Jacob watched them, only slightly envious that he couldn’t join in. He nudged Fran and nodded towards the playing wolves.
Fran was watching his dad and Joe running and playing together. Joe’s wolf was smaller than his father’s, but that just made Joe fast. Fran bet he was a scrappy fighter.
They watched as the wolves moved closer to them, running around and jumping over them.
Fran stood and joined them, playing with his family and including Jacob as much as he could.
Jacob stood up and joined in, stopping occasionally when breathing got too hard.
“Well you all look like you’re having fun,” Berni said, joining them. He looked at Jacob. “I’ve never seen a silver wolf before.”
Jacob walked over to Berni and bowed his head.
Berni leant down and stroked his head. “Thank you, but you didn’t need to do that, you’re family.” Berni looked at Finn. “I can’t believe I have a white wolf and a silver wolf in my pack. I promise to protect the both of you.”
Finn moved to stand next to Jacob, and head butted Berni, who laughed and scratched Finn’s head. After a moment he looked back at Jacob. “Time to head back inside now, Jacob.”
Jacob nodded and then looked at the long walk back.
“Don’t take this the wrong way, Jacob, but do you want me to carry you back?’ Berni offered.
Jacob shook his head. He could walk back, sure it would be the longest walk in history and he’d probably need a nap soon after, but he could walk back, he hoped.
“Good lad,” Berni said approvingly, walking beside Jacob and matching his slow pace.
Fran walked on his other side and the others followed, still playing.
By the time Jacob reached the front steps he wasn’t sure he could walk any further, his breathing was laboured, his legs shook, and he was seeing black spots in front of his eyes, then everything went black and he fell to his side.
CHAPTER 40
Berni knelt beside Jacob as everyone quickly shifted and Fran and Robbie rushed to his side.
“He exhausted himself,” Robbie said, checking the wolf over. “And hyperventilating. I never should have suggested making for the trees, or I should have stayed in human form and monitored him better.”
“You did fine, Robbie, but I think for a while Jacob should have, say, fifteen minute shifts and just around the drive, until he gets stronger,” Berni suggested.
“Agreed. I’ll carry him upstairs,” Robbie offered.
“I can do that,” Fran said.
“Put these on first,” Clairmont said, handing out the discarded clothes.
Fran quickly dressed and carefully picked Jacob up, carrying his mate upstairs and back to the hospital room. He paused in the doorway, looking at Berni. “Maybe I should put him in my room.”
“I’d rather Jacob rested in the hospital room, just in case.”
Fran nodded and carried Jacob over to the bed, laying him gently down and then stroking Jacob’s nose.
“He’ll be fine, cuz,” Robbie said, touching his shoulder.
Fran nodded. “He will be. Have his results come back?”
Robbie shook his head. “Not before I left, but Emory said he would check and send them to me as soon as they did. But I’m guessing his lungs were damaged and always will be.”
“Would a puffer help?” Finn asked.
“An asthma inhaler? Probably, but I’ll have to do some breathing tests. If he does need one, he can lead a completely normal life, but will just have to initially pace his walking and running, and have frequent breaks until he figures out his limitations,” Robbie told them.
