Chapter 7

CHAPTER SEVEN

CAITRONIA

We get him to the clinic fairly fast, and someone must have called ahead. We come up to the door and there is a lady with a gurney waiting. Someone picks up the unconscious naked guy and I squeal when I am also picked up.

The other guy I think I heard someone call Harris whispers in my ear, “I got you, doc. No one will touch you but me and Marko, mate.”

He sits me on the gurney with…I guess his name is Marko and we are wheeled into a small OR. Once inside, the lady introduces herself as she snaps on surgical gloves and a mask. “I’m Jackie, and I was Doc Reid’s nurse. Here, let me hold pressure. Scrub up in the door to your right. I already have what you need here.” She points to a surgical tray.

When she has pressure applied, I flex my hand and thank her. Then I head to scrub up. Once done, I return to the OR. “Alright Jackie, let’s see how bad this is. I’m Dr. Caitronia, but I’m sure you know that.” I start the IV she has hanging there and step up beside her. “Your hand okay? I need to let the IV go for a minute before you release it, if possible.”

She looks up at me and smiles. “Shifter here, ma’am. No worries, you just say when. I have helped in the OR many times. You just tell me what you need me to do and I’m sure we will be a fine oil machine by the next time..”

Next time? I think to myself. I glance over tools and rearrange them to my liking. She watches everything. Glancing at the clock, I let out a slow breath. “On GO release him and be ready with two clamps. Then squeeze that IV and rush it in. I will cut his leg to find the artery then you hand me a clamp when I hold out my hand. Then another right after.”

“Yes, ma’am.” With that, we begin.

Two hours later, she cleans up while I monitor him. Then she comes back in with fresh scrubs on. “Your turn doc. Scrubs are behind the sink. There's a shower on that side of the room, too. I’ll take him to a room right across the hall. Do you want to give the pack and everyone waiting an update, or do you want me to?”

“I will and what do you mean by everyone?” I look up from this gorgeous unconscious man to her. She smiles brightly.

“By now, the whole towns probably out there. News travels fast.” She is still smiling and I’m sure I am turning green. “Hey Doc, no worries. You just saved one of the town's best enforcers and one asshole who objected to you coming.” She pats my back and wheels the patient out.

Whole town? He objected to me coming? I’m in a daze as I head to the shower. Once clean, I step out to a very pissed off Charlie holding a towel.

She raises an eyebrow at me with one hand on her hip. “Ran out of gas? Showing up four days early? Saving that jackass, who is one of your mates? AND you didn’t think to call me?”

I sigh as I take the towel. “Long story short, since I hear the whole town is outside. I had someone steal my wallet on the way. Thought my emergency stash would be enough. I knew you were busy with… stuff and wanted to surprise you. I have no clue about the mate thing, human, remember? Which after I fill in the town you WILL explain to me this mate and objection stuff. Are we clear?”

She bursts out laughing. “Goddess, I’ve missed you.” She hugs me tight, unfazed by my nudity. “I was worried how the town would react to you. I shouldn’t have been. You just made a splash entrance. Here, get dressed and I’ll go with you,” she says, handing me clean blue scrubs. “But we are gonna talk about all this, too.” She turns and waits at the door for me to dress and throw my hair into a messy ponytail.

“Okay, let’s do this,” I say with all the confidence I can muster. Which, to be honest, isn't much. I’m exhausted from the trip and surgery.