Page 37 of Alpha's Embrace
“What are you doing?” I asked.
He looked wide-eyed for a moment. “Protocol. And doctor’s orders, sir. Whenever a patient attacks a member of staff, they are to be treated as dangerous and subdued according to safety regulations. Even in ICU.”
Prim nodded, validating the nurse’s words.
“He’s the least violent patient in the ward,” I said. “In the entire colony. It was Misha who was attacked!”
“Until the reports are filed and a proper investigation is conducted, those are the rules,” Prim said.
“But it’s Tory who should be strapped down. Locked away, in fact!”
“You can, of course, lead the investigation and make your reports as to your findings and recommendations in the appropriate manner,” Prim added.
As the nurse fastened the soft restraint about Misha’s wrist, I never let go of his hand. Prim ordered a wrist-splint on his other arm. “It’s only a sprain,” he assured me. But the bruising on his fine, smooth skin was like a thundercloud.
After the nurse fastened the wrist-guard, he loosely secured the second restraint. He then moved down to Misha’s ankles, lifting the sheet and securing them as well.
It infuriated me. I had to force my breathing to remain steady.
For the next hour, I refused to leave Misha’s side. I used my cell to relay orders to my staff as I began to organize my investigation.
All the while, I continued to stroke Misha’s arm. I talked to him, telling him he was all right, that he was safe. Over and over again, much to the surprise of the nurses, I spoke to him softly. I kept my vigil.
At the end of the second hour into this terrible drama, I heard low moans coming from outside Misha’s cubicle. Then a few shouts. I recognized the voice.
Tory was waking up.
I hated to leave Misha. But I wanted to confront Tory. I wasn’t sure I’d be able to control myself. I wasn’t sure I wanted to.
I looked up at the nurse who was continually monitoring his readouts. “Come get me if there is any change. I’ll be in the next room.”
“Yes, sir.”
When I came around to the doorway of Tory’s cubicle I saw he was, like Misha, restrained.
The Alpha who had been my wary assistant tugged angrily at the cuffs on his wrists. His dark hair was slicked back from his head, and his face was flushed. In a hoarse voice, he yelled, “Let me loose! You can’t do this! I have rights!”
His shirt had been cut off and his bare chest rose and fell with his breaths. A white bandage sealed over his wound, extending from his inner shoulder toward his neck. It wasn’t large, but there were still light traces of blood on his skin around the bandaged area.
Tory tossed his head back and forth on the pillow, his mouth a grimace. He actually growled.
Without bothering to try to talk to him, I went to Doctor Prim’s office.
Prim looked up as he entered.
“What is wrong with Tory? Why is he behaving like this?”
“I’ve ordered another sedation and am currently running blood tests.”
“Well, I certainly can’t interview him in his current state. Have you contacted his Omega?”
“I can’t get hold of him. Tory’s files say he is bonded to a man named Lix. There’s a cell number. I’ve tried it several times. No answer.”
“Do you know if anyone around here knows Tory? Or is friends with him? Or socializes with him outside of work?”
The doctor shook his head.
“How was he injured?”
