“Felix’s spine was injured during the second stabbing. We had to perform surgery on his lumbar spine.”
“What does that mean for now?” Elden wants to know.
“He almost got paralyzed,” the doctor says. “Fortunately, he is a werewolf. The boy is approaching seventeen, so his wolf will wake up fully and help heal him. However, I would like to suggest mobilizing him already. It means a lengthy rehab, and he will need to learn certain things from step one again, like moving his legs, sitting… let alone walking.”
Liam sighs. “So, it’s that bad?”
“Unfortunately, yes,” the doctor says. “He is young and agile, though, so I have faith the remobilization will be successful. It will take time and patience, though.”
Elden nods. “We will certainly try it. Felix is a very active kid, and I don’t want him to be forced to bed for months and wait for his wolf to wake up. I think he would rather want to work on walking again, although it might be painful, instead of waiting for his wolf to heal him.”
“It will give him a goal too,” Liam says.
“He wanted to go surfing next weekend,” Charlie says quietly. “He told me about it. He also knew how to move down the waterfall without getting hurt.”
Elden’s eyes cloud over in sadness and regret. “Yes,” he says. “I know.”
“Don’t underestimate him,” Liam tells him. “He is a little fighter. He will not just give up.”
“You are right,” Elden says. “But we’ll need to set him and Dario up with a therapist.”
“I wanted to suggest that too,” the doctor says, glancing at Charlie. “For all kids involved.”
Charlie doesn’t look too excited but doesn’t argue either.
“Mom talked to me earlier,” Liam says to Elden. “Aurelia called her and said she would return ASAP. Also, it seems her mate is coming with her. She says they are ready to help with the pack, so you can focus on the boys.”
Elden nods. “That’s good. I can hand her over more tasks and—” He pauses. “Wait, what? Her mate is ready to join her? They’ve progressed that far already!?”
“Yes, didn’t you know?”
“No, I did not know!” Elden says with emphasis.
“Oh, I must have forgotten to mention it,” Liam says. If I didn’t know him, I would have one hundred percent believed him to be sincere. But there is just the hint of a smirk around his lips.
Elden must have noticed it because his brow furrows. “You boys… impertinent brats,” he mutters.
Charlie giggles. Having her alpha be called a brat must be hilarious to her.
“She wanted to tell you personally,” Liam says with his poker face.
“Oh, I bet,” Elden groans. Liam’s strategy worked, though, because Elden is a bit more relaxed and less gloomy now.
“Is Dario doing well?” I ask them.
“He is alright,” Elden explains. “He has a broken arm, a concussion, and quite some bruises. And some weird superficial stab wounds. He can’t remember where he got them from.”
“Do you think he’s lying?” Liam wants to know. “And he just doesn’t want to tell us.”
“I think it’s a possibility, but I don’t want to force him to tell us.”
“He is currently asleep,” the doctor tells us. “I just checked on him.”
“I would like to check on him too,” Elden says.
The doctor nods, leading us through the corridor and towards a room. “Dario…” The doctor opens the door. “He is—”
“Not here,” Liam finishes the sentence.