There’s a fierce look in his eyes, one I’ve seen too many times during the past several hours. Now, it just makes me tired. He must see that, because his gaze softens. “Go back to sleep, Sis. I’ll make sure you’re safe.” I want to tell him that he doesn’t need to stay here, that he should be with Evie. But the words won’t form, and I feel myself drifting off before I can respond. I wake up several more times mostly because of the nurses coming and going. When morning hits, I feel like I've been run over. But the tech that comes in to take my blood pressure tells me the doctor should be in soon, so I have to pull myself together. Zane helps me into a sitting position and moves the pillows around behind me.
“Thanks,” I tell him with a yawn.
“You’re welcome.”
There’s a knock at the door, and a different doctor than last night comes in. “Riley, how are you feeling?” I resist the urge to grind my teeth at the question. “There are a few things we want to clear up with your blood work.”
I shoot a look of panic at my brother, but he stays calm.Dad made sure yours and Reid’s blood samples were replaced with human blood.
Relief hits me strong, even as I wonder where in the world my dad got fresh blood in the middle of the night. But I know he’s been Alpha for long enough to know how to handle these kinds of situations. He looks at the iPad in his hands and then down at me. “You’re not on a great path, young lady.”
His words so shock me, I don’t know what to say. He glances over at my brother. “Do you mind giving me a moment with the patient?”
My rebuttal is swift. “He’s my brother. You can say whatever you want to say in front of him.”
The doctor looks at me and then back at his notes. “I’m going to be blunt with you. If you continue down this path with drinking and drugs and,” he pauses a moment before continuing. “And the lifestyle that usually goes with.” I hear a sound from Zane that sounds suspiciously like a laugh, but he covers it with a cough. I continue to face the doctor and will my face not to burn with embarrassment. “Make sure you’re taking the proper precautions to not end up with something you’re not planning on.”
It takes me a moment to realize what he’s saying.Goodgrief! Where did Dad get this blood from?I ask Zane, but I don’t dare look at him. The doctor continues to talk to me or maybe lecture me is more accurate. I keep nodding, hoping he’ll leave soon. When he finally finishes, he lowers the iPad. “Let me check you over. Barring there are no problems, you should be able to start the discharge process.” He checks my wounds. “Those don’t look nearly as bad as they were documented.”
“They probably looked a lot worse than they were because I was covered in so much blood,” I offer, hoping he won’t look into it more. Both Reid and I need to get out of here before we heal much more and show off our accelerated healing. I hold my breath while he finishes. Finally, he finishes and writes a few things on his iPad. “All right. The nurse should be in to prepare you for discharge.”
I breathe a sigh of relief. “Thank you, Doctor.”
He nods and walks over to the door. I’m just about ready to turn to Zane when the doctor turns back. “Do you want the names of a few recovery places?”
I force a smile. “I will look up something on my own. Thank you.”
He nods again and finally leaves the room. Zane barks out a laugh, and I roll my eyes at him. “Come on. Let’s get you ready to get out of here, so we can go get you checked into a rehab.”
I groan out loud. “You’re not going to let this go, are you?”
His eyes dance. “No way.” He stands up. “Can I help you up?”
I glare at him. “I’m not an invalid.”
He puts both hands up in surrender and walks over to a chair by the door. “Dad dropped off this bag early this morning. He said Mom packed it with clothes from your room.”
“Oh, good. Thank you. What happened to my clothes from last night?”
He scowls. “They probably sent them into a contamination room or something.”
I frown. “I liked that dress.”
“Not after you destroyed it.”
“Yeah.” I sit up, groaning as I do.
My brother gives me a look. “I said I’d help you up.” He walks over to the chair where the bag is.
I scowl at him and swing my legs over the side of the bed. I stand up, and the room starts spinning. “Oh boy.”
Zane’s across the room in a flash, grabbing my elbows to steady me. I hear the door open and hope it’s not the doctor coming back. But when his scent hits me, I know it’s definitely not the doctor. “Riley?” Reid asks, worry in his voice.
“I’m fine.” But he’s in front of me a moment later. He edges Zane out, and puts his hands on my biceps. “Are you dizzy?”
“I was for a moment, but I think I’m good now.”
“It’s probably from losing so much blood,” Zane says from beside Reid, and Reid scowls.
