One Second (Seven Series Book 7) (42 page)

Edward rushed in so abruptly that he almost bumped into Lynn. He quickly moved around her on the other side of the bed. “Hurry. Turn her over.”

Lexi was curled in a fetal position, so Austin gently hooked his arm around her legs and moved her until she was on her back, knees bent, toes touching the headboard.

Edward listened to her heartbeat with the stethoscope before pulling out a blood pressure cuff. After a few moments, he released it. “Her vitals are improving. I need to remove the bullet. We don’t have any time. Can you help me?”

Lynn nervously rocked the baby while Austin and Edward rolled Lexi onto her stomach. Austin pulled her hair away from her face.

“Make sure her airway isn’t obstructed,” Edward said. “It was too risky to remove the bullet from her wolf, but the longer it stays in there, the more damage it’ll do each time she shifts.”

Austin sprang into action and stripped away a blanket. He tossed every last pillow off the bed and lay down facing her, stroking her right cheek with his thumb, listening to her breathing and watching her eyelids flutter.

“Just a little something to numb the area,” Edward murmured.

“That’s my girl,” Austin said, his voice tender and filled with a renewed sense of hope. “Just hang in there, and we’ll have you patched up in no time.”

***

Three hours later, Lexi was resting comfortably. The Relic had removed the bullet. He skipped the stitches, concerned that she might involuntarily shift and further injure herself. Austin coaxed her awake long enough to force her to shift to wolf form. Lorenzo asked permission to give her some healing medicine, but since her wolf wasn’t awake to drink, Edward had to run a tube down her throat so they could funnel the liquid into her stomach.

Within minutes, she was breathing more easily, and her wolf’s gums went from a shade of blue to a healthy pink.

But she still hadn’t woken up.

Austin received confirmation that the war was officially over. Those who weren’t killed in battle had either escaped or surrendered, throwing themselves on the mercy of the local Packmasters. Lorenzo volunteered to watch the children for the night. Izzy and Jericho agreed, deciding it was best, with everything going on. Lennon eagerly went home with Lorenzo, eager to reunite with his brother.

The pack took turns visiting with Lexi and giving her words of encouragement. Lynn agreed to leave Lexi’s side when the Relic reminded her that if they didn’t get a good rest, none of them would be in any condition to care for Lexi in the morning.

Austin shifted once to heal up the injuries he received from Judas. Most had been reduced to tolerable abrasions, but the bullet wound required more attention. It had reopened twice in the back and bled, and while the shifting sealed it up, Austin decided he wanted to carry the scar. Edward applied a small dab of liquid fire that burned like hell and imprinted the scar on him to wear as a reminder of what he’d almost lost.

Everyone had showered and added pillows to the blankets in the hallway so they could be together and support Austin.

“How’s he taking to the bottle?” Izzy asked, concern brimming in her eyes. She knelt next to Austin and brushed her finger over the soft hair on the little guy’s head.

Austin smirked and pulled the bottle out of the baby’s mouth. He scowled and shook with anger, his hands balling into little fists.

“You tell me,” Austin said with a laugh, giving the baby his bottle back.

She breathed out a sigh of relief. “Good. I wasn’t sure how Lexi felt about breast-feeding, but we obviously can’t do it while she’s in wolf form. Hell’s bells, eight nipples might traumatize the little guy.”

Denver snorted. “Or set up every woman in his life for failure.” He slurped up a noodle from his can of soup and dipped the spoon back in.

“That’s gross,” Jericho muttered.

Denver shoved a spoonful into his mouth. “You think adding water makes it gourmet?”

Austin had his legs bent and knees together, the baby placed between them so they were staring at each other.

“What are you going to name him?” Denver asked.

Jericho tossed a peanut at Denver’s head. “Leave the man alone. He’s got enough to worry about.”

“Shut it, dickhead,” Denver retorted. “You’re still mad about not getting first choice with Melody.”

Jericho’s eyebrow arched. “Isabelle didn’t come up with that name.”

Izzy struck him in the face with her pillow. “Quit telling lies.”

Denver laughed and stretched out across his sleeping bag at Austin’s feet. To the right, near the bathroom, Wheeler and Naya were lying on a fur blanket with her head in his lap. She was fast asleep, still recovering from both the injuries she’d sustained and the repeated shifting. Wheeler stroked her dark tresses, his head against the wall and his eyes shut.

The baby spit the bottle out, and Austin set it down, cradling the little guy in his arms. Damn, he felt so tiny, and it made Austin paranoid he might accidentally hurt him, so he handled him like he would an egg.

When the voices died down, he looked over his right shoulder at William. “Where’s Ben?”

Wheeler’s eyes popped open and remained fixed on the ceiling.

