BAYNE
I paced the back of the medical room, trying to ease the tension in my shoulders as I waited for Dr. Gordon to finish the surgery. I watched as he slowly worked on one eye and then the other. I had no clue what he was doing and couldn't imagine the work that went into doing what he did, but I was grateful for his willingness to help us.
Brett was awake, but had remained silent the entire time, only speaking when Dr. Gordon asked him questions. I kept sending waves of love through our link, and as long as I got the same back, I was confident that he was okay.
No matter how I tried, I worried that he wouldn't be able to shift. If this didn't give him a reason to shift, what would? What would draw his wolf out and force him to pull out of the depression or whatever the fuck it was that had him hiding away? I almost felt as if I was a failure because my mate's wolf didn't want to be with me. Was it something about me? Did he not like his mate? Was it even possible not to like your mate?
"Okay, almost done." Dr. Gordon continued to focus on what he was doing.
I stayed back, not wanting to see the surgery. I could stomach a lot of things, but watching my mate be operated on had my wolf tense and angry. I had to hold him back to keep him from stopping the doctor from touching him. Even if it was necessary, my wolf didn't like anyone touching our mate.
"Okay, here is what is going to happen. I'm going to bandage your eyes in case you can't shift, but my hope is, once you sit up and are stable enough, you will shift. I don't want to rush this. I want you to sit up when I tell you, take a few minutes to get you oriented to being up. Then you can try to shift," Cohen told Brett.
A knock on the door had me turning.
The door opened a few inches. "Can I come in?" Kurt asked.
"Yeah, we're almost done," Dr. Gordon said.
"How are you holding up, Brett?" Kurt asked as he came to stand beside me.
"Okay." He sounded tired.
I met Kurt's gaze, and was sure he felt the worry and stress rolling off me. He gripped my shoulder, giving me support, but there was nothing he could do. Until Brett was back in my arms, I wouldn't calm.
"That should do it." Dr. Gordon raised up, rolling his shoulders. "Any pain, Brett?"
"None. I can't feel my face," Brett said.
I watched as Cohen and the doctor worked to finish up, wrapping a bandage around Brett's head, then slowly helping him sit up.
I blew out a relieved breath, seeing Brett up. My wolf still paced in my mind, but he was a bit calmer. We just wanted our mate with us.
"Now don't put any pressure on your eyes, don't move them a lot if you can help it," Dr. Gordon told him.
"Drink?" Cohen offered Brett.
"Yeah, please." Brett licked his lips.
Cohen handed him a bottle of water. "Take it slow."
Brett sipped the water while Cohen disconnected the IV and other things he'd connected to Brett's body during the surgery.
"I love you." I wanted to go to him, but had promised Cohen I'd stay away until he gave me permission to get closer.
Brett lifted his head and turned it toward me. "I love you too. I'm okay. Tell your wolf to calm down." He grinned.
I laughed. "I have been. He'll be better when you're in my arms."
"Do you feel like you can shift?" Cohen asked.
Brett shook his head. "No, nothing is different. My wolf is just there, but not active."
I bit my lip, trying to think of what to do. Shifting was going to make this so much easier. There had to be a way to do it.
"Cohen, can Brett get down on the floor now?" Kurt asked.
"Yeah, he's able to shift if he thinks he can." Cohen took Brett's arm and helped him off the surgical table.
I watched as Brett went down to his knees. He was naked because we knew he'd be trying to shift right after surgery. I fisted my hands at my side to keep from going to him. Kurt watched me cautiously, but I shook my head, letting him know I was in control and wouldn't interfere.
"Brett, try to shift." Dr. Gordon stepped back.
Brett took a hard breath and we waited.
Several minutes went by before Brett shook his head. "Nothing. He's not interested. Doesn't even want to try."
I swallowed hard, wondering if I should shift and try to lure him out with my wolf.
"Brett, let your wolf know that if he doesn't shift, by law Bayne is allowed to have other lovers so his wolf gets what it needs and desires," Kurt told him.
My eyes went wide. "Is that true?"
