* I finished checking in at the front desk then sat down next to Caiden Bauer​. I was nervous. I worried about what they would find today. I worried that Gabriel Jericho​ was going after Quinn Cooper​. I just wanted to be tucked inside of Ama Maes bed and breakfast with Caiden. My leg bounced as anxiety pumped through my veins.


* I finished checking in at the front desk then sat down next to Caiden Bauer​. I was nervous. I worried about what they would find today. I worried that Gabriel Jericho​ was going after Quinn Cooper​. I just wanted to be tucked inside of Ama Maes bed and breakfast with Caiden. My leg bounced as anxiety pumped through my veins.
"Im looking for a more permanent living situation." His hand settled just above my knee, stopping the nervous bouncing. My eyes met his.
"Really?" My hand closed over his, my heart pounding.
"Yes, really. I want to be with you."
"I want to be with you, too." He leaned over and kissed me.
"It's going to be okay, Gina. I can feel it."
"You're a mind reader." I accused softly, tasting his lips.
"Only yours. Let's find a place together. Somewhere Kristen and I can work from too."
"Alright, I don't have a job yet, but I have money."
"I'm not worried about that."
"I am." I started to explain more when I heard my name called. I turned to see a nurse, holding a clipboard.
"That's my cue." I stood up and slid my purse on my shoulder.
"I'll be here." My eyes met his. I nodded and made my way to the nurse. I stopped and turned.
"Caiden?" He didn't even have to ask. He stood up and had my hand in his.
"Hi, I'm Alina, Dr. Ashbury will be seeing you today." I nodded as she led us down a long sterile hall, with huge windows looking out over the landscape.
"Let's get your weight." I dreaded it, but did as she asked. "Good, you're gaining. That's a good sign." She continued to lead us to a small room.
"Alright, Miss Jericho. Please removed everything, with the exception of your panties. That includes any and all jewelry, bras with underwire, anything that can effect the image when we do the scan. Dr. Ashbury will be in shortly to examine the wounds." She pulled out a gown and handed it to me. "Go ahead over there and change. I'll get your vitals when you're done. And you handsome, can have a seat right here." She patted a chair and I stepped into what appeared to be a closet, pulling the curtain closed. I had heard her and Caiden chatting as I changed. I tucked the gown closer as I stepped out in my bare feet.
"Alright, Miss Jericho. On the bed." I sat up where she told me and she took my blood pressure and heart rate. "Blood pressure is a little lower than we like to see. How is the pain?"
"Some days excruciating. Shifting eases it. But it returns."
"Taking any of the prescribed medications?"
"No ma'am." She nodded, writing down what I said.
"Okay. Im going to start an IV for the dye for the scan, then have Dr. Ashbury come in and see you." She eased me back on the bed and to my surprise, Caiden was there, my other hand in his. I did as she asked me to, my eyes on his.
I felt the pinch and grimaced as she taped it down.
"All set. The doctor will be right in." I nodded, Caiden pulling a sheet over my legs.
"Doing okay?" I nodded again. "All you do is nod." His fingers slid through my hair. "I got you, baby." There was a sharp rap and then the door opened. Dr. Ashbury was a tall, no nonsense surgeon. A polar bear shifter who was brilliant with medicine, he washed his hands.
"Gina Jericho...how are we feeling?" He wheeled the stool over and sat down, looking over my chart.
"Better than the last time you saw me."
"Yes, I'm sure. Pain is still bad?" I nodded. "Hm. Well, we knew there might be some permanent damage." He noticed Caiden then. "I'm Dr. Ashbury, I was one of the surgeons working to heal Gina when she was injured."
"Caiden Bauer, her boyfriend." They shook hands and then I answered the rest of the doctors questions.
"Let's take a look." He eased me up and untied the gown. I flinched when he fingered one of the places near the middle of my back. The others weren't quite as tender.
"Okay. Im going to administer a sedative, then start the dye. That way, you'll be nice and still for the scan. Im going to get the nurse and we will get started. See what's going on." He was out the door and Caiden took my hand.
"I'm here, babe. I'm not going anywhere." I nodded as the nurse and doctor sedated me. The last thing I saw was Caidens eyes before I eased to sleep. *

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  1. * I stepped away from Gabe and Quinn, the fight was obviously over. I sighed and leaned against the wall and knew Quinn was going to be a problem. He still wanted Gina, but I wasn't going to let that happen. Gina had wound herself tightly around my heart and I wouldn't ever give up on what we had. I nodded to myself, my mind clear of any worry. Gina was mine and therefore Quinn would just have to get over it. I headed back toward the room where Gina had been getting scanned, but she was no longer there. Shit. I turned and headed to the private room that had been set up for her recovery from the tests. I slipped inside to see her still asleep. I took the chair beside the bed and grabbed her hand. She moaned breathlessly. * Caiden. * I smiled and leaned up and over her to kiss her forehead. * Caiden? * I moved back and her eyes slowly opened and focused on me. She smiled and I squeezed her fingers. * Caiden...* I smiled. * Yes that's me. * I cupped her face and rubbed her temple with my thumb. * You're still here. * I kissed her cheek. * I'm here, baby. I'll always be here. * She smiled groggily and sighed as if happy. *

