Page 15 of These Bonds that Unite Us
“For which part, exactly?” He grunts as he stretches his shoulders and leans forward to rest his forearms across his knees. “Accepting a recklessly planned DAU mission without speaking to me first? Or for not telling me the chemical rejection had gotten so severe in the first place?”
I glance down at the bed, picking at the white hospital blanket laid across my legs. He is allowed to be upset with me, especially when I knew the mission Dromir asked me to undertake wasn’t one he would approve of. Even if I wouldn’t change my decision, it’s still difficult to face his disappointment in me.
“Both?”
“Listen, kid,” he sighs, the sound as exhausted as I feel. “Thank you for helping to bring your father down. It was really brave of you to face him. But from here on out, you leave dealing with his followers to us. No more vigilante missions.”
“Okay,” I quickly agree. “My father, is he–”
“In federal custody, and facing charges for domestic bioterrorism, human trafficking, aggravated assault of an unbonded omega, and bribery.”
“And his backers?” I won’t be able to feel relief about my father’s imprisonment until I know his political connections won’t get him out of it.
“Senator Pierson and his campaign are under investigation for corruption given his close relationship with your father. So far he is publicly claiming he had no knowledge of the Pastor’s actions. No one else is being vocal about their connection to the church. Many of his prominent followers are receiving heavy backlash, so we don’t foresee your father being bailed out by any of them. Not when the entire nation and most of the world witnessed his confession.”
My shoulders slump, the tension leaving my body. It’s really over. He’s no longer a threat to us. I can finally–my thoughts stall when they drift to my fated connection. Even with the threat of my family gone, I can’t have the happily ever after I once dreamed of. Not when my fated mates want nothing to do with me.
“And Doctor Harrison?”
“Unfortunately, at this time he has evaded capture and gone underground. We are assembling a joint task force between the DAU and FCDA to track him down.”
Knowing that monster is still out there somewhere leaves a sour taste in my mouth, but I doubt he will be reckless enough to go after me again. Not with his face plastered on news channels across the country.
“Like I said, leave the rest to us. Your only concern right now needs to be letting this new medicine work.” Donovan gives me a stern look, his sky blue eyes filled with concern and a hint of lingering fear.
“Alright,” I mumble, glancing away from him. When I can barely find the will to stay alive, it’s difficult to have someone so bothered by my declining health. It would be easier if no one cared.
“Get some more sleep. Your sister will be here first thing in the morning. If you think my scolding was rough,” he chuckles, “Just wait till you deal with an enraged pregnant woman.”
My groan makes him laugh. I’m so screwed when Hannah gets here. I promised her I wasn’t going anywhere, and yet she watched me try to welcome death on national TV. Her ire will be well deserved, I guess.
For the first time since I arrived, I am alone in my hospital room. Blowing out a sigh of relief, my shoulders relax. For a little while I don’t have to pretend. No one is here to see me fall apart.
With the help of the new medicine, my head doesn’t feel as foggy. It would be nice if my clear thoughts weren’t filled with memories of my would-be pack. It seems Doctor Russell’s suggestion is already helping to combat the side effects of my rejection. Too bad the drugs don’t seem to alleviate my mental distress.
I let my eyes slip closed, hoping sleep will drag me back to the dreamless state I’ve existed in for the past two days. Even with the room cast in shadows and the blinds drawn, my mind won’t rest. The past several weeks have been filled with fatigue that kept me bedridden most days, so it feels weird to have enough energy to stay awake for more than half an hour at a time.
The door to my room clicks open and soft footsteps enter, followed by the comforting scent of cherry and almond. Hannah’s arms cross over her chest as she stops at the foot ofmy bed. The glare she levels at me is strong enough to make plants wither. A mom glare she mastered when I was practically a toddler.
I have to bite my cheek to stop myself from smiling. The pain and anger swirling in her brown eyes isn’t amusing. It just feels so familiar to have her here, looking at me like that. It’s like we’re kids again, sneaking muddy shoes into the house so our parents don’t see.
“You are never allowed to make such careless, impulsive decisions ever again. The rejection may diminish your will to exist, but when it gets to the point you are willing to die, you call me.” Tears well in her eyes and spill down her cheeks in heavy streams. The sight of them feels like claws piercing my heart.
“I’m sorry, Hannah, I didn’t mean–”
“I know,” she sniffles. Standing straighter, she brushes the tears aside and rounds the bed to hold my hand.
Staring down at me, her expression is strained, matching the dark circles beneath her eyes. She’s clearly exhausted, though I imagine some of her fatigue is from the baby kicking around in her round stomach.
“This chemical rejection is kicking your ass, but you can beat it. You were strong enough to face our father and his vile scientist, so overcoming a chemical imbalance should be a breeze. Especially when you aren’t doing it alone.”
Squeezing her hand, I soak in her presence and tell her about the partial bondmark. Her anger returns, but I can tell it isn’t directed at me this time. If I’m not careful she may enlist Shepherd and Foster to visit my Fate matched mates for an old-fashioned ass-whooping.
“Where’s Kaitlin?” I ask, finally noticing my niece isn’t glued to her hip. The two of them have been inseparable since they left New Hampshire, so it’s surprising for the little ray of sunshine to be absent.
“She’s with Foster. The nurses were cooing over her and offering her treats so she wanted to stay with them.” A brittle longing enters her eyes as she stares at the door. She quickly shudders the look away and turns her attention back to me. “How are you feeling today?”
“Better, I guess.” I shrug. It isn’t technically a lie. I do feel better than yesterday, though there hasn’t been much improvement in the long run. I don’t point out my poor health to her though. She doesn’t need the added stress.
