I played on my phone trying to distract myself. Where was my sister? Should I go look for her or continue to wait here for her and Jett?
Was Grace okay? Maybe they’d take her to Spencer after he got out of surgery. That was pretty normal when mates were both hospitalized.
A nurse in blue scrubs came in. “Hi, are you Evan? I’m here to take you to your mate.”
She was? I shot up out of my chair. I still couldn’t feel anything from Grace, which was part of my agitation.
“Thank you.” I followed her past the nurse’s station and down a hall. The door stood open. Monitors beeped, and tubes were attached to the person on the bed.
But it wasn’t Grace.
It was Spencer. They must have assumed that the omega waiting for Spencer washis.Still, I was so fucking glad to see him, even if he was unconscious or asleep, or something.
“He’ll be okay, right?” A bit of fear shot through me. I’m not sure I’d ever seen him so still.
Spencer had to be okay. He just had to. The idea that he might not be, made my chest tighten. He was the frosting that kept our pack together.
“You can lie down with him, just make sure you’re on his left side, not right. Purring for him will help. The surgery went really well. He’s asleep because he’s sedated. Alpha patients can be a bit… troublesome, so we usually keep them sedated a little longer when their mates are also injured so they don’t hurt themselves trying to get to them,” she assured.
I got a glimpse of a bond mark on her wrist as she checked his monitors.
“That makes sense. Thank you. Hey, could you get me any information about his mate, Grace Ellington? She was brought in at the same time. She’s bonded to Spencer, but she isn’t actually pack yet, so no one will tell me anything about her. I’m bonded to her, too, but you know, that doesn’t count.” I rolled my eyes, hoping she’d be sympathetic.
She snorted. “I hear you on that. They didn’t want to let me in when my omega was having her baby because I’m a beta, so I’m not really her mate. I ended up having to say that I was the doula to get in. Well, I’m also her doula, but really, I think the laws need to get with the times. I’ll see what I can do.”
“Thanks. I just want to make sure that she’s okay.” I rubbed the center of my chest, getting a burst of anger from Wes.
The nurse left, and I went over to Spencer. The pack-sized room had a couch that probably pulled out into a bed, a couple of chairs, and a small table. It looked like there was enough room for Grace to be brought in with him. As she should be.
“Wake up soon, old friend. We need you. I need you. Grace needs you. The pack needs you.” I squeezed his hand.
The group chat was quiet, but everyone’s locations showed that they were here in the hospital. I texted them the room number. With the day weighing on me, I curled up with Spencer and purred for him for a few moments, like the nurse told me to.
Still, I needed to know Grace was okay. I sent her a shot of love. Nothing.
Wes sent me some back.
I wasn’t sure how long I’d been there when there was a knock on the open door. Where was my sister?
“Hi there. I’m Liz and I’m with the Omega Center. The nurse on duty thought you might want to talk.” A petite woman with amessy bun, a hot pink polo, and a large duffle bag stood there, Center credentials hanging around her neck.
“Sure, come in.” The hot pink polo saidCrisis Response Teamunderneath the Center logo.Ooh, there were probably snacks in that bag.
She looked over at Spencer. “We can speak somewhere else if you’d like.”
“It’s fine.” I sat up on the bed.
“Are you sure? The cafeteria has ice cream.” Liz pulled a chair over. “It’s okay to leave him for a little bit.”
“Ice cream is tempting. But I’m fine. Spencer and I have been friends since we were tiny. I have nothing to hide–or fear–from him. Full disclosure, I work for the Center. So, if you don’t have time for me, or need to see other omegas, it’s fine. I hope they didn’t call you in just for me.” Pulling up my Center card on my phone, she scanned it with her tablet.
“I’m assigned here and on duty, so it’s fine.” Liz looked at her tablet. “You’re an advocate?”
“Yes, back in Rockland. I’d love to talk to you about being part of the Blanket Brigade. I’m supposed to start training in the fall.”
“That’s amazing. I’m happy to tell you whatever you want to know. First, can I ask you a few questions?” Again, her eyes flickered to Spencer.
I nodded, and she asked me the usual questions we always asked omegas, making sure they were safe and cared for.
