With Everything I Am (The Three #2)(147)

Only the human.

His cunning little queen, she could smell the difference in them now.

The rest of them, all of them, including Callum and every last one of his family was in the f**king room, she stared at with wary, silent fear that didn’t even begin to mask the pain she felt at their treachery.

As Orphenon stitched and Leah sat on the side of the bed holding her hand, Callum saw his mate’s mouth get tight. Then he saw Leah start to wince repeatedly as Sonia’s hand squeezed hers with each insertion of the needle.

But she still remained silent.

“She’s feeling it,” Callum growled to the wolf.

Orphenon stopped and leaned closer to Sonia’s ear. “Sonia, do you feel what I’m doing?”

She didn’t speak, simply closed her eyes tight.

Orphenon noted this, his eyes slid to Callum and he muttered, “I’ll administer another dose.”

Callum watched the doctor inject another dose of the anesthetic and Sonia flinch when he did but he spoke to his mother as it was happening.

“Get everyone out of here.”

“Callum, sweetheart, we’re worried and Sonia needs her family close,” Regan demurred and she was right.

In times of trouble for wolf, family would always be there.

“She’s not wolf. She’s uncomfortable with this. Get them out,” Callum ordered.

“Cal –”

Finally, he turned to his mother and barked, “Out!”

Sonia jumped at his tone, the fear in her eyes escalating and Callum gritted his teeth.

“The vampire should remain,” Orphenon noted. “He could be useful. He can monitor her heartbeat.”

At that, Sonia’s eyes widened and she moved, skittering on her forearms up the bed, fleeing and protecting her nudity at the same time she cringed and her eyes flew about the room in a panic trying to source the vampire.

“I can report her heartbeat is erratic, now she knows I’m vampire,” Lucien drawled with irritated dryness.

“Whoops,” Orephenon mumbled. “Didn’t know.”

“Calm, Sonny,” Leah cooed, scooting urgently up the bed with her. “It’s okay. Lucien’s okay. He’s good people. They’re all good people and they’re worried about you. Just calm down and let the doctor see to you.”

Sonia’s eyes moved to Leah. She took in a breath and held it before she let it out and nodded, settling again.

“Regan –” Callum warned.

“All right,” his mother snapped, approached the bed, Sonia’s terrified eyes watched her as she did so and his mate’s body tensed, preparing to flee.

Regan saw it, felt it and her face gentled even as tears filled her eyes. She leaned toward the bed and stopped moving closer.

“Sonny, sweetie, I’m just downstairs if you need anything,” his mother told his mate.

Sonia didn’t reply.

Regan made a sound that was half whimper, half sob. Her wet eyes moved to Callum and then she left.

Callum’s glance sliced to his brethren, his order nonverbal but understood all the same.

Caleb approached the bed next only for Sonia to have the exact same reaction so he stopped.

“Hey sis,” he called in a tender tone and Callum was surprised for he had no idea Caleb even had a tender tone.

However, his words and tone had opposite to the desired effect on Sonia as her expression filled with a different kind of pain and she shut her eyes.

Not deterred, Caleb went on, “It’s doesn’t look bad, darlin’, probably feels it though. You’ll be sparring with Callum again in no time.”

Sonia made no response and kept her eyes closed.

Caleb, too, looked at Callum, jaw clenched and exited the room.

Ryon didn’t approach as Sonia kept her eyes closed.

But he spoke to Callum, “I couldn’t have had any idea she’d learn like that.”

Callum turned cool eyes to his cousin. “Shit always happens, Ryon.” When Ryon’s face grew hard, Callum went on, “But it wasn’t you who didn’t tell her. It was me. You bear no responsibility and you know I’ll sort it. You go down and see how Magnum is handling Titium and his wolves.”

Ryon nodded and with one last glance at Sonia he too left.

When Callum looked back at her, Sonia’s eyes were open and her expression clearly stated she’d heard him and it was doubtful his job of sorting his mistake would be quick and easy.

Callum sighed.

Lucien moved to leave, Orphenon’s head came up and his mouth opened to speak.

Lucien got there before him. “She’s frightened. I’m doing more harm than good being here.”

Orphenon nodded and went back to work. Lucien cut a reassuring look to Callum then a gentle one to his bride then he left as well.

Callum stood at the side of the bed, arms crossed, legs planted wide and watched, impatient as Sonia’s wounds were closed.

Finally, Orphenon clipped the last thread, smoothed some medicine on the wounds and bandaged her back loosely. Throughout this, he spoke in low, comforting doctor’s tones to Sonia even as he cleaned his mess and packed his bag.

The whole time Sonia stared blankly at the pillow or her eyes sought Leah’s for support.

Packed up and ready to go, Orphenon got close to Callum.