Page 22

It’s been a little more than a month since Larc was shot and put into a coma. His friend Declan has come to visit, telling me how sorry he is for not protecting Larc. I let him know they all risk their lives on every mission, and I thank him for saving me and the other women; for being on these assignments with Larc. His sweet wife Tasha is prepping a large basket of his favorite sweets for when he wakes up. When Declan isn’t able to come, Kyle gives him progress reports.

Dr. Conrad reduced the medication that put Larc in a medically-induced coma. He’s hoping he’ll wake soon. The hemodialysis has cleaned three fourths of his blood.

The morning sun sneaks through the creases in the blinds, beaming onto his bed. I’m awake, resting on his arm. Sliding my hand up and down Larc’s chest, the rise and fall is lulling, and I snuggle closer knowing I’m not required to be anywhere on Saturday morning. His skin has darkened to its original color, aside from some silver veins popping out in places. My phone rings, so I reach for it on the side table. Kyle bought me one so we can keep in touch by text since I can’t mind-link. The gesture is appreciated.

I answer.

“Good morning, Kyle.”

“Hey. How’s Larc doing?”

Glancing over my shoulder, I’m about to answer “the same”

until I do a double-take. Larc’s eyes are open and he’s staring at the ceiling.

“Oh my God, his eyes are open. I gotta get Dr. Conrad.”

Without a goodbye, I toss the phone and yell to the nurse to get the doctor. At his bed, I lean forward, brushing his beautiful hair, which has grown a couple of inches. My face is near his and just his eyes shift to me.

Tears hover on my lower lashes as I whisper.

“Welcome back, wolf-charmer.”

Dr. Conrad breaks the moment when he comes rushing into the room. “Larc.”

He approaches the other side of the bed, and Larc’s eyes shift to him.

“It’s so good to have you back. I’m going to ask you some questions, so blink once for no and twice for yes. Understand?”

He blinks twice.

“Do you remember what happened?”

Two more blinks.

“Very good. I’m going to shut off the ventilator, observe your breathing, and then I’ll remove the tube.”

He switches off the swooshing machine I’ve developed a hatred for. Larc’s breathing continues with the same strength. Dr. Conrad waits about five minutes and removes the tubing from Larc’s throat. It causes him to tear up and cough.

“Your throat will be sore, so try not to use it. Short responses are fine, but it needs to heal, too. I’ll get some paper and a pen for you to write down any questions or things you want to say.”

I’m wearing the biggest grin when Larc’s head turns to me. He’s about to speak, but I hush him.

“Not yet, love. Wait for the paper and pen. Since you remember being shot, I’ll explain what’s happened since then.”

Leaving out my training and the sessions with Ellen, I reiterate his medical treatment, explaining what they’ve done and how long he’s been out. I haven’t even noticed my crying until he raises his hand and uses his thumb to wipe away my tears.

God, I missed this man’s touch.

The doctor returns with writing material, instructing he’ll be back in an hour to check on Larc. With the help of a nurse, we raise the head of the bed and prop his back using pillows. I hand him the paper and pen. He squeezes his eyes shut then open, wiping the back of his hand across them. Larc’s vision is blurry after sleeping for a month. He’s also weak by the way his hands shake. His eyebrows dip low, and he tightens his lips together.

He writes, Little sprite. What’s with the black eye?

Shoot! I forgot all about my mishap at training. This isn’t the time to discuss it. Besides, I want to surprise him. Kyle comes flying into the room, and I’m thankful for the distraction. He rounds the bed and hugs Larc, smacking his back, while I rip the piece of paper out of the spiral, hoping he’ll forget once I leave. The moment has me choking up. Kyle doesn’t even think twice about my presence.

He scrapes the chair toward the bed, sits, and starts talking.

“I’m so glad you’re awake.”

“He’s not supposed to talk. The doctor gave him something to write on, so maybe you can fill him in on other things I don’t know about?”

