Chapter 21

I looked back toward my brothers while running my fingers through my hair in frustration. “I should have pushed a little more, about bringing him to the medical wing,” I said quietly.

“No, you did what you could at the time. You gave him the option to get medical help if he needed,” Monica said gently, stepping closer and resting her hand on my shoulder. Her eyes locked onto mine with that same reassuring gaze she always wears when she knows, without a doubt, that she’s right.

Defeated by her stubbornness, I let out a frustrated huff. “You’re right. I know you’re right, but fuck, I hate that it took him to reach this point to finally reach out for our help. And before you say anything, I know that this is a new place for him, and he doesn’t know us, but still… his condition is serious. The outcome could have been so much worse.”

Monica nodded, glancing back toward Raymond for a moment before returning her attention to me. “I agree. The outcome could have been worse if he hadn’t received medical treatment in time. But that didn’t happen. He called you. Maybe not right away, but in the end, he called you asking for help. Yes, it took him time to gather the courage to reach out for help, but he did. And that’s all that matters. He’s getting help, and that’s thanks to you. 

“Thanks to you showing him, in the little time he’s known you, that you’re safe. That you and your brothers are people he can call when he decides he’s ready to open up. For someone who’s been in survival mode for so long, it takes a different kind of strength to seek help from people they barely know. We are strangers to him, and from the looks of it, it seems this young man has been deprived of the feeling of safety by people close to him. So, for him to call you… that alone says a lot about how well you and your brothers have done at making him feel secure, even if it’s only a little.”

I stared at her for a moment longer, my eyes widened slightly at her words. 

I have to admit, thinking about it that way eased some of the tension in my chest. I had been so busy blaming myself that I hadn’t stopped to consider what Raymond’s mindset must have been when he arrived at a new pack, surrounded by strangers and hostile pack members. 

What a fucking idiot I was. 

“You really like being right, don’t you?” I mumbled under my breath, a small chuckle escaping. 

Monica dramatically threw her hands into the air, spun in a circle, and finally pointed a finger at herself. “Me? I can’t help how brilliant I am. It’s both a blessing and a curse, I’m afraid.” 

With that, my brothers and I broke into genuine laughter. The tense atmosphere in the room finally began to dissipate.

In the midst of our brief laughter and ease, Raymond on the bed made a pained whine and shifted uncomfortably. His brows were drawn together, and his lips pursued under the mask. The tension that just left the room, seemed to flood back in. 

Immediately after seeing that Raymond was showing signs of discomfort, my brothers and I worked together trying to soothe him, while Monica checked his vitals and administered another round of headache medication.

“He has a concussion from the blow to his head, so I gave him another small dose of Todorol,” Monica said, keeping her eyes on Raymond and the monitors. 

Colt continued running his hand gently through Raymond’s hair. “When we find the fucker who did this to him…” His crimson eyes darkened. “... I’ll personally rip his fucking throat out.”

“You can fucking say that again,” Draven answered with a sly smile.

My brothers and I feel the same way toward Raymond. We want him for ourselves, and with that comes the unshakable need to protect him. We would walk through fire to keep him safe and rain hell down on anyone who dared hurt him.

Whoever had done this had fucked up big time. 

I almost laughed at the thought of the poor bastard who has to cross paths with the three of us and our pack. 

Monica rolled her eyes, though a small smile tugged at her lips. “You three are unbelievable.” 

Despite her words, I could see the excitement in her eyes. 

“Runs in the family,” Draven said with a bright smile, letting out a hearty laugh laced with teasing.

Before anyone could continue, hurried footsteps echoed down the hallway. 

"They're here," Monica said.

The door swung open, and two paramedics entered, pushing a stretcher. The first was a broad-shouldered Beta male with close-cropped blond hair and calm brown eyes that immediately assessed the room. Beside him walked a tall Alpha woman whose dark hair was secured in a tight braid beneath her black baseball cap. Her sharp amber eyes swept over Raymond before settling on Monica.

"Shadow General EMS, Beta Marco and Alpha Hailey," the Beta paramedic introduced. "We're here to transfer Raymond."

Monica gave a brisk nod. "He's stable enough for transport; but only just." She handed over Raymond's chart. "I'll brief you while we transfer him."

Without needing to be asked, both of my brothers were already moving. Colt stood first, quietly sliding the chairs away from the bedside to clear a path for the stretcher. Draven followed a heartbeat later, stepping aside, though his eyes never left him for even a second.

