Page 63 of Blinded
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
BAYNE
I paced the back of the medical room, trying to ease the tension in my shoulders as I waited for Dr. Gordon to finish the surgery. I watched as he slowly worked on one eye and then the other. I had no clue what he was doing and couldn't imagine the work that went into doing what he did, but I was grateful for his willingness to help us.
Brett was awake, but had remained silent the entire time, only speaking when Dr. Gordon asked him questions. I kept sending waves of love through our link, and as long as I got the same back, I was confident that he was okay.
No matter how I tried, I worried that he wouldn't be able to shift. If this didn't give him a reason to shift, what would? What would draw his wolf out and force him to pull out of the depression or whatever the fuck it was that had him hiding away? I almost felt as if I was a failure because my mate's wolf didn't want to be with me. Was it something about me? Did he not like his mate? Was it even possible not to like your mate?
"Okay, almost done." Dr. Gordon continued to focus on what he was doing.
I stayed back, not wanting to see the surgery. I could stomach a lot of things, but watching my mate be operated on had my wolf tense and angry. I had to hold him back to keep him from stopping the doctor from touching him. Even if it was necessary, my wolf didn't like anyone touching our mate.
"Okay, here is what is going to happen. I'm going to bandage your eyes in case you can't shift, but my hope is, once you sit up and are stable enough, you will shift. I don't want to rush this. I want you to sit up when I tell you, take a few minutes to get you oriented to being up. Then you can try to shift," Cohen told Brett.
A knock on the door had me turning.
The door opened a few inches. "Can I come in?" Kurt asked.
"Yeah, we're almost done," Dr. Gordon said.
"How are you holding up, Brett?" Kurt asked as he came to stand beside me.
"Okay." He sounded tired.
I met Kurt's gaze, and was sure he felt the worry and stress rolling off me. He gripped my shoulder, giving me support, but there was nothing he could do. Until Brett was back in my arms, I wouldn't calm.
"That should do it." Dr. Gordon raised up, rolling his shoulders. "Any pain, Brett?"
"None. I can't feel my face," Brett said.
I watched as Cohen and the doctor worked to finish up, wrapping a bandage around Brett's head, then slowly helping him sit up.
I blew out a relieved breath, seeing Brett up. My wolf still paced in my mind, but he was a bit calmer. We just wanted our mate with us.
"Now don't put any pressure on your eyes, don't move them a lot if you can help it," Dr. Gordon told him.
"Drink?" Cohen offered Brett.
"Yeah, please." Brett licked his lips.
Cohen handed him a bottle of water. "Take it slow."
Brett sipped the water while Cohen disconnected the IV and other things he'd connected to Brett's body during the surgery.
"I love you." I wanted to go to him, but had promised Cohen I'd stay away until he gave me permission to get closer.
Brett lifted his head and turned it toward me. "I love you too. I'm okay. Tell your wolf to calm down." He grinned.
I laughed. "I have been. He'll be better when you're in my arms."
"Do you feel like you can shift?" Cohen asked.
Brett shook his head. "No, nothing is different. My wolf is just there, but not active."
I bit my lip, trying to think of what to do. Shifting was going to make this so much easier. There had to be a way to do it.
"Cohen, can Brett get down on the floor now?" Kurt asked.
