Friday July 20th, 2018; 9pm(Cole’s POV)I wake suddenly with a gasp, nearly falling from my seat as the smooth black top road turns into the crunchy vibrations of a graveled roadway. I blink several times, clearing my eyes enough to see the sign, ‘Welcome to White Ridge, A Gated Community’. “Wait,” I suddenly gasp in a panic. “We’re supposed to be going to the Black Moon pack.” “Easy there, Cole. Everything is okay.” Jamie’s voice is calm but assertive as he tries to break through my increasing panic. “No it’s not okay. We’re not supposed to be here.” I try to convince him. “No Cole. Delta Ashman explained that the council changed the arrangements. Members of our pack are here so your father asked that they pick us up and the council agreed.” “That means he’s not going to pick us up until the rest get sent home. He won’t pick up just two wolves.” I’m really starting to panic as the Ativan has worn off and I fully realize what is happening. “This was discussed before you left C
I can see Jamie waiting patiently for me to recover standing in front of me when I feel a pair of hands under my arms attempting to lift me. I yelp and scream from his touch as I attempt to run. Fortunately, I simply run into Jamie who immediately restrains me lightly, talking to me gently as I try to convince myself that nothing negative has happened. “Let’s get you moving towards the clinic. Jamie can come until we get you seated but Dr. Moore is a stickler for the rules. He’s not going to allow Jamie to stay. I’m sorry Alpha Cole, but that’s the best I can do.” I nod my head as Jamie changes position, wrapping his arm under mine and across my back. He syncs his speed to mine easily and we slowly make our way across the field to a small building positioned about ten feet away from a much larger and taller building. “Keep heading to the single story brick building. That’s the pack’s clinic for minor and sometimes moderate emergencies.” “Yes sir.” He calls back without knowing if
I whine briefly as Dr. Moore switches on the nebulizer at the same time that Jamie finishes his sentence. My eyes are closed as I lean forward in the chair. I can hear the wheels of another cart move in front of me. I tense slightly as the unexpected touch of Jamie’s hands holds me in place at my shoulders. “Just breathe as normally as you can without hurting yourself. I just need to listen.” I nod briefly as I link with Jamie again. “Dr. Moore, could he have a fleece blanket or flannel sheet to wrap around his shoulders? Taking his shirt off makes him feel really exposed and he tends to get cold easily.” I whisper a ‘Thank you’ through the link while waiting for Dr. Moore to respond. “Andrew, Beta Williams. I have a feeling that I may be working with the two of you a lot so when it’s just us, Andrew is fine. If you wish, I can give you the same courtesy. It already sounds like Cole would prefer that.” “Yes sir. If you don’t mind, it’s Jamie.” I feel the vibrations in the floor
“He’s in a lot of pain doc.” Jamie barely whispers loud enough to be heard. I know he can feel my guilt but he doesn’t say a word. “Cole, I need you to respond through your link with Jamie. Your lungs have freed up but are still constricted. Jamie said you’re in pain, where is it concentrated?” I place my hand in the center of my chest as I simultaneously think about the location. “Your chest?” He tries to confirm. “He says that it’s a constant ache that turns sharp when he breathes in. It’s hard for me to handle through the link. I don’t know if that helps any with the intensity he’s feeling.” He stands up straight, keeping one hand on my chest. The one holding the stethoscope to my back is now gently gliding along my arm towards my neck. I whine sharply and squirm with the discomfort of his touch to the side of it. “Doctor Andrew, while he fears touch he also craves it. Positive touch I think is what Alpha Black calls it. He relaxes with gentle pets on his head. He can
Monday, July 23; 3pmIt’s been two days since our arrival at White Ridge and the only comfort I have in being here is that Dr. Moore is patient and kind. I don’t remember them moving me to his house. The last thing I do remember is his conversation with the beta and making plans to get in contact with my father and with Alpha Black. I have no idea if that has happened as I’ve refused to come out of the room he put me in. I was barely able to move from the medical observation room I woke up in, to the efficiency bedroom that Jamie and I will stay in for however long we’re here. Beta Greene helped Jamie and Dr. Moore’s personal omega, Sara, gather our things from the prospect’s apartments and bring them to Dr. Moore’s house. Despite having free access to my medication my fear is overwhelming and now that dad has stranded us at White Ridge even my wolf has his doubts about returning. He’s gone unusually quiet after apologizing for being so adamant that we leave when I really wanted to s
Jamie coaches me quietly over to the couch, waiting patiently for me to let him go and take a seat. It takes me several minutes before I’m able to pry my eyes from the floor enough to look around the room. I’m surprised to discover that the doctor and the beta have yet to join us. The room is indeed a library but it’s unlike any I’ve been in before. The room is longer than his office is wide, making me believe that it extends all the way to the other side of the wing. Bookshelves completely filled with books line the north wall from floor to ceiling separated into four equal sections. Windows with long beige curtains separate the ends from the center and a fireplace separates the center. A large eight by ten foot area rug sits beneath my feet donning a simple motif of beige, black, and magenta squares. I move my toes slowly across the fibers. They are short but soft, giving me something simple yet pleasing to concentrate on. The loveseat we sit on is comfortably plush with a magenta
“Good afternoon, Alpha Demetri. How are you doing?” “I’m doing well. How’s Cole fairing?” “He’s unfortunately on quite the roller coaster but I’m hoping this conference call will help him.” I stand just in front of the couch not certain what to make of the situation. “Cole, before we start talking too deeply I need to know if we need to cut the crap.” “Wh…. What?” I barely stammer, unable to comprehend what he’s asking me. “Do you remember the first time, the only time you have ever said that to me?” “Ye… yes sir.” “So I need you to slow down, think about the situation you were in then and tell me if we need to cut the crap.” His voice is stern, making me wonder if I’ve done something wrong. “No sir.” Hearing his voice has made it even more difficult to function. “Can you hand Cole the phone? I have an important question to ask him.” “You’re on speaker phone so he can hear you but yes, I can give him the phone for a little bit.” Alpha Andrew walks up to me with his hand
“I really didn’t want to talk about all this.” “I know it’s hard but the more we know the easier it will be to help you.” He encourages gently. I sigh hard before I start explaining. “Growing up everyone in class talked about the link and how it worked. It was quite embarrassing to admit that I had no idea what they were talking about.” “I’m certain that was especially difficult considering you’re the alpha’s son.” “Yes sir, it was. On top of what he was already doing to me, the bullying that came from not knowing my wolf at six years old was quite devastating. Chloe discovered me crying, hiding on the floor at the back of the bus. She told me that the school had called dad and he linked with her asking her to find me. I paid dearly for running away from class but on top of my punishment that evening he grabbed the back of my neck and growled at me; ‘you want to know about the link?’ It felt like my head exploded. I could hear him, feel him in my head. It felt like it took foreve