"One of the surgeons suggested something similar," Jacob said.
Frustration boiled in Turner's chest. "Then why aren't we doing it?"
"It would require an expedited bone marrow transplant as well as a blood transfusion." Jacob's expression was unreadable, his tone stoic. "It's a complicated procedure if we had multiple donors, and at the moment we've only been able to find one match."
He didn't need them to name him to know who the match was. "Then let's get started."
"I can't let you do it," Chase snapped.
"And I can't let my mate's sister die."
Chase stared at him in shock, while Jacob merely gave him a knowing smirk.
"You marked her? When?" Chase growled.
"What does it matter? It's done," Turner snarled, turning his back on his brother. He spoke to Jacob, "What do I have to do to get started?"
Chase cursed again.
"We don't know if it will work," Jacob said. "Even with your ability to heal quickly, the risk is just too great."
Turner took a deep, hard breath. "People donate bone marrow and blood all the time."
"But not the quantity that they'll need from you." His brother's voice was clipped, pained.
"Chase is right." Jacob's face, always the mask of calm, was doubtful. "It's too risky."
"I don't care." Turner shook his head, ignoring the fierce look Chase gave him. He would save Kiera, or die trying. "I have to do this."
* * *
Riley tossed and turned all night. Unable to shake the feeling that something was wrong, she showered, and pulled on a pair of Turner's jogging pants and a hoodie. The clothes swallowed her, but it would have to do until she had the chance to go back to her place. There was something comforting about wearing Turner's clothes anyway.
All of Turner's mercurial moods flooded through her as if she were experiencing them herself. She could feel him. Sense him. The connection was blurred, but despite the distance between them, it was still there.
Come back, she pushed into the void—there was no response.
She sat down heavily on Turner's bed and breathed in the heady scent of him that still lingered in the room. Her body tingled in response, sending a wave of arousal pulsing through her veins, stirring a hunger that only Turner could satisfy. She huffed and through herself backwards on the bed, pulling a pillow over her face, screaming in frustration into it.
"Riley?" A woman's voice trailed down the hall. "It's Lora."
With a sigh, Riley sat up. "I'll be right out."
She pulled her hair back in a ponytail and glanced at her reflection. Exhaustion marked her face, and her eyes were glossy, rimmed with dark circles. How long had it been since she'd had a full night sleep?
Feeling nearly boneless, she made her way to the living room where Lora was waiting. Lora wrapped her arms around Riley in a tight embrace, hugging her until Riley couldn't breathe. She was strong for such a small woman, but then she was a metamorph, a werelion like Turner and Chase.
"I'm so glad you're okay." Lora pulled back, her golden eyes shimmered with unshed tears. "I'm sorry I let the men up. I should have known to check the surveillance cameras, but—"
Riley placed her hand over Lora's and squeezed. "It wasn't your fault. He would have found me one way or another. I'm just glad you weren't hurt."
Lora gave her another hug, then swiped at her eyes. "I picked up a few essentials." She reached for a large shopping bag and handed it to Riley. "I had to guess at the sizes, so I hope they fit."
Riley trailed behind her, into the kitchen, watching as Lora scavenged through Turner's pantry and fridge.
"I should have brought food. Turner never has anything good in here. I doubt you want to order pizza—" Lora covered her mouth and her eyes went wide. "Sorry, too soon?"
"It's okay. But I think it's a bit early for pizza."
Lora shrugged as if disagreeing.
"Did Turner ask you to bring this over?" Riley frowned as she peeked into the bag filled with clothes, a toothbrush, bras and underwear. There was even one of those smutty romance novels that Kiera always read.
Twisting the lid off a jar of pickles, Lora nodded. "He texted and asked me to drop by, said you might need a few things."
"Did he say when he was coming back?"
She shook her head. "When it comes to work, there are some things you don't want to know. If I knew every time Chase put himself at risk, I'd drive myself crazy with worry."
Riley nodded, understanding the feeling.
