“Alpha! I ran into him again!” Ryan burst into my office where I was once again doing paperwork. 

He threw something at me and the smell from weeks ago overwhelmed me for a moment. I grasped the material and pulled it away from my face, inhaling deeply.

“You found him?” 

We had nearly begged Ryan for all the details he could give us, so the scarf didn’t surprise me. I held onto it like a lifeline as I stood and moved around the desk. He always did go above and beyond for me.

“Did he look okay? Was he as bruised as the last time? Did you get his name?” I asked, rapid fire. The scarf was clenched in my hands like a new lifeline.

“Whoa, you need to slow down for a second. Yes, kind of, and no.” Ryan held his hands up in a calming gesture. 

I took a deep breath and slowed my pace. “Sorry, it just feels like it’s been ages since we’ve heard any news on him. I want to give Antonio any hope I can.”

Ryan gripped my shoulder. “I know. And he’ll be here soon. You know he won’t be able to stay away from the forest for long. He needs you just as much as you need him.”

I nodded to my Beta. “Come, let’s go to my room so that you can tell us both at the same time.”

He nodded and we made our way to my room.

***

Antonio held the scarf to his chest, staring almost listlessly at us. He had mustered up the energy to listen, but had retreated to the state he had been in for nearly a week. The coven doctor, Dr Collins, said it had something to do with the blood he was being made to ingest. His body was nearly to the point of completely rejecting other blood. 

“Ryan,” I said softly, pulling his attention from his phone. “I know this will be a very strange request and you have the right to refuse; do you think you would be able to bring me the smallest amount of blood from the man? Dr Collins said that even the smallest amount could make it possible for him to ingest other blood again.” I rubbed the bridge of my nose. “It could get him out of bed and back to almost normal activities.”

Ryan tilted his head. “Are you sure you want me to do this?”

I glanced at Antonio’s listless expression. “I don’t know what else to do. I’m holding onto hope that he will choose to make his way into the forest soon, but I can’t put Antonio’s life on the line to wait for him.” I sighed, my shoulders slumping. “Please Ryan?”

“I will do my best.” He dipped his head. “Alpha.” With that, he turned and left the room.

I took a seat next to the bed and placed my hand over his and dropped my head to lay on my forearm. “I’m trying to bring him in. Soon, Tonio, soon.”