Opaline looked exhausted when we got home. I let Klyn and Darion go home so Opaline could shift comfortably once we were inside. The pack seemed to do well with her, except staring all too intently at the size of her, mistaking her for a pup. I didn't let them continue those thoughts and growled at them to behave, telling them who it was. Their expressions instantly changed to regret and guilt, then to shock.
After dismissing Klyn and Darion, I walked inside my house and went up to the room, finding the bathroom shut and the shower on. Content, I go to the closet and shift, putting on a pair of pants. I walk back down and into the kitchen, grabbing a small snack for Opal and myself. On the way there, I hear a painfilled cry from upstairs. Pausing, I listen for it again, but it doesn't come. Thinking I might have imagined it because I was tired, I continued.
When I got back in the room, Opaline still wasn't out of the bathroom yet. Opaline doesn't take long showers and definitely doesn't do makeup and other stuff women like to do. Setting the tray on the bed, I walk over and put my ear to the door. The water is still running, and there's something that sounds like tape or plastic. Furrowing my brows, I knocked. "I'm almost finished. I'm sorry!" came her reply.
I was about to respond but remember she can't hear me. I'll give five more minutes before I start to worry.
My heart is racing from anxiety and I can't stand it any longer. It's been thirty minutes since I first checked on her and she's not out yet. I go over and start picking the lock, desperate to see Opaline and figure out what is wrong. I know she hides, but this must be something different because not only is she hiding from the outside world, but she's hiding from me. She's never really hid from me.
I hear a click and slam the door open. There is steam everywhere and I can't see anything. From the shower, I hear a shift in movement and carefully make my way over. I find the handle and open it up, squinting to see what is inside. All I see is red and I wonder if it's because my eyes hurt too much or if I'm really angry, though I don't think it's the latter. Bending down, I feel the granite ground and something sticky meets my skin. I bring my hand to my face and suddenly smell it. It's overwhelming and making my nose hurt: blood.
"Opaline!" Making my way further inside, not caring if I get blood all over, I try to find her. My shower is large, so she could be anywhere. I finally reach the opposite wall and met skin. The steam starts to clear away and I see Opaline limp in the corner, one hand holding the other arm that has the bad hand which is now opened and bones stick out like needles. "Klyn!"
My hands shake and I don't know where to start to even help her. "What's wrong?"
"It's Opaline! She's—"
I wasn't sure if I could even say it. I already know she lost a lot of blood and somehow her hand is even worse than before. "I just told Truent. We'll be there in a minute," Klyn informs through the link.
Grabbing a towel, I wrap it around her hand, not bothering with her nakedness, then lift her into my arms and down to the dining room table where I throw everything off and lay her down. "Come on, Opal!" I whisper desperately. "Stay with me! You're going to be okay."
The front door opens and a few pairs of feet come running in led by Klyn. The moment he sets foot in the dining room, he stops dead in his tracks. Truent was quick on his feet and rushed forward, unwrapping the towel. "What happened?" he asks urgently.
"I don't know. She took a long time in the shower and after so long, I found her limp and blood flowing in the drain. Her hand—"
"We need to take her to the ER. She needs blood and treatment that I can't give her here. Do you have more towels?" I nod and run out, grabbing a few as well as a sheet to cover her with. I wince when I notice it's white. Klyn grabs a towel and helps the doctor wrap Opaline's hand while I carefully wrap the sheet around her body. "Alpha, I'm not sure if you should come."
I glare at Truent. "I'm coming!"
"I'm going to be doing some stuff that might set you off," he warns, not flinching at my harshness.
"Let's go!" I growl and wrap my arms around my mate, making sure to keep her injured hand on top while I run out the door. Klyn is right behind me, there if I need anything, thankfully, and to help keep me in control. "Send Jayene to clean the shower and table. I can't stand the sight of my mate's blood everywhere."
I am kept in the waiting room. Why? I nearly tore Truent's and some nurses' heads off for even suggesting doing a bone transplant, I think that's what they called it. Klyn had to drag me out of the ER along with Kurt and Michael. I still haven't changed, haven't slept, haven't eaten much and its dawn. I can't think straight. I can't even walk straight anymore to go home. Something inside me is breaking at the thought of Opaline's life being threatened by the smallest thing like blood loss. I don't think I've breathed properly since walking home from the forest.
Dawn, and they still haven't come out to tell me how it's going.
Dawn, and I still have the image of her blood and limp body in the shower in my mind.
Dawn, and I can't get my heart to slow down.
What the fuck is going on!
It's about ten in the morning when I see a nurse walk towards me, looking slightly pale and exhausted. "Alpha?"
I stand and run up to her, grabbing her shoulders and shaking her. "What is happening!" I growl.
Fear lights her eyes until her exhaustion takes over. "The doctor will be out in a few minutes to explain what went on. The good news is your mate is stable and is in recovery with several other nurses as well as two of your men watching over her."
"Is there any bad news I should be aware of?" I ask warily.
She rubs her eyes and grabs a cup of water, drinking deeply. "The doctor didn't say. He just wanted me to inform you that they are finished and she's better. If you'll excuse me…"
"Wait!" I plead as she turns away. When she looks at me I whisper, "Can I see her, now?"
The nurse smiles. "Come." Almost crying with relief, I do. We go through several doors before she stops in front of a curtain that is drawn to protect privacy. "She's in here. I can have the others step out if you wish?"
I nod and she does. It's when every last person is out, that I go in and look at the bed. She's still pale like snow, her raven hair a stark contrast against her smooth skin. They've cleaned her up, not one speck of blood could be seen. Both her hands are under the thin blanket that's laid upon her, and I see an IV tube running down and into one of them. Sitting beside her on the bed, I lift the blanket and move it a little to see her hand.
"Oh, Opaline!" I gasp, seeing the large, thick plaster cast running from her elbow down. From under her hospital gown, I see white bandages. I carefully take a look and see spots of bandages along her ribs and one on her collar bone. I brush a thumb over her cheek, hoping it will take away some of the pain that I know she's in, hoping to comfort her in some way.
"A minute later, and it would've been too late," says Truent from the curtain. I glance at him, but continue to gaze at my mate. I listen though. "I'm not sure how to tell you this, Alpha, but she is not a healthy wolf. It was very difficult to do what she needed because of how small and fragile she is. It didn't help either that the blood loss was insurmountable as well. It took so long because things didn't go so well at first. She was on death's bed when we put her on oxygen and new blood. She didn't even start responding properly until I finally gave her a push around two this morning, which was after your little outburst."
"What about her hand?"
"Going to be in bad shape for a while," he says softly. "Not only did the bones rip through skin, but every other muscle, tendon, and a few veins. I wouldn't be surprised if she felt nothing in that hand for the rest of her life."
"Will she be able to shift anymore?"
He didn't answer right away and I swallowed the lump in my throat. "I'm not sure. That is yet to be determined." Bowing my head, I try to keep my emotions in check until he leaves, but he stays and they start trickling down my face. "If you want good news to see the silver lining—"
"I want my mate to fucking wake up and tell me she's alright!" I growl.
He hesitates a moment then says, "There is a possibility, when she wakes, that she'll be scared if not terrified of what's going on around her."
"What are you talking about?"
"We took a look at her brain as well as her ears while we were in there, but did nothing to disturb them, I promise. But at closer inspection of her ear drums, it seems they've healed much faster than I would've thought. They are fully healed and as good as new."
My head snaps up to look at him, hope and shock in my eyes. "I thought they only healed a little when we saw you yesterday?"
"So, did I, but pictures don't lie."