My head spins. “But he’s healing, right? He’s a shifter, so he should…”
“He’s not healing.” Jake cuts me off, his voice tight. “He’s completely cut off from his wolf, and without it he can’t heal, he’s practically human right now.”
The world slows as I look at him and try to comprehend what they’re saying… human, can’t heal, poison. Dark marks spread along his neck and chest and down one arm. My throat burns.
“Do something,” I whisper. “Please.”
Poppy moves closer, sliding a hand under his wrist to check the pulse again.
“We are, Paige. But whatever’s in his system is spreading fast.” She glances toward Leo, who I hadn’t noticed was here until now. “We haven’t had time to test if it’s the same stuff that Leo was shot with, but that bullet had a similar effect. It stopped him healing and shifting.”
“Leo didn’t react this badly though, his biggest issue was the wound itself.” Callen shakes his head.
“I think that’s the key.” Poppy’s eyes flick between the two men. “Leo was actively bleeding, which means most of the toxin would’ve drained out with the blood. Ryder has no open wounds, it’s trapping the poison inside.”
“So… what are you saying?” I ask quietly, dreading the answer.
“I’m saying we need to drain it out.”
The words hang heavy in the air.
Callen stiffens. “Absolutely not.”
“Callen…”
“No, Poppy.” His voice drops, with a barely suppressed growl beneath it. “He’s already weak. You start taking his blood, and you’ll kill him faster.”
Poppy looks up, meeting his glare. “If we don’t, he’s dead within the hour anyway.”
My knees buckle, and Parker catches me before I hit the floor. “Hey,” he murmurs against my hair, voice shaking. “We’re not losing him, Paige. Not like this.”
But I can’t breathe. I can’t stop staring at Ryder’s face, too still, too pale. He’s supposed to be warm and alive and smug, not… like this.
Poppy turns to Jake. “I need more saline, and a transfusion setup. If we drain the blood, we’ll need to replace it fast.”
Every head turns toward Callen.
He blinks, taking a second to catch up before he pulls his hoodie off. I can see the war behind his eyes, his fear, his instinct to protect Ryder, his doubt. He looks at me, and the pain there almost breaks me.
Parker’s jaw tightens. “You think this will work?”
“I don’t know,” Poppy admits. “It might be too late, but it’s the only shot we have.”
“Do it,” I whisper. “If there’s even a chance it can save him, we have to try.”
For a moment, no one moves, waiting for Callen to have the final say. He exhales long and rough, and nods.
Jake moves quickly, setting up the equipment with steady hands, even though his jaw is tight with worry. Callen sits in the chair, resting his arm beside Ryder on the bed, and I swear I can feel the tremor that runs through him. Parker moves to help, steadying the tubing while Poppy swabs his arm.
“Ryder,” I whisper, leaning close to his ear. “You’d better fight, you stubborn i***t. You promised me you’d always come back.”
His skin is cold beneath my hand, but I keep my palm pressed to his chest anyway, reassuring myself in the faint rhythm there. While he’s breathing, there’s hope.
Poppy starts the transfusion. The tube fills with dark red, the line running from Ryder’s arm into a collection bag. Another tube connects from Callen’s arm into Ryder’s. Minutes feel like hours as I watch both of their blood drain.
Jake calls out Ryder’s vitals in steady intervals. “Heart rate is dropping. Oxygen is eighty-four. Hold the flow for a second…” The room falls deathly silent whilst we all wait for Jake to speak again. He watches his monitors for what feels like forever before he speaks again. Good. Keep it steady.”
Parker paces behind me, running his hands through his hair. Leo mumbles about something, but I can’t focus on anything except the sound of the machines and Ryder’s uneven breaths.
Poppy’s voice cuts through the quiet. “His colour is coming back slightly,” she murmurs.” That’s good. Come on, big guy, stay with us.”
Ryder groans a soft, broken sound, and every part of me snaps to attention. I grab his hand, tears blurring my vision. “Ryder, can you hear me?”
His lips part, but the words don’t form. He’s trying, though. His fingers twitch in mine. Relief and terror crash over me all at once.
“Paige…” Callen’s voice is rough. He’s pale now too, sweat forming on his brow. Poppy moves quickly, switching out another line, monitoring both their vitals.
“You need to rest,” she says firmly. “You’ve given enough for now.”
Callen ignores her, eyes locked on Ryder. “Is it working?”
“Too early to say.”
I want to scream. I want to break something. Instead, I lower my forehead to Ryder’s arm, my tears falling onto his skin. “Please,” I whisper. “You can’t leave me. Not after everything.”
A memory flashes through my mind, as clear as if I’m right there, back in that moment. With Ryder’s hand on my cheek, his voice low. ‘There’s nothing in this world that could take me from you again. I’m with you, Paige, and I plan to stay.’
And now he’s slipping away, and I’m useless.
Thank you for all your support. I appreciate you all! I have the next chapter written, but I’m having some issues with my app keep crashing whilst I’m trying to edit it. Please bear with me and I’ll get it published as soon as I can.
**Paige’s POV **
The minutes drag until Poppy finally says, “Okay, that’s enough.” She clamps the line and removes the needle from Callen’s arm, pressing gauze to the wound. “We’ll let his system settle. Jake, keep him on the fluids.”
Callen stands and immediately sways, catching himself on the edge of the bed. Parker’s there instantly, steadying him.
“Sit,” I tell him, moving to help. My voice shakes, but it’s enough to make him listen. He sinks back into a chair beside Ryder’s bed, his head in his hands, and I run my hand through his hair.
More Kickass Werewolf Reads
Dive into our collection of free werewolf romance novels—where fierce Alphas, daring heroines, and heart-stopping twists await. Every story burns with forbidden desire, loyalty, and destiny. Don’t wait—here’s a world where love bites hard and nothing is stronger than the call of the mate.
Leave a Reply