Kurt nodded. "It is. It's part of Wolf Law. Both the wolf and the human side must be satisfied. If Brett's wolf doesn't take care of your wolf, then you are allowed to have others." Kurt lifted his finger to his lips as he stared at me, then looked at Cohen and the doctor doing the same.
"I'm trying." Brett was frustrated, his hands in fists at his lap as he seemed to focus and try again.
When nothing happened, Kurt held up his finger to his lips again as he crossed the room and got a piece of paper and wrote something down.
I watched him curiously, wondering what he was up to.
He walked over and handed me the sheet of paper. I glanced down and read what he'd written.
I'm calling Justice in here. When he comes in and I give you the sign, I want you to loudly unzip your pants and get yourself aroused so Brett can smell it. Then, if this works, be ready, because Brett will come for you or attack Justice.
I smiled, understanding what he planned. I wasn't happy about arousing myself in front of others, but if it meant getting Brett to shift, I'd do anything I had to. I nodded to Kurt as he held his finger up to Cohen and the doctor again.
"So, Brett, are you willing to let your mate take other lovers?" Kurt's voice was deadly serious.
Brett trembled as he shook his head. "He wouldn't."
I hated the lie I was about to tell. "Think about it, Brett. You might satisfy me, but you know my wolf loves sex. If you aren't taking care of my wolf, someone would have to. I mean it would just be sex, right?"
Brett shook his head. "No!"
"Then shift for me!" I commanded him.
Brett groaned. "I'm fucking trying!"
"Not hard enough." Kurt moved across the room and opened the door. "Justice, I need you in here."
My heart pounded as Justice walked into the room.
"What's up?" Justice asked.
Kurt winked at him. "I want you to get on your knees and give Bayne a blow job, then once you have him all hot and bothered, you two will shift and fuck."
Justice's eyes went wide, but he seemed to understand as a sly smile formed over his face. "Sure, if that's what Bayne wants."
"No!" Brett screamed.
"Then shift, love. You know my wolf hasn't gotten off in at least a week. He's hurting. He wants you, but if Justice is willing to do what you can't, then I'll let him. If Kurt says it's lawful for me to take another, I have no choice but to do it for my wolf." I worked the snap of my pants open.
"I know what you're doing. You think you can trick my wolf into shifting." Brett shook his head. "I'm trying, Bayne."
"I know, baby, but Justice is here, and my wolf is thinking sex. I don't know if I can hold him back now that Kurt gave me permission." I bit my lip hard as I felt the pain I was causing Brett to feel.
"Justice, you know what you need to do." Kurt used his authoritative alpha voice that I seldom heard.
Justice took a deep breath, rubbing his own crotch to cause his scent to fill the room. "Bayne, is this what you want? Do you want my wolf to fuck you?"
It took everything I had to say the words. "Yeah, my wolf wants it. He likes it rough." I hoped that would trigger something from Brett. "But first, let me feel that mouth around me." I reached into my pants and pushed them open, pulling my cock free and stroking it.
"Fuck, if I'd known your cock looked like that, I'd have been fucking you years ago." Justice came to stand right beside me, but his eyes weren't on my cock, they were on Brett.
This was a dangerous game. A wolf would easily kill someone if they touched their mate. I hoped Kurt knew what he was doing and that he held enough power over Brett as alpha to keep him from tearing Justice's throat out.
If Brett was smart enough, he'd tell through our link that I wouldn't cheat on him, but my hope was that his wolf wouldn't focus on the link and would just respond in a jealous rage.
"You like my cock, Justice?" I tried to sound like I was teasing him even though he stood a good foot away from me.
"Hell ya, you going to fuck my throat with it before you let me have your wolf?" Justice stooped down against the wall so his voice would travel lower, making Brett think he was on his knees.
"If you suck good enough, I'll let you have anything you want." I stroked my cock harder, forcing myself to harden, smelling my own arousal start to fill the room.
"Bayne." Brett was nearly crying.
"Ah, fuck, Justice, take it deeper." My fist tightened on my cock, drawing precum over my shaft to help intensify the scent. "That's it. Holy shit. Maybe you can join Brett and me in bed as humans too. I bet he'd love your mouth."
