Wade stood at the window of the hospital room, looking out over the emergency entrance of the hospital. The lights of the ambulances pulling up flashed red against the snow. Sadly, even this late the hospital was busy, with both patients and their worried loved ones filling the parking lot and the waiting room. He felt for all of them. He knew better than anyone that spending time in the emergency room was terrible, no matter what the outcome.

 

He didn’t look back, but he knew Jason Strom hadn’t moved behind him. The male had been sitting next the female lying in the hospital bed, holding her hand tight in his, for hours. He hadn’t left her side, or even let go of her hand, since the doctors had released her from surgery. Wade could hear the steady beep of the monitors attached to Ivy. She seemed stable now, but it had been closer than anyone would have liked. The doctors still didn’t know what would happen when she woke up, or even when she would wake up. Light willing she would recover fully, but it was in Rhen’s hands now. He had to think that having Jason here would help though. She didn’t know it yet, but she would never find love like that male had for her, would never find a stronger source of strength than that male. And it would be good for Jason to be there for her.

 

Wade stared out into the night. Something big was coming, and he didn’t understand what it was. He did know that tonight had changed everything for the new males of the KSRT, for the entire team really. The car crash had been the first domino to tip, but he wasn’t sure what the next one would be. Iris appeared to be safe for now, but he wasn’t sure what would happen between her and Eric. And Ivy was still in trouble, not matter how it looked. And she was the key. Everything depended on her. If she recovered, all of the males would be set on a course of love and happiness. But if she died, the males would be shattered, broken beyond all hope of recovery. Starting with Jason.

 

His heart broke for Jason. That male had a hard road to walk, regardless, but it would be beyond bearing if things turned out badly tonight. Wade couldn’t imagine anything crueler than finding your One True Mate and never having a chance to be with her. Never getting a chance to know her. He didn’t want to think about it, but knew what he would have to do, and he dreaded it. Light but he hoped Ivy pulled through.

 

He had faith though. Faith in Rhen, faith in the One True Mates and most importantly, faith in the wolven. Fate had brought Eric to that crash site, and fate had brought Jason and Ivy together. There was no way their story would end like this, with Jason watching her die as he clutched her hand in a hospital room. Those two were going to have a full life together, with much better times ahead. Jason definitely deserved it, and from the story he had heard it sounded like Ivy did too.

 

As he watched the activity in the parking lot, he felt power pulse through the night, interrupting his thoughts. This was what he had been waiting for. A beam of silver light shot up in the distance, shining into the heavens like a giant spotlight. Waves of gold and fiery red flowed through the column of light as he stared, shading his eyes until it was too bright to watch. He heard Jason gasp behind him as the light filled the room. It grew brighter and brighter until it was almost blinding, washing out everything into a golden glow. A feeling of peace settled over the room, comforting the males and releasing the built up tension. Then the light slowly faded. Wade looked back, meeting Jason’s eyes as his vision slowly returned, shimmering with the aftereffects of the light.

 

Eric and Iris had done it. Eric had claimed her and they were bonded. The first domino had tipped, and it was definitely a good sign. He was thrilled for Eric as well. That male had been struggling as well, as much as he tried to hide it, but was going to be all right. And Iris too. She was a strong female, perfect for Eric. It was fast, but Wade was glad Eric had claimed her, sealing their bond. They would need each other to stand against Khain and Rex and the coming darkness. Wade smiled. He glanced back into the room and saw Jason smiling as well, the first genuine smile of happiness that Wade had seen from the male. The light must have meant something more to him, had some bigger message for him.

 

He heard the beeping from the monitor get a little faster. He turned and saw that Ivy’s face had regained some color and she seemed to be breathing easier. The energy from Eric and Iris must have helped her. Jason squeezed her hand, as if he was trying to reach through to her, tell her it was time to wake up.

 

A cry of joy erupted from Jason’s mouth and Wade looked back up to Ivy’s face. As Jason stared intently her eyelids fluttered, then very slowly opened. Wade held his breath as her eyes, the same deep blue as Iris’s, met Jason’s for the first time.

 

THE END