Page 47 of Frenzy
Courtland leaned forward, kissing me softly. “Tell Doc to call me if he needs anything, but assume that if it helps Bonnie, the answer is always yes. Do not wait for my permission.”
They each kissed Bonnie, Pryce lingering like he couldn't make himself move away, until Courtland bundled him under his arm and led him out. I pulled a chair up to the side of the bed and prayed to a Goddess, begging her not to be this cruel.
27
Courtland
Three days later, Bonnie still hadn’t woken and we were all on edge. Tired, anxious and it was beginning to wear on us all. Radic was taking it the hardest, which was understandable. For him, Bonnie had been a constant by his side for his entire life. The uncertainty of her situation was driving him slowly crazy, and there was nothing I could do or say to help.
That was it in a nutshell, really. No one had told me that when I formed a Pack, this helplessness would become a part of me. I felt out of control, and I hated it.
I sat across from the Legion Generals as we discussed the minutiae of running the town on a day-to-day basis. Most of the stuff I just signed off on, but I didn’t want them to get complacent, thinking that I wasn’t watching. It wasn’t too late for a challenge to be thrown down, especially if I was distracted by Bonnie’s condition.
“Alpha General, if you need to be with your Pack at this time, we would understand.” If this had come from anyone else but Joshua, I would suspect that he was trying to get rid of me. But he was one of the few Alpha Generals I liked, and he seemed to have the welfare of his people at heart. I couldn’t say that for all of the Generals.
“Absolutely, you should be at home taking care of your Omega and your Pack,” Eldridge added, his face imploring but fake. I ground my teeth but kept my face blank. The majority of these men didn’t give a shit about Bonnie.
I gave Eldridge a tight smile. “Thank you, but there is not much any of us can do right now, and being busy helps.”
Joshua nodded, and his face was creased in understanding. I remember Radic telling me his wife had died in childbirth, one of the few ways a Manix could die naturally. The thought of losing Bonnie so soon made my heart restrict in my chest. But I couldn't show any weakness in front of these men. Instead, I put on a mask and went about my day.
By close of business though, my soul felt bruised. I stopped in at the infirmary on the way home, which was actually just a few small rooms at the back of Doc’s house. It held medical equipment and a bed, but otherwise it looked like a normal bedroom. Drawers and a mirror, lace curtains. Art on the walls. There was nothing sterile about the place.
Pryce lay with his head on her stomach, his eyes closed as he dozed. He had her hand wrapped in his, like he needed to be as connected with her as possible without actually climbing in beside her. I leaned beside the door for a little bit, just watching them both. Pryce was taking her sickness hard as well, and I knew it was PTSD. He’d seen too many people die.
I scented Doc coming up beside me. “His presence seems to balance her out a bit. Not that I’d suggest he becomes a medicinal treatment; the Omega needs his rest too. But her body responds to his presence more than anyone else's. Even yours, Alpha.”
Some things in our biology were strange, but the connection between a Beta and her Omega was not one of them. Even unconscious, their souls reached toward each other.
“Any news?” I asked softly so I didn't wake Pryce. Doc was right—he needed the rest.
“Alistair should be here tomorrow. He’s bringing his adopted daughter. She’s human, but I’ve heard of her. She’s quite the prodigy.”
I frowned slightly at the idea of a human in the world of supernaturals, though I wasn’t biased like some of the older shifters I’d met. I didn’t believe humans were a plague, or sheep—or worse, food. They had such a short amount of time in which to make a mark. Sometimes they did this through doing amazing things. And sometimes they did it by being the evilest beings to walk the earth. Sometimes they just lived basic lives, doing what all living creatures were put on the earth to do. Survive and procreate. There was nothing wrong with that. Most lived in blissful ignorance of the supernatural world’s existence, and it was better that way.
“Anything they need, I’ll cover it.” I had the money, but what good was money if I couldn't use it to keep my Pack healthy and happy?
Doc snorted. “Anything she needed, I’d just go over your head anyway. No offense, Alpha.”
I almost smiled. I liked Bonnie’s adopted dad. A lot. “I asked her to join my Pack. Right before she collapsed. She accepted.”
Doc’s head whipped toward me, and I guessed Radic hadn’t said anything to the man. He stared at me long and hard, before finally nodding. “It was always going to have to be a strong Alpha who mated my daughter. She isn’t one to pander to power, and still, too many Alphas believe that because of their designation, they are gods. Radic as well?” He said it like they were a package deal, which I guess they kind of were, and I nodded. “Good. That boy has had so many offers from Alphas, but none of them wanted Bonnie too. She is respected around town, but always seen as somewhat defective.” A low growl ran through his tone, and I found my own echoing it. She was perfection; it was this town that was defective.
We were silent, both gazing at the pale figure of Bonnie in the bed, and fear tried to claw its way up my spine. I pushed it down, straightening my shoulders. “I will take Pryce home, and either Dominic or I will be back down to sit with her.”
Doc shook his head. “You should rest too. Bonnie will be fine for a night. I’m here if anything goes wrong.”
“If she wakes, I want someone to be with her, whether it is tonight or in a month or in a year. She won’t be alone.”
Doc didn’t argue anymore, just nodded. “Okay, Alpha.” He gave a sad smile. “Yes, my Bonnie did choose the right one.”
I couldn’t even feel happy at his approval, not while Bonnie still slumbered. I walked over and stroked Pryce’s face, waking him gently. “Come, Omega. I will take you home.”
He blinked groggily, his eyes going straight to Bonnie, and I could see the moment he realised she was still in her unnatural sleep. The hope slowly drained from his face and sadness took its place. “I don’t think I can leave her, Court,” he whispered, and my heart ached at the pain in his voice.
“You need to rest too. You can come back tomorrow. Dominic or I will be down to sit with her, I promise.”
Pryce swallowed hard, but he stood, stretching out his cramped muscles. He leaned forward and kissed her softly on the lips, and then stilled. His whole body shuddered as he straightened. “Bonnie made me watch these old kids cartoon where the prince wakes the princess with a kiss. Guess I’m not a prince.”
