“Maybe they got rid of them after Mason disappeared?” Tysonsuggested.
“I don’t think so,” Flint said, shaking his head. “I think it's more likely that this one got rid of the collarsomehow.”
“Maybe that has something to do with why he’s so beat up,” Jericho said withasigh.
“Possibly,” I said. I turned to them. “No offense, you guys, but I’d like to have some privacy with him while I get him patched up. Doctor patient confidentiality, andallthat.”
“You got it,”Jerichosaid.
“Thanks,” I said. “I’ll see you alllater.”
The others nodded and they filed out of the room, leaving me alone with our mysterious omega. With a frown, I returned to his side and began athoroughexam.
He was in much worse shape than I originally thought. Aside from the external injuries, he was deeply bruised in many places, which concerned me - if he had internal injuries, I would need to deal with them immediately. But thankfully, nothing seemed to be broken, and he was a young, quick-healing shifter. With some help, he’d hopefully be able to get through this without any majorproblems.
I disinfected, stitched, and did as much as I could in one sitting. By the end of it, I was sweating and tired, but the omega was cleaned and patched up. The only thing I couldn’t help, I realized sadly, was the scarring. Most of the slashes, cuts, and bites he'd had were deep - and unfortunately, he would probably have those scars for the rest ofhislife.
I sat back in my chair with a deep sigh and just looked at him. I’d rinsed the blood out of his hair with a washcloth, and it now shone the color of rich wheat, with a soft texture that felt pleasant in my fingers. He had a gentle but firm expression, even in his sleep. I could tell he was a strong omega. He must have been, to decide to escape from that evil pack. I just hoped his freedom was worth the mess they’d made ofhisbody.
Anger rose up inside of me. I hated that Scarlet Ridge could do this to anyone, much less an omega from their own pack. I was not a violent person by nature, but this infuriated me so much I could’ve torn the throat of whoever did this to him. My fists clenched, and I forced myself to calm down. I couldn’t help heal anyone if I was too busy beingangry.
“Whoever you are, we’ll get to the bottom of this,” I said softly to his sleeping form. “I swear it. I won’t let whoever did this to you get awaywithit.”
The omega was silent and asleep. I watched the gentle rise and fall of his bruised chest - the only thing that indicated he was even alive. I’d seen hundreds if not thousands of patients in my time as a doctor, but this was without a doubt the worst case I’d ever seen. I would fix him. Ihadto.
