Melinda’s Wolves(90)

But she was a zombie. She knew she couldn’t hold herself upright much longer without collapsing.

She lowered her head and took several long deep breaths, trying futilely to rein in her frustration and anger.

Trace’s footsteps approached.

She bit her lip. She needed to face him. And right then she wasn’t sure she wouldn’t say things she couldn’t take back.

“Melinda…” He squatted down in front of her, setting his hands on her thighs and pinning her with his stare. “Baby, talk to me.”

“I can’t yet. I need some time.” Her voice hitched, and renewed tears fell down her face. She released the edge of her seat with one hand to wipe them away.

Trace didn’t move. His breathing was uneven. His fingers looked like hamburger. He needed medical attention. He squeezed her thighs. His head sank lower.

She didn’t shove him away, which was as much as she could manage at the moment. Every ounce of her being wanted to curl up in his lap, hold him tight, and cry her eyes out. But she’d never been so pissed at another being in her life. It was scary how angry she was.

Her warring emotions made her draw into herself, knowing if she spoke now it would be out of anger. Nothing good would come out of her lips. She needed to calm down first.

And her top priority wasn’t Trace’s feelings—it was Keegan’s life. All her focus needed to be on sending positive energy to Keegan. When they finally let her go back to see him, she needed to be his everything. Calm. Collected. Positive. Upbeat.

Nothing she currently felt.

A chill swept through her body, making her shake as if she were cold. She couldn’t stop it. Her entire frame trembled.

Trace eased his hands up to her waist. He lifted his head. “Please, baby.”

She gritted her teeth and closed her eyes. “Just sit. Later. I can’t right now.”

She wrapped her arms under her chest to ward off the irrational chill. Shock.

The automatic door to the emergency entrance slid open and Keegan’s parents stepped inside, their gazes quickly scanning the room before settling on Trace and Melinda as Trace stood. Will and Marcy dashed around the groups of chairs. Their eyes were wide. Marcy’s face was red and splotchy.

Will set his hand on Trace’s shoulder as Marcy sat in the chair next to Melinda and pulled her into her embrace.

“Any news yet?” Will asked.

“No.” Trace’s voice was faint.

Melinda started crying again as Marcy threaded a hand in her hair and rocked. “Shh. It’s going to be okay.” How could the woman be so positive while Melinda felt like her entire world was ending?

Marcy set her chin on Melinda’s head and rocked her back and forth. The tears kept falling until Melinda was all-out sobbing once again. And she couldn’t stop shaking. She barely knew this woman, and yet here they were bonding over a man they both loved.

And she did love Keegan. With her entire being.

Trace flipped her palm over and set a handful of tissues in it. That only made her feel worse. She needed him to be indifferent toward her right now—not nice.

Will wandered away, hopefully to get more information.

Trace took a seat on Melinda’s other side.

She was aware of his every move. There was no way to avoid it. Even as she hiccupped in an effort to gain some control of her emotions, she felt his stress through their connection.

What she didn’t feel was Keegan.

Her knees bobbed up and down rapidly. “So cold…” she muttered.

Marcy held her tighter. “Breathe, sweetie. You’re going to hyperventilate.”

“Anything?” Trace asked as Melinda saw Will’s shoes reappear in front of her.

“They won’t let us back yet. They’re still working on him. He’s unresponsive.” This last part Will uttered at barely a whisper. “When Mitch called, he said neither of you have had any communication with Keegan since the collapse. Is that right?” His tone was hopeful.

Melinda sat rigid. She couldn’t say anything to make the man feel better—especially since she hadn’t been given the privilege of attempting to communicate with Keegan.

Trace jerked at her side. She hadn’t blocked him from her line of thinking. He didn’t comment on her jab. “No,” he muttered. “Nothing.”

Melinda suddenly had a horrible thought. She lifted her gaze to Marcy. “We shouldn’t be here. We need to get him out of here. There are too many humans. He needs to shift.”

Marcy hugged her tighter. “Sweetie, this is the best place for him right now. He can’t shift. He isn’t conscious.”

Right. Of course. She hadn’t thought about that. If Keegan had any brain trauma that kept him from waking up, he needed to be stabilized in a human hospital. They were the only ones who could do anything for him. Until he woke up…