Breathing a sigh of relief, Dylon quickly buckled the strap around Cody’s wrist. “Once my wolf is bound, use our link to join my wolf.”
“What do I do then?” asked Cody.
“Talk to your brother’s wolf and calm him down. Assure him Ian’s wolf is not in danger and they’ll soon be reunited. Also, don’t be alarmed at my wolf biting his neck. I won’t hurt him…but it will provide him with comfort.” Tightening the strap, Dylon checked it once more, making sure he and Cody were firmly connected. “You ready?”
“I am,” Cody murmured.
Turning to Jackson, Dylon said, “You have to keep me bound until Colton returns from helping Mac. Once he does, you can release both Colton’s wolf and mine. Okay?”
“Got it…but what if you have a problem?”
“Cody will let you know what to do,” Dylon said.
Nodding, Jackson closed his eyes, summoning his Alpha power to bind Dylon’s wolf. Once it was done, Colton’s wolf’s cries became less frequent until they ceased, bringing a smile of relief to Jackson’s face.
~/~/~/~/~
Glancing over his shoulder at Mac, Colton saw him working furiously to restart his second daughter’s heart. Biting his lower lip, he forced himself to return to suturing Ian’s incision. His mate’s body would attempt to heal soon, but only after the wound was closed completely. After finishing the last few stitches, he took a deep breath. Then he checked Ian’s vitals and, pleased that everything was normal, he hurried over to help Mac.
Racking his brain to see if there was something he missed, Mac continued to give CPR to the sweet, baby girl lying motionless. His eyes roamed over her blue tinged skin; he was quickly running out of time. After giving her two quick breaths, he resumed pushing down on her chest, hoping her heart would begin beating soon. Sensing Colton standing behind him, Mac asked, “How’s Ian?”
“Good, his body has begun to heal itself,” Colton murmured, stepping alongside Mac. Observing his daughter, the fear he’d kept at bay while working on Ian, came roaring back. She hadn’t responded to any of Mac’s efforts so far. Placing his palm on her head, he began rubbing gently, humming to himself. Trying his natural healer’s ability was a gamble because, as far as Colton knew, it only worked when a person wasn’t dying.
Pausing for a moment, Mac pressed his stethoscope to her chest, hearing a faint heartbeat. Glancing at Colton, he murmured, “It’s very weak, breathing is shallow, it doesn’t look good.”
Colton’s eyes scanned his daughter, hoping to see a change in skin color and, while it had faded somewhat, her lips were still blue. His heart stuttered, knowing his princess was still very much in danger.
“There’s nothing else I can do,” Mac said quietly. “I’m so sorry.” Turning away, he blinked several times, tears filling his eyes, sorrow enveloping him. Leaving Colton with his daughter, Mac went over to the two babies who’d made it, finishing the examinations Colton had delayed. Grieving would have to wait till later, when he was alone and could let it consume him. Squaring his shoulders, he turned his attention to the task at hand.
It took Colton a moment to realize what Mac was apologizing for. Refusing to accept it, he continued rubbing her chest; giving up was not an option. “C’mon Lilia, breathe darling!” Repeating the words over and over, he kept at it, hoping for a miracle. Suddenly, he felt Mac’s hand on his shoulder. Shaking his head, he shrugged it off as he continued his efforts.
“Colton,” Mac said softly. “What about your gift? Can you try that?”
Frozen, his cousin’s words were on an endless loop in his mind. He hadn’t thought about his Raphael’s Power. Now it flooded his mind. Mac was right, he could try it and while he’d never used it on an infant, it was at least worth a chance.
Colton reached out his fingers and touched his daughter’s chest. Calling on Raphael to help him, he felt the power surge through his body and exit through his fingers. A blinding, green light filled the room and Colton could feel a warm buzzing in his fingers. After the light and the tingling faded, he removed his fingers, praying to the Archangel Raphael it wasn’t too late, while waiting to see a sign from Lilia.
Staring at his daughter, Colton held his breath, waiting for a sign that it had worked. His vision grew blurry as tears filled his eyes. Dashing them away with his hand, he concentrated on Lilia’s face, praying the blueness in her lips would disappear. Only then would he know the gift he never wanted was working.
Standing next to his cousin, Mac’s eyes roamed over Lilia’s body, watching for an indication it worked. Then, he saw it. “Look!” he exclaimed, pointing to the rise and fall of her chest. Her breathing was stronger and her blue-tinged skin had blossomed into pink.
