“Try to relax with me Cole. I just want to help as you’re struggling really bad right now.”
I nod my head slowly as I try to force myself to cooperate. I fail miserably, letting out a soft high pitched whine that I’ve had since childhood. I’ve learned over the years that as I’ve gotten older only certain people, mostly the doctors, can even hear such a distressing whine.
I step away from the alpha as he steps closer to me, whining as I do, just to be stopped by Damian’s grasp. I notice Damian making eye contact with his dad suddenly before talking with him.
“He’s been making that weird little whine a lot and he’s struggling to breathe bad enough that he’s not talking.”
“You can actually hear it?”
Alpha Demetri sounds shocked.
“Yes, but I’ve never heard a whine like that. Have you?”
“It’s not common for an adult to have that whine, but I have heard it plenty when I was an intern at the hospital during my pediatric rotation. Pups experiencing high levels of distress and pain will make that sound at regular intervals. Usually only parents and those naturally inclined to the medical field can hear it. I believe it’s a distress signal that pups use to communicate that they are hurt without letting potential threats know that they’re vulnerable.”
Damian looks as shocked as I feel. An alpha that can hear my distress? I’m taken back enough that Alpha Demetri moves in from the side.
“Hang on to him Damian. Don’t move Cole. I am a doctor. I'm just not licensed to practice anymore. Nothing I do is going to hurt you. It’s very important that you follow my directions. It’s a lot to ask of you but I need you to trust me enough to submit to me. Don’t fight me.”
I’m wheezing hard as my panic consumes my every thought. I raise my hand to Damian’s arm in an attempt to grab his shirt but I’m stopped by alpha’s hand. I try to pull away but he grabs my hand instead. I can’t help but yelp as my panic and pain rise. Once again, I’m sounding like a strangled dog.
“Squeeze Cole.”
His voice is firm and demanding as my struggle for air worsens, I can do nothing but obey.
“Damian, place his other hand on my forearm so I’ve got good support of him while I check his breathing. Dr. Morrison should be here soon with a transport chair. Cole, don’t try to change your breathing pattern. Breathing too deep may cause you a lot of pain. Just breathe as is most comfortable.”
I can feel him place the stethoscope on my back moving it to different locations, listening to me breathe.
“So, you’re asthmatic?”
I nod.
“But you didn’t bring your medication for that either?”
“I ..... tried.” I manage to croak out.
“You tried? Are you saying that you packed them and someone took them from your bag?”
I nod as my father has never liked me on medication even though I’ve been asthmatic since I was a baby.
“Tell .... Doc … tor.... Car… ter... I’m.... in.... a.... cy .... cle.”
It’s a fight to get the sentence out and I’m surprised that Alpha even understands.
“A cycle? You’re talking about a panic induced asthma attack?”
I nod my head as I squeeze down on his hand again.
“Fuck. Okay Cole. I’m going to call Dr. Pierce to see if she can get a hold of Dr. Carter so we can find out what he does for you. I can’t guarantee that we’re going to do the same thing but it will give us a starting point. Damian, he’s out for at least a week. I’m sorry Cole but with this type of asthma attack I have to admit you to the hospital wing until we get it under control. How long have you been like this?”
“Mid..... mid....”
I hang my head as my struggle for air is to the point that I can’t get the word out.
“Midnight?”
I nod my head as Alpha seems to have heard what I’m trying to say. He pulls out his phone,touching the screen in several places. I can hear it ring before a female voice comes over the line.
“Demetri? I thought we were going to meet in your office shortly?”
“Scrap that Angela, I need you to get a hold of Dr. Carter at Red General. I need to know how he treats Cole when he goes into a major panic induced asthma attack.”
“When did that happen?”
“Around midnight. I should have given him my number. I’m bringing him into the medical wing. Kathy has already headed over to grab the chair but I need information on Cole.”
“Yes sir.”
Shortly after hanging up the phone I can feel Alpha’s hand in my hair on the back of my head.
“Damian, you can go inside and grab some breakfast. Don’t hesitate to add laps to anyone who starts talking trash about anyone. Not just Cole. It’s important that we establish that I haven’t singled Cole out as a favorite getting special treatment.”
“Yes sir.” Alpha Damian confirms.
“Are you going to be okay, Cole?”
“I.... hope ....” I gasp out, trying to give him the truth.
“Don’t talk Cole. Your lungs are severely restricted and I need you to concentrate on moving as much air as you can.”
I nod my head as there’s not much else I can do.
“I’ll be with him in the medical wing most of the day so I’ll link you with any updates on him. You can come visit after training is over.”
“Okay dad.”
It shocks me how worried Alpha Damian sounds. Back home I usually have to drag myself the two miles from the pack house to the hospital in this desperate condition. I have one family that I’ve managed to become friends with but my abuse has affected them so badly that I was forced to abandon them, or at least I tried to.
Out of the corner of my eye I can see the woman Alpha Demetri called Kathy coming with a chair across the lawn. Alpha seems to have seen her too.
“Stay still Cole. I’m going to move my position so I’m in front of you so that I can get you seated. If she brought some oxygen, then I will be putting that on you.”
I nod as I feel him move around me. Soon enough I feel the chair behind me and Alpha gently guiding me back towards it.
“I’ve got hold of you. Start sitting down.”
I grab hold of Alpha's shirt tightly as he helps me into the chair. Going so long without breathing properly is really starting to get to me and it’s becoming increasingly difficult to hold back my instincts to fight everyone off of me.
“Kathy brought some oxygen with the chair. I need submission, Cole. Let us help you.”
I’m having a hard time fully comprehending what he’s telling me as I feel him wrap tubing around my ears before I hear the click of the seat belt around my waist. “Thank you, Kathy. I’ll take him from here. Grab yourself a bite to eat.”
I listen as she walks away in the opposite direction than we are rolling. I struggle to open my eyes and I can feel my head rolling around with my increasing disorientation. I try to sit up but a strong yet gentle hand holds me back.
“Sit back Cole. We’re almost there.”
I must have passed out shortly after as when I opened my eyes again I found myself in a very medical room, triggering my anxiety again. My movements are slow and easily pacified as the alpha starts trying to help me out of the chair.
“Cole, I need to get you on the bed. I need you to wrap your arms around my neck and I’m going to put my arms under yours to get you standing. Then we’re going to turn slightly so you can sit on the bed.”
Without waiting for an answer I hear the click of the lap belt just seconds before feeling his hands moving my arms. I reach up and timidly wrap my arms around the alpha’s neck.
“I know it’s a lot to ask but it’s okay to trust me. Don’t be afraid to touch me.”
Alpha whispers as he starts to lift me to a stand. It’s a struggle to orient myself to a stand but something about alpha’s voice, patient and reassuring, calms the fight I have despite the pain he is creating from his hold on me.