Page 116 of Forbidden Moon
Neither she nor the rest of the familyexpectedto receive such a call, and they’d dropped everything to reach Ben’s side expeditiously. A tense silence dominated both vehicles, knowing the unthinkable could already have taken place by the time they arrived. Would Luna be so cruel as to take Ben from them now, especially after a victory over the human threat?
Only two days ago, they’d heard of RJ’s return to Jonah, bringing much joy and plans for a happy visit. How quickly things changed! Anita wept quietly in the front seat, staring out the passenger window. Douglas reached across to take her hand, lending support and strength to his beloved mate. Words were unnecessary, given their long years together, hearts beating as one where their family was concerned. Miles yet remained before they would know what awaited them.
####
DONNA PONDERED BEN’Scondition and the limited options at hand. While the second transfusion stabilized her patient, he remained unconscious and growing weaker by the minute. He needed to eat but wasn’t strong enough to withstand a forced shift yet. Out of options, she sent an urgent request to the kitchen and gathered the needed supplies.
Though it should work, Donna hadn’t heard of anyone trying this on an unconscious shifter in wolf form. Ben needed help, now, and she refused to give up on a patient until every last option had been exhausted. Her Alpha was not going to die if she could help it—not today or any other day. First, Donna cleared the treatment room of everyone except Evan. Next, she asked Erin to bring in the food she’d requested from the kitchen when it arrived.
Donna passed Ben’s family in the hallway: Jonah, RJ, Lance, and all six of his children—smelling of fear and heartache. Evan sat on the edge of the double bed inside the treatment room, gently stroking Ben’s fur, no doubt trying to reach him through their mind-link. He looked up at Donna with red, swollen eyes and then at the large bag in her hand.
“Ben needs to eat. I’m going to insert this feeding tube down his throat and pump it directly into his stomach. I want you to stay, but it’s going to look strange.”
Evan nodded.
“Do it, Doctor. Just tell me where you want me.”
Erin hurried in with the pureed meat as Evan crawled up on the bed, still in human form, and settled in behind his mate. Evan and Erin both cringed as they watched Donna work. In a wolf this size, his stomach held a lot of food, though it wasn’t necessary to stuff him full. The nourishment would metabolize quickly, giving Ben’s body the strength it needed to function on its own—certainly enough to allow him to awaken, shift, and eat normally.
Donna gave him a fair amount, along with some water, but left the tube in while they waited to see what would happen. After several minutes, Ben’s heart started beating faster while his breathing grew deeper and stronger. When his limbs began to twitch, she withdrew the tube and gave him a quick exam.
“I think it’s working, Evan. See if you can reach him.”
“Ben! Come back now. Talk to me, babe.”
Momentarily, Evan felt the familiar stirrings of Ben’s mind, as if awakening from a deep sleep.
“Ev? Wha... what happened? Tired...”
Evan gave Donna and Erin an enthusiastic thumbs up while he spoke to his mate.
“You were hurt in the attack, love. We’re in the infirmary, and Donna wants you to shift as soon as you feel strong enough. Can you do it?”
“I... I think so. Give me a minute.”
Evan pulled a light blanket over his mate, watching eagerly for the shift to begin. The door suddenly burst open as Evie ran into the room, followed by the rest of the family. She gently patted Ben’s head and spoke in his tufted ear.
“Wake up, Daddy! Grandma and Grandpa are here, and everybody is waiting!”
Evan looked up to see his teary-eyed in-laws standing in the doorway, worry etched on their faces. Ben’s body made a smooth transition under the blanket, and he opened his eyes with a tentative smile. The kids all cheered while Evan peppered his face with kisses. By now, the room was packed with family members—all relieved, happy, and crying at the same time. RJ managed to wriggle his way through the mob with a tray full of warm raw meat and a pitcher of water.
Donna allowed the mini-reunion for a few minutes and then herded everyone into the hallway while Evan tended to her patient. She held up a hand to quiet the hubbub.
“You all know how this works! Let the poor man eat, and then he’s probably going to sleep for at least four or five hours. I’ll make sure he gets home where you can watch over him. He’ll be weak and grumpy for a day or two, but I’m sure he’ll enjoy seeing everyone. Now, I’ll answer your questions and let you get settled in, all right?”
####
ASOMBER ASH AND SCOOTERfound Nolan in the Tactical Center—his temporary office while Ben recovered. They laid five leather drawstring bags on the table, one for each fallen man. The pouches contained a tuft of fur from each wolf, along with a handful of soil from the ground where they’d fallen. The person’s name, pack, and date of death were inscribed on the bottom. At the memorial service, the pouches would be presented to their loved ones.
Nolan grimaced and gestured for the men to sit.
“I know that wasn’t easy, but it will mean so much to their families. Have their relatives been notified?”
Ash nodded.
“Alpha Frazier took care of it for his man, and Oscar will do the same for the two from his team. Both of our casualties were originally from the Duluth pack. Since Caleb is still recovering, I hoped you’d inform Alpha Sheppard when you call in your report. The Cooks pack took their man home for burial, and I have a team digging graves for the other four as we speak.
“We’re lucky, you know. It could have been so much worse, despite having eight more wounded. Donna says all her patients have survived and are now in their healing sleep phase. Ben snapped out of it a while ago, and his entire family arrived to wait with Evan and the kids. Thank Luna, it’s finally over.”
