The One He Claimed

Chapter 159: Nerves

Sophie

I made sure that Jocelyn was settled, and I stayed with her while she was prepped for surgery. She didn’t want Zahn in the room at that time, so he remained in the waiting room. I was surprised that he didn’t even grumble about it.

“You were right about your mate,” she says to me.

“Which part?” I ask, not sure what’s she’s referencing.

“About his strength. He beat the shit out of Zahn.”

“He threatened me. No one in the pack will allow that. You saw that.”

“What does it feel like to have that level of security in your life?” she asks sadly.

“Well, I don’t bask in it. That security is a two–way street. I have to give to the pack as well. When they don’t feel safe, I need to be there for them, to make sure they know that they are safe.”

“Like what you’re doing with me?”

“Exactly,” I say, sitting on the edge of her bed and smiling at her.

She looks away, her lips trembling. “I’m scared, Sophie.”

I take her hand, clasping it in both of mine. “About which part, in particular?” I ask softly. I can smell her fear and hear it in her voice.

She huffs a laugh. “I guess I do have a lot to be fearful of, but today, it’s this surgery. Do you think I’ve made the right decision?” she asks, looking to me for guidance.

“I think that if Dr. Caspian didn’t believe that he could help you, he wouldn’t have offered to do these surgeries. He’s very good at what he does. He’s kind, gentle, and caring. He’ll do everything in his power to help you heal, Jocelyn. You can trust that. If it were me, I would try, knowing the kind of doctor that Dr. Caspian is.”

She nods, quickly brushing a tear from her cheek that leaked out.

“You know, that doesn’t mean that you’ll be perfect, but better is good, right? I saw your x–rays. You must be in so much pain, especially without your wolf.”

“Yes, I am. It’s like the Moon Goddess is punishing me for trying to leave this world before she was ready.”

“It probably feels like that. But you’re here now. And while I know you’ll be in a lot of pain for the next couple of days, your healing will begin and here, you’ll have peace. Hopefully, that peace and your healing will allow your wolf to return.”

“Everyone here seems to think she will.”

“What’s her name?” I ask.

“Cassidy,” she says smiling. “Damn, I miss that sassy wolf. You get used to having them in your head, you know. And when they‘ re gone…” She stops, her voice getting choked again. “It’s very lonely,” she finishes, looking down.

“You’re not alone, now. I know that’s not the same thing, but while your body is healing physically, you can also focus on healing your mind. I think sometimes that’s what helps our wolves to resurface. It’s almost like you have to give them a place that they feel safe returning to, does that make sense?” I ask her.

“It does, actually,” she says, giving me a half smile as Dr. Caspian walks in.

“Good morning, Luna, good morning, Jocelyn. Are you ready for today?” he asks, coming over and assessing her.

“I’m nervous,” she says honestly.

“I’d be shocked if you weren’t. The good news is, I’m not. I know it will be a long day, but I’m ready to go if you are.”

She nods, then looks at me. “I’ll be here when you get out. Dr. Caspian or Brooklyn will keep me updated on your status. Even if you aren’t awake, just know that I’ll be here.”

“Thank you, Luna.”

“You know, if you want me to call you Jocelyn, you should start calling me Sophie. That’s what friends do,” I say as Dr. Caspian prepares the bed to move.

“Is that what we are?” she asks.

“It’s what I’d like to be,” I tell her honestly. She’s been through a lot. I don’t think she really has anyone in her life that she feels comfortable or safe with. Here, hopefully, she’ll have both.

She looks at me a moment. “Thank you, Sophie.”

“You’re welcome, Jocelyn,” I say as Dr. Caspian pushes the bed out of the room and down the hall to surgery. I wait until she’s in her room before turning to walk out to the waiting area. The moment I see Hunter I walk into his embrace.

“How is she?”

‘Nervous,‘ I say in the mind link, not sure if she’d want Zahn to know how she was feeling. “Dr. Caspian just took her back,” I say so that Zahn can hear.

“Do you know how long she’ll be in surgery?” he asks me.

“Dr. Caspian seems to think it will be an all–day surgery. He’ll give me updates throughout the day…”

“I’d like to be informed. She didn’t say I couldn’t be informed of her progress,” he says.

“That’s fine. I don’t intend to stay here, since I’ll be with her. tonight when she comes out. Will you be staying here in the hospital, Alpha Zahn?” I ask.

“Yes, I’m not leaving until she does….as long as she allows me to stay,” he clarifies.

I look at the warriors who are on guard duty. “How long will the two of you be guarding Alpha Zahn?”

“We have day duty, Luna,” one warrior replies.

“Okay, when I get information, I’ll relay it to your guards. I won’t be asking Dr. Caspian or Brooklyn any clarifying questions, Alpha Zahn, because their focus needs to be on your mate. So, I will tell you what I know, and that will be all that we’ll get until the surgery is complete tonight.”

He nods, looking at the guards, then back at me. “Very well.”

Hunter leads me outside before saying anything. “You’re going to need a nap today, Soph.”

“I know. I’ll probably lay down in the early afternoon after I get an update from Dr. Caspian. I’m taking the first shift tonight, basically whenever she’s done until midnight. Nikki and Robin are taking midnight to four am, since Nikki still has some morning sickness and wants to be back in her room by then. Allison and Kayce will be there from four until six, when the warriors will return, and I’ll relieve Allison at eight tomorrow morning.”

“Depending on what time she finishes up today, I’ll be there with you, Sophie. I trust our warriors, but I don’t trust Zahn.”

“I don’t think Robin or Kayce trust him with their mates either,” I say, smiling.

“Not a bit,” he says. “Do you have work to do this morning?”

“Some,” I say, already feeling tired.

“How about you bring it into my office, and we can work together,” he suggests.

“You just want to play with your son,” I say, smiling.

“We played last night while you were asleep,” he says smugly.

I look up at my mate. “You did?”

He laughs. “You sound like Nikki. Like you’re insulted that you missed out.”Property belongs to Nôvel(D)r/ama.Org.

“Well, I just…I thought him moving around would wake me up.”

“You were pretty tired, but I’ll never say no to playing with my pup,” he says.

“I think he’s sleeping now. He’s pretty quiet, but when he wakes up, I’m sure he’ll be happy to play with his daddy.”