William lowered his voice. “His wolf fled after we shifted back.”

“You mean after Wheeler shifted back.”

While their wolves had reunited, the two brothers hadn’t made peace. Austin had always kept his doors open to Ben, but through the years, Ben wasn’t comfortable around the family since he couldn’t mend what was broken with his twin. They were both equally stubborn men, and neither had made an effort to resolve that conflict.

Trevor snored lightly against William’s right side, head resting on his shoulder.

“Think you can get used to that?” Austin asked. “You might have the right idea, staying in separate rooms.”

William quirked a brow. “I’ve been told I sing in my sleep, so I don’t know who’ll have it worse.”

Reno crouched down in front of Austin. “Mind if I hold him for a little while? You look like you could use a few winks yourself.”

Austin swaddled his son and placed him in Reno’s arms.

Reno stood up and pressed the baby to his chest. “Come see Uncle Reno,” he said, his voice gravelly. “I’ll tell you a story.”

Denver chortled. “I’m sure he’s dying to hear your stories about storming the beaches of Normandy.”

“Nah,” Reno said softly, cooing to the baby. “I’m just going to tell him all the cautionary tales of Denver the Dunderhead.”

He took a seat against the far wall beside April, who eagerly leaned against him to get a look.

Austin rubbed his face, uncertain of the time. To keep the baby immersed in darkness, they’d switched off the hall light and put night-lights in a few available sockets. It was nice. Cozy. He fed off that positive energy and allowed his packmates to support him for once. He’d spent years making sacrifices and tough decisions for his pack. That’s what a Packmaster did, and it was a selfless, thankless job.

His parents had gone in earlier to be with Lexi. After settling down in the hall, it didn’t take long before they’d fallen asleep on the other side of the game room entrance.

The bedroom door opened, and everyone looked up.

Maizy stepped out, her eyes puffy, and took a few steps to her right.

Denver stood up and pulled her in a tight embrace. “It’ll be all right, Peanut,” he said quietly. “Come lie down.”

William leaned forward. “Did she wake up?”

Maizy did a zombie walk to Denver’s blanket and sat down. “Her wolf let out a whimper when he last examined her, but she’s not awake.”

William patted Austin’s leg consolingly. “These are the moments that define who we are. Mustn’t worry about the things you can’t control, but the things you can.”

Edward peered through the open door and waved Austin in.

Austin rose up, his joints stiff, and stepped over a few blankets. Once inside, Edward closed the door and folded his arms.

“I’ve done everything I can do.”

Austin’s chest constricted. “What the hell does that mean?”

The Relic rubbed his chin, eyes downcast. “It means there’s no more medical care I can provide. The bullet is out, the external wounds are closed, and her vitals are stable. I don’t have reason to believe she has internal bleeding, but I can transport her to my clinic for further tests. To be honest, I’d prefer to keep her still. If you can get her to shift once more, then I’m confident any remaining internal wounds will heal. Her breathing has improved, and I’ve removed the chest tube, but her body is weak. She lost too much blood, and then there was the trauma of childbirth. The shifting has helped her blood replenish, and Mr. Church’s medicine might have some properties that will aid the healing process.”

Austin glanced at Lexi. “So what exactly are you telling me?”

“I want you to understand the gravity of the situation, Mr. Cole. She died twice, but she has a strong heart, and something is keeping her here. She requires absolute rest, but…”

Austin met his gaze and held it. “But what?”

“I can’t promise that she’ll wake up. Her fate is no longer in my hands.”

A light knock sounded at the door, accompanied by crying.

When it cracked open, Reno peered in. “He won’t stop fussing. Izzy told me to burp him, but…” Reno shrugged, softly patting the baby’s back. “He threw up on me.”

Austin took his son and cradled him in his left arm. “I got you, little man.” He put some alpha power in that voice, and the baby instantly responded, yawning and then closing his eyes.

Edward rocked on his heels. “If you want my advice, keep the baby close to your mate. Her wolf will scent him, and she seemed responsive earlier to his cries. Are you ready to take this on? Caring for a baby alone, I mean.”

Austin stroked the soft hair on his son’s head. “I’ve been ready to care for this baby since I was born. As for caring for him alone, why don’t you poke your head in the hallway and you’ll find out how alone I am.”

It had been two days since the war ended and Austin’s son was born.
Lexi still hadn’t woken up. The Relic never used the word coma, but that was the word lurking behind every conversation. Edward offered to cancel his appointments and stay for a few days, which was more than generous for someone they hadn’t known very long. Everyone took turns sitting with her wolf, but not so much with the baby.