"Oh my god." Lora paused, a half-eaten pickle in her hand, her eyes wide, staring at Riley as if she had just sprouted two heads. Her mouth curved up in a smile. "I can't believe I didn't notice it before."
"What?"
Lora rolled her eyes and pointed the pickle at Riley. "He marked you. I can't believe it. Does Chase know? I swear I'm going to kick his butt if he knew and didn't tell me."
Riley's cheeks burned, and she was certain she was all shades of red. She looked down and frowned.
"You don't seem happy about it." Lora's voice grew serious. Riley glanced up and caught the other woman's hard expression. "If he did something, I'll—"
"No." Riley shook her head. "I said some things and I think he's still angry with me."
"He might sulk for a day or two, but he'll come back." Lora winked, and pulled another pickle out of the jar. "They always do."
She smiled tightly. "I hope so."
Lora started scavenging in the freezer. "It's physically impossible for him to stay away for too long, trust me." She pulled out a carton of ice cream and scowled when she found it empty. "Does the man not eat?"
Riley laughed; she'd wondered the same thing. "Maybe he's really a vampire."
Lora gave her a blank stare, and then burst out laughing. She wiggled her eyebrows. "A werelion vampire, now that's sexy."
Riley groaned. "Please tell me they don't exist. I don't think my brain can handle any more surprises."
"I've never met one, but"—she shrugged, a wide grin on her face—"who knows."
Riley chuckled and stood, only to have her leg buckle from a sharp pain in her back. Catching herself before she collapsed, she cried out, as the pulsing ache shot through her leg and up her spine.
"Riley," Lora cried out, rushing to her side. "What's wrong?"
She gasped trying to catch her breath as the pain subsided. Lora helped her to the living room and onto the large sofa. Riley closed her eyes and swallowed back the bile that rose in her throat. It wasn't just the pain, but an extreme sense of panic that overwhelmed her. Something was wrong. She knew it.
"Call Turner," Riley ordered.
Lora didn't argue. She took her phone out of her purse and dialed, shaking her head when he didn't answer.
The pain subsided, but not the alarm that tightened her chest.
A deep frown pulled at Lora's brows. "What's going on? Do you need a doctor?"
"No." Her forehead was cool and damp when she touched the back of her hand to it. The pain had come so suddenly, but it wasn't like anything she'd ever experienced before. It was as if it was happening outside her body, and she knew what that meant. The pain wasn't hers—it was Turner's.
Riley opened her mouth to speak, but the ping of the elevator and the growl in the hallway stopped her. For a moment, she thought that she had been wrong, that Turner had returned, until Chase charged into the room, blue eyes blazing.
His gaze only softened when he saw Lora, but the cold stare quickly returned to Riley. He was furious, but it was the distress in his expression that made Riley's skin prickle.
"Get your stuff," he growled. "You're coming with me."
Lora placed her hand on her mate's chest, her head didn't even reach his shoulders, but he stopped when she stepped in front of him. "What's going on?"
"I'm not letting my brother die because of her."
A sharp nod in Riley's direction let her know exactly who he was talking about.
"Where's Turner?" Riley asked cautious
ly.
"Strapped to a board, bleeding to save your sister," Chase snapped.
She felt her breath leave her in a solid swoosh.
Lora mumbled something to Chase that Riley couldn't hear and she saw his shoulder's drop. He pulled Lora to his chest and kissed the top of her head, before turning back to Riley.
"You're the only one that can stop him," Chase said, his voice softer, but the tension in his face remained. "He's willing to die to save Kiera. I know she's your sister, but he's my brother."
And her mate. She blinked away the tears that were forming in her eyes. Was he really asking her to choose which one should live?
"What about Keira?" Riley asked, averting her gaze. She understood Chase's panic. He loved his brother as much as she did her sister. "What happened?"
"Her heart stopped twice last night. Once again this morning. Her organs are shutting down."
The room started to spin around her, but she locked her knees and took a long steadying breath.
