Page 11 of Knot Their Soldier: Part One
Halley
My sensitive eyes sting from the bright fluorescent lights and an antiseptic smell burns my nostrils.
Distant moans of pain makes my skin crawl with unease. My instincts scream at me to provide comfort to the suffering.
The hospital really is theworstfor an Omega.
“Here we go,” Everlyn says, stopping in front of a set of white double doors with big red letters spelling ‘Restricted Access Only.’
“Thanks for walking with me, Halley. You’re a good friend.” Tears choke her voice.
She gives me another hug and a wane smile before pushing open the door and disappearing to the other side.
I try to walk away. I really do. I get three paces away from the door before spinning on my heels.
Logic falls to the wayside as my heart wins the battle against my brain. I march right past the ‘No Omegas past this point’ sign with the Omega symbol and a big red cross through it.
Biting the inside of my cheek, I hold on tight to my bravado. Being here for my friend is the right thing to do, but there are warning bells blaring in my head.
A few Beta nurses look up from the central nurses’ station, and while they stare, they don’t stop me.
It’s not like I can hide what I am.
Omegas are hard to mistake for a Beta.
We’re short, with voluptuous curves and striking features with vibrant and rare eye colors.
When no alarm rings or voices call after me, I scurry after Everlyn as she disappears into a room with blue curtains pulled closed for privacy.
I slip between the curtains.
Everlyn is at Jason’s side, her hand clutching his tightly.
He’s shirtless, and bandages cover his chest with pink stains where blood has seeped through.
“Halley!” Everlyn gasps.
I can smell an infection spreading in his bloodstream. It’s a sickly and tainted scent that makes me sway on the spot.
My stomach clenches and I fight not to dry heave.
Jason’s breaths are slow and labored with pain.
I blink rapidly, trying to clear my stinging, tear-filled eyes. I can’t reconcile the pale, vulnerable body on the bed with the vibrant Beta I know.
“You shouldn’t be here. It’s dangerous,” Everlyn whispers, her hand clutching Jason’s as he shivers through silent bouts of pain.
“I know, but…” I bite my lip and take a step closer. “I have to help. It’s Jason.”
With a trembling hand, I settle it on Jason’s pale arm.
I’m driven by an ancient, insistent instinct to comfort and heal.
I feel the tickle in my throat first, and then a vibration in my chest.
A soft, quaking purr fills the small room, harmonizing with the beeping of the heart rate monitor. The sound rumbling from me warbles, distorted by my trembling.
Everlyn watches me with hooded, glazed over eyes. Her pinched expression relaxes as her shivering form slumps forward into the side of the bed. Her head is resting against her mate’s side, and her eyes are fluttering closed with a blissful sigh.
