Page 59 of Alpha's Choice
CHAPTER30
Tobias
A steady beeping sounded near my head. I tried to turn it off to go back to the oblivion of sleep, but something blocked me, and the scent of baked apples drifted to my nose. Emma.
I pulled her into my arms, intent on enjoying my dream for as long as it lasted. I knew when I woke up, I would be alone again. The sparks felt so real I could almost convince myself she was actually there.
If only that damn beeping would stop. I growled and tightened my grip on dream Emma, wanting to enjoy the moment before I woke.
“Tobias?”
My dream had recreated her voice to perfection. I loved when she said my name.
“Tobias. Are you awake?”
I rolled her beneath me, and a sharp pain exploded in my side. I cursed, and my eyes flew open. Emma was there, worry in her gaze.
“Are you okay? Did you hurt your side?” She slid out from under me while I tried to catch my breath. Her fingertips grazed against me. “You’re bleeding. Let me get the doctor.”
She moved to leave, and my hand flew out to stop her. The words came out unbidden. “Don’t go.”
“I’ll be back.” Emma rested her hand on my shoulder. “I promise.”
I watched her walk away. Why was she here? She rejected me and was going to leave the pack.
I grimaced in pain as I shifted. I looked down and saw blood soaking a bandage on my side. Obviously, she felt bad about my injury. But I didn’t want her pity.
I resolved to send her away when she came back. My wolf protested. He wanted to keep our mate close. But she wasn’t our mate anymore.
Dr. Williams came in, Emma trailing behind him. “Alpha. Glad to see you’re awake.”
He pulled the bandage away from my skin. I looked down and saw a stitched-up bite wound seeping blood. “Why hasn’t it healed?”
“We think there was something in the creature’s bite that affected your ability to heal. You’re lucky to be alive, considering the amount of blood you lost before they got you here.”
I caught a glimpse of Emma’s face as it paled at the doctor’s words. “Will my healing go back to normal?”
“We believe so.” Dr. Williams pulled out the supplies to re-bandage the wound. “We’ve tested your blood every hour since you arrived, and your healing rate keeps increasing. It’s being helped by the blood transfusions we’ve given you from your father.”
“We’ll need to get the results to Sebastian Grove from the Council.”
“I’m compiling the reports for him. Beta Matthew said he’s already on his way here.” Dr. Williams gave me a direct look. “You need to remain until the wound has healed.”
I brushed him off as I moved to sit up. “I’ll be fine.”
“Right now, you’re healing like a human.” Dr. Williams stood and stared me down, my wolf bristling at the challenge. “I’ll be back soon to start another blood transfusion.”
The doctor squeezed Emma’s shoulder as he left. She approached me, her nervousness coming off her in waves. “Tobias, I-”
“You can leave.” My words came out sharper than I intended, but I knew if I tried to soften them, I’d end up begging her to stay. Forever.
I had thought to fight for her, but that wasn’t fair. She had made her choice.
She looked stricken, and I wanted nothing more than to soothe her, but she wasn’t mine anymore. She was a bandage I needed to rip off. “I thought you were leaving the pack. Why are you still here?”
* * *
Emma
