were going to happen. We all paused a beat and scented the air. Nothing but Alec here.
Moving inside, Dr. Crane gestured for me to lay Alec down on the couch. I move up by his head while Dr. Crane does a re-check of vitals. Looking up, I catch my dad looking down at Alec, his brow furrowed sharply.
"This is him?" He asks. Something in his tone raises an unexpected protective wave. I reach out to touch Alec's shoulder before answering.
"Yes." My answer is terse.
Letting out a huff, my father picks up on my own sharp tone. "I was just concerned how someone so small hauled in my son's wolf form and completed an emergency surgery all by himself."
Confused at that part myself, I stroke Alec's hair off his forehead again. "He's stronger than he looks, that's all."
"I'm just wondering how it was possible. It obviously exhausted him, too." My dad's voice was calm but his words kept raising ire in me.
Standing, I try to remind myself that this is my Dad and, still, Alpha. "I told you he's stronger than he looks!" My brain is whirring. Does Dad think my mate is weak for fainting? He saved me, is that not enough?
"Alright, alright," Dr. Crane stands up between us, trying to respectfully diffuse us. "I think we can talk about this later, Alphas. Please, help me take care of the patient first."
Looking back down at Alec, the concern for him replaces any other emotion. "What can I do to help?"
"Get some warm, wet washcloths and he'll need some clean clothes when he wakes up."
With one last glance at my mate, I move around the doctor and my dad and head down the short hallway to Alec's bedroom. I hear my father follow and turn into the bathroom. All of Alec's things are in the closet, hanging up or still in a few open boxes. Finding enough for a change of clothes, I leave the room, running into my dad in the hallway. He holds a few washcloths in one hand and stops me with the other.
"Christopher, I wasn't trying to insinuate anything about your mate."
I nod.
"It's just that I'm worried for him. He was here alone and you were- you were injured out there. Did you happen to see how far out into the field you were, how much blood there was?"
I say nothing, I hadn't looked, being too concerned with Alec's well-being and our safety. Dad stretches his arm up around my shoulders, pulling me down closer. "I'm worried for the safety of both of you and I'm incredibly thankful for Alec being there. I don't know how the kid did it. I feel guilty that he had to do it alone. And I'm scared that next time it will be too much for him."
Beginning to understand him, I return Dad's one-armed hug. "I'm really scared, too."
Alphas!
"Who the hell are you!" Racing around the corner at Alec's voice, I see that he is awake, trying to push up and away from the doctor who is calmly backing away for me. Moving close, I crouch down next to Alec. He doesn't move away but his eyes stay open with fear. His voice is more confused than panicked when he speaks to me "Christopher?"
"It's okay, Alec. How are you feeling?"
"What happened? How did I get here?" Alec tries to push himself up all the way to sitting but his arms shake. I reach out and support him with one arm. He lets me help him, looking at me for answers. His eyes slowly drift down towards my chest, hesitantly raising one hand holding it out, not quite touching me.
"Christopher!" He whispers frantically. "Christopher, I think I saw something weird!"
"It's okay, Alec-" I try to explain but he's already shaking his head, the color in his face starting to drain again.
"Here, give him some of these." The doctor hands me a small tube. "Glucose tabs, his body needs to replace what it lost earlier."
Wide-eyed Alec eyes the doctor, then me, his head shakes back and forth more frantically. My mouth pulls down in concern and I open the tube, shaking a few chalky, chewable pills into my palm and popping them into my mouth.
"It's just sugar, Alec. You fainted earlier, I know it seems kind of crazy right now but I'll explain everything. Please, take some of these because you're really weak right now. I know you can handle anything once you're feeling like yourself again."
His head now still, Alec looks at me pleadingly. "Christopher-"
Slowly reaching out with my free hand, I hold it just next to his cheek, waiting for him to relax. After a few seconds, and he doesn't pull away, I gently cup his cheek. "You've been through a lot. Let's deal with it together."
My heart seems to still until Alec slowly opens his mouth, letting me pop a few glucose tabs in. He chews them silently, watching me the whole time. After he finishes them, I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding. I rub my thumb along my cheek, so grateful he is still trusting me.
