Ruby's Heart, A Blue Moon Coven Chronicle

28. Post Lapsum ~ {After The Fall}

Ruby's heart failed twice in the ride from the accident to the house. Her blood volume had decreased rapidly from a head laceration and internal bleeding. Dr. Jude had requested that family, as well as pack members, be typed for blood donation immediately. Ruby's father was not a match but Ryan and Cassy were. 

Evelyn Brose did not seem surprised by this. 

Dr. Jude infused Ruby with the two units that were provided and hoped that it was enough to pump up her blood flow while the rest of the pack was typed. After hours of surgery and two bags of blood plasma added, Dr. Jude had no further luck. He pushed constant fluids hoping Ruby's wolf could make up the difference in blood cells quickly.

~~

Ruby's will to live amazed Jude. He adjusted her drip and checked the oxygen flow of her canula as her levels fluctuated. He glanced over at the girl's mate. Ryan Brose was the future Alpha of the pack. He wondered if Ryan was ever going to take a break from his bedside vigil. It had been a week since the accident and he hadn't seen the young man leave. Jude put Ruby's chart back in its slot and leaned over to examine her. He could hardly believe the mess they brought in a week ago. 

Ruby's seatbelt and the angle of her body during the initial impact of the accident had led to fractured ribs. When she fell down the embankment a few shards dislodged from the bones and punctured her lung. Her fall also resulted in a traumatic brain injury serious enough that they had to induce coma while they administering drugs to prevent swelling and seizures. The rest of her injuries were mostly contusions. Her body was a mottled color of blue and green as the bruising healed beneath her skin. Part of Ruby's hair at the back of her head had to be shaved to facilitate the placement of staples. Large staples meant to hold her flesh together.

Luke and his new bride Cinder had arrived at the pack the day after the accident. They had hurried to the pack hospital and were surprised that Ruby was not there. Everyone believed it was best to hurriedly convert her existing room to a hospital suite, to avoid detection. They still needed her hidden until the coven charter was complete and administratively legal. Luke and Cinder had their blood typed. They both matched Ruby's type as well.

Once more, Evelyn Brose was not surprised that they too carried the same blood type as Ruby. They also donated blood to her.

Jude knew that four units were the bare minimum to give after the amount of blood that Ruby had lost. He hoped that Ruby's wolf was fighting to heal her. As he looked her over he smiled, moving some of her hair away from her face and setting it aside. A growl from behind him alerted him to Ryan's now awake presence and he turned to speak with him. Ryan was on his feet and back at Ruby's side. He held her hand tightly in his while his eyes darkened and he glared at Jude.

"Why are you touching her?" Ryan didn't mean to sound so accusing but his wolf Beau was becoming more possessive by the day.

"I'm checking her vitals and response to see if she's ready to be taken out of the induced coma. It's just standard." Jude's even tone and response helped to calm Ryan down again. Jude was glad he had experience in leveling his heart rate, he didn't want the future Alpha to get the wrong idea. His interest in Ruby was purely medical. He'd convinced himself of that. Daily. 

Ryan pulled the chair back to Ruby's bedside so he could continue to hold her hand while he sat. Once Dr. Jude had left the room, Ryan spoke to Ruby.

"Mate, my Mate," Ryan whispered before clearing his throat and continuing in low tones. "It's been seven days already. I don't know what happened Ruby. I saw the truck and no one believes me. At least the local police did not believe me. I know you saw the truck too. I don't know why anyone would try to kill us. We didn't ask for any of this. Who asks to be a wolf with witch magic? Seriously. Ruby, I need you. I can't talk to anyone else the way that I can talk to you."