Marco locked the stretcher into place beside the bed while Hailey moved with practiced efficiency, checking the monitor, IV tubing, and oxygen line.

"Let's transfer on my count," Hailey said, pulling a clean sheet beneath Raymond with smooth movements. "I want to keep his spine aligned. He's been through enough already."

Monica gave a sharp nod. "Agreed. We don't know the full extent of his injuries yet." She looked at the three of us. "I'll need your help."

The request was barely out of her mouth before all three of us stepped forward.

"I've got his shoulders," I said immediately, already moving into position.

"I'll take his legs," Colt added.

Draven stepped to the opposite side of the bed. "I'll support his head and neck."

Hailey offered me a grateful nod. "Perfect. On three."

I slid one arm beneath Raymond's shoulders, carefully supporting his upper body. His skin was still burning beneath my touch.

"Goddess..." I muttered under my breath. He was still so fucking hot.

"Ready?" Marco asked.

Everyone answered with a nod.

"One..."

I adjusted my grip beneath Raymond's shoulders and my jaw tightened. "So fucking light..." I whispered.

A twenty-year-old Alpha shouldn't weigh so little.

"Two..."

Colt slipped his arms beneath Raymond's knees and lower back, careful not to aggravate the bruising that covered nearly every inch of exposed skin. 

His expression darkened.

"You can count every damn rib."

I looked down. He wasn't exaggerating. Even beneath the hospital gown, Raymond's body was painfully thin.

How had no one stepped in?

How had no one cared?

"Three."

Together, we lifted.

Raymond let out a weak, pained whimper, and every muscle in my body froze. His brow furrowed, his breathing hitched, and for one terrifying second, his hazel eyes fluttered halfway open—clouded, confused, terrified.

His gaze wandered aimlessly before landing on Draven who was at the head of the stretcher.

"... A… Alpha...?" His voice was barely audible, more breath than sound. 

Draven leaned closer before answering in a gentle tone. "I'm here."

His eyes struggled to stay open. "... I’m...sorry..." His words dissolved into another wheezing cough.

"No." Draven brushed another damp strand of hair away from Raymond’s forehead. "You didn't do anything wrong."

The apology hit me harder than any punch I'd ever taken. Sorry? For what? For being hurt? For asking us to help him? My chest tightened so painfully it almost stole my breath.

"You have absolutely nothing to apologize for." My voice came out firmer than I intended. "You hear me?"

His eyelids fluttered again before his body relaxed and slipped back into unconsciousness.

"Let's finish transferring him," Hailey said, looking down at Raymond with a soft gaze.

Together, we eased him onto the stretcher. Hailey immediately secured padded straps across his chest, waist, and legs; not tight enough to restrain him, only enough to keep him safe during transport. Marco adjusted the oxygen mask before hanging the IV bag from the portable pole mounted to the stretcher.

"Everything's connected," he confirmed.

Monica handed him Raymond's chart. "He's received IV fluids, acetaminophen, Toradol, Morphine, and broad-spectrum antibiotics."

Marco nodded. "We'll continue the saline en route." He looked at us. "One of you can ride with him."

The words had barely left his mouth before all three of us answered.

"I am."

The room went silent.

Marco blinked, then looked from me...to Draven...to Colt. All three of us stood there without moving an inch.

Colt folded his arms. "I'm not leaving him."

I shook my head just as stubbornly. "Neither am I."

Draven pinched the bridge of his nose. "For the love of the Goddess..."

Hailey couldn't hide the amused smile tugging at her lips. "I've never seen three grown Alphas argue over who gets to accompany one patient."

"We're not arguing," Colt said flatly. "We're all going."

Marco chuckled. "I hate to break it to you, but the ambulance only has room for one passenger."

A long silence followed.

Finally, Draven looked at us with his usual authoritative gaze. "I'll ride with him."

Neither me nor Colt were too happy, but we also knew that arguing over who gets to ride with him was delaying his care.

"I'll meet you there," I said after a moment. 

Colt nodded reluctantly. "We'll be right behind the ambulance."

Draven placed a hand on each of our shoulders. "We’ll meet back up at the hospital."

We both looked at Raymond one last time before stepping back.

Hailey and Marco released the brakes on the stretcher, and the wheels rolled smoothly across the polished hardwood floor. Colt and I walked on the opposite side of Draven, matching his pace in silence. None of us spoke. We simply watched Raymond, our eyes fixed on him as though looking away, even for a second, would make him disappear.