Justice winked at me and I had to fight back a laugh.
It happened almost without warning. I'm glad Kurt was paying attention because I was watching myself stroke my cock when Brett suddenly shifted and lunged for me. His claws hit my chest and I gasped as he pushed me down on the ground.
"Everyone out!" Kurt screamed, pushing Justice toward the door.
I didn't have time to make sure they were out as my own wolf forced my shift. My clothes tore as my body changed, and in seconds I stood with Brett, both of us in wolf form.
My first thought was his eyes. I'd never seen him with eyes before. They were beautiful, a hazel-gray mix. My breath caught as I stared, but that didn't last long. Before I knew what was happening, Brett was behind me, his teeth in the back of my neck and his cock forcing me open for him.
I howled at the force of his intrusion, giving myself to him completely, submitting to my mate. He was the only one who would ever touch me. I couldn't have been with Justice even if it were allowed, which I was pretty sure it wasn't.
I lost track of time as his wolf took me hard, the scent of blood filling the air as his teeth bit into my neck. I didn't care. I loved it, welcomed it, and hoped this would never end.
When it did, we stayed knotted for a while, both exhausted. I wanted to shift, to find out if he could see. From the link, I got the feeling he could. There was satisfaction, happiness, but also an extreme amount of possession flowing to me. Brett was leaving no doubt who I belonged to.
As he slipped free of me, we both turned, licking over each other, sniffing, and rubbing against each other, reclaiming what we both knew no other could ever touch.
I showed every bit of love for his wolf, hoping that he knew he was loved and wanted so he didn't go back into hiding again.
I was almost scared to have Brett shift back, afraid we would lose his wolf again.
To my surprise, it was Brett who shifted first. I licked his face, my wolf so happy to see him in human form, looking at us. I could tell by his expression that he was able to see. His gaze traveled over my wolf, following his hands as he caressed through my fur.
"You are an amazing wolf. My wolf." He hugged me tightly to his chest. "Shift, so I can see what my mate looks like."
My heart thudded, nervous that he wouldn't like what he saw.
Brett laughed. "You're scared I won't want you? After everything, you have to know you're it for me, Bayne. You are the only one. You said yourself, Fate doesn't get mating wrong. Let me see you."
I moved away from him, my wolf stepping back on his own, allowing me to step forward. I shifted and quickly sat up, facing Brett, giving him a chance to see me.
His breath caught as he stared at me, his gaze moving over my face, then down, taking in each inch of my body. I shivered at the way he looked at me, a deep longing gaze that seemed to memorize every inch of my body.
When he raised his gaze back to mine, he smiled. "I'd imagined a million ways you looked, but none of them were as perfect as how you really look." He reached out, running his hands over my beard as he cupped my face in his hands. His thumbs rubbed over my lips and I opened my mouth, sneaking my tongue out to touch his fingers with the tip.
"I love how you look at me." My entire body felt his stare as if he was seeing right through to my soul.
"Now that I can see you, I'm never taking my eyes off you." He brushed his thumbs over my beard as he leaned in and kissed me.
In a way, it was as if we were meeting again for the first time. That final bit of acceptance clicked together in our link. There was no more doubt or wondering. He didn't worry that I didn't want him because of his blindness, and I didn't worry that he wouldn't like what he saw. We were finally truly mated in every sense of the word.
"I'm sorry we tricked you. You know I'd never let another person touch me. I hated even faking it, but it did get your wolf to come forward." I stared into his eyes. I didn't think I'd ever stop.
"I knew, deep inside I knew, but my wolf is primal. Just the thought was enough to bring out his possessiveness and fight for you. I'll always fight for you." Brett relaxed back against the wall with a heavy sigh. "I finally feel like myself. Feel complete."
I gripped his knee. "No pain?"
"None. The numbness is wearing off. I still can't feel half of my face, but I'm sure that will change as soon as the medication wears off. Even if it didn't, I can see, and that makes it all worth it. I was so scared I'd never see again, so sure I'd never get to look at you."
I laughed. "Now you're stuck looking at my ugly mug every day."
