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  I took a deep breath. "Let's go do this." I brushed my cheek across his beard, then took his lips with mine for a long, deep kiss. "I love you."

  "I love you too." Bayne stepped back. "I won't leave your side."

  "I know." I smiled as we walked out of the bathroom, then out of the room.

  I tried not to think too much as we made our way to the medical room. This wasn't some major surgery that could kill me. I'd be fine no matter what the outcome was. Hell, he wasn't even putting me under, so I'd be alert and awake through the whole thing.

  I reached for my wolf, hoping for a response, but just like every other time over the last week, I felt his presence, but he didn't respond to me. He was aware what was going on, he hadn't shut me out completely, but I still had no idea if he would come forward when he needed to after surgery. It was the first time I'd ever felt anger at my other half.

  All my life we had been a team, two parts of a whole that worked together through everything. Now, I was lost without him. I felt incomplete and empty without him by my side.

  "Cohen's here," Bayne told me.

  I nodded as he led me into the medical room.

  "Afternoon," Cohen called. "Ready for this?"

  I shook my head. "Cohen, I still can't shift. Are you sure we should do this?"

  "He's still not showing any interest in anything?" Cohen asked.

  "No. He knows what is going on, but he doesn't respond to any of it. I thought he'd react to seeing my parents, but he didn't even seem to lift his head to acknowledge they were here." I ran my fingers through my hair. "If he doesn't shift, then I can't heal."

  "You can heal, but let's wait for Mike to get here. He'll know what the best option is. I say we go ahead and do the surgery. Who knows when we'll get another chance. Mike has to head home soon. It will complicate things. I can't do a surgery like this." Cohen gripped my arm. "The final choice is yours, Brett. If you don't feel right about this, we won't do it."

  I bit my lip. He had the eyes, and if I didn't use them, they would go to waste. I was cheating someone else out of a chance to see possibly. I didn't have a choice. I had to try. "Let's do it." I sighed. "What do you need me to do?"

  "Strip down to your underwear at least, naked if you want. That way, if you can shift, you can do it without having to worry about clothes. Then I'll have you get on the table. I'm going to hook up an IV and put some monitors on you to watch your vitals, but other than that, Mike will handle everything. This shouldn't be too traumatic of a surgery as far as pain. He'll numb you and that might sting for a minute, but after that, you shouldn't feel anything," Cohen explained.

  "You promised you'd see your parents before it started," Bayne reminded me.

  "Oh, are they here?" Cohen asked. "Good timing."

  I nodded. "They've been here maybe an hour. I was hoping to have this done before they got here so I didn't worry them."

  "Kurt and Josh will make sure they are okay." Cohen touched my arm. "Go see them. Mike should be here any minute."

  Bayne gripped my elbow. "Let's go find them."

  We didn't have to go far. We'd barely left the room when I heard my mother.

  "Brett?" Her scent surrounded me as she came to my side.

  "Get settled?" I asked.

  "The room is more than we need. You were right. This place is nothing like Pete's pack. I think this will be a good change for us."

  "I think so too. I hope you like it here. I'm glad you came. I hated being so far from you." I smiled.

  "I called your sister. She wishes you all the luck in the world and says she loves you. She'll be here in a week or two to see you," my dad said.

  "Thanks, if you talk to her, tell her I love her too. I'll call her in a couple of days once I know how the surgery went and everything." I leaned a bit into Bayne's arms, needing his comfort as my nervousness seemed to grow.

  "We'll be out here waiting to find out. If you need anything—" my mom started.

  "I'll be okay. I'll send Bayne out if there are any problems, but hopefully, by the time I come out, I'll be able to see and be healed enough to get around on my own." I hugged my mom, then my dad. "If you need anything, talk to Corta." I was sure my parents would be taken care of while I was in surgery.

  "We will. I'm going to have that beer, maybe play some pool, and relax as we wait." My dad kissed my cheek. "Good luck, Son."

  "Thanks. I love you both." I nodded to Bayne to get me out of there.

  We walked back into the medical room just as Dr. Gordon entered.

  "I'm so glad we found a donor." He sounded like he was unloading things he'd brought with him.

  "Me too." I let Bayne lead me to the surgical table. "One problem. I can't seem to shift." I waited, almost expecting him to tell me we shouldn't do the surgery.

  "You can't shift? I've never heard of that happening before." Dr. Gordon sounded shocked. "What is causing that?"

  "I think his wolf is depressed. The sudden attack and blindness might have triggered it. I don't find anything medically wrong with him, but for some reason, his wolf won't come forward," Cohen explained. "I'm hoping he'll be willing to come forward after the surgery."

  "And if he won't?" I asked.

  "Then you'll take time to heal possibly. You'll have to keep your eyes covered, and we'll have to watch for issues, but I don't expect there to be any problems. There is no reason not to go ahead with the surgery. Hopefully, your wolf will see the advantage to shifting and come forward when the time comes, but if he won't, then it's just a matter of time for your body to heal on its own," Dr. Gordon told me.

  I nodded. "Okay, then. I guess we do this."

  Bayne wrapped me in a tight hug. "I'll be here the whole time." His lips brushed mine.

  "I love you," I whispered against his lips. "Your face is the first thing I want to see."

  "I promise it will be." He kissed me softly, then pulled back. "I love you."

  I let him step away and eased back, lying down on the table. "Okay, let's do this." I tried to smile and not think about the worst case. This was going to work. No matter what happened, in a few hours, I'd be able to see. I had to hold on to that hope or I would drive myself insane.

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  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.