7. Blake

7

Blake

Luther keeps holding me back, a firm hand on my shoulder keeping me in place despite my urgent requests for us to move faster. He knows I need Luca, that Luca's pain is my pain or maybe he just found that out a few moments ago when Grayson explained it. Luther looks overwhelmed by my tears but I can't explain the connection and why it's so fucking strong. I feel like I'm being torn apart when all I want is to curl up in my nest with my mates.

All of them.

A nurse clears her throat as we approach the front desk, my eyes everywhere but on the lady. "Who is Alpha Blake?"

I'm about to answer when Luther does. "I am. I received a call about my Omega." My mind swims at the fantasies of Luther calling Luca his Omega, our Omega but I shove that down, nearly jumping out of my skin. Luca's pain has lessened but his longing is still there, clawing its way out of my chest. If I don't see him soon, I'm going to start crying bloody murder.

The nurse looks at us suspiciously before heading toward the hall to the right. "Luca has sustained several bruises, his bite is infected, and he's been in and out of consciousness for a while. He's sedated now and the fluids should return some of the color to his face." She places a hand on a doorknob before turning to face Luther. "I have to ask, though. Protocol as it is. Where did your Omega sustain all of these injuries? I've had to call the authorities."

Luther's jaw ticks before an unreadable expression settles on his face. "I will have to ask his other Alpha about these injuries since I was not present."

The nurse is about to ask another question when someone I recognize steps in, shooing her away. My personal doctor works at the same hospital, Quentin, a Beta and good friend of Luther's. He waits until the nurse is seated back at the reception before turning to us. "Blake, get your friend to delete your number. If the wrong person finds out you're posing as an Alpha, it won't be good for anyone. Luther, Grayson, always a pleasure. I'm sorry about the circumstances. Luca's injuries are severe but that's not what I'm worried about. It's the ones that have healed or are healing. Whatever this is, is long-term. Something that's been happening for years."

A cry tears from my throat as I reach for the door, hoping that Quentin will let me in.

"Be gentle with him, Blake. He's suffered a lot and he needs a gentle touch. I can sense how much you care for him but your emotions might be too much for him."

Luther pulls me back against his chest, waiting until I match his breathing before letting go. Only then does Quentin open the door. I walk through, holding back a gasp at the machines Luca is hooked up to, my beautiful cupcake lifeless on the small mattress. Bruises litter his arms and legs from what I can see, a few cuts and scrapes visible beside bandages covering everywhere else. His neck is completely wrapped as I lean over my Omega, stroking his cheek to bring him back to me.

Luca doesn't budge, tears falling down my cheeks again. "Why didn't you tell me?" I whisper. I bury my face in his shoulder, crying for my first love and pained that someone hurt him so much that I nearly lost him.

Quentin stands at the edge of the room discussing Luca's injuries and while I'm not completely listening, I hear things like blood loss, nausea, weakened state, and traumatic response. It doesn't matter, though. Luca is here and in my arms.

"Blake, you can't—baby-"

I ignore Grayson, even pulling away when he tries to reach for me as I climb into Luca's bed, careful not to jostle him. My Omega whines beneath his oxygen mask before settling against me. His scent sweetens and wraps around me as I take his hand in mine, curling my fingers around his. It feels so good to hold him just like I used to, maybe even more so now.

"You're safe, cupcake," I whisper in his ear. He shifts again, his lids fluttering open for a moment and connecting with mine. For the first time in a while, I see hope in those eyes. Then he falls asleep again and I tuck myself around him, refusing to let go.

Luther and Grayson can handle everything else.