“Let’s get him some oxygen,” Vaughn said.
While his dad lowered the stretcher, Ben reached for the oxygen mask and put it over Koios’s nose and mouth. Then he gently adjusted Koios’s left arm and leg and rolled him into a recovery position.
Together, they moved Koios onto the stretcher. Vaughn attached the AED onto the side rails, and then Teague opened the portal again. Within seconds, they were at the clinic’s door and racing Koios into the emergency area.
After that, Ben’s brain went into auto-drive. He worked side by side with his dad, getting Koios all the help he needed. They managed to stabilize him quickly and detached the AED.
The clinic’s heart monitors replaced the device. The attached monitors allowed Ben to keep an eye on Koios’s breathing and heart rate.
“He’s stable,” Ben said.
He looked up at his dad, who ran his hand over his face. “We never found any sign of heart issues with him.”
“I know,” Ben replied. “We weren’t even doing anything overly strenuous. He was fine one moment and on the ground the next.”
Vaughn nodded. “I’ll go update his pack. I’ll send them back in pairs.”
“We’ll be ready.”
After his dad left, Ben covered Koios with one of the many blankets they kept in the clinic. They kept it a little on the cool side, but honestly, Ben found the cozy blankets provided comfort more than warmth.
Koios preferred being covered, though. Ben smoothed back Koios’s hair and made sure to adjust his wings and the bolsters Ben had put in place to support them so they were somewhat hidden by the blanket. By the time Logan and Bailey entered the room, Ben had Koios as comfortable as he could make him under the circumstances.
“Goddess,” Logan said. “I’m so sick of seeing people I care about like this.”
“Same,” Ben replied.
“We’re so glad you were there,” Bailey said. “Emily told us what happened. If it had been a few minutes more….”
“But it wasn’t,” Ben said. “Have we notified his family?”
“Yes,” Logan said. “They’re on their way, as is the rest of the pack. Emily told me you had her put the warehouse in lockdown. I appreciate it.”
Ben honestly didn’t know why he’d thought about it. Maybe all the attacks had made him more aware of security. His brother certainly emphasized it every chance he got. “Jack has been on us to come up with a lockdown procedure of our own. We’re working on it. It’s hard to do when we’re normally in the thick of things and dealing with emergencies.”
“A lockdown here would look completely different than what we need at the warehouse. I’ll work with Scout—Jack—and come up with a few proposals for you.”
“Ben, is Koios going to be okay?” Bailey asked.
“We think so. We’re just waiting for him to wake up at this point.”
For the next several hours, pack and family filed in and out of Koios’s room. That pack involvement thing Koios had asked about? It meant he’d never be alone at the hospital. Between Logan’s pack and Koios’s siblings, he’d have all the support he needed.
Exhaustion caught up with Ben, and he sat down in the chair in the corner of the room. He dozed on and off until he heard the slightest change in Koios’s breathing.
He hurried to the bed and leaned over.
“Koios, it’s Ben. Open your eyes for me.”
Koios’s eyes moved beneath his lids, and then he blinked them open.
Ben had never been happier to see those stormy, dark eyes glaring at him. “You’re okay. Stay calm for me and breathe.”
Koios blinked his eyes, then reached for the mask.
“You need to stay quiet for me. Please. You went into cardiac arrest, which means your heart literally stopped beating. I had to do CPR on you, Koios. It’s crucial for you to stay calm and quiet so your body has a chance to recover.”
Koios didn’t seem willing to listen, not that Ben was surprised. He carefully moved the mask over and leaned close. If he didn’t, his stubborn patient would continue to fight him.
