Finally, the hospital. The car screeched to a halt in front of the ER, tires shrieking against pavement loud enough to turn heads.
I shoved the door open. My legs felt like cotton. Kayden was already around the car, catching me as I swayed.
"Come on." He grabbed my hand so tight it almost hurt—but somehow that pain was the only thing holding me together.
We burst into the hospital. Fluorescent lights stabbed my eyes. I could only follow Kayden—he pulled me, supported me, half-carrying me as we ran.
The elevator doors started closing. Kayden lunged, arm blocking them.
"Wait."
The doors reopened. The nurse inside jumped. We squeezed in. Kayden punched the button for the third floor.
The elevator was too slow. Agonizingly slow. I bit the inside of my cheek to stay present, staring at the floor indicator—1, 2...
Kayden pulled me against him, arm around my shoulders, lending me strength.
Finally, the doors opened.
We bolted out, racing down the long corridor. Disinfectant mixed with something sickly-sweet, making my stomach churn.
"Ella!"
Anna's voice.
She stood at the end of the hall, clutching a wad of soggy tissues, makeup streaked down her face.
"Where's Kai?" I rushed over, practically shouting. "How is he?"
"In-inside..." Anna pointed at a closed door, voice breaking. "The doctor said they need to stabilize him first, wouldn't let us in. He was convulsing so bad, and he threw up, I..."
She couldn't finish. Covered her mouth, sobbing.
I rushed to the door. Through the small window, I saw him.
Kai lay in the bed, his small body curled into a ball like an injured animal. His face was terrifyingly pale, his lips purple, forehead drenched in sweat.
"Kai..." My hand pressed against the glass, trying to touch his trembling cheek through empty air.
"Miss Ross." Dr. Amy hurried over from the nurses' station, white coat flaring. "You're here. Kai's unstable right now, I need you to—"
"What's wrong with him?" I cut her off, almost begging. "Why is it so bad?"
"Bloodline surge. And the intensity is way beyond what I expected." Amy sighed, flipping open her chart. "The medication I prescribed isn't working anymore."
"So what do we do?" I grabbed her arm. "There has to be something, right?"
"There is." Amy glanced at me, then at Kayden. "But it requires—"
"What?" I nearly yelled. "Whatever it is, I'll do it!"
"He needs his father's guidance," Amy said. "An Alpha pup's bloodline is too powerful. He needs an adult Alpha of the same bloodline to help channel that power. Otherwise, these surges will get worse and worse, could even affect his development."
My knees buckled. Kayden caught my elbow, letting me sag against him.
"I'll do the guidance." Kayden looked at Amy. "I know how."
Amy's gaze shifted between us, thoughtful.
