Opening up the back, Ozzi was already unlocking the gurney. “Patient is stable and ready for transport.”
Always so professional. I envied him that sometimes. Yet this was Eloise Koch. Half the town was going to show up to see how she was doing and cheer on her recovery. Lyla, on the other hand, would be on her own.
That thought stabbed into me, making me swallow a growl. No, she wasn’t going to be alone. I’d make sure of it.
Ozzi and I lifted Eloise out. Lyla waited for us on the curb and followed us into emergency. We were met by an ER nurse who Ozzi handed off Eloise’s chart to, and then she was out of our hands.
Lyla moved to go with Eloise, but Ozzi held up his hand. “I’m sorry, miss. You can’t go back there. If you want to wait by reception, they’ll keep you updated on what’s happening.”
I wanted to hit him as a look of panic and misery crinkled Lyla’s face. Yeah, those were the rules, but it fucking sucked.
“Come with me.” I gestured to her to follow me. If I could be the one who sat with her all day, I’d do it in a heartbeat, but my shift wasn’t over until eight. So I’d put her in a person’s hands that I knew would take care of her. I led Lyla to the emergency reception desk. “Lyla, this is Nellie Bennet. Nellie, Lyla came in with Eloise Koch.”
“Yes, I know. Hello, sweetie.” Nellie was everybody’s mom and had the sort of nurturing aura that could put anyone at ease. She came around her desk and wrapped an arm around Lyla. “Eloise and I are old friends, and I know you’re one of her girls. She brags about you all the time. Now, you come with me, and I’ll pull you up a seat near my desk so you aren’t in the waiting room proper with any Alphas who might come through.”
Nellie flashed me a stern look at that, but there was nothing to be done about it. We were the team on call. Both Ozzi and I respected Lyla’s space and, as much as my instincts had been demanding otherwise, I didn’t even touch her.
As Nellie ushered Lyla off, Lyla glanced over her shoulder at me and Ozzi. She mouthed a ‘thank you’ before she was out of our sight.
Immediately, I wanted to race after her, to be near her. Fuck, this was dangerous. I’d stayed away from Omegas since my ex broke up with me, because she left me for all the right reasons.
“Jason.” Ozzi patted my shoulder and jerked me out of my masochistic thoughts. “Let’s go.”
It was like yanking out my own teeth turning to go back to the ambulance. As much as I was determined that she didn’t have to go through this alone, I needed to stay away from Lyla.
For her sake and mine.
CHAPTER THREE - Lyla
The wait was made worse by the fact that neither Mariska nor Emberlee were answering their phones. I considered going to find where the charity event was in the hospital, but I could barely stand with how terrified I was. What was worse was that my mind kept drifting back to those two gorgeous EMTs.
Two Alphas. In Primrose House.
I couldn’t be mad about it. They’d saved Miss Eloise’s life. Yet Alphas in our space… Delicious smelling Alphas. I’d never scented anyone or anything that incredible before.
Ozzi was the valiant professional. He never missed a beat. His black hair was slicked back and his sharp Mediterranean features made him look like a god fresh out of Olympus. His intense dark eyes seemed to see everything. His scent was just as exotic with hints of caramel, black sugar, and a wonderfully enchanting warm earthly myrrh.
His partner, Jason, was tall, blonde, and I wanted to eat him up. He looked like he should’ve been on a beach surfing rather than driving an ambulance. His voice was soothing as he talked to me, bringing me out of my cycle of panic. A few times, I thought he was going to hug me, and hell, I really wanted him to. His woodsy scent had a calming hint of lavender, making me want to wrap up in it and snuggle.
Nope. The last thing I wanted to do was lose my heart and soul to an Alpha. I loved who I’d become, and I refused to be nothing but a breeder, living life in the shadow of a self-absorbed man. It’s what Alphas tended to desire, and while the hunky paramedics were hot, no doubt they wanted the same thing. Besides, Miss Eloise needed me.
To help keep my mind busy, I texted Big Sisters and let them know what happened with Miss Eloise. I also sentmessages to her sister who lived in the Virgin Islands with her pack, our neighbors, and half of Fond du Lac.
I paced around the little space Nellie had given me, and I kept peeking out into the waiting room proper for Mariska. Where was she? What person didn’t look at their phone every few minutes?
An hour went by. Two.
No word from the doctors. I was going out of my fucking mind.
Nellie brought me some water and offered some food, but I couldn’t eat. My stomach was a mess. I needed to hear about Miss Eloise. She had to be okay.
Three hours.
The next time I peeked out into the waiting room, I spotted Mariska in her pretty little Mrs. Claus outfit. I nearly knocked over my chair in my rush to get to her. “Mariska!”
I hugged her fiercely, needing her strength right now.
“Oh my God. I’m so sorry I didn’t have my phone on me. How’s she doing?” My usually calm best friend spoke in a rush. Her cheeks were flushed and her eyes were shimmering, close to crying. Yet she rubbed my arms and whipped my tears. “How are you doing? I’m so, so sorry.”
