<b>I </b><b>take </b>a soft righting off the stairs, walking quietly across the hardwood floors of themon room. The room is dark doe is thete hour this room when i have meetings with my inner circle that don’t have a high need for privacy and thest Saturday of every month 1 insite everyone id pack to a gathering. Normally only a third of the 300 registered pack members attend the gathering and bbq afterwards. All of my warriors with families. <b>make </b>it a point to attend as it’s the best way for their children to develop a band with me, an imperative move as hall my warriors are transfers that have no family members for their child to go to should they be killed in battle. Fortunately, thest decade has been a peaceful time and most injuries are for in overzealous teenagers not knowing when to quit.
Our path is lit sufficiently by the dim nighttime lights we use in the medical wing on the far western side of the pack house. I stop just shy of entering the wing ensuring that Cole is keeping up with me. His head is down towards the floor, ncing up just enough to see where he’s going. I wait until he stops about two feet away from me before starting into the hallway<i>. </i>
“Are you doing okay Cole? I haven’t heard much from you since you apologized to Luna Lilly.”
I <b>try </b>to keep my voice soft and light hearted. He’s walking beside me as we make our way down the long hallway. He flinches hard when I touch his shoulder to gently guide him into the second tost door on the left. It’s the only procedure room in the medical wing where the full bathroom has arge soeking tub. The door is already open and the dim lights on indicating that Ang has already requested a medical assistant to start preparing the room.
It’s as we near the bed that I pick up on Cole’s change in attitude. His movements have slowed as he stops by the bed, gingerly touching the hospital grown and robe that has beenid upon the freshly made bed. I watch him silently as he swallows hard.
“Cole?” I keep my tone gentle as it’s easy to see the young man is scared being back here again.
“I’m sorry alpha. I’m just nervous. It’s been a while since <b>I’ve </b>had the lidocaine shots.<b>” </b>
“When’s thest time you’ve had stitches?”
He shakes his head slowly. “I’m not sure. It’s been a while.” He runs his hand through his hair<b>, </b>whimpering softly as hees in contact with the open wound.
“Cole, have you had an X–ray before?<b>” </b>
“I probably have but I don’t remember. <b>I </b>get sedated heavily anytime <b>tests </b>are done<b>.</b><b>” </b>
“That’s okay. It doesn’t hurt, I just need you to stay very still.” He looks up and into my eyes, fear taking over again.
“I’d like to get an X–ray of your head. If you were mmed hard enough to create acerationrge enough to not close on its own then a fracture is likely.” He nods slowly and silently, his eyes returning to the floor.
“Come with me. I’d like to get those pictures before getting your bath ready.”
He follows me silently andplies with everything I need to snap two views before heading back to the bed. I shut the door leading to the hallway giving us some privacy<b>. </b>
“Everythinges off and is ced on the bed. We will put the gown in theundry and bag your pants so you get them back. I’m sorry we haven’t gotten you your own clothes yet. If you tell me what size you are, I can get a pack of briefs from our clothing closet. Everything is brand new and <b>we </b>have all sizes. Usually you get to choose between boxers and briefs but briefs will be better for your healing leg. Put the robe on, unless you’refortable walking around nude. Some wolves are, some aren’t, your choice. I’m going to start your bath. Do you prefer hot or body temperature?”
“Hot helps with the pain.” <b>I </b>barely hear him whisper./
He looks up, making <b>eye </b>contact with me when I ce my hand on his shoulder.
“Now this is very important.”
He nods his head struggling to maintain eye contact with me. I step towards him, sliding my hand to his back just below his neck. He attempts to <b>step </b><b>back</b>, whining softly as he meets my gentle resistance to his desire to flee.
<b>The </b><b>Son </b><b>of </b><b>Red </b><b>Fang </b>