Chapter 10
“I don’t think you’ll be able to walk yet, but if you are up to it, you can, although it would sorely try my heart.” Alexei held back his tears over the fact his Mate was so fearful and distrusting of him and everyone around him. Donal’s frightened expression told Alexei that his mouse thought he was a lunatic.
“I do feel weak and my chest hurts,” his Mate begrudgingly admitted.
“The doctor will be back at four, and he will bring a colleague who will talk to you about how you go on from here.” Alexei tried to show Donal he wanted to take care of him.
“You mean, a shrink.” Donal’s eyes were flat and lifeless.
Alexei changed the subject. “Please eat, little mouse, before you decide anything. At least give me a chance to make you healthy.” Alexei held up a fork full of fluffy scrambled eggs.
“I’m a little dirty for this bed. You can’t keep very clean in shackles.”
His Mate was bitter. Alexei moved the sheet and examined Donal’s leg under the sweatpants Sean brought with him. They had to cut him out of his jeans and shirt. There were oozing sores under the sports socks from where he had been shackled and chained. Alexei shuddered, recognizing the scars shackles made.
“After you are finished eating, the nurse can give you a sponge bath until you’re steadier on your feet. I’ll also have her dress your ankles.” Alexei picked up his mate’s hand. Donal jerked it back, trying to hide his wrist. They were also badly scarred. Alexei’s jaw tightened and heat rushed up his neck.
Donal’s eyes moved away from Alexei. “I can’t eat all that food,” Donal protested.
“You’ll find you can eat more than you think.”
“Why didn’t you just leave me there on the bench? Anyone else would have.” Donal sputtered, his eyes glistened, his brow creasing.
“I couldn’t do that, little mouse. Life is too precious to waste, especially yours.” Donal’s mouth opened about to say more but he closed it determinedly.
His Mate took the fork from Alexei and fed himself. “I’m hungrier than I thought.”
The little mouse finished about three-quarters of the food Katya had heaped on the plate and began to doze. Alexei removed the tray and set it aside. Since wolves don’t get addicted to drugs, he wondered what affect the addiction and the detoxification would have on the mating instinct. Remembering he still had company, Alexei went upstairs.
Alexei found all four of the Alphas and their mates in the library across from the study.
“We’re going to take our Mates and go home to get a nap. Usually we sleep in on Sundays. I suggest you do the same.” Armand rose to his feet
“Thank you, Armand. I know nothing of the protocol for drug addiction. I dealt with many things during my time in the gulag, but drugs were not one of them. We couldn’t get legal pharmaceutical drugs for sickness in the gulag, never mind illegal ones.” Alexei shivered in remembrance.
“Artis and Coté will guide you. If Boris could get our coats, we’ll leave you and your Mate be. If you need Sean or Kane, they are a phone call away. I had Colin program all of their numbers into Vasily’s and Grigory’s phones. Get a phone for Donal. That way he can call the Mates himself. They’ll go up and say good-bye.”
* * * *
“We’re going home with our husbands,” Sean said.
“You’re married to those men, not kept by them?” Donal couldn’t keep the disbelief from his voice. “Even though I’m gay, I haven’t found most like me to be kind.”
“Yes, we’re married. Gay marriage is legal in the United States. The Supreme Court decided the issue. Don’t judge everyone by that dirt bag Apuso and his customers,” Ian told him.
“I didn’t know that…I don’t know so much. What day is today?” Donal peered around the room.
“It’s Sunday,” Sean said. “Get better. Get to know Alexei. Maybe you could have what we have.”
“Not someone like me. No matter what I do, my past will follow me.” Tears dripped down Donal’s cheeks.
“Ask Alexei about his past. Go to sleep, Donal. It’s going to be a rough few days.” Sean kissed him on the cheek and left the room.