Page 38 of Matched By the Dragon

Brad

The Hemlock Wolf Pack, Star’s Territory

Durin slept off and on for the rest of the day. Whenever he woke up, he wasn’t making much sense at all. He muttered about food, but seemed to get even more upset when I offered him more. He ate it but acted as if it was the biggest burden he had ever experienced. Clyde assured me his sleepiness was from the adrenaline crash and not the med, but I wasn’t sure what to believe.

Eventually, Alby and Bennie went to pick up their kids from Slyvin and Ryder and go home to sleep. They offered to take the cubs with them, but I needed the boys here with me. They didn’t need their normal lives interrupted even more than they already were. Besides, they’d fallen asleep right beside Durin in their little cub forms. I was the only one who couldn’t sleep or rest. Clyde kept coming in to check my blood pressure because I wouldn’t let the fox or coyote nurses touch me. They’d already caused me enough of a headache for one day.

Eventually night shift came on, and our nurse was a lovely kangaroo shifter named Ollie. He had arms as big as my head. If I had been single and not worried my true-mate might have suffered brain injuries that no one could find, I might’ve marveled at him. I let him take my blood pressure and check Durin’s IV fluids.

“They said it wasn’t the med they gave him, but I’m not sure I believe that. And before you mention hibernation, he’s not. Like his thoughts and stuff are all wrong for that,” I sighed when he asked me if I needed anything.

“I know next to nothing about how a bear feels on a link when he’s hibernating,” Ollie said with a smile. “But I trust you. His vitals are stable. Does he feel uncomfortable over your mating link?”

I looked up at the tall tan kangaroo and blinked. He was the first person to ask that question.

“Lots of thoughts about food attacking him and wanting to go home,” I say.

“That’s pretty normal. Food and home. Attacking? Well, that’s a bit out of the ordinary, but since he’s not trying to get out of bed, it’s probably harmless. Now, do you need anything?” Ollie asked.

“I don’t think so.”

“Want me to bring a roller bed in for you?” he asked.

“I don’t think I could sleep,” I admitted. “I—I only sleep at home and no, I’m not going home without him.”

“Okay,” he nodded. “If you change your mind let me know.”

I didn’t change my mind. I wasn’t about to sleep in a hospital full of strangers while my babies slept and Durin was floating around in high head injury land. No way. No how. I was exhausted, but sleep could wait until I was home. Maybe Alby could stay a few days or even Raziel. Someone.

“Why aren’t you asleep?” Durin’s sleepy voice said.

I blinked. When had he shifted back? Had I fallen asleep or just zoned out that hard? Probably the latter.

“Have to watch,” I yawned. “But that doesn’t matter. How are you feeling?”

“Better than I was. Whatever Clyde gave me f-u-c-k-e-d me up,” he chuckled. “I kept thinking that bacon was attacking me.”

“I heard every time I fed you,” I said, trying not to laugh.

“What time is it?” he asked and I checked my phone.

“Just after midnight. I bet we’re stuck until morning.”

“I hope not,” Durin shook his head. “I don’t think their machines have a bedtime.”

“Well, someone has to be here to order it and discharge you and….” I said and my eyes teared up. “I… Are you sure you’re okay? I know we won’t be certain until the scans but do you feel okay?” I reached out and touched his forehead and his cheeks. He leaned into my warmth.

“I think I’m okay. I’m tired. I’m hungry, but I’m okay. I mean they let me eat which means they figured I was out of the danger zone of needing surgery,” he tried to reassure me.

“Clyde said it would only make you ‘high’ for an hour, but you slept longer.”

“I think the sleep was just healing. The weird dreams came from the lingering med side effects, but the sleep was my bear finally passing out,” Durin said, taking my hand in his and kissing it.

He pressed the call button and a few moments later Ollie walked back in. Durin blinked up at him. He was easily as tall as a bear and his arms were stare worthy no matter who you were. Durin squinted to see his alpha kangaroo pin.

“Yep. You’re not seeing things, but I am the only kangaroo shifter employed at this hospital. So, if you’re seeing more than one of me, let me know. We can’t have you going around seeing double,” Ollie said, laughing good naturedly.

“Nope. Only one. Uh… I need Clyde.”