Page 156 of A Second Chance for the Beta

“Unfortunately, not. He is still doing rehab, but we hope he can return soon,” Elden says.

On our way Dario joins us. He’s arriving home from his afternoon class at school, and his first stop is to see his brother. His arm is still in a cast, and he seems to clasp it protectively.

“Did you hurt your arm?” Elden asks in worry while we step into the infirmary.

One of the pack doctors instantly joins us the moment he sees their alpha. Elden turns to the man. “Please check on Dario’s arm, doctor.”

“It’s okay,” Dario mutters. “I just forgot—” He pauses, not sure how to continue.

“You forgot it was in a cast,” the doctor concludes. “That can happen. You probably overstrained it a bit. I will take a look at it.”

“Can I see Felix first?” he asks.

The doctor looks at Elden, who nods shortly. “Visit me before you leave, Dario,” the doctor says with a smile.

Dario looks relieved, walking next to his father now. “I’m sorry for being so clumsy,” he says. “If I had been more careful in the waterfall and then in how I attacked the guards who held Felix… and, I don’t know, knew better how to fight them off.”

“It’s okay, Dario,” Elden interrupts him. He sounds almost a bit sad. “I’m not angry. Why would you think I’d be angry? You did what you could in a stressful and dangerous situation. And I think you did well.”

“I didn’t think you were angry,” Dario mutters. “But I am. I couldn’t protect Charlie or Felix.”

“I couldn’t do anything either,” Charlie says.

“But I’m training. I’m constantly training,” Dario retorts.

One glance at Elden’s face tells me that they probably had this discussion plenty of times already. Before he can say anything, Charlie does. “I was there,” she says. “And I can say with certainty that without you and Felix, I wouldn’t have made it mentally. You protected me all the time, even when the guards took you or when they gathered around me—” She pauses, and she and Dario exchange a gaze.

I have not heard about that part yet; Charlie hasn’t mentioned it. Neither Elden nor I comment on it, though. Charlie goes to therapy, so do the boys. Some things probably aren’t for us to hear yet.

We arrive in time for Felix to wrap up physiotherapy. He can sit already, although he can’t walk yet. But the moment he sees Charlie and Dario his face lights up. Elden and I leave the kids alone to give them some privacy, going on about our own business.

fifty

A Surprise Visit

*CHARLIE*

Betweenschool,myfriends,and working for our fundraiser, I don’t have much time to think about what happened to me only a couple of weeks ago. Dante and Ella want me to see a therapist twice a week, so I’m doing that. And it helps to hang out with Felix and Dario. They know what I’m talking about without me having to go into detail.

I make it a habit to visit them every alternating week on Saturdays after lunch.

“Charleston,” Felix greets me with a grin when I come into his room in the infirmary. By now I’m well accustomed to it. “Look what I can do.” With Dario’s help he grabs the edge of the bed and pulls himself up. He lets go, standing by himself before having to grip it again.

“That’s great,” I comment, not sure what else to say. My heart breaks for him. He was the guy who knew so much about waterfalls because water is his big love, because he is that athletic. He is an outdoor person through and through.

“They will let me start water therapy soon,” Felix says. “And they will teach me how to use the wheelchair. Dario and I have big plans once that happens.”

“We have,” Dario says. “Dad will regret his life choices once more,” he adds dryly, making Felix chuckle.

“It sucks I can’t go to any parties like this, though. I need to heal faster!”

“We will make our own,” Dario says. “I told you I have plans. Dad is literally saying yes to everything at the moment. We need to jump on that chance.”

“It’s okay.” Felix grins. “It’s not that important. You should go out, though, Dario.” He looks at me now. “You need to drag him along somewhere.”

“The fuck I will,” Dario says before I can even answer.

I don’t say anything. I’ve noticed Dario is particularly ambitious with his studies. He barely hangs out with anyone or does anything. He’s asked me not to tell anyone. I’m not sure why, but I couldn’t do anything else but promise him. He told me he didn’t want this issue to be about him, and instead wants his family to focus on Felix.