赤裸裸的滑稽故事

There was a familiar buzz and then a voice.

“Caleb?” Galen called out through the neural link.

“Galen?” Caleb answered. “How am I able to use the link? I can’t move my hand.”

“I had Raj tweak the settings and activate it from here,” Galen replied with a smile in his voice.

“You hacked my brain?” Caleb asked.

“I… would not phrase it… like that….” Galen replied uncomfortably.

Caleb laughed.

“It’s good to hear your voice, brother.”

“You too,” Galen replied. “It wasn’t easy, leaving you there. For me or the others.”

“I know,” Caleb answered. “You did the right thing.”

“If you hadn’t woken up…” Galen began.

“But, I did.”

They were quiet.

“How are things at home?” Caleb asked.

“The hospital is already setting up the operating room and all the supplies needed for your operation.”

“Good,” Caleb replied, satisfied that Galen had already predicted the course of treatment that Caleb would want. “How’s everything else?”_.

“You need to come home,” Galen said plainly. “It’s borderline chaos.”

“What?”

“I tried to keep it under control, but some of the wolves that went to Winter gave their own opinion about the events. So now Summer is divided by those that think we should storm Winter and bring you home and those who believe we should wait.”

Caleb took a deep breath.

“Aren’t you communicating with the medical team that is still here? Didn’t they tell you that I need to wait another two days?”

“Yes, but they also agreed that you would be safe to transport if we send one of the medic field trucks and stabilize you for the journey.

Caleb sighed.

The truth was, he wanted to be at home. He was concerned about his people, and he knew the best treatment options would be there. But Ashleigh was here.

“Did Bell tell you?” Caleb asked, “About Granger?”

Galen was quiet for a moment.

“Yes,” he replied. “We’re looking.”

Caleb nodded.

“How can I leave her here when he is still free?”

“Isn’t she the one that saved you?” Galen asked.

Caleb laughed, “True.”

“I understand your concern,” Galen said. “But I don’t think even he is stupid enough to risk it right now. He’s been exposed. Alpha Wyatt may have made some questionable decisions. Still, now that he knows about Granger, he won’t allow him anywhere near his daughter.”

Caleb nodded; he knew it too.

He sighed.

“Fine,” Caleb said. “Send the truck.”

***

Ashleigh looked at the results of her scan carefully. The doctor had said they would have more answers as time went by, but it was all she could think about now.

“I’m sorry, Alpha Wyatt, I cannot do that.”

Ashleigh stopped in her tracks at the sound of Peter’s voice around the corner.

“You can, and you will,” Wyatt answered back.

Peter let out an audible sigh.

Ashleigh glanced around the corner; the two men were standing a distance away from her in a small lobby situated between different hospital areas.

“No,” Peter said firmly, “I cannot.”

“I am your Alpha, Peter.”

“Yes, you are,” Peter answered, swallowing down his natural fear. “I respect you, and I follow your orders.”

“Then there is no problem.”

“There is.”

Wyatt growled.

“I’m sorry, but it will put his life in danger if I do this. So I can’t do that.”

Ashleigh felt the change in Wyatt’s presence. He was trying to force Peter to do what he wanted. She clenched her jaw and walked around the corner. Peter stood facing Wyatt, his head was lowered, and she could see he was shaking. Fighting so hard against Wyatt’s intimidation.

“I.. won’t.” Peter struggled to speak. “…risk a patient’s health….”

Ashleigh let out a low rumbling growl as she could guess which patient Wyatt was willing to put at risk. She stepped towards her father when another presence slammed against her will, almost forcing her back.

“Wyatt!” the deep angry voice came from another hallway.

Ashleigh lifted her head to see none other than her mother, her deep green eyes aglow, stepping out of the hallway. Quickly Ashleigh moved behind one of the chairs closest to her.

The competing pressure from both of her parents was suffocating. Their auras were strong, and both pushing down against her will was almost unbearable.

Corrine walked straight up to Wyatt and slapped him hard across the face. The pressure in the room was released with that action.

She looked back at Peter.

“Go, attend to your patients.”

Peter gave her a respectful bow and left without a fuss.

Ashleigh stayed low and watched her parents.

“Corrine, you–”

Wyatt was interrupted when once again, Corrine slapped him across the face.

“Our son is in a hospital bed, unable to speak and waiting at the edge of death,” Corrine growled. “Our daughter almost died twice.”

“Corrine–”

“I am not finished!” she shouted; her eyes were even brighter.

“Both of our children have been put at risk by one wolf,” Corrine growled. “Granger.”

Ashleigh’s breathing was labored. She could still feel her mother’s presence at the edge of her senses. It was electric. It was frightening.

“Where is he?!” she snarled.

Wyatt let out a breath.

“We have not found him yet.”

Corrine let out an angry roar and slapped Wyatt again.

“Do you know how many died two nights ago?” Corrine snarled.

Wyatt sighed and looked away.

“Fifty-seven,” Corrine stated. “Fifty-seven wolves of Winter died in those attacks. Do you know how many of them died after Caleb and his wolves arrived?”

Wyatt stayed silent.

“Three,” Corrine said.

“Corrine,” Wyatt began.

“When the battle was over, and Caleb wandered the field of dead and injured. When he was shot in the back! Do you know why he was walking the field?” Corrine asked.

Wyatt looked away again.

“Answer me!” she roared.

“He was searching for Ashleigh,” Wyatt replied quietly.

“He was searching for our daughter, last seen being dragged away by a monster. Caleb was shot in the back with a poisoned arrow by Granger as he searched for our daughter.”

Corrine stared at her husband, filled with disappointment and anger she would never have expected to feel.

“You sit here and focus your attention on Caleb, whose only crime is loving Ashleigh! While the one that tried to take her by force is still running free!” Corrine screamed. Slapping him one last time.

“We will find him, Corrine! I swear it!” Wyatt shouted, grabbing her shoulders.

“You and your damn oaths!” Corrine roared. “Haven’t they cost us enough?!”

“Corrine,” Wyatt’s tone was a warning.

“Do you think she appreciates what you had to do to keep her safe? What you continue to do? Does she even know?” Corrine’s voice was breaking. Small sobs found their way into her words.

“I consider her one of my own… they are all suffering, Wyatt, all of our children.”

Her anger was fading, letting out the grief in her heart. Finally, Corrine let out a shaky breath and collapsed.

Wyatt caught her and held her in his arms. Tears fell from his eyes as he kissed her head, whispering his apologies.

Ashleigh stayed as quiet as she could, covering her mouth and slowly making her way back around the corner. However, she jumped when she turned and found herself face to face with Bell.

“You scared me!” Ashleigh chided, and then noticing the tears in her eyes, she asked. “Are you ok?”

“I’m sorry…” Bell whispered before turning and running away.