Chapter 38 Chapter 38 Riley was laying in the hospital bed, watching the heart monitor beside her. She had no medical training, but she was pretty sure that what she was watching was bad. She curled her hands into fists, digging her nails into her palms so hard she wouldn't have been surprised to find herself bleeding. She desperately wanted to see Kent and her resolve about not calling him was crumbling. She had been taken down for test after test all day. Lana came in repeatedly to check on her, but with no news. The pain and nausea were getting worse and no medication seemed to take the edge off. Rose was completely unreachable and Riley was worried. The last time she had gone this long without talking to Rose was right after Paul rejected her. The door opened and Patrick walked in, carrying a plate of toast and a cup of applesauce. "You're awake," he noted with a small smile, walking over to set the food on the table beside her. "You were sleeping when I stopped by earlier." "What time is it?" she asked, sitting up. Patrick reached over and adjusted a pillow behind her so she could sit up comfortably. "Around eight in the evening." She shook her head. "I remember going for the tests right after lunch, but that's it. Did Lana get any answers? "I don't know," he said, sitting down in a chair beside her bed. "I didn't see her on my way in. Angie gave me the food to bring in. I'll mindlink her to come give you an update." His eyes glazed over for a moment before focusing back on her. "She said to give her five minutes." She nodded. "Thanks." "How are you feeling?" She sighed. "I've felt better." "Can I call Kent yet?" She looked at him. His face was impassive. "Is the alliance taken care of?" He looked at her for a long moment. "It wasn't when Max spoke to him this morning." "When it is taken care of, you can tell him." She sounded more sure than she felt. "Riley," Patrick said, his voice hitching slightly, "do you realize how sick you are? He would want to be here. He already lost one mate and that nearly killed him. Don't you realize that's why he didn't want to leave you? The thought of losing you is eating him up." She bit her lip, looking away, desperately not wanting to cry in front of Patrick. The door to the room opened and Lana stepped in. She looked between Patrick and Riley for a moment before shaking her head. "Pat, now is not the time to be upsetting her," she chided gently, walking closer to Riley. "I wasn't trying to," he muttered, rubbing his face with both hands. 1/2 < Chapter 38 +8 Points Riley took a deep breath, composing herself before looking at the doctor. "What have the tests shown?" Lana pursed her lips. "Nothing. They've shown me absolutely nothing." Riley felt her stomach drop. "Your heart rate is too high, Riley. It's been elevated since you came in last night and no medication is touching it. I'm worried that it can't keep working at this rate, especially with your wolf being unreachable." "What happens if it doesn't come down?" Riley asked. Lana glanced at Patrick and then back. "Your heart could give out." Riley felt like someone had stolen the air from the room. Her whole body started to shake and tears pricked her eyes. Patrick stood up, grabbing her hand, his face pinched. "I've already spoken to Wesley," Lana said. "We're calling your commander in the morning to request an emergency transfer to the Council hospital. I think they will have the facilities to figure this out." Riley swallowed, a tear escaping and running down her cheek. She looked over at Patrick. "Please call Kent." He nodded, a look of relief washing over him. "I'll call him right away." The door to the room opened suddenly and Max stepped in, taking in the scene before him, his face strained. "Hey," Max muttered, "this probably isn't the best moment, but I needed to talk to Riley." "She wants us to call Kent," Patrick said, letting go of her hand to take a step towards Max. "Well, good," Max said with a terse nod, a muscle in his cheek jumping as he looked at Riley, "because I just got off the phone with him. They just finished signing the papers for the alliance." "Did you tell him about Riley?" Patrick asked. Max nodded, rubbing the back of his neck. "I did." He looked at Riley. "You said you didn't want him to know until the alliance was handled. Since it was done, I figured it was time. He's on his way." She felt relief wash over her. The thought of seeing him soon brought her some comfort. "Was he upset?" Patrick asked quietly. "I think so." Max shrugged, sighing heavily. "He said he's going to rip both our throats out for not telling him sooner, so I guess we have that to look forward to." Comments Get Bonus (Ad) >