Savage Awakening (Alpha Pack #2)(61)

Taking the pitcher, she found Noah leaning over a counter looking at a chart. "Good news-Micah's awake."

He turned with a bright smile. "That's great! I'll get him some water and then let the doctors know. Give me a minute."

"Thanks."

She went back to her brother's room to wait. Neither of them spoke until Noah walked in carrying the pitcher.

"Here you go," he said cheerfully. "Micah, it's good to see you awake! We've all been worried, but you're on the road to recovery. You're going to be fine. Don't worry."

"Thanks," he said hoarsely, trying to return a small smile. But the skin on his cheek pulled again, making the effort lopsided. "How are you, kid?"

"I'm good. Just small sips, okay?"

The nurse poured a half cup of water and placed a straw in it, then held it out while Rowan helped her brother sit up. He took more than he was told, faster than he should, and Noah removed the straw, placing the cup on the counter.

"Don't guzzle it or you'll get sick," the nurse warned.

Nodding, Micah reached up to wipe his mouth. His fingers grazed the left corner where the puckered skin began, and Rowan held her breath. Frowning, he let the pads of his fingers explore his cheek, over the rough terrain to the bridge of his nose. Then down where it curved under his jaw. She and Noah shot each other a worried look.

"What the hell is wrong with my face?" he asked, panic creeping into his voice, eyes wide. "What is this?"

Rowan cleared her throat. "You were injured. There's a scar, but it doesn't look too bad."

"I want a mirror."

"I think we should wait-"

"There's no we. It's my face and I want a damned mirror!"

Rowan gave Noah a desperate look, and he stammered, "I-I'll get one. And I'll see what's keeping Dr. Grant and Dr. Mallory."

Hurry. Her brother was becoming more agitated, hands fisting in the sheets, glancing around the room, eyes a little wild. She couldn't handle a repeat of when he'd leapt off the bed and attempted to tear out her throat. He didn't even remember doing it, which was scary.

"Micah, calm down. Please. You don't want the doctors to be forced to give you a sedative again, do you?"

"I don't want to sleep. I just want to know what's wrong with me."

But he kept picking at the sheets, at the tape on his hand holding the IV in place. Feeling his scar. After what seemed an eternity, but was probably only a couple of minutes, Mac and Melina walked in, trailed by Noah. All were wearing neutral expressions. Mac was carrying a handheld mirror, the large round type one might find in a beauty shop-or a hospital, when a patient wants to look at an injury.

Mac moved to her brother's bedside and gave him a broad, genuine smile. "It's so good to see you awake. Do you know who I am?"

Rowan knew she was testing how "awake" and "present" he really was, checking for areas of concern.

"Of course I do." He tried again to smile, but couldn't quite manage it. "How are you, Mac? Pretty as ever, I see."

She laughed. "Always the charmer. How long have you been awake?"

He looked to Rowan uncertainly, so she answered. "No more than ten minutes."

"Ah." Mac gestured to Melina. "Well, before we do anything else, Dr. Mallory and Noah are going to check your vitals, make sure you're still physically doing well. Then we'll get to the other stuff, all right?"

"Sure."

"Micah, it's good to see you back in the land of the living," Melina said kindly.

"Thanks. Hey, you cut off your long hair."

Melina's smile was strained. "I did. It just got in the way, so I went into town one day and had it whacked off."

"When we find Terry, he'll want you to grow it back," Micah said softly. "He loves it long."

Everyone fell silent for a moment. Rowan knew he was just trying to offer hope in his own way, and apparently from her expression Melina did, too.

"I know. Thank you." She got down to business. "Okay, just relax."

Rowan moved into a corner by the window, out of the way, and watched. Noah took Micah's blood pressure as Melina shone a light into his eyes, checking the dilation of his pupils. Then she had him squeeze her fingers and checked some other reflexes.

"What's your full name and birth date?"

"Micah Lee Chase. October 4, 1979."

They went through some other simple questions, like when he'd joined Alpha Pack, what his job entailed, who was president of the United States. He answered them all with no more than the normal thoughtful pause in between, passing with flying colors. Until Melina addressed the most recent events.

"Micah, do you remember your rescue, or anything since you were brought here?"

"I... No, it's all a blank." His brows furrowed. "Was I ever awake? I must've been, or why would you ask?"

"You awoke several times, but you weren't yourself." Melina paused, but obviously decided not to mince words. "The first time, you shifted into your wolf form, leapt out of the bed and attacked your sister."

"What?" He glanced at Rowan, and the rest of them, stunned. "I would never hurt Ro!"