“I’m calling security,” she threatened, and Michael shrugged his shoulders.
He didn’t care what she did. He wasn’t leaving Kenny. He didn’t know how many times he’d actually need to repeat himself, but he’d do it all damn night if necessary.
“Fuck,” Nicholas breathed out, shaking his head. “That woman hates you for some reason.”
“I don’t know what her issue is. That’s her problem, not mine. I don’t care if she’s a shifter hater or a homophobe. Either way, she’s not going to make me leave.”
“I hope they don’t tranq your ass,” Nicholas said, chuckling, and Michael knew his friend was trying to bring some laughter to the awkward moment.
Michael sighed and shook his head. He was desperate to have this night end. When he was finally starting to relax, the nurse came back with a couple security officers and a smug look on her face.
“Sir, we need for you to leave peacefully,” one of the officers said, and Michael stood up.
“What?” Michael couldn’t believe what he was hearing.
“Threatening nurses isn’t allowed, sir. We’re asking you to leave,” the other man added.
“I didn’t do shit.” Michael kept his voice low.
He tried to remain clam, but the thread of sanity he was holding onto, slowly started to snap. Goose bumps broke out along his arms and Michael looked down, watching as white hairs sprouted and grew. His polar bear was pissed. The bear wanted out. His job was to care for and protect his mate.
A distressed sound broke free from Kenny’s lips and Matthew turned, staring down at the young man. Tears filled Michael’s eyes, but he refused to let the moisture fall down his cheeks. His poor mate had been through so much. All Michael wanted to do was sit by Kenny’s side. He wasn’t a trouble maker. He was just trying to be a caring and considerate mate.
“See?” The nurse pointed a finger at Kenny. “He’s upsetting the patient.”
“Fine,” he sighed. “I’ll leave.” He didn’t want to fight the hospital staff and he sure as hell didn’t want to upset Kenny.
Leaning down, Michael whispered into Kenny’s ear, “I’m sorry.” He swallowed down the tight ball of emotion lodged in his throat, kissing his mate’s ear. “Remember me.”
He briefly closed his eyes, hoping and praying that his human would remember him.
Keeping his head down, Michael let the security officers escort him out of the hospital as if he were a criminal. Once outside, the officers stood by the doors and Michael scoffed. It was ridiculous—a few humans couldn’t block him from reentering, if he wanted to.
“Come on, man.” Nicholas wrapped an arm around his waist for support as the two headed toward the parking lot.
The further he moved away from his mate, the worse Michael felt. Lifting a hand, he absently rubbed the spot above his heart. This was wrong. He shouldn’t be leaving Kenny. He should be by the man’s side, taking care of the human in his time of need. The young man had been through so much. Did Kenny think Michael was abandoning him?
“Michael.” Nicholas said his name, and Michael made a non-committal noise. He didn’t want to talk. “Damon’s staying. He’s inside the hospital and he’ll watch over your mate.”
Michael jerked to a stop. He looked over at Nicholas and the man smiled. Michael let out a relieved sigh. He trusted Damon to watch over his mate.
“Let’s go home. Damon will keep us posted.”
* * * *
Damon Sabbath watched his brother escort Michael toward the parking lot. He didn’t know why some of the hospital staff seemed prejudiced, but he wasn’t going to allow anyone to scare him away. Shaking his head, Damon made his way down the hall. He slipped inside Kenny’s room, hiding inside the bathroom as the nurse busied herself pressing IV needles inside each of the human’s arms.
He leaned against the white tile wall and waited for the woman to leave.
He couldn’t figure out why the nurse had been so rude to Michael. The polar bear shifter was one of the gentlest souls Damon had ever met. The big bear may intimidate others with his size and stature, but the man was incredibly tender hearted. Just watching Michael with Kenny, he knew the man would do anything to take care of his human mate. It was sweet and it made his mind wander to his own mate.
When the sound of a door closing caught his attention, Damon peaked out of the bathroom. Kenny was lying on the bed, his eyes open, staring blankly at the ceiling. How is the human being alone better than allowing Michael to stay? At least with Michael here, someone would’ve taken care of Kenny.