Raised by an Alpha *Sample Only*

2

Avery POV <3

"The fever just won't break." My voice is bordering hysterical as I wipe Liam's forehead with a wet cloth.

It has been a few hours and nothing that I do is working, not even Tylenol. His fever spiked to 104 and he is in and out of consciousness.

Fear has taken root in my mind, playing with all the worse case scenarios that I can think of.

It's a mother's worse nightmare to have a child sick and not know what is causing it. I know that I'm not Liam's mother, that I am only his sister. But in a weird way I look at him like he is my son. I raised him alongside my own children. Him and Kaden are more like brothers than uncle/nephew.  

Colton stands at the edge of the bed with Doctor Grey, discussing in hushed tones different treatment options. I can see the worry lines on his forehead as he  runs his hand through his hair in frustration. He is just as panicked about Liam's state as I am.

He's just better at hiding it.

He's lucky that doctor Grey found her mate when I was pregnant with Kaden or I would be pissed at how close they are standing right now. Actually, scratch that, I am pissed about how close they are standing. But Liam is my priority, I can kill Colton later.

"Luna, I'm gonna get him a strong antibiotic and some pain medicine." She bows her head before leaving the room quickly.

Tears flood my eyes as I stare down at Liam. I am barely aware of Colton's hands rubbing my shoulders trying to calm me. It's such a sweet gesture that I don't have the heart to tell him it isn't working.

"I can't lose him." I say more to myself than to him.

The surgical mask is starting to feel like it's suffocating me and I can't help but fiddle with it.

I'm lifted off the bed into Colton's chest. His arms tighten around my waist as I bury my face into him, trying to hid my tears.

"He'll be okay. Randi is on her way with the antibiotics and he will be okay." He kisses my head, burring his face in my neck.

I know that I might be overreacting. It's not like we haven't been sick before and living among the wolves, it is sometimes worse.

Wolves don't get sick so us humans don't get sick often. Last time I had a serious case of pneumonia Randi explained that because of this, our immune systems were, for lack of a better term, weakening.

This does little to calm me though. I understand he caught something but what can we do to make him better, and fast.

"Go tuck the kids into bed, and I'll get him into a cool bath." Colton says, pulling me away from his chest.

"Are you sure? I can stay?" Even though that might be weird for me.

Colton smiles at me, knowing exactly what I am thinking. I don't want to see my little brother naked. Somethings are just too weird. I kiss him quickly, thanking him for how amazing he is. I turn to give Liam a kiss but Colton stops me, pulling me away from him.

"He still might be contagious, Kitten, even with the mask." He says softly, pulling me towards the door.

I have the mask on so I didn't care. All I could think is one of my kids needs me and I am there no matter what the consequences are to myself. I stare at the wood door that separates me from Liam.

Maybe he needs me by his side to stay strong? I could be like a beacon of light in the darkness. I'll do anything because I can't lose him.

Tears stream down my face at the very thought. Who would I be if I lost Liam?

I feel like a robot as I help my kids with their nightly routines. Bath for Evelyn while Kaden showers. Help them with their pajama and brushing hair and teeth. It's like autopilot, I don't even have to think about it. I just keep moving my body and the muscle memory does the rest.

If the kids notice, they don't say anything. They just continue their routines and tell me they love me. I kiss them goodnight, before making my way back up to Liam.

Colton is standing outside the closed door waiting for me. Why isn't he in the room with Liam?

Did something happen? Is he alright? My heart rate picks up and my breathing turns to panicked gasps as all the worse case scenarios one back.

"Hey, he's asleep, Kitten. Randi gave him some pain meds and he knocked right out." he moves his hands up and down my arms in a soothing manner.

I let him pull me down the hall to our bedroom. My mind stuck on Liam. I know that Randi is a good doctor and that she has treated us well in the past. But maybe Liam needs to go to an actual human specialist doctor.

Not that they know they specialize in humans.

"Maybe we should take him to a hospital?" I ask, taking my pajamas from Colton's hands and sitting on the edge of the bed.

He strips off his shirt, in a dazzling display that never fails to momentarily distract me.

I could be on my death bed about to take my final breath and that would distract me.

The way his muscles move so fluently, it's like his version of a siren song and it lures me in every time.

"The doctor comes to us, Kitten." He throws his clothes into the hamper and moves towards the beds in only his boxers.

"But maybe he needs -"

"Avery, he just needs rest and the antibiotics. And you need to calm down. Let's get some sleep. I'm sure he'll be better in the morning." He says as his warm hands trace up my thighs, moving to unbutton my jeans.

His hands are so delicate and soft, like I am breakable as they slowly pull my jeans off.

I almost expect his hands to roam and initiate a more intimate moment.

But he doesn't. He just helps me slip on my pajama pants.

He knows I just need him. Sometimes it's not about forgetting or distracting yourself from what's going on around you, it's about being comforted through it.

He pulls me into his arms, rolling us quickly so that I am pressed against his chest with his arms wrapped tightly around me.

*

I jolt awake to the sound of a blood curdling scream.

I scramble to catch up to Colton who was nearing the door by the time I was up.

My heart is beating faster than a hummingbirds wing and my breath lodges in my throat when I see him practically break down Liam's door.

It's like everything warped into slow motion as I rounded into his room. Colton's arm's wrap around my middle pulling me back, but my eyes stay locked on Liam seizing on the bed.

"Mommy?" Evelyn's voice snaps me back to reality and I snap my head to look at her.

She stands in the hallway with Kaden, both staring at me and Colton with wide, terrified eyes. My heart is slamming in my chest as Colton releases me and rushes back towards Liam.

I wipe my tear stained cheeks quickly, forcing the words from my throat to sound calm and collected.

Even though I feel anything but.

"Kaden, take your sister to her room and stay there, okay?" It's shaky, but overall I think my voice held firm.

Kaden doesn't hesitate to grab her hand and pull her into the bedroom. Both pairs of scared eyes stay glued to me until the door clicks softly shut.

Colton runs pass me with a screaming and thrashing Liam in his arms. The sight breaking my heart into a million tiny pieces, as I try to grasp what is happening.

The words that Colton said as he passed me, washing over me like ice water.

I'm frozen.

The ghost of Colton and Liam still in front of me as his words replay over and over.

"He's shifting!"