Not for lack of wanting. Austin had bonded with his son and found it difficult to pass him over to someone else for extended periods of time. The only exception was when he needed sleep, and even then, he’d sleep beside Lexi with the baby nestled between them.

The packs had each sustained massive hits, but they would recover. Even Prince had gained control of his territory in the end.

“Still haven’t given the little bean a name?” Denver asked from the kitchen table, munching on a bowl of cereal.

Sunlight glittered through the windows, and tiny rainbows danced on the table and floor from a prism affixed to one of the glass panes.

“Why don’t you put on some clothes instead of wandering around the house looking like a bum?” Austin suggested.

Denver glanced down at his bare chest and grey sweats. “Are we having a party? I didn’t get the memo.”

“You should make an effort when we have guests.”

Denver crunched another spoonful and flipped the box around to read the other side. “Eddie’s not really a guest anymore. Once someone drops a deuce in your bathroom, they’ve graduated from guest to company.”

“He doesn’t like it when you call him that.”

A grin slid up Denver’s face. “True that. But those British guys are fun to rile up.
Bloody
this,
bugger
that.”

Naya slinked into the room, and Austin could tell by her frumpy attire that she was still brooding about Spartacus not coming home. She leaned against the counter and played with the drawstrings on the sweatpants, which were too big on her because they belonged to Wheeler.

“No sign of him yet?” Austin asked.

She pouted. “I searched both sides of the creek where we last saw him. I even searched the traps, thinking he might have fallen in by accident.”

Austin took a long sip of water and then frowned. “I told you I don’t want you going out there alone. The war’s over, but there might be a few rogues we haven’t rounded up.”

She glided across the room toward the windows and stared up at the blue sky. “I won’t go out there alone again. I promise.”

“Damn right you won’t,” Wheeler barked from the hall. He reached up and held on to the frame of the entranceway, muscles flexing against the ink on his arms.

She whirled around. “You don’t have to be so butch about it.”

He winked. “After it gets cooler, we’ll both go out and look.”

Her face lit up, and she opened the back door, letting in a cool breeze. “I’m going to soak up some of these rays before it’s my turn to sit with Lexi. Maybe her wolf will smell the sunshine on me and want to go for a run.”

Austin looked wistfully at his sleeping son on the countertop, tucked in a carrier that April had given them. “Did Reno go somewhere?” he asked, hearing the sound of a motorcycle through the open door.

When a fist pounded at the front door, Austin’s heart raced into action. “Everyone stay here. Naya, lock the door. Wheeler, take the baby into my office.”

They moved swiftly, and Austin jogged to the front door. While the war had ended, they remained on alert. Not that a rogue would come knocking on the front door, but this wasn’t an ideal time for unexpected visitors to stop by.

Austin peered through the window at a familiar face and opened the door. “Axel.”

The Packmaster tapped his black boot against the doorjamb. “I thought we could talk a minute before I head back home.”

Axel moved inside, and Austin peered onto the porch before closing the door. The motorcycles lined up along the driveway were only half the number that had originally come.

“I’m sorry for your loss,” Austin said, offering him a seat.

Axel waved his hand and drew a deep breath through his nose. “We knew the risks coming in, and everyone accepted them. It’ll be a tough adjustment, but we’ve transported the bodies ahead of us for a proper burial on our land. In my eyes, it was worth the loss. They didn’t die for nothing. There was a good chance if we took down the leader we could nip this thing in the bud before they moved on to another state. I’m just glad we got it under control. There isn’t enough room in the Breed jails for all the men caught statewide, but those who weren’t locked up are now on a watch list, and they’re sharing that list with all the Packmasters.”

Austin nodded. “I heard.”

Axel stroked his goatee and made Austin uncomfortable with his pensive stare. “If you’re anything like me, I know what you’re thinking. Let me put your mind at ease and tell you what nobody else probably has: you made the right decision letting Judas live. That was a hell of a call, and not many men would have the self-control to walk away. In any other situation, I would have tied him to the back of my motorcycle by the ankles and taken him for a cross-country ride, but you have to consider the consequences when it comes to the leader of insurgent groups such as these. It wouldn’t take long before rumors would circulate about how he died a great and noble death. They’d embellish the truth with stories about how he fought against fifty men who refused to let him challenge the Packmaster. Bullshit like that always comes about when someone else wants to fill his shoes.” Axel clapped Austin on the shoulder and gave him a short smile. “I hear he’s already selling people out in an attempt to win his freedom. The rogues are going to live in shame for following such a weak man.”

Austin knew he was right, but the decision had plagued his thoughts. “I don’t think the higher authority will ever set him free, but I still put in a request.”

Axel’s brows pinched together. “What kind of request?”

