16 - LAUREN VEE GRAY
1434 Words
“THIS is not going to hurt much, alright?” Violet told the young patient lying on the gurney.
He may be five or six years old.
She was holding the boy’s wrist and checking for the vein where she could insert the needle.
She smiled at the little boy. Her words and friendly demeanor did not appease his fear and doubts.
“It’s like a little pinch, okay.”
The anxiety was still plastered on his face, but he did not pull his hand away.
It was understandable since most of the kids his age felt the same way.
This was not her first encounter with children. In fact, most of the time, it was the children who were mostly affected by sickness and war anywhere in the world, especially in places where Violet volunteered.
“Baby, look at mommy.” The mother also smiled at her son to calm him down. “This will be over soon. The pretty doctor will make it all better.”
The young patient shook his head. He clutched his free hand on his mother’s arm in fear.
“Would you look at that?” Violet uttered in surprise.
She was looking at the nearby window where a bird was seated on a branch of the tree.
Both mother and son turned to the window.
The doctor used the opportunity to insert the needle of the IV connected to the line of sterile solution. She immediately covered it with a plaster.
The mother gave her a thankful smile when they turned to the doctor, who was already checking the line of sterile solution. On the other hand, the boy was fascinated with the bright butterfly needle attached to the back of his hand.
Violet requested the winged infusion set. She knew that there were injured children.
“It wasn’t so bad, right?”
The young boy nodded shyly. His eyes remained on his hand.
“I’ll see you later, alright? A nurse will come to you to give you medicine.”
“Would it hurt?” This time, he raised his eyes to look at Violet.
“Not anymore. Not for a good boy like you.”
She patted his head lightly.
“You have beautiful eyes.”
“Thank you.” Violet turned to the mother. “I will speak with you and your mate later. Meet me anytime.”
The mother nodded. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
She left the room after that.
The infirmary of the pack was quite small. It only has four rooms for the patients. One room for males, females, children, and maternity. Each room has two beds.
It rarely happens that the rooms are filled with patients since werewolves are not susceptible to diseases. However, the attack made an exception.
Even the emergency room that has two beds was already filled with the injured.
Violet started working with Dr. Bryce, the pack doctor, three days ago. The old man was grateful for her presence.
Since she arrived on the third day after the attack, some of the injuries were starting to heal or had healed. However, most of the cases that she has to handle have to do with resetting the healing bones.
It was not unusual for her to hear swearing in the background. Yet, she had a lot of it lately.
“Good afternoon.” She greeted when she entered the male ward.
Four sets of eyes turned to her. The two pairs have a sling on their shoulder.
The women sitting beside the patients frowned when they saw her. Instead of making way for her, they inched closer to the injured men.
It was not hard to guess that the women were mated to these men.
“I’m Dr. Woods. I’m here to check them.” She announced.
She pulled out the stethoscope from the pocket of the white coat she was wearing.
It was only then that the woman was able to pull away from the patients, but they were still scrutinizing the female doctor.
She went to the nearest bed.
“How are you feeling?” She asked.
“Like my arm was on fire. It hurts more than when I was attacked by those motherf*ckers.” The young man answered while glaring at Violet.
She knew where his hostility came from.
It was she who broke his arm again when she saw that the bone was not properly aligned, though it was healing.
“Because I had to break your bones again so it would heal properly.” She explained. Again.
She pressed the swelling skin uncovered by the crepe bandage.
“What the f*ck?” He swore and threw a punch at the tall woman.
Violet caught his hand in hers. She smiled at him.
“You’re getting stronger, I see.” She let go of his hand. “You’ll be discharged in the morning. I will order the nurse to give you meds for the pain.”
He snorted.
“Well, it’s up to you if you want to lessen the fire creeping up your arm. I can cancel it anytime. Just say the words.” She challenged, but heard no opposition from him.
She turned her back on him, but she heard him muttered ‘b*tch’.
“How about you?” Violet asked the other patient, who was not as indifferent.
The tall woman can almost guess that this one has half a brain to understand why he has to undergo the same pain.
“Are you really a doctor?” The woman beside him asked. She was clearly in doubt.
“I am. I could show you my credentials if you like.”
Violet checked the patient’s arm. She nodded when she noticed that the swelling was gone.
This patient was here first, than the other guy with an attitude.
“Did it start to itch?”
“It does.” He stared at Violet. “You looked oddly familiar.”
“Great. You can go home to heal, but see me in the morning. I would like to check the arm when we remove the wrap.” She responded, avoiding his other statement.
“Yes, Doc.”
“Don’t smile at her like that.” The woman beside him chastised the young man.
Violet left without another word.
She was quite familiar with how much of possessive mates are.
The visit to the female ward was uneventful and done in three minutes. Both patients were advised to recuperate at home.
She went to the reception desk, where a middle-aged woman was stationed.
“Hello, Dr. Woods.”
“Hi. Three patients are going home today. One will remain in the male ward. His pain meds will continue.”
The woman was keeping notes while she was giving orders.
“The little boy who has been admitted, when the parents look for me, has someone find me.”
“Yes, Doc.”
“Do we have more patients who came in while I was making rounds?”
“None so far. We’re good for the day.” The woman beamed. “By the way, Dr. Bryce linked that he wanted to see you after his home visits.”
“Copy that. Thank you.”
“Lauren?”
Violet stilled.
She knew that voice, though she had not heard that in ten years. She was not called in that name in many years.
Slowly, she turned around.
Luna Dina looked older than her age. She seemed frail, too.
“Oh, my goddess.”
Violet closed her eyes when she was enclosed in an embrace. She was surrounded by the familiar scent and warmth of her mother.
“You are here.” The older woman whispered over and over again while holding the tall woman close.
She held her mother to her chest.
Luna Dina seemed to have shrunk. She appeared to be shorter than Violet remembered.
“You are here.” Her mother said again.
The arms around Violet slowly let go. However, gentle fingers caressed her face.
“My baby is here.” There were tears in the older woman’s eyes. “Oh, Lauren.”
“Hello, Mom.”
Gradually, a scowl materialized on the Luna’s face.
“What took you so long to come home, Lauren Vee Gray?!”
It was more than just a question. It was a shout that could be overheard in a twenty-meter radius.
To her dismay, the current alpha of the pack was standing by the entrance of the infirmary. A smirk was plastered on his lips while looking at them.
- Writer
