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He probably had a point there. “This is why you’re my righthand man.”
“One of us needs to keep our head about us.”
“Clearly.”
I laid back again and shook my head. As much as I wanted to get up and go, my body needed me to slow down a bit, considering I’d just woken up after two full days.
God, I needed to brush my teeth.
“I don’t suppose you could get me some mouthwash, could you?”
“Hah, that’s one of the easier requests of my week, Captain.”
He popped away for a moment, then returned with mouthwash and a bowl. It was amazing how much a quick rinse with the stuff made me feel better. I let out a sigh of relief as I waited for the healer to return with my pain meds.
I found he was right soon enough. I did feel a little less bogged down, and my thoughts came easily when they didn’t have to navigate a haze of pain.
But I couldn’t get up right away, either. The healer made me wait there and lie back down so he could monitor my reaction. Then he gave me approval to leave, albeit with strict directions to follow for the rest of the day. Maybe I should’ve been irritatedthat he gave all the instructions directly to Oren like he was my mother, but it was actually quite amusing.
What was the point of having an incredibly talented medical team if I didn’t listen to them? Besides, maybe part of me was hoping the longer I hung around, the more chance I had of seeing… of seeing…
What was I thinking about?
Or rather,whowas I thinking about?
I didn’t know, so I just let it go.
Once I was feeling good enough to stand and move about, I did take the time to visit all of the soldiers in the healing ward, even those who were unconscious. I figured that even if they didn’t hear me, their souls would appreciate the support. After all, if I sensed my fated mate while on the edge of death, then maybe they could hear me thanking them for their incredible efforts.
Naturally, being a shifter meant I left the infirmary ravenously hungry. Our healing abilities were quite impressive, but they burned through calories like one wouldn’t believe. If I wanted my body to keep on making repairs and get myself back to normal, I needed to get food in me.
“Already on it,” Oren said as we walked out into the corridor. “I'd a full spread sent to your office the moment you woke up.” The same corridor that Sargent Khan had almost died in. That whole scene flashed through my mind, and I was so incredibly grateful that… that…
I paused, frowning at the gap in my memory, but unlike the other times, I didn’t let this one go. I chased the scene, sensing it was important.
It took a moment, but finally the whole thing slid into place.
It wasEverton.The medic. How could I forget that? The young, beautiful woman had saved her friend’s life, and I’dgotten a peak of what it was like to see her both impassioned and resolutely concentrating on a patient.
Why would I forget that? It was such a defining moment.
It must have been all the physical trauma and injuries. My mind and body were still knitting themselves together, no doubt mixed up from my instinctual desire to find my fated mate.
My inner wolf certainly washowling.I kept reminding it we had a duty to our expanded pack members, that I was the alpha of all alphas of Fort Canid, and everyone was my responsibility, but he didn’t really care. He wanted to find the one he’d been waiting three years for.
“Sir?” Oren said, drawing me back to the present, yet again. I needed to stop drifting, but I was sure that was also the meds. “Would you prefer to go to the mess hall?”
“Huh? Oh, no, my office is fine. I can eat while listening to Tristan. I was just lost in thought.”
“Understandable, sir, given the circumstance.”
“Believe me, I’m trying not to drool at the idea of getting food into my mouth, so by all means, let’s walk.” I paused. My stomach roared but I was focused on all the damage around us. “But… perhaps we could take the long way around.”
“Sir, couldn’t you check the perimeter after you eat?”
“Could, yes. Will I? Hmm. I think I’d rather do it now.”
Oren rolled his eyes ruefully, but I didn’t take this as disrespect. This was a key part of our long friendship. I'd occasionally do reckless things while he, the paragon of logic, would tell me why it was a bad idea, then watch me do it anyway.