“The Councilmen extended their gratitude for my helping to organize the packs in the territory, and they put in a word for me with a few representatives on the panel. They’re not seeking the death penalty, but if by some chance that’s the decision they come to, then I want to be the one to deliver his sentence.”

“Taking his hand wasn’t enough?”

“If he ever escapes, that’ll be on my conscience.”

Axel shifted his stance and lowered his voice. “If that ever happens, you’ll have the biggest manhunt in history. I’ll tell you what. If down the road you decide that’s what you really want, give me a call. I have a few inside connections. Let’s keep that between you and me.” He moved toward the door and then turned halfway. “Congratulations on the new arrival. And, well… hell. I don’t know what to say about your mate.”

Austin nodded appreciatively. Packmasters like Axel weren’t easy to come by, and it was good to know he had an alliance out of state.

Axel held the doorknob and hesitated. “Maybe that’s why I’m willing to extend more help than I should, given my losses. Shooting a pregnant woman is the kind of thing that’ll never sit right with me. Not ever.”

“I owe you. Anytime you need something, give me a ring,” Austin said.

“I appreciate that, Cole. Take care, and let’s keep in touch.” He moved out the door and then snapped his fingers, turning back around. “Almost forgot. Does this thing belong to you? One of my men scooped it up off the main road and said it was the same one he’d seen over here when your panther was putting on a show.”

Austin peered around the corner at Spartacus, who was curled up in one of the chairs on the porch.

“I thought the damn thing was dead until it looked at me.” Axel shivered and then headed down the steps. “Take care now.”

Austin waved and watched him head back to his bike.

“Everything okay?” Reno asked from behind.

“Yeah. Wheeler can come out now, and tell Naya her cat’s on the front porch. She might want to have the Relic take a look at him.”

Reno’s lips twitched as he moved out the door. “Well, I’ll be damned.” He lifted the cat into his arms and actually kissed him on the head. “He looks like he just needs some food in his belly. I’ve got a big can of tuna with your name all over it.”

Austin shut the door and watched in amazement as Reno took the cat to the kitchen, cooing and rubbing his head. Clearly he’d missed out on something.

Wheeler emerged from the hallway, cradling the baby, who was suckling on his finger. “I think he likes me.”

“Get your finger out of his mouth. You don’t know where that damn thing’s been.”

Wheeler narrowed his eyes. “I know
exactly
where my finger’s been. He must taste the beef jerky.”

“He thinks your finger’s a tit. Now, unless you plan on shooting milk from your fingers, I suggest you hand him over.”

Wheeler popped his finger out and looked down at the baby. “Well, that was awkward. Remind me not to tell you this story when you get older.” He handed him over to Austin and smirked darkly. “I think I might want one of those someday.”

The back door slammed and both men turned, listening to Naya’s squeals of delight. “Oh, my little baby boy! Where have you been? Mama missed you so much.”

Wheeler nodded at the baby. “At least you can put one of those in a cradle. Guess who’ll be shedding on our faces tonight.”

He swaggered toward the kitchen, but Austin didn’t miss the glint of happiness in his eyes. Wheeler lived in a state of denial, but everyone noticed the affection he had for that cat.

Austin smiled at his son. “So, what do you think of your Uncle Wheeler?”

He let out a fart.

“That’s my boy.”

“Austin! Austin!” His mother barreled down the stairs and stopped midway, out of breath, eyes wide. “It’s Lexi.”

His heart clenched, and he held his son just a little bit tighter. “What’s wrong?”

“She’s… she’s waking up.”

***

When I opened my eyes, the first thing I saw was Katharine folding laundry. Not my laundry, but little outfits.

Baby outfits.

The silence in the room sent chills down my body.

Disoriented, I blinked away the sunlight that was streaming through the side window. The last I remembered, it was night. I touched my shoulder and didn’t feel an open wound, only puckered flesh.

Even more disconcerting was that I was lying naked on the bed, without covers. God. How many people had walked in on me like this? It seemed such a silly thing to dwell on, but I closed my eyes and tried to recall my last memory. I remembered pain, and then a feeling of love came over me. After that, I only remembered darkness and occasional voices, but it seemed more dreamlike than a memory.

Katharine’s footsteps neared the door. “Relic, she shifted back and…”

I pried my eyes open and looked up at her.

“Lexi?” She gripped the knob with the door halfway open, disbelief in her voice. “Lexi?” she repeated. “I must be seeing things.”

I turned my head and looked over my right shoulder.

“Austin!” She flew out the door, leaving it ajar…

With my legs curled up and ass facing the hall.
Great
. I reached behind me for anything and gripped the sheet, pulling it over me. I managed to cover my right breast and hip, but I still couldn’t be sure how much of my derriere was poking out.