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Smiling at him, I just say. "Don't worry about it, our packs are united now, we help each other out, it's what we do."

No matter what has happened or what will happen with our packs in the near future, two things are clear. I'm glad this little feud between Ace, Luka, and I is finally over. I'm also glad that this battle didn't end like I thought it would.

Only now, I just hope we're not too late.

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Now Sophie's P.O.V

Making it to the house, we all breathe a sigh, but everyone knows we're not out of the woods yet. Even with all of us running, it took us about thirty minutes to get to this point, the rain not helping much.

Every few seconds, aunt Sherry and I look at each other wondering how much time Ace has lost from his life. Just by looking at him, we can both tell it isn't looking good. Ace hasn't moved or said much of anything since leaving the Meeting Valley.

That goes for the two of them.

Shelby's still so in shock over her situation turn around, her face has turned a visible shade of pale, only able to keep moving from following my aunt's orders.

When I try to connect the connection with her to try to find out what's going on with her, I find that Shelby's thoughts are so jumbled up and scattered all at the same time, I can't even understand them.

Upon closing in on the front door, it open's to reveal Keith on the inside waiting for us. he looks at us, then speaks.

"Cody and I heard everything over the connection as we were coming back here." "Get Ace inside, hurry."

Walking into and heading straight for the house elevator, I look around for Cody but I can't find him. I wonder where he could be?

"He went to check up on Heather, typical." "After I checked up on Alex, I waited here for you guys."

"Thanks, Keith," I thank him as one of us lets go of the stretcher with one hand and pushes the elevator button.

Stepping inside, the doors close behind us. Pushing the button to go up to the second floor my aunt asks

"Wouldn't it be easier to take him to your Healing Quarters Sophie?"

Shaking my head, I respond with. "No, we're taking him to Shelby's room".

Looking over at the girl in question, I can see her body starting to tense. I continue

"Her room has enough of her scent to hopefully slow the mate madness down, at least until we find out what to do next," I say to my aunts face but aim it for Shelby, trying to calm her.

It works, I can see her body relax ever so slightly.

My aunt then gives me an understanding look.

The doors open and we all get off, heading to Shelby's room.

Opening the door and turning on the lights, we put the Stretcher gently on the bed with a moan of pain from Ace. I then look at the two Ruby Stone wolves who helped us.

"Go downstairs, we've got it from here guys. Thanks for your help."

The two guys give us a your welcome nod, turning around and walking out the door.

Turning back towards Ace, my aunt speaks, getting our attention. "Okay, Sophie. You, Luka, and Elliot, you hold Ace up a bit, while Shelby and I pull the stretcher out from under him."

Nodding, we do as we're told. Well, make that four of us. When it comes to lifting Ace, that falls on Elliot and me alone. Luka doesn't want anything to do with it.

Searching his connection, I find Luka's still feeling the pain of what happened today. There's something more to it than that, but not being able to figure it out, I decide to let it go. A few seconds later, Ace is moved onto Shelby's bed.

Hearing footsteps speed walking down the hall, aunt Sherry looks up towards the door. Cody pokes his head in a few seconds later, his face looking frantic.

"Doctor Sherry. Something's wrong with Heather, can you please check on her? She's wet herself and in a lot of pain."

"Of all the times," mumbles aunt Sherry from under her breath.

Looking over towards her, I speak. "Aunt Sherry, it's okay. We've got things here, you go help Cody out."

"I'll come to help out too," Elliot volunteers himself.

"I will too," Luka calls out, following him.

Looking at Shelby and me, aunt Sherry gives us both a questioning look. "Do you think you'll be able to handle Ace till I get back?"

The both of us nod. Though giving how Shelby's still in shock, I can't be for sure.

"Alright, I should be back in a moment. Shelby, you let me know if anything about his condition changes."

Shelby gives another nod.

Aunt Sherry then walks out of the room, the two boys following behind her and the door closing.

With just the two of us in the room now, we get right to work. Walking over to Shelby's bedside table, I find a flashlight and start to check Ace's eyes, They're both nonreactive to the light.I turn towards Shelby, turning off the light.

"Both his pupils are dilated, they aren't responsive to the light."

Shelby gives me a nod.

God, I wish she would say something.

Walking over, I place my hand gently on Ace's chest, earning me another groan from his mouth. It's not what I'm not feeling that has me worried, it's what I am feeling. Even though I don't have a stethoscope with me, I can feel Ace's heart racing, pounding against my hand.

Taking my hand off Ace's chest, I then turn to face Shelby.

"His heart is pounding against his chest, I can even feel it through my hand."

Shelby places her own hand on Ace's chest, at pretty much the same spot I had mine only a moment ago.

She then looks up towards me, her eyes glossing over slightly.

"Maybe we can give him some medication to make his heart rate go down, that would by us some more time."