Kyle nods and I look to Larc, leaning over and kissing his chapped lips.

“I’ll let you two talk and I’ll be back soon.”

He points to my eye. “I fell.”

Larc raises his eyebrow as if challenging my excuse. “I did.”

Kyle’s gaze lands on me, and Larc looks to him for an answer, but he just shrugs. I mouth a thank you to Kyle.

“Your mother is going to be so happy. I’m going to get her and inform the others you’re awake.”

I run out of the hospital screaming, jumping, and punching the air. My wolf-charmer is back. A couple of people pour out of the mess hall from breakfast, confusion painting their faces because I’m whooping.

“Larc is awake!”

Many people are still in the mess hall as I shout it again and run back out toward Maggie’s house. Her wolf ears must have heard me, because she’s running to me in flip-flops, her coffee sloshing over the side of her mug.

We embrace, crying into each other’s hair. Werewolves are prone to being tall, but Maggie is on the stout side, age being a factor. Our bodies tremble from happiness. She’s spent a lot of time at the hospital as well as me. Larc’s her only child, and she’s also struggled with the guilt of not being happy for him when it came to me. He’s going to be ecstatic when he finds out things have worked out.

Coffee drips down my back as we part, tears still streaming down her cheeks when she asks.

“He’s awake?”

I take her hand to walk her to the hospital.

“Yep. His throat is sore from the tubing, and Dr. Conrad wants him to write things down. He’s also weak but that’s to be expected after being in a coma for so long.”

“Oh, my boy. I can’t wait to see him.”

“There’s no more waiting.”

When we enter the room, Tibald and some of the other pack members are there, shaking Larc’s hand and telling him how glad they are to see him awake. Maggie pushes through and tosses herself onto his chest, sobbing. Larc embraces his mom, looking over her at me. I smile, giving a slight nod. This has the others bidding Larc farewell and I step out of the room with them, so Larc and his mother have some privacy.

I close the door behind, leaning on the wall in the hallway. Kyle is on the other side of the hall, arms folded across his chest, staring at the floor. Nothing is ever easy with Kyle. At first, I knew he didn’t approve of my relationship with Larc. Now, it’s like he’s accepted the relationship, yet doesn’t know how to change the indifference between us.

As part of my healing, I’ve learned to speak up more and voice my opinions and thoughts when the urge comes along. Ellen and I have had some rehabilitating chats about my childhood. I’m coming to terms with my father’s and my relationship, if we can even call it a relationship. Ellen reminds me that the sadness and distance we had was on him, not me. A parent’s responsibility is not only to provide for their children, but to also be a pillar of support while they grow into independent adults. Instead of my father being a strong vessel and security, he was a bottomless boat, void of an anchor, letting me drift alone in the world. Once I moved out, he stopped talking to me. It saddens me, but Ellen says I can’t force people to like me, including my father. All I can do is live my best life, and in turn, those who are important and needed in my life will remain. To live the best life I can, I’m taking small steps to speak freely, laugh whenever possible, smile at adversity, and reach out to those who struggle.

So, I reach out to Kyle, and say.

“Thank you for not saying anything to Larc about how I got the black eye.”

His head shoots up, giving a small shrug, and he asks.

“Why didn’t you want him to know?”

“I want to surprise him. He’s been asleep for over a month, while I’ve been strengthening my mind and body. Maggie and some of the others already know to keep quiet about it. When he’s able to leave the hospital, he’ll learn about everything.”

“It might be sooner than you think. Larc isn’t one to keep confined for too long, and werewolves heal differently than humans. I have no doubt, he’ll force his authority by coming home in a couple of days.”

“Then we should plan a little barbeque at the house with you and Maggie.”

“I’ll have to check—”

“Don’t, Kyle. Don’t make excuses. Larc is alive and will be home soon. He’d love to spend time with you, and if I’m not mistaken, you’d love that too.”

He swallows slowly, dipping his head a bit.

“We’ll see.”