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  2. * I felt like I was floating and the only thing keeping me grounded was Caiden.
    "I feel weird." I muttered to him.
    "It's all of the dye. The sedative." I nodded, knowing he was right.
    "Gabe?"
    "He's here. In the waiting room. I can get him."
    "I want him to hear what the doc says too." He nodded and it seemed he was only gone a few seconds before he was back taking my hand. I heard Gabe in the hall talking to the nurses and arguing with someone. I turned my head towards the door, but Caiden was there blocking my view. Gabe came in and smiled at me.
    "Can we get these drugs to go, I haven't seen Gina so agreeable since, well, ever." He joked as he leaned against the wall. I smiled - or I thought I did.
    "Who were you arguing with?" I asked just as the door banged open. Quinn strode in like he owned the joint. Tears filled my eyes and I rapidly blinked, unable to take in the fact that these three men were in my recovery room.
    "Out, out, out. Only one other person in recovery with the patient. Two at most." The nurse was adamant as she tried to usher them out.
    "We're staying." Gabe nodded between him and Caiden. "This guy can pound pavement, though." He jerked a thumb at Quinn, who's eyes met mine.
    "Gina...I need to know." Emotions swamped over me.
    "We....we....were a mistake." I managed to whisper. He was there, moving closer. Caiden stopped him. "You threw me away." I sobbed out. Caiden shoved him then.
    "Get the fuck out!" Gabe was in the process of throwing Quinn out when the doctor came in. Everything fell silent as Dr. Ashbury sized up everyone in my room.
    "I suspect that I hold the answer to everyone's question." With that, he stepped over the box on the wall, flipped the switch and shoved my scan onto it where everyone could see. *

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  3. * My eyes fell on the scan where I could clearly see that her spine was still not healed completely. The only thing allowing her to walk at this point was the fact that she was a shifter. * We've got some fibrous tissue here, at the fracture site working to fuse it. Its not enough unfortunately. * He switched to another scan that had me swallowing. Fuck. My sister was lucky to be alive. I glared at Quinn. His own gaze was transfixed. * As you can see shes definitely healing. Just as not as quickly as we'd like. Perhaps we need to go back in and see if we can fuse the tear. * Dr. Ashbury launched into an overview of what the procedure included. Ginas eyes were closed. Her face had paled so I knew she was listening. Caiden had her hand and Quinn spoke up. * How long would a procedure like that last? And how long would she be immobile? * The doctor shrugged. * Its roughly a six hour procedure. She'd only be immobile for twenty-four hours after. The biggest concern is cost. * Both Caiden and Quinn spoke up at the same time. * Cost is no issue. * Caiden glared at Quinn. * What if she chooses not to have the procedure? * I wanted Damon to see the scans first and give his opinion. I trusted him more than this guy. * She runs the risk of her spine fusing incorrectly, or she could become paralyzed. Unfortunately, if shifting could heal it, it would have. At this point, its the only option. * I nodded. * Lets go Quinn. Leave her and Caiden. She's coming out of the sedative still. We'll chat and I'll decide whether or not I'm helping you. * We both stepped out of the room and headed to the waiting room. *

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* Raechel Hadrian​​ was finally sleeping as I quietly dressed and left the house. I had to deal with Mia before I dealt with the females of the pack. I was still furious, but everything with Jordan McCormick​​ overshadowed it. I still needed to tell Mikaela Kieschnick​​. Maybe I'd call Damon Kieschnick​​ first. Let him decide the best way to tell her. She'd taken to Jordan right off the bat and I think Jordan had loved Mik too. I kicked the truck engine over and rubbed my hands together. It was cold and the sky was just turning a bright orange in the eastern sky. I didn't relish the tasks ahead. I put the truck in gear and headed into town. We didn't have a large police department. It was a few offices for Slade Michaels and Cole Ross, the other enforcers were directed by them. Slade and I had talked about bringing Vincent Gaines on, but it hadn't gotten any further when we were called to help Bianca. 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She shivered. * Such big muscles. * Her eyes met mine. * Maybe we can work out a deal, hm? * Her fingertips grazed my neck and jaw and for the first time in my life, I wanted to throttle a female. I shoved the file folder between us. * For starters, seducing me will do nothing but get you killed. My mate would have your head. Secondly, we'd both suffer the mating rash. And last, I would rather be dragged behind a truck, over broken glass then continue to be this close to you. * Rage darkened her eyes. * You're a son of a bitch! * Her hand flew up to slap me and I caught her wrist. * I can be. Why don't we find out just how big of a one? * She jerked away from me. * I don't understand why you're so mad at me. Why I'm to blame. 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I'm banishing you, Mia. * Tears filled her eyes. * Beck...I mean, Alpha, sir....please. * I steeled myself against her pleas. * I don't trust you. In fact, you attempted to seduce me, which means you will stop at nothing to get what you want. I have yet to determine what exactly that is. But its detrimental to my pack. And I will not allow it. * She was sobbing now. * I just wanted Julian. I just wanted him to love me! * I shook my head. * He doesn't feel the same, Mia. The last female like you caused a lot of hurt as well and she almost killed members of my pack. I cannot stand by and let this happen. I will not. You broke trust. And you crossed the line thinking you could seduce me. * She hit her knees. * Alpha, please! Give me another chance! I will stay away from Julian! I'll do anything, ANYTHING to make this right. Just please, don't banish me!! * I shook my head as I gave the signal to be let out. * You'll be escorted out tomorrow morning. You will have exactly two hours to pack and clear out your things. * She was still sobbing. * Where will I go? * I stepped out of the cell. * I don't know, Mia, nor do I care. But you won't be here. And I shouldn't have to tell you that if you attempt to come back to McGregor land, you'll be killed on the spot. * I slammed the bars closed. * I hope that you take this chance and become a better person. Perhaps find a pack that will accept you. * She hit the bars, screaming. * I don't need you or your fucking pack! I didn't act alone! And everyone knows that the only reason you won't banish the others is because of who they mated and your mate is one! * I growled. * You know nothing of what I will do. Don't push me, Mia. It's too easy for me to have you executed. And it'd be supported. * I left her screaming behind me as I made my way back upstairs. I was due to meet with Jules, Meghan and Chloe in an hour. I wanted to be done with this whole thing so I could move on. 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