"I can only tell you what I know. You'll have to fill in some of the blank spaces, too, okay?" Alec nods quietly.
First, I take a deep breath. "Alec, the wolf you found in the field was me." I watch his eyes, unsure if he is processing, or even believing, what I'm telling him. "I can turn into a wolf and you saw me shift back into a human. What you think you saw is right."
Through the couch, I can feel Alec's body give a small start. I see his chest clench and I hear a smothered sob rise in his throat. He only moves a little but I feel him pull away from my hand at his cheek. Pulling my arm back I try to act casually about it, smiling when I feel scared enough to die.
"I promise that I am not some uncontrollable monster. I simply turn into a wolf. It means I am strong, and fast and have a few other qualities that other humans don't have."
Alec's eyes shift down to his lap. His tongue darts out and moistens his lips. "Tr- traits, like, healing fast?"
"Exactly. Did you see me heal fast, Alec?" I question him slowly, trying to explain at his pace.
Slowly, Alec nods. "I saw- I saw it. It was, it was too fast."
"Too fast?"
"Everything was fine. Every- everything was normal, I was going to stitch yo- I was going to do the stitches but everything started moving. You- the body- just everything started to close up on its own."
"That's normal for me, Alec. You helped me so that my body could heal normally."
A slight cough behind me from Dad let me know that he was waiting to hear more from Alec.
"Alec?" I wait until Alec glances at me but he glances away again just as quickly. "Can you tell me what happened? What happened while I was unconscious?"
Alec gulped but he took in a few calming breaths. Raising his eyes he looked directly into mine. "Someone shot you with an arrow. I tried-" Alec stops, shaking his head a little, focusing on his lap again. "I pulled you inside and I had to do it. I had to do the surgery because the wolf- because I thought the wolf would die anyway if I didn't. The arrow had gone through the bone and was in- it had entered in- into the heart. After that, after that you started to heal and then...and then-"
"It's okay, Alec. I remember after that, it's okay." Alec's hands were clenched tightly on his lap. I wanted to reach out to comfort him but he looked ready to break.
Dad and Dr. Crane waited patiently behind me as I sat next to my mate who was working to calm himself down. A touch of pride entered my heart, watching Alec pull himself together after all this.
I need to find out more about that arrow. Then we need to leave and we need to bring Alec with us.
Nodding in response to my Dad in my head causes Alec to look at me. Giving him a reassuring smile I ask, "What happened to the arrow?"
Alec stared at me a little, looking like he was trying to process it. "The arrow? I took it out in the surgery unit." His eyes widened again. "The surgery! What happened to the mess down there?"
"It's just how it was, but it's okay, we'll get it cleaned up." Pointing around behind me, "That is Dr. Crane and that," pointing at my dad. "That is my dad. I called some other family members to come and help, too. We'll go clean downstairs for you, you just need to relax here."
Alec's eyes drift over the doctor and my dad. Brows furrowing, he leans in towards me. I held my breath, afraid of scaring him again, as he came close enough to whisper, "Your dad?"
I nod.
"Can he, you know, turn into a wolf, too?"
Nodding again, I whisper back, "Yes, they both can. Also, he can hear you so you don't need to whisper."
Alec's eyes shot over to my father. Dad smiled and nodded a little. Alec woodenly nodded back. "Don't worry, kid," said Dad. "I don't think it's rude to ask a werewolf if they can turn into a wolf."
The word werewolf is where Alec's body froze up stiff.
I was trying not to use the Were word.
I know, Dad replied back, but it's better to be clear all at once with a human mate.
I know that but I am handling this.
Alec's eyes started to move between me and my dad in the silence as we spoke. Offering another smile, I lower my hand below couch level and shoo at my dad to start leaving. "Dad will go clean up with the others. You rest here for now because you'll have to come home with us."
As Dad leaves the room to go check out the arrow and take care of cleaning up, Alec turns sharply to me.
"Home with you?" He practically shouts. "Why the fuck would I do that?"