CHAPTER 197: IN THE HOSPITAL

Kael’s POV

I turned to him, wanting to ask more questions, but seeing him so quiet and trying to hide his fear, I decided to give him time. For now, he didn’t need to be bombarded with questions he feared; he needed coaxing.

The answers—I would get them anyway.

"You don’t need to be scared of anyone now," I told him as I held his hand in mine. "You are safe with us."

I happened to look at Eira, who surprisingly looked back at me. We said no words, but it was clear enough—we were together, at least in matters related to Raven.

There was silence inside the car for the rest of the journey, all of us lost in the shocking discovery we had just made. Every so often, we glanced at Raven, who was quietly snuggling against Eira as she held him close in a protective embrace.

When we reached the hospital, before stepping out, I told Raven, "We are at the hospital to have some important check-ups done on you. But there’s nothing to be scared about."

I had to tell him, as I was sure he didn’t have a good opinion of hospitals, given how often he was taken to one in RavenClaw.

He didn’t respond, as usual, choosing to let things happen.

"And you aren’t the only patient today," I told him. "Eira and Rafe, they are going to have some tests done as well. Just good ones to check if they are healthy and same ones for you."

Eira and Rafe looked at me, their gazes not so pleased. I looked back at them. "I’m sure you two don’t have an issue accompanying our little guy."

The two stayed quiet, thinking I was just making it up for Raven’s sake. But I wasn’t lying.

Not just one, but I had three kids to take care of today.

I opened the door and stepped out. "Come with me," I told Raven.

The little guy, his face down, moved toward me in his seat. Instead of letting him walk, I lifted him in my arms like any father carries their child. In response, he turned his head to my shoulder and rested on it as if trying to hide, his hand circling my neck to hold on to me.

For the first time, I could feel the fear in him since the moment he came to us. Those bastards truly did cruel things to him.

I caressed his back gently. "Raven, daddy’s with you. I won’t let anyone hurt you."

The boy continued to cling to me. It showed his trust in me.

Others had stepped out of the car as well. They silently followed me, Eira by my side. Clearly, it was because she wanted to be close to Raven.

The part of the hospital where we were heading today was booked only for us, and we entered through the VIP entry reserved for the Alpha and his family.

Liam and his assistants were already present. We headed inside his office, Raven still clinging to me.

"Raven," I called him. "This is my friend, Dr. Liam."

He slowly turned his head to look at him, with a wary gaze, his head still resting against my shoulder, his hands refusing to let me go.

Liam offered him a gentle smile. "Hey Raven, I was waiting to meet you after Alpha Kael told me about a sweet little guy."

Raven didn’t respond. Liam’s doctor’s white coat must have been enough to scare him.

"He doesn’t like doctors much," I told Liam, and I had already informed him about how Raven doesn’t talk.

"Oh! Then let’s not be a doctor today." Liam removed his coat and hung it on his chair, instructing his assistants to do the same.

I sat on the couch in his office with Raven in my lap. Eira sat next to me, while the other three took the chairs. Liam settled into the chair opposite us.

"Raven, are you still scared of me?" Liam asked. "Don’t be. I brought a genius kids’ game for you."

As he said, the assistant brought a few puzzle games for him and put them on the center table. Raven looked at them, and I told him, "You can try them."

Though a little wary, at my words he finally stepped down from my lap and observed the games. His hands moved to solve them, and he was quick, incredibly faster than the kids of his age.

Liam offered him a prideful gaze. "Raven, the way you solved it, I feel like I’d have to buy an entire shop’s worth of these games just to keep you busy for an hour. You are truly a genius."

Raven simply looked at him and then turned to sit back in my lap once more as if he had no business left with Liam.

And he wasn’t going to be away from me. Inside, I was so pleased to see his trust in me, finding protection in me. Like a little pup, who only trusted his parents.

"Let’s head to what we are here for," Liam said and looked at Rafe. "Alpha Rafe, I have to take your blood sample first."

Rafe didn’t mind, as he wanted to show Raven it was totally fine. Then came Eira’s turn, who didn’t resist either.

"Now that all of you are here, how about I do some blood tests for you as well," Liam said. "Though you are strong Alphas, as a responsible doctor I should care for my Alphas too."

For Raven’s sake, no one rejected Liam. Then came Jason’s and Roman’s turn, and finally mine. Sitting in my lap, Raven watched it all.

"Raven, it’s your turn now," Liam said.

The little guy was at ease now and let the assistant take his blood. The fact that he didn’t even flinch when the needle pierced his skin—and instead looked at it—meant he was used to it.

Once done, we had to head for another test for Raven, and for Rafe, though he wasn’t aware of it yet.

"Roman, Eira has a session with Isla. You can take her there," I instructed.

She glared at me. "I want to be with Raven."

"Once you are done there, you can come to us," I told her strictly, my tone making it clear she had to listen to me.

She wanted to argue but then kept quiet, looking at Raven. "I’ll be back soon, alright?" she told him and left with Roman.

I stood up, Raven still in my arms, and told Rafe, "Come with us."

"Do I need to?" Rafe asked in bored tone. "That stench, that typical hospital smell, is already suffocating."

I ignored him and looked at Jason. "Get him. If he refuses, just knock him out."

Jason hummed and looked at Rafe. "Coming, or...?"

Rafe quietly stood up and followed me, Jason right behind him. I had already told Jason to keep strict watch on him. This sly vampire would just jump out of a random hospital window and disappear somewhere, now that he knew I wasn’t lying when I said he was a patient as well.

Before heading to the test room, Rafe and Raven had to wear the hospital clothes.

"I just hate it," Rafe said with a frown and looked at me, "Do you really have to do this....?"

I offered him a cold glare, and he shut his mouth.