Shaking my head, I interject. "Medications won't work on this Shelby." "That's the thing, we can't get his heart rate to go down. The speed will continue to rise and rise until his heart can't take it anymore, and it just explodes."

Shelby's breath hitches in her throat, she turns towards Ace for a moment, then back towards me.

"What are we going to do Sophie?" "What can I do? Just as I find my mate, I'm going to end up losing him."

Shelby's in mate mode now, though the shock hasn't worn off yet.

I do know the one thing that can save Ace, but Shelby's not going to like it. Once I tell her, there's no going back.

"Oh Sophie, isn't there any hope for him?"

"Well yes there is, but I have a feeling you're not going to like it."

"What is it?" Shelby asks, her face lighting up a bit.

Letting out a sigh, I speak putting my hands on Shelby's shoulders in order to brace her.

"Shelby, you're going to have to mark Ace right now."

Starting to shake again, Shelby takes a step back from me.

"What?"

"You heard me, Shelby." "Look, if you mark Ace and seal your bond with him, it'll stop the mate madness from killing him. That's the only way you can save him."

Shelby starts to shake even harder, her eyes spilling over with tears. I can feel she's trying hard not to let out a cry or any kind of sound for that matter, in fear that it might make Ace worse, more so then he already is.

"Sophie, I can't."

"What do you mean you..."

Sophie, I lost my wolf, I can't mark him."

"Shelby, listen to me for a second. Yes, you can mark him, he's your mate." "You may have lost your wolf but your desire to mark is still there, I can feel it." I then add. You're Ace's only chance."

Hearing footsteps running down the hall, Shelby and I turn towards the door. Expecting aunt Sherry, we're both surprised to see Elliot's face behind the door as it opens. He walks in, facing towards Shelby.

"Shelby, Doctor Sherry needs you. Heather's going into early labor, the baby's coming fast."

Turning towards him I interject. "Elliot, if she leaves her mate for that long, he'll die."

Elliot looks at me hurt like the information I've given him has torn him in two.

"Yes, I know Sophie, but your aunt can't deliver the baby alone."

Shelby now lost in thought looks towards me, her own questioning look on her face, I try searching her connection, but I can't find what she's thinking. Finally, I give.

"What is it?"

"Sophie, you have to help your aunt Sherry deliver that baby." "You can take my place at your aunt's side."

This time, it's Shelby's comment taking me by surprise.

"Think about it Sophie, you passed the final test to get your badge before you became Alpha, so you're technically still a pack Doctor." Don't worry about it Sophie, you're even qualified to take my place."

I think about it for a moment. The girl's got a point, I would be qualified to help with the birth. Plus, with Elliot and I gone, Shelby will get her chance to mark Ace.

So that's why she wants me to take her place, I give in to her and let out a huff.

"Fine, I will do it."

Breaking out in a relieved smile, Shelby's body relaxes. I can even see some of the color has returned to her face.

"I will do it, under the condition that you will mark Ace while I'm gone."

Shelby nods her head. "I will, Sophie, I promise."

"Okay, agreed." "Well then, I must be off."

Wrapping my arms around Shelby's neck and getting close to her ear, I whisper. "You're going to do great, don't be afraid, everything's going to turn out fine."

Pulling apart from her, Shelby nods. "Thank you, Sophie."

"I'll see you in a while."

Turning around and walking away, I get through the doorway of Shelby's room, I do a double take, making sure Shelby's doing okay. She's just standing there in the same spot, looking after me.

Shelby's just probably waiting for me to close the door.

Closing the door quietly, Elliot and I start to walk back up the hallway. Man, can this day get any more exciting then it already has?. The big battle was today, Shelby found her mate, and now Cody and Heather are having their baby. What more can this day have in store for us?

Snapping me out of my thoughts, Elliot turns towards me and asks. "How do you think Shelby will really do?"

I make sure her connection's disconnected from mine before I speak.

"Tough to say, If she decides to mark Ace or not, it will be her choice."

"How do you think Luka's taking the change?"

"Elliot, you already know, why are you asking me?"

"Just wanting your opinion on it."

"Just guessing, I would say not good."

Shaking his head, Elliot informs. "You should've told him the easy way Sophie, back when you still had the chance."

I hang my head in shame for a moment. "Yes I know I should've. No need to remind me of that, Elliot."

Wanting to change the subject, I look up and ask him. "So, you ready to be an Uncle yourself?"

"You bet. I can't wait till I have a little buddy I get to watch over and play hide and go seak with, and also play, who do you like better? When Luka comes over to play on play-dates."

I can tell he wants to ask me about something, but he won't stop beating around the bush.

Elliot then puts a hand on my shoulder, getting closer to my ear, he then whispers.

"Sophie, be honest with me." "As the Alpha how many babies have you actually delivered?"

I turn towards him to answer, my own voice dropping low.

"Besides the one from pack doctor training, this will be the first"

Smiling at him, I then add. "Hey, there's always a first time for everything."

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