Chapter 6
741 Words
Deirdre
"I hope it's not too late. I hope it's not too late. Stay with me, my dear. Please. Please don't leave. It's too soon."
Perrin
I spring as quickly as I can into the infirmary, Jasmine on my heels. I'm not sure how long it took us to get here, but I wish I had run faster. I try to get my bearings in the entryway and I yell for a healer.
"HELLO? WHERE IS HE? WHAT'S GOING ON?"
A healer comes dashing through a set of double doors at the sound of my voice. Jasmine's at the front desk, trying to figure out what's going on.
"Perrin, please--" the healer addresses me, eyes bowed despite my anxiety. She's trying to show me respect, but I don't care for pleasantries right now.
"WHAT IS GOING ON? WHERE IS HE? TAKE ME TO HIM! NOW!"
I try to hear the answer, but the sound of my heartbeat is drowning out my own thoughts.
"What?" I'm frantic for information.
"I said," the healer repeated, "He's in surgery. I can't. I'm sorry."
Deidre
Please... please stay with us. Please. Oh Moon Goddess, please spare him. Please.
Perrin
I sit down in the waiting room. Jasmine takes a seat next to me and holds my hand. I make it all of 10 seconds before I get up and start to pace. How can she sit still?
No nurses give updates.
Jasmine's tried to get someone at the counter to talk to us. Nothing.
Deidre
By all that is holy, please. Moon Goddess, hear my prayers. Please save him.
Perrin
It feels like at least two hours have gone by.
My mind is racing. I wander over to the coffee machine and start to make a cup of whatever instant coffee packets litter the counter.
I hear the double doors open again once behind me. A she-wolf in scrubs comes out, tearing off a face mask. I run over.
"Is he ok?"
"He's still under, but holding steady. We have to wait." She turns on her heel back through the double doors down the hallway.
I turn to Jasmine. "Isn't there something you can do?" I'm frantic.
"Perrin--I'm not an Ascended yet. I can't be back there--"
"Did you see her covered in blood? That's gotta be bad, right?"
"Perrin--" she sighs, coaxing me by the arm back to my chair. "I know it's hard, but please don't speculate."
I continue to pace.
Deidre
Please...
Perrin
I've completely lost track of time. It's well after 2 in the morning. I've been pacing so long my feet are starting to hurt.
I return to the receptionist.
"You can't tell me ANYTHING?"
"I'm sorry," the nurse murmurs, eyes cast down. She seems to be making a mess of her previously-tidy paperwork. "The Alpha"
"AND I'M THE ALPHA DAUPHIN!" I roared at her. "TELL ME WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED TO HIM!"
"Perrin! Please!" Jasmine rushes to my side, pulling me away from the counter to face her. She tenderly places her hand on my cheek but I swat it away. She tries to hold my face between her hands, forcing me to meet her eyes. The nurse is scandalized that a she-wolf, especially not one formerly announced as my mate, would touch me so intimately. She gets up from her desk and walks down a hallway.
"Perrin, please..." Jasmine's voice is soothing, but I'm still breathing like a caged animal. "If he stands any chance of surviving, it's up to the Moon Goddess and the Ascended. I learn from the best. I know what they're capable of. Please be patient. I'll walk with you if that helps."
And we continue to pace.
**
Another few hours go by.
"DAD?"
I turn quickly. I can smell him before he enters. "DAD!"
Alpha Jason enters the infirmary, looking panicked. Alphas don't look panicked. He meets my gaze.
"Oh thank God." He swiftly crosses the waiting room and hugs me, then steps back. Alphas don't show affection. What is going on?
"What happened?" I ask. "Nobody's told me anything."
"Come here."
Shooting a look at Jasmine's direction, it's clear the invitation is only meant for one of us. She casts her eyes down and finds her chair once again. Glancing side to side, he pulls me into a private room off the lobby. He seems anxious. This is so not like my father.
"Dad, what happened? Why is Ethan in surgery?"
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