Alpha's Promise

I leaned over my patient frantically trying to put pressure on his carotid artery, my hand slipping at the very pressure of the blood spurting out of the pulsating artery. I screamed out desperately for assistance, as I couldn't take my hands off the wound I was applying pressure to. Tom had burst his stitches, and I was covered in his blood, he was deathly pale, and I feared the code team was not going to arrive quickly enough. After what seemed like an eternity, they arrived with the crash cart, and I jumped on top of his chest and straddled him as my team members pushed his stretcher through to the theater. He had lost consciousness and he appeared lifeless. I said a silent prayer as the team hooked him up to the monitors and the surgeons prepped for surgery. By the time the cardiothoracic surgeon arrived, he had lost too much blood, he was non-responsive, and despite our best efforts, it was too late for Tom. “He’s gone,” the code team leader declared. I already knew it. I'd felt him slip away moments ago. My heart hurt for him and for his family, especially for his pregnant wife. As I stepped off the gurney, I looked down at myself. I was covered in arterial blood. As I made my way to the showers, I sobbed quietly. He was so young. I had worked alongside him for days and even helped him weigh up the pros and cons of surgery. I felt so overwhelmed with guilt. After showering and changing into a new pair of scrubs, I made my way out to the surgical lounge. He would be moved to a private room soon so that his family could view him and say their goodbyes. As I approached the room, I saw his wife sitting at his bedside crying out loud. I made my way over to her and did my best to comfort her. Not that anything could comfort her right now. Hours after my shift had finished, I remained with Kate, helping her and making calls on her behalf. We left the hospital at the same time. It was a bit above and beyond, but we lived in a small town, so I offered her a ride home to her parents’ house, as she was in no state to be alone right now. Once I had dropped her off at home and given my condolences to her family, I began to make my way home. It wasn't often that I finished a shift early. Usually, I would have to work overtime. Being that we were a small town, when there was a proper emergency, it was all hands on deck, but this one was different; it had hit a lot harder, so when my boss told me to go home, I jumped at the offer. I was looking forward to seeing Dean. I really need a hug from him right now. As I pulled into the driveway, I saw my friend Megan's car in the driveway. Uh oh, I thought to myself, she and her husband might have had another fight. She had been coming over a lot later and Dean had been patient with her. I was so glad that they got on so well. I grabbed my keys and locked my car. I made my way toward the entrance of the house. The door was slightly ajar, which was not unusual as we lived in such a sleepy community. I made my way to the lounge and found it empty. That’s strange, I thought to myself. I made my way into the kitchen and saw half-empty wine glasses, and then I saw a trail of clothing, both his and hers, on the floor, and I felt the pits of my stomach churn. I followed the trail into our bedroom, and that’s when I saw it. The very thing I never would have imagined in my life, my best friend and my husband together in bed. I was speechless and devastated. They were so caught up in the moment that they didn’t even know I was there. I was so distraught I didn’t know what to do, but I was also mad, so I picked up a shoe and chucked it at Dean’s head. That would get his attention, I thought to myself. He let out an almighty roar and turned around, pulling himself out of Megan. He stood there facing me angrily with his manhood still fully erect, completely naked and shameless. He looked more angry at me than he did, ashamed that he had been caught defiling the woman I once called my best friend. “How could you!” I screamed at him, my emotions getting the better of me. “You're supposed to be working 'til seven!” he yelled as if I was the one who had wronged him. I stared at him incredulously. I had no words. "I'm sorry, Missy," Megan said, pulling the sheets up to cover herself. Shocked, standing there not quite believing my eyes, I looked at them both. They were my world, my rocks, my people, and now the very sight of them disgusted me. “You are a real piece of s**t, you know that!” I spat out at him. As I turned to storm out of the room, she grabbed me aggressively by the wrist, with such force that I swear it broke right then and there. I gasped out loud as he pushed me against the wall with force. “I’m gonna go take a shower, and when I get out, we can talk about this, okay?” he said with disdain and a threatening tone. I was like a deer caught in headlights. I couldn't respond. I didn’t want to cry, but my wrist hurt and my heart hurt. I watched as he walked off towards the bathroom towards the shower, then my eyes snapped at Megan. I wiped my eyes and took a deep breath. “Get the f**k out of my house!” I said firmly to her, looking her dead in the eyes. Part of me wanted to attack her, but the rational side of me knew that she was not worth it. I just needed her to leave so that I could pack my things. The room reeked of s*x and alcohol. I moved to the wardrobe and grabbed my large go bag. I have always referred to it as my go bag. I was one of those people who believed that you needed to be able to just leave in case of an emergency. Some people call me crazy, but I prefer the term practical. I shoved as many clothes and possessions as possible into my bag and walked over to the dresser, pausing to take my engagement and wedding ring off. I place them on the jewellery dish, take one last look around the room and leave. I made my way through the house, tears dripping from my eyes. As I moved to grab the door, I felt his presence behind me. This was a simple decision for me. Before Dean, I was used to being on my own. I didn't have any other family. I was a workaholic before we met. It took a long time for me to wrap my head around being in a relationship, but when I finally did, I was all in. I just wanted to run away. I wanted to forget it all happened. I felt like my heart had been ripped out of my chest. I had done so much for Megan. I was always there for her. I would always go out of my way for her. I didn't ask for much in return, it was what friends did for one another as far as I was concerned. And as for Dean. He had pledged his love to me. We had plans for our future. He had come from a broken home, his father was abusive, and his mom had a drug problem while he was growing up, so he said he wanted to do better, to be better. How could I have been so blind? How long had this been going on? Was this the first time it had happened, or just the first time they had been caught? Part of me wanted answers and the other part didn't want to know. Right now, I just need to get away from it all. “Where the f**k do you think you are going?” Dean yelled, snapping me out of my thoughts. I turned back toward him, “Did you think I would stay after what I just walked in on?” I laughed at him in astonishment. “You aren’t going anywhere!” he declared. “You are my wife! You belong with me!” Dean added. “Not any more dickhead. I was your wife until you broke my heart into pieces and betrayed our sacred vows with her!” I managed to utter while trying to hold in the sobs and keep some semblance of decorum about me. “Watch your mouth,” he said in a threatening tone. I paused momentarily. I didn’t want to enrage him any further. He started trailing his hands against my body, moving them toward a part of my body that he would never touch again. I shoved his hand away instantly. “Don't f*****g touch me!” I spat out. My skin crawled in response to his touch. Was he out of his mind? What was he thinking? “Come on, Missy, don't be like this. It meant nothing; it was just s*x. You work so much, and I get lonely sometimes," he said, trying to make out like he was the victim in this scenario. "You know what, I deserve better than this! I loved you with all of my heart. I would have done anything for you!" I snapped, wiping the tears as they fell. "Come on, babe, lay off the theatrics!" he said, quickly tiring of the conversation. "When you hurt your back, I picked up the slack, I worked extra hours to pay the bills, how could you?" I asked him. "You think any other man is gonna put up with your bullshit, Missy? Any man would've done the same in my position. Besides, you're the one who told me to be nice to Megan!" he spat out. "Really, that's your defense?" I replied, feeling numb from it all. "I hope you and Megan have a nice life together. I'm out of here!" I said, before turning toward the door to open it. It was at that moment that I felt Dean smack my head against the wooden door, and as I fell to the floor I felt my eyes close as I lost consciousness.