Sweet Caroline

Chapter 11

Andrew sat down next to Caroline on the bed and took her hand in his. Kissing the back of it, he silently cried. He could hear her heartbeat, and it beat slowly. He could hear her breathing, and even with oxygen, it was ragged as if she struggled.

With his head bowed, Andrew brokenly whispered, "I'm losing her. I can't lose her."

When Andrew felt a hand on his shoulder, he tilted his head up. It was Caroline's father looking as broken as he felt.

"Mr. Barlow, exactly what do you know about us, and how?" The Alpha questioned.

Caroline's father took a deep breath. "Let me tell you about my friend. He's the Alpha of the Black Paw Pack, and his name is Reilly Delgado..." Mr. Barlow began, then finished with, "...and you sir almost ooze with power, just like he does."

The Alpha nodded, "I actually know him, and yes, I suppose we do since we're both Alphas. It's in our DNA. Speaking of DNA..." The Alpha turned from Mr. Barlow to look at Andrew, who had seemingly tuned them out and concentrated on his mate. "Andrew."

"Sir," Andrew said, turning his head.

"I think giving her a bit of blood will heal her," the Alpha stated.

Andrew looked up, giving his Alpha a hopeful look. "I'll give her some then—"

"No, you're already weak from being away from her and from feeling her pain. No, I'll give her, and you, a bit of mine. The blood of an Alpha will be stronger and work faster, which I think she needs just by listening to her heart," the Alpha explained.

Andrew's eyes widened. "Are you sure?"

"Andrew!"

Everyone turned to the door to find Andrew's parents standing there.

"Mom, Dad," Andrew whispered.

"Oh, Andrew, what happened?" his mom asked as she walked over to hug him.

"Mom, someone poisoned Caroline," Andrew whispered as he held his mom tight.

His mom gasped as she asked, "Who would do such a thing?"

"We don't know. But it won't be pretty when I find out," Andrew growled.

"There will be time for that later, Andrew. Right now, let's concentrate on making her get better," the Alpha said.

Andrew nodded.

"Andrew, I want you to lay down with her and breathe deeply and calmly. When I give her blood, it will intensify her hearing a bit. So, I want you to pull her head onto your chest, and let's see if we can get her heart to synchronize with yours. This will strengthen your bond, which will in turn speed up the healing process," the Alpha added.

Andrew once more nodded as he lay down and pulled his mate close.

The Alpha pulled a pocketknife from his pocket. "I'll give you some first, Andrew, to give you a bit of strength, then her."

Andrew nodded.

Alpha sliced the palm of his hand and squeezed it, causing the blood to run as Andrew held his mouth open.

When the wound quickly healed, the blood stopped flowing, and Andrew swallowed.

"Better?" The Alpha asked after a couple of minutes.

"Yes, sir. I don't feel as tired or groggy anymore, thank you," Andrew said.

"Alright. Let's give some to Caroline now and see if we can get her to..." the Alpha began.