**Josie''s POV**


    Art rushes into the room and quickly assesses Luke.


    "I think he''s waking up," Art says, and I almost sag in relief.


    They''ve done it. My guys have worked together to give Luke the strength and time he needed for the antidote to work.


    "I''m going to run a few quick tests," Art says, and I step back, allowing him and his nurse to work on Luke.


    I check in on each of my guys while I wait. They are all still sleeping peacefully, I can''t describe how proud I am of each of them. Seeing theme together like this just makes me love them more, which I thought was impossible.


    Mason may have been a dick recently, but I know he only acted the way he did out of fear. I think his actions since we found out Luke was being held captive speak of his remorse. He was the first to jump into the unknown to help Luke.


    "I have turned off the venttor, and he is breathing just fine on his own. I''m going


    to remove it before he wakes up and swap him to an oxygen mask just to give him some extra help, but whatever your bonds did, it has saved his life. He is responding well to the medication now that his body is strong enough to process it," Art exins.


    "Thank you, Art, how long do you think until he wakes up? I ask.


    "There''s no telling. His body has been through an ordeal and whilst his recovery is remarkable, he will need a lot of rest to recuperate. Although, with four others speeding things along, he might surprise us. It could be hours or days, but when he is ready, I''m confident he will wake up," he says.


    The door swings open just then and Dot walks in, "Sorry I got here as soon as I... What the hell happened?" She asks as she takes in the room full of sleeping men.


    Art and I exin what the guys have done to help Luke, and she begins to tear up. Especially when she learns it was her brother who was the first to do it.


    "He''s such a big softy deep down, isn''t he?" She says, moving over to Mason''s bedside.


    "He is brave, or stupid. I''m still yet to decide," