Page 46 of The Bull's Head

He was alert immediately. “Yes?”

“Could you come with me, please?”

The words were ice down Teddy’s spine. “Is he?—?”

“No, he’s unchanged. We want to talk to you about his care, though.”

Ivan kissed Teddy’s cheek. “It will be well, you have my word. I must go find the boys, lest they find mischief to get into.”

That wasn’t true. The boys were good kids and never caused anyone grief. Ivan wanted to be alone with his thoughts and feelings for a time.

“You can rest in my room, if you want.”

A twitch of the lip. “Thank you, brother.”

And with that, he was gone. Teddy turned and followed Dr. Hamilton to the clinic, where Byk lay unmoving. Gwyneth gestured to the chair, and Teddy sat.

“You’ve known me too long for me to beat around the bush,” she said. “Callum is not getting better. In fact, we think his condition is deteriorating. Even though Lydia—Dr. Hamilton—isn’t a human doctor, she agrees with my assessment.”

“No, he can’t die,” Teddy gasped.

Gwyneth moved to him and placed a hand on Teddy’s shoulder. It wasn’t at all comforting, but then Gwyneth had never been a nurturing person. She was strict, and brooked no nonsense from anyone in the pack. If she spoke, people listened. Even Damon wouldn’t dare to countermand anything she had to say.

“His body is weakening, but his mind seems to be hyperactive. There is something going on in his head, that we can’t see. I need you to try something.”

“Of course. Anything.”

“Good. Ivan said you were connected with Callum.”

He shrugged. “We’re friends, but not much else.” It wasn’t the whole truth, but Teddy didn’t know how Byk felt and wasn’t going to presume.

“Oh. Really? Ivan seemed to think there was more at work. It’s fine, though. Sometimes friendship is strong enough. What I want you to do is call to him, let him know you’re here. Touch him, if you’d like. We need to make him aware that he needs to fight to get better.”

Teddy could do that. He got up and moved to the bed. The wires that had been attached before seemed to have doubled in numbers. Now monitors had beeping, whirring, blinking, flashing lights all over Byk’s body. It hurt to see him like this, especially after seeing him healthy and whole.

He leaned in close. “Byk? Byk, I need you to hear me. We’re here, and they’re doing everything they can to help you, but you need to fight. You need… need….” Teddy drew in a sharp breath. “Maker damn it, Byk! I fucking need you to fight, do you understand me? I need to touch you. To hold you. To whisper words in your ear that will let you know my feelings. I fucking love you, and I am begging you to be strong!” His voice cracked. “Please, Byk. Come back to me. Please.”

“Maker damn it, Byk! I fucking need you to fight, do you understand me? I need to touch you. To hold you. To whisper words in your ear that will let you know my feelings. I fucking love you, and I am begging you to be strong!” His voice cracked. “Please, Byk. Come back to me. Please.”

That voice. It was one he knew. He’d heard it before. It whispered to him, told him things would get better. Made him trust the voice. It… brushed him. Made him feel special. Stroked strong fingers through hair and scratch skin that had itched for far too long. He remembered that. He remembered….

Teddy! I can hear you. I’m frightened. I’m forgetting who I am, and that scares me. I almost forgot who you were, and that terrifies me. You are the only person in my life I love, and it was slipping away like water through my fingers.

I’m here now, though. I love you, Teddy. So much. Fight for me, please. I beg you, don’t let me fade away.

“Teddy… I love you.”

And with those words, the blanket once again covered his mind, dragging him back to the dark place. This time, though, there was a pulse of light for him to hold on to. Teddy was there, and he would do his best never to forget him again.

He would remember Teddy, no matter what it took, because he knew that Teddy was the only person who could end this nightmare and bring him home.

I find myself standing staring into an abyss. No way to move forward, and behind me is a maw that seems eager to swallow me whole. Rage pours into my body as my feet cramp from being too near the edge with no purchase.

Why am I so angry? What is it that’s eating away at me, forcing me to want to lash out at everyone? I’ve never meant to hurt anyone, it only happened when things became too much to handle. Who am I kidding? That was always my default. Think with my fists instead of my head, then spend hours regretting it, only to turn around and do it again. And again. And again.

No, that wasn’t right. Callum—Byk—never wanted to hurt anyone. He wanted quiet, placid people. Ones he could be friends with. He wasn’t interested in hurting someone. Why was he thinking that?

No. Teddy promised he’d help, and I have to believe that. I trust in him, love him. Teddy will do everything he can to make things right. And if he can’t? Then… I don’t know. It won’t be his fault, though. Teddy is the only good thing in my life, and I couldn’t ever hold him responsible for what happens to me.

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