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walked back over to Ms. Brayburn. He gently inserted the needle into the IV port and began to
administer the Tylenol.
Thirty seconds later her body began to convulse.
What in the hell did you give her? Claybourne demanded.
Fucking Tylenol, like you asked. Why is she having this reaction? Felix said as both he and
Claybourne lay across the older woman in an effort to keep her from harming herself. Claybourne
reached behind him and grabbed a bite guard which he put between the older woman s teeth to keep
her from biting her tongue.
After about a minute the convulsions stopped and her body was still.
Is she? Ms. Tully asked crying. Claybourne shook his head.
She s fine for now. We ll let the fluids and Tylenol do their job. Hopefully her fever will
break. I ve never heard of an illness that affected a person s ability to shift. Ms. Tully, can you go
over the past couple days to see if we can figure out what led up to this? Claybourne asked.
Of course, Doctor. We went home just like you said to do. She changed into her pajamas and
we settled in front of the television. She dozed off and on for hours. I kept giving her water every time
she was awake. I helped her to bed, but then. Then about an hour ago, I heard her moaning in her
sleep. I went into her bedroom and she was burning with fever. That s when I called. She hasn t
woken up at all, even when I was calling her name. Ms. Tully wiped her eyes.
That s strange, she wasn t running a fever before, Claybourne said, pacing the room.
Let s Felix began when Claybourne s phone began to ring. He answered it immediately.
Liam? Yes, actually I m already at the clinic. Bring him in immediately. Claybourne ended the
call and looked over to Felix.
That was Liam, Damian is out of his mind with fever. They are bringing him in now.
Claybourne looked around the room.
Felix, get other beds ready. I want IVs and Tylenol ready at each station. Pull back the curtains,
we don t need private examining areas, this will be triage, Claybourne said, pulling the dividing
curtains back.
You re acting like there will be more, Felix whispered. Claybourne turned to him, fear in his
eyes.
Maybe if we re prepared, nothing will happen. Claybourne turned back to arranging the
gurneys in the room.
* * * *
Fifteen minutes later Liam came striding in carrying Damian in his arms. Immediately behind
him were Rian and Kent. Felix directed him to the back where they had a bed prepared. Liam put him
down gently and stepped back to stand beside the bed. Kent immediately moved to his side.
What s wrong with him, Doc? He s so weak and can t shift, Liam asked as Kent wrapped an
arm around his mate. Rian moved to stand at Damian s side. Felix looked around for Sebastian. Kent
saw him looking.
We left him at home in our bed. We don t know if it s contagious, we couldn t risk him getting
sick, not with him being pregnant, Kent explained, shooting a look to Claybourne.
Felix nodded. I told him about hybrid pregnancies already, he confirmed. Kent breathed out a
sigh of relief.
Doc, you have this room set up to receive more patients. Do you know something I don t?
Liam asked.
No, I just have this horrible feeling that this will get worse before it gets better. Shifters don t
get sick. Period. Now I have two shifters in here, dehydrated and running high fevers. Call me a
pessimistic bastard, but yeah, I have a feeling this is just the tip of the iceberg, Claybourne said.
Felix rolled up Damian s sleeve and got the IV started. When he administered the Tylenol,
Damian bucked and convulsed the same way that Ms. Brayburn did. Felix and Claybourne
immediately lay across his body to hold him down to prevent him from injuring himself. When
Damian calmed down Claybourne and Felix backed away.
Liam you need to call the other leaders, we need to see how many people are infected. I pray
that this is it, but I don t think so, Claybourne said. Liam nodded and reached for his phone when it
started to ring. Frowning, he answered.
What! Bring her in. Claybourne is here already. Bran, she isn t the only one, there are more.
Okay see you soon. Liam stared at his phone.
Liam? Liam! Snap out of it, what did Bran say? Claybourne demanded.
Kate is sick. She has passed out and won t wake up, Liam whispered.
Get with Gabriel and Aleks, go door to door if you have to. We need to see how many people
are sick. Claybourne ran to the cabinets. He tossed empty vials to Felix.
Get blood samples. We need to figure out what in the hell is going on. Claybourne was about
to turn to Liam when his cell phone began to ring. He fumbled, trying to answer it quickly.
Hello? Fuck! Yes, bring her in. Aaron, we need you and your sons in town, it s widespread. I
need help down here. Yes. Thanks. Claybourne hung his head. Felix went to his mate and wrapped
his arms around him.
Ma is sick. They re bringing her to the clinic, Claybourne whispered. He looked over to
Liam.
You need to hurry, he said and Liam paled. The lion Alpha nodded and headed out the door
with Kent. Rian stayed next to Damian.
Doc, I can go door to door in town. Everyone knows me, Ms. Tully offered. Claybourne
nodded.
That would be appreciated, Ms. Tully. Claybourne squeezed Felix s hand and stepped away
from the embrace.
I need those blood samples, Felix. We need to be sure they are labeled and kept organized as
more people come in, Claybourne explained.
It s going to be a long night, Claybourne whispered.
Then it s a good thing we got a nap then isn t it. Felix stood on tiptoe and kissed his mate.
If you start to feel weak or tired you let me know right away, Claybourne said intently. Felix
nodded.
You do the same. Felix gave his mate one last hug and turned to get the blood sample he
needed.
* * * *
Felix was storing the blood when he heard raised voices. Someone was yelling at his mate? Oh,
hell no.
We re not leaving, Doc, Caleb said, his feet spread wide. Claybourne shook his head,
sympathy on his face.
I understand you re a ménage mating, I respect that. But it s one visitor per patient,
Claybourne said. Arguments erupted all around them, all aimed at his mate. He saw Claybourne s
shoulders start to slump.
Anger flooded him. He opened his mouth and a thundering roar echoed through the small waiting
room. He pushed his way past the Arkadions to stand between Bran and Claybourne.
Back the fuck off, wolf. Look around you. This is bigger than you, so stow your shit or I will
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