"All day, every day, forever." Brett smiled. "Guess we need to go out there, don't we?"
"Yeah, at least let Dr. Gordon know you can see, but I'm guessing Kurt knows already through our link with him. You'd be upset if it hadn't worked." I slowly stood, going over to where Cohen kept a drawer filled with sweatpants. "Here." I tossed him a pair before slipping one on myself.
"Thanks." Brett stood, turning to look around the room. "This place is impressive."
I nodded. "They've really made it a safe house for all our needs." I went to him, wrapping my arm around him. "I'm excited for you to officially see everything now."
"Me too, especially our home."
"I plan on showing you the bedroom personally tonight." I pulled him against me, burying my face against his neck. "You make me so happy."
"Of course, I do. I'm your mate." He hugged me tightly as he laughed. "Come on, let's get out there."
I took his hand and led him out of the medical room. I wasn't surprised to find Kurt, Cohen, Dr. Gordon, and Brett's parents sitting on a couch not far from the door. They all stood when we walked out.
I expected Brett to go straight to his parents, but he caught me off guard as he released my hand and quickly made his way to where Justice was standing with a beer in his hand. He had to have followed the scent, because he'd never seen him before. I watched in shock as Brett slammed his fist into Justice's face.
"Stay the fuck away from my mate, even when you're joking about it." Brett took a single step back as he waited for Justice to respond.
Justice just stared at him and gave a single nod. "I deserved that."
Brett held out his hand. "I understand why you did it, but I couldn't just let it go. It's nice to meet you officially, and I guess, thank you."
Justice laughed as he shook Brett's hand. "You're welcome. It's good to see you doing well and have your wolf back."
I touched Brett's shoulder.
"I'm not done yet." He turned and strode over to face Kurt.
"Hit me and we'll have issues." Kurt's nostrils flared.
"You deserve it." Brett stared directly into Kurt's eyes, refusing to look away even though I could feel the alpha power rolling off Kurt in waves.
"Maybe, but it worked and that is all that matters." Kurt stared back at him.
"Don't ever offer my mate to anyone again. I don't care if you are my alpha, I'll kill you." Brett's hands fisted at his side.
"That's up to you and your wolf." Kurt didn't blink as he stared at Brett.
I came up behind him, needing to put an end to this. I was proud seeing Brett stand up to Kurt and he had every right to do it, but I wasn't going to let it escalate into more. "I'm yours. You're the only one I want." I kissed a small spot on his neck. "It's over."
Brett nodded, but stared at Kurt for a moment more before turning away. He took a breath and focused on Dr. Gordon. "I don't know how to ever repay you for what you've done for me."
"They both work?" Dr. Gordon reached out, touching the areas around Brett's eyes as he looked into them.
"Perfectly, maybe better than my old ones." Brett smiled. "I didn't dream it was possible, but you've given me my sight back. Thank you."
Dr. Gordon smiled as he stepped back. "You look good. There shouldn't be any problems, but if there are, you can call me anytime." He gripped Brett's shoulder. "I was happy to be able to help."
Brett turned to Cohen. "You literally saved my life. From the moment they brought me in here to today, you've been amazing. I don't know how you stopped all the bleeding when I was attacked, how you got me strong enough to shift that day, or how you found someone to give me back my sight, but I owe all of that to you. I'm proud to have you as a pack doctor, but even more proud to call you a friend. If you ever need anything, just say the word."
Cohen hugged Brett. "It's what pack does. I'm so glad you are here with us, and even happier that you got this jerk to settle down." He nodded at me.
I laughed.
"Baby?" Brett's mother stepped forward.
"Mom." Brett turned and pulled her into his arms. "I'm sorry you had to be here for all this."
She pulled back and cupped his face. "There is nowhere I'd rather be." She smiled as she stared into his eyes. "They're beautiful eyes." Tears filled her own. "I was there the first time you opened your eyes to the world, I'm glad I was able to be here the second time as well."
I sent a wave of support to Brett as his own emotions seemed to nearly smother him. A lot had happened today, and I couldn't have been happier that my mate was better. He had his sight and he had his wolf. I couldn't wait to get home and help him celebrate.