"There's a chance that Turner's blood and bone marrow may help, but the amount that it would take…" Chase swallowed hard, looked up at the ceiling and closed his eyes. "Not even a metamorph could survive."
Anger stirred in her. Turner had promised to tell her if Kiera was in trouble. He kept it hidden, and now she could lose them both.
Every muscle in her body was vibrating. "Take me to him."
Chapter 27
Every step was filled with agonizing dread as Riley followed Chase through the old building towards the medical facility. She had to sprint to keep up with him, but Lora held her hand, pulling her along when her legs faltered. They found Jacob pacing outside of a room marked surgery one. The two men whom he had been speaking with took one glance at Chase and scurried away, their expressions morose.
"Where is he?" Riley demanded, breathless and numb. When Jacob didn't answer right away, she moved to push past him.
"You can't go in there." Jacob gently grasped her shoulder stopping her, then held out his hand when Chase growled and moved towards the surgery room. "Either of you."
"I have to stop him. I can't let him do this," Riley choked out.
"It's already done. They took what they needed. They're starting treatment on Kiera as we speak." Jacob looked stricken and pale, and she saw how much the man cared for Turner. "The next few hours are crucial—for both of them."
Riley's throat constricted, rendering her incapable of speech.
"How is he?" Chase asked the question she was too afraid to ask.
"He's being monitored." The muscles in Jacob's jaw twitched. "As expected, he's in hypovolemic shock. He's been intubated and given fluids."
Riley could hear the but at the end of his sentence, even though he didn't say it. "Please, let me see him."
"He's not conscious," Jacob said softly. "Let the doctors do what they need to do."
Jacob placed an arm over her shoulder and guided her to a chair that sat against the wall. She sat, despite the desire to fight him. He knelt in front of her, took her hands, and lifted his haunted golden gaze to her. Riley shuddered, seeing the defeat in his expression.
No, no, no. She closed her eyes. Her voice was a hoarse whisper when she spoke, "Why would he do this?"
Jacob sighed. "You're his mate, and Kiera is a part of you. He knows how much she means to you. He's not just trying to save your sister, he's saving you."
She shook her head, not fully understanding. "But to risk his life?" She sucked in a deep steadying breath and fought the tears that threatened to spill. "Why didn't he tell me?"
"Would you have stopped him if you'd known what he planned on doing?"
She bit her lip, unable to answer.
Jacob's lips twitched. He started to say something, but the door beside them flew open, and a young woman dressed in scrubs and a mask burst into the hall. Both Jacob and Riley stood as the woman rushed past them.
"What's going on?" Chase snarled, catching the woman's arm when she came back, carrying what looked like a blanket made out of foil.
The woman raised her eyebrows at him, looked down at her arm where Chase held her, and gave a little snarl.
Jacob cleared his throat. "Are there any changes in his condition?"
When Chase released her, she answered, "He has marked hypotension, pronounced tachypnea and tachycardia, as well as cellular dysfunction and lactic acidosis." Her voice and demeanor was brisk. "I can't tell you anymore right now."
Riley glanced at Jacob when the woman disappeared into the surgical room. "What does any of that mean?"
"It means his organs are starting to shut down," Chase growled, slamming his fist into the wall.
Riley froze as icy fear gripped her. Jacob started pacing the hall, and Lora pulled Chase into a far corner, cradling his injured hand and whispering to him. With her back to the wall, she slowly crumpled to the floor. She pulled her legs up to her chest, and placed her forehead on her knees. Please, please, please be okay, she pushed into the void.
I'm sorry, came the response. It was faint, broken, and barely a whisper in her mind.
A soft sob escaped her lips as she realized he had heard her.
She jumped to her feet. If he was awake, she needed to be with him. She made it to the door and had her hand on the latch before Jacob was on her.
"You can't go in there."
"He needs me." A noise between a cry and snarl vibrated through her chest, startling both of them. "I can feel him. He's awake. I can't let him be alone. Please, Jacob."
