Seizing upon his mate’s tiredness, Colton had blown it out of proportion, using it as justification for his over protective behavior, ignoring the fact that Dr. Ian Wallace was a world renowned physician, sought after for consultations—so much in demand, Zane had set up a telemedical link to handle the many requests for his mate’s knowledge. Examining his past actions, Colton closed his eyes, disgusted with himself. Determined to make it up to his mate, he pulled out his phone and called the one person he knew who could help him.
~/~/~/~/~
Sitting in a recliner in a corner of David’s hospital room, Logan sent a text to Jackson letting him know Ian hadremoved the bio-tracker. Then, glancing over to Zane, he asked, “Any signs of David waking up?”
“No. Should it take this long for the anesthesia to wear off?”
“I don’t know. Do you want me to get Ian?”
“No…maybe. I’m just worried something is wrong.”
“If he doesn’t wake up in the next five…”
“Zane,” David whispered, then repeated it louder, “Zane…”
Jerking to attention, Zane looked at his mate and saw his beautiful eyes looking at him. “Babe, oh, I’m so glad you’re awake. How do you feel?”
“Water…please?” asked David.
Logan jumped up. “I’ll go get Ian.”
Nodding, Zane held the glass of water while his mate sipped from the straw. “Just a little bit babe until Ian says it’s okay.”
“So sore. Is it out of me?”
“Yup, no one will be able to find you anymore,” Zane answered.
“Why does my gut hurt?” David asked, closing his eyes, exhausted from the effort of keeping them open.
Zane didn’t have the answer and was relieved when Ian hustled into the room followed by Logan. “David says his gut hurts. Is that normal?” Zane asked.
“David, it’s Ian. Can you open your eyes?”
Feeling his mate squeeze his hand, David slowly lifted his heavy lids, looked at Ian, and said, “Hi Doc.”
After checking his vitals, Ian said, “David, I’m going to press on your stomach, okay?”
“Uh-huh.”
Pressing lightly around the incision, Ian saw David wince several times. “David, the soreness you feel is usual after the type of surgery you had. I would normally suggest you shift but Zane told me you don’t because it hurts too much, is that right?”
“Yes,” David whispered, afraid Ian would make him shift.
“Okay, I want to try something else,” Ian said. “Logan, please tell Colton I need him.”
“Why do you want my brother?” asked Zane.
“Colton is a natural healer,” Ian said.
“What’s that?” asked David.
“A natural healer can help heal any shifter who has a non-life-threatening injury. In other words, Colton can remove the soreness and pain you are experiencing right now without you having to shift,” Ian replied.
“That’s great, babe, isn’t it?” asked Zane.
“Uh-huh. Will it hurt?” David asked.
“No, not at all,” replied Ian. “But,” he added, looking at Zane, “he does have to touch your mate all over. Is that going to be a problem for your wolf? Because if it is, you need to leave the room.”
