Chapter 270: You’ll Be Among The Firsts To Know

Orion pushed the inner door open and stepped into the lobby, Marta at his side. They came through the treatment wing; the rooms behind them smelled faintly of hot compresses and herb steam, and the soft murmur of a healer tending a poultice fell away behind the latch. The change felt sudden: the hush of the inner rooms gave way to the quieter bustle of the front space.

Joren was the first to see him. The parcel in his hands trembled slightly even before he ran forward, hope and worry braided together on his face.

"Alpha Orion!" he cried, hurrying up the short stretch. The others behind him shuffled, half-apologetic for the intrusion.

Orion halted, glancing at the parcel in Joren’s hands and then at the others.

He let his gaze sweep the group: Dren leaning against the wall, arms folded; Micah with a frown set deep; Cat’s jaw tight; Nia and Laia exchanging a look.

"What are you guys doing here?" Orion asked, his voice even.

He had an inkling as to why they were there, but he just needed the confirmation.

Joren jabbed a thumb toward Rita behind the counter. "We came to see Sophia, Alpha Orion. But..." He jabbed his other hand toward her as if pointing both hands at her would make it more obvious than it already was. "...Rita won’t let us in."

Rita gasped in shock. "It’s not a rule I made myself. Those were the instructions we were given. You can ask anyone in here." She told him.

Joren’s mouth flattened. "But we’re her friends." He stepped forward as if the statement could push the instructions open. His voice wavered on the edge of accusation.

Marta stepped up beside Orion, slipping into the middle of the conversation like she always did when the heat of temper threatened to boil over. She chuckled softly.

"Joren, Rita didn’t make up the instructions. You know that, right? And she wasn’t lying when she told you guys Sophia isn’t receiving visitors, friend or not," she told him.

Joren folded his arms, a sulk written across his face. "It would be easier if she was making it up," he muttered.

"Tell them," Rita said with a sigh. "They refuse to listen to me no matter what I say."

"Is there more to it than a fever? We were told it was a fever. But it’s been two days already. We even waited until now and you are saying visitors aren’t allowed?" Micah asked with a frown.

Orion leveled Micah with a look. He observed the way Micah asked the question, and Orion didn’t need anyone to tell him that Micah harbored intentions towards Sophia — intentions that were fucking romantic... at least he suspected they were.

Marta answered where Orion’s silence held. "Micah," she said, gentle but firm, "Have you ever heard about patient confidentiality?"

"Yes?"

"Good, that’s the reason why I can’t disclose anything regarding Sophia’s condition to you guys," she told him.

Joren’s bottom lip stuck out. "But we brought food," he protested. "Can’t we drop it somewhere? Sophia likes eating, maybe if she eats some good food she’ll get well?" he asked innocently.

Marta’s eyes flicked to Orion. For a heartbeat, the two of them shared a private exchange. Sophia’s stomach had refused solids for the better part of two days; Lysander had been strict on fluids and medicinals only. So they doubted that she would be able to keep this down, even if it was something she loved. Joren seemed to understand the conversation without even being told explicitly.

He knew that the food wasn’t going to be accepted.

His shoulders dropped and he released a long sigh. "Seems we’ll just have to eat it ourselves after all."

Cat crossed her arms. "Will you tell us the moment she wakes?" she asked. "We won’t be a problem. We just need to see our friend."

Marta sighed. "I already reassured Joren. I’ll tell you guys when Sophia is in the state to accept visitors. You guys will be among the first people to visit her."

They nodded solemnly.

Dren sighed. "I really wanted to see her, but I get it... or at least I think I do."

Nia and Laia exchanged a look.

"And here I thought I could tell her about the latest gossip," Nia said.

"We’ll just write it down. By the time we get to see her, we’ll start reading it from the book," Laia said with bright eyes.

Nia grinned. "I never thought I’d say this, sis, but I sure like the way you think sometimes."

Laia grinned back. "Me too."

Nia turned to Rita. "Let’s just say our friendship has been mended back a bit. Just a tiny bit though."

Rita laughed. "It’ll be mended fully soon," she replied.

"Well, I guess that means it’s time to go," Cat said reluctantly.

They nodded, and one by one each of them started their way out of the facility. Joren waved to Orion as he left. Cat jumped on Dren, who released a shocked sound.

"Let’s go," Cat said, adjusting herself on his back.

Dren rolled his eyes but made sure she was comfortable as he walked out of the facility, while the twins discussed how they were going to buy a book and write every piece of information and gossip in it just so they could inform Sophia and keep her up to date with the pack activities when they finally got to see her.

Micah was the last to move, his frown still plastered on his face. Orion watched the young man quietly.

"Is there something else?" Marta asked Micah, because even she couldn’t understand why he was still in the medical facility when all his friends had gone.

Micah released a sigh. "No... I’m just worried about her, that’s all."

"We are all worried about her," Orion told him quietly.

Micah nodded. He knew that, but this was Sophia after all. She was special to him.

"The healers know what they are doing," Orion told him. "And if Sophia needs help or assistance, she has me."

Micah nodded. "Yes, that’s true. I’ll take my leave now."

"Please do so," Orion told him.

Micah nodded and walked out of the medical facility.