He ran a hand over the dark scruff on his chin and looked over his shoulder at Chase, who gave a clipped nod. With a huff, Jacob opened the door and followed her into the preparation room.
"You need to wash." He grabbed a surgical gown and mask, and placed them on the counter beside the sink.
Riley couldn't take her eye off the pale, motionless form in the opposite room. There was a tube down his throat, one in his nose, and another in his arm. Multiple wires ran under the foil blanket that draped over his body.
"Riley," Jacob said tightly, making her head jerk up to meet his stern gaze. "If you go in there you need to keep your head, no matter what happens."
He helped her into the gown and pressed the intercom, letting the doctor and nurses know she was coming in.
Her fingers shook as she approached the bed. His eyes were closed, and there was a sheen of sweat on his ashen face. There were so many tubes and wires that she was afraid of getting too close.
One of the nurses pulled a stool over and motioned for her to sit.
"Has he woken up?" Riley asked, positioning herself where he could see her if he opened his eyes.
The nurse shook her head and walked to the other side of bed to check the monitors.
Leaning towards him, Riley placed her hand on his forehead. His skin was cool, clammy. She closed her eyes and concentrated on reaching him. I'm here. I'm not leaving you. Her throat constricted. I won't leave you.
Why had she told him that she would? The thought of losing him, of being without him for even a day was torture. The possibility of losing him forever, unbearable. She couldn't lose him when she had just found him. He might be her mate, but he was also the most selfless, caring, stubborn man she'd ever met, and she was in love with him.
"Wake up," she whispered, pressing her forehead to his. "I love you, Turner Payne. I promise when this is over, I'll be yours completely. I'll move in with you, or we can buy our own place, somewhere out by Chase and Lora, where we can raise a family together. I want that with you. Only you."
His eyes opened sluggishly. She could see how difficult it was for him, as he tried to focus on her. His mouth twitched around the ventilator tube.
"Hi," she said softly, keeping her hand on his cheek, and trying to still the panic in his eyes. "Don't try to speak."
His hand twitched and grasped at the air until she reached for it, pressing his fingers against her lips.
Is she all right? Turner's thoughts filtered th
rough her mind like a wisp, so faint she barely heard it.
It took her a moment to realize he meant Kiera. Even now when he was fighting to stay alive, he was thinking of others.
"I don't know. I haven't heard anything."
You should go to her. She'll need you when she wakes up. His eyes drifted shut and then open and his thoughts became more distant.
"I'm not leaving you."
He strained to keep his eyes open, blinking sluggishly. She thought his lips tilted up slightly.
I love you, Riley.
An alarm went off on one of the monitors and his eyes drifted closed.
"Turner?" she cried.
"You need to get back," one of the nurses ordered, rushing to Turner's side. "His vitals are dropping."
A medical team poured into the room, crowding around him, pushing Riley back.
"He's coding," someone yelled.
Riley stumbled back and would have fallen if a pair of powerful arms hadn't caught her. She looked up to find Chase's grief-stricken face. He pulled her tight against his chest, his arms crushing until she could barely breathe.
They were trying to resuscitate him. A doctor was doing chest compressions, while another inserted some sort of medication into his IV.
"We're losing him," someone growled.
"No." She tried to push away from Chase's restraining hold, but he held her tight.
"Get her out of here," someone screamed.
Chase dragged her forcibly from the room.
"I can't leave him. I promised I wouldn't leave him," she shouted, trying to fight him off.
Jacob and Lora waited for them in the hall.
Lora opened her arms, and Riley fled into them. All of her pent up emotion poured out in convulsive gasps and they both sank to the floor.
Chase sat down beside them and buried his face in his hands.
Jacob paced.
None of them spoke.
The tension and grief was almost tangible. Minutes ticked by slowly.
She closed her eyes, tried to reach for him, to test their connection, but every time she did, her mind was flooded with images of Turner's listless body. Her thoughts were chaotic, drifting between the nightmares of the past week. But she wouldn't change any of it if Turner would be all right.
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