“He’s very powerful.”
“He’s dying!” Brian growled.
All three of his pack members scrambled back, hitting the wall behind them.
If he didn’t walk away from that conversation, he was going to do something he shouldn’t. He was supposed to lead these people, not harm them. Even if they were complete failures at what should have been their jobs. “Which one of you is the most skilled at piercing a vein?”
They stared at him.
“Which one?” he said through bared teeth. At least he had managed to keep his voice down.
“I am, Alpha.”
“You’re…” He searched his tired brain. “…Joey, right?”
“Yes, Alpha.” Joey trembled as he spoke, which was not the reaction he wanted to evoke in his pack.
“Great. I’m going to go in there and see what’s going on and what I can do to help Keith. Joey, please wait out here until I call for you. I’d really appreciate your expertise so we can get the IV into him. We’ll do this together.” He forced himself to smile and hoped it could pass for sincere. “Sound good?”
“Yes, Alpha.” He still looked nervous, but at least he was no longer shaking.
“Great.” He focused on the other two shifters. “You’re free to leave. I don’t want to take more of your time. Thank you for your help.” Not that they had helped in any way. With a nod and another approximation of a smile, he turned and walked into the room where fifteen minutes earlier he had laid down a then unconscious Keith Iredell.
“Hi,” he said quietly as he approached the bed. “I hear you’re refusing treatment.”
Other than the slow rise and fall of his chest, Keith made no movement and uttered no sound. His eyes remained shut and his body looked as pale and unnaturally thin as Brian remembered.
“We need to put an IV into you so we can give you nutrients.” He sat and gently pushed Keith’s hair away from his forehead. As he had with every other touch, Keith remained still and complacent. Brian had no idea what the healer and his assistants saw but it couldn't have been this injured, helpless man fighting them off. “I bet you’d enjoy a nice hot shower, right?” Still keeping his voice low, he traced his fingertips over the perimeter of Keith’s ear. “Well, after we finish the IV, you’ll be a little stronger and able to do that without passing out.” Of course, he was already passed out, which was what made this situation so ridiculous. “We’ll put it right here.” One hand still stroking the soft skin behind Keith’s ear, Brian used the other to trace the forearm where he assumed the IV would go. “I’ll stay with you the entire time, but I’ll need one of my pack members to put it in, okay?” He caressed the side of Keith’s neck. “I have no experience with needles, and we definitely don’t want me to try my DIY efforts on this.”
As close as he was sitting, he could scent Keith clearly. Aside from the intoxicating sandalwood, amber, and amyris scent that screamedmateinto the deepest recesses of his being, there was only calmness radiating from Keith. With his hand on Keith’s neck, he could feel his heart rate. He could also see the slow rise of his chest. None of those things indicated an ounce of aggression.
“His name is Joey. I’m going to ask him to come in.” Though he intended to stand, his instincts rebelled at separating from the warm skin under his palm, the delicious scent infiltrating hissenses, and the vision of the person made for him in his sight. “I’m not leaving the room and I’ll be back in this position in a few seconds.” He wasn’t sure if he was reassuring Keith or himself.
After several moments of internal struggle, he finally rose and hurried to the open doorway. “Joey,” he called out.
“Yes, Alpha.” Joey came over, the case of supplies in his hand.
“My mate’s ready for you.”
Eyes widening, Joey gasped and then said, “He’s your mate?” He moved his weight from one foot to the other. “So he won’t hurt me?”
Brian had the urge to hurt him himself, but he reined it in. “I’ll go sit next to him. Count to ten and then come in and I’ll make sure nobody gets hurt.” He didn’t wait for an answer before turning on his heel and returning to the bed. “I’m back.” He sat beside Keith again and slid his palm over his cheek. “This won’t take too long.”
He could hear Joey entering the room and see him from his peripheral vision, but he didn’t take his eyes off Keith. “Joey’s here now and he’s getting out the supplies.” He narrated the tasks Joey needed to perform, hoping to push him along.
Thankfully, it worked, and Joey quickly opened his case and took out what he needed.
“Now he’s going to put the needle into this arm.” He slid his hand over Keith’s arm again. “I’ll keep holding you.” He nodded to Joey who then came over, wiped down Keith’s skin, and smoothly inserted the needle into his vein. “Worst part’s over,” Brian said. “You’re doing great.” Continuing to smooth his hands over Keith, he flicked his gaze to Joey who looked shocked. “Please wait in the hallway. I’ll tell you when the IV bag’s empty.”
He returned his attention to the man beside him and noted that, in addition to being underweight and pale, he had darkcircles under his eyes. His skin showed no bruises or abrasions, so he hadn’t gotten that way from a fight.
“Who did this to you?” he whispered, heart breaking. “What happened?”
Chapter 4
“Thank you, Joey. I’ll call you if he needs anything else. Please keep your phone close.”
Keith inhaled deeply, relishing the peace that enveloped him along with the vanilla, anise, and bergamot scent. He then opened his eyes and contemplated the gorgeous man standing beside the bed.
