Shit, Tim had totally forgotten Seb’s lack of coat. Cursing himself under his breath, he grabbed hold of the chair and pushed at a brisk pace, catching up to David as the doors opened automatically.
Instead of following the signs for A&E, David led them down another corridor.
“Where are we going?” Seb half turned in his chair to catch Tim’s eye. “It said Reception was back that way.” He hooked his thumb over his shoulder.
“Shifters have a special wing in this hospital.” Tim slowed down and let David get a little ahead. Tim knew the way himself after being here so many times.
Seb frowned. “I didn’t think they got sick? And in case it’s slipped your memory, I’m not a shifter.”
“But you’re pack.” He smiled at a couple of nurses who passed and said hello to him. “And they don’t, generally. But it’s a maternity hospital too, and now and again something crops up that takes longer to heal, or they need a little help.”
“Like Nathan did after that fight with the rogue pack?”
“Yeah, just like that.” Tim spied David leaning against the doorframe of a room at the end of the hall. “And they treat human pack members here as well.”
“Do they get preferential treatment, then? Seen quicker than us mere regular humans?”
Tim huffed out a laugh and leaned down to whisper in his ear. “You can try and ignore it all you like, but the fact remains you’re seen as pack now. Maybe act like that’s a good thing, at least while we’re here.”
David raised an eyebrow as they stopped in front of him. He’d probably heard every word, but hopefully no one else had. People gossiped, and Seb’s lack of enthusiasm about belonging to their pack wouldn’t be the best thing to find its way back to Cam, the Regent’s Park pack alpha.
David motioned for Tim to wheel Seb into the room first. “We have a special wing so that anyone who comes here knows they’ll be treated by someone sensitive to their needs, whether human or shifter, and that they’re safe.”
“Safe?” Seb glanced from Tim to David and then back again.
David sighed. “I’m sure you’re well aware that not everyone likes shifters or human members of shifter packs. Would you want to risk being treated by someone like that?”
Seb shrugged. “I suppose not.”
“Anyway.” David pointed to the corner of the room where Seb’s bucket sat—now clean, thank God. “If you still feel ill, there’s that, or these.” He lifted a pile of cardboard sick-bowl things and waved them under Seb’s nose.
“Yeah, I’m good, thanks.”
Laughing at the sudden flush on Seb’s cheeks, David held his hands up. “Well, it’s all there in case. Someone’ll be along in a few minutes, but I’ve got to nip and check on something. Be back in a sec.”
He slipped out the door with a wave, leaving Tim alone with Seb.
Without the urgency of getting Seb to the hospital, Tim found himself uncomfortably aware of Seb’s everything—his scent, his breathing, the way his gaze darted to him every few seconds.
“So,” Tim started and then realised he had no idea what to follow it up with.
Seb snorted.“So?” He held Tim’s gaze for a moment before settling back in his chair with a sigh and closing his eyes.
Tim glanced at the way Seb held his wrist in his lap, reminded of the reason they were there. “Those shifters outside your flat tonight, they were from P-Pack?”
Seb’s lips curved up at the edges. “I think so.” He tapped his nose. “Not so easy for me to tell, but I’m sure Nathan could tell you.” Looking up at Tim, he added, “Didn’t you recognise the scent?”
“No, but then I don’t have much to do with the other packs like Nathan does. It was familiar, but I can’t differentiate between packs as easily as Nathan and the other unit members can.” And he hadn’t lingered long enough in the hallway to try, too concerned with getting to Seb. “How long have P-Pack been doing that?”
“Tonight was the first time I’ve seen them through my front door. Usually I see a van with the P-Pack logo parked down the street, or sometimes they get out and lean against it where I can see them from my window.” He stopped and drew his bottom lip between his teeth.
Tim leaned forward a little. “Is that all?”
Seb studied him for a second as though debating whether to say more. Then he added quietly, “I can’t be certain, but a couple of times I’ve had the feeling that someone’s watching me. Maybe. Fuck, I don’t know. I could be imagining it!” He scrubbed his good hand over his eyes and then yawned, making Tim do the same.
Christ, I’m tired.A quick check of his phone told him why: 5.00 a.m. “Have you told Jared or Nathan?”
Seb shook his head.
