Page 25 of Healer's Call

That’s the only thing he sends back, and I feel it deep in my chest. I rub my hand over my chest as I watch fresh tears drip down the healer’s cheeks. I don’t know if I’ve ever seen something so awful in all my life. I lean against the door frame and watch her sleep. I count each rise and fall of her chest, making sure this sickness or whatever it is hasn’t already gone to her lungs. When her breath catches a few times, I straighten and walk over to her. I lean over her, though I have no problem hearing her heartbeat even from across the room. It’s not her heartbeat that has me concerned, though. It’s her breathing. She’s struggling; I can hear it. Alarm spears through me, and I reach out, ready to wake her when her eyes pop open. She cries out in fear when she sees me hovering over her.

“It’s just me,” I say quickly, trying to reassure her, not that it’s real reassuring, given our past.

She puts a hand to her chest and tries to sit up. I reach out to help her but then drop my hand. “You scared me,” she says putting a hand over her heart. She blinks, looking a little dazed. “Did I fall asleep?”

“In my bed.” It’s the only thing I get out.

She looks alarmed and quickly climbs out of the bed. I step in front of her, effectively cutting off her escape. “I’m sorry,” she says, looking up at me with those doe-like eyes and cheeks that are still wet from her tears. My gut twists.

“The blonde healer is going to heal you,” I say gruffly. It’s the only thing I know to say.

She recoils. “Absolutely not.”

I shrug. It’s a done deal. I don’t care what she has to say about it. As soon as I make sure she’s okay, I’m texting the blonde healer to get in here and heal her. “Cade already okayed it.”

“Well, too bad because she’s not going to.”

I cock an eyebrow, surprised she’s talking back to me. She’s usually so mousy. “So, you’re going to stand up to me and to Cade now?” I can’t help it.

“Yes.” I bite back a smile at her trying to be belligerent because she looks conflicted like she wants to apologize at the same time. “Give me a chance to fight it; I might be able to.”

I look at her with skepticism. “Yeah, that’s not going to work.”

She lifts her chin. “It might; I’m going to try.”

I stare down at her, wondering how much to push her. Normally, I wouldn’t care, but I can’t get the sight of her tears out of my mind. I finally relent, knowing I’ll keep an eye on her in the meantime. If she gets worse, I’ll force the blonde healer. “I’ll give you twenty-four hours. After that, you’ll let the blonde healer heal you.” I narrow my eyes at her. “And don’t heal anybody else in the meantime.”

“That’s for me to decide.”

It takes me a moment to realize she’s arguing with me. “Don’t heal anyone.” My words are slow and distinct. “I am the beta of this pack, and I am giving you an order.”

“Well lucky for me, I’m not part of your pack,” she says, crossing her arms over her chest. I drop my eyes for a moment before lifting them lightning fast back to her face. I think I’m in shock. Who is this woman that is fighting with me and standing up to me? In the moments it takes me to respond, she’s out of my room. I stare at the closed door, wondering what in the world happened to the timid, mousy girl. I shake my head and decide I need to head to the weight room for a workout. I grab my earbuds and phone and change into shorts and a t-shirt. I’m outthe door moments later. I’ve just started down the hallway when Van races around the corner.

“Your mate. She dropped...”

He doesn’t finish what he’s saying before I’m running. I follow her scent down the hallway. I see her on the floor and race to her, dropping at her side. She’s lying on her back, and her entire body is convulsing. My heart nearly stops. “Get the other healer!” I thunder at Van. I Iift her head carefully. Her body continues to convulse, and she starts choking, like she can’t breathe. A vice clamps around my heart.

Cade drops to his knees next to me. “Mav,” he says, his face grim.

“No,” I growl at him.

The blonde healer runs over and drops down beside me. Her face is pale, and her hands are shaky. She stares at Rose but doesn’t move. “Healer!” I bark at her, and she jolts. “Heal her,” I demand.

“I don’t...I don’t know what to do.” She stands and starts backing away.

I gently lower Rose to the ground and jump to my feet. “You are a healer, and you are going to heal her. Now.” She looks at Rose with fear in her eyes. “Look at me,” I demand. She meets my eyes. “You can do this. You know what to do. You’re a healer.” She doesn’t respond. I will myself to focus on the blonde healer and not the one on the floor behind me. “If you don’t heal her, she’s going to die. Tonight.”

Her face pales even more, and she finally nods. “Okay. Okay.” I lead her over to Rose, and she kneels next to my mate. Her hands are shaky. She puts them on Rose and then pulls back. She tries again and closes her eyes. My hands clench into fists as I watch her. She pulls back. “I can’t. I don’t...”

I curse and pull out my phone and dial the alpha’s personal cell. “Maverick,” Garrett’s voice comes across the line.

Before he can say anything, I jump in. “I need the healer there on the phone now.”

Garrett is quiet a moment. “What’s going on?”

“Don’t ask questions!” I bark at him and swear again. “I need the healer now!”

“I’m on my way to her now.” Garrett’s voice is calm while I’m feeling anything but. I pace and wait for the healer’s voice. “What’s going on?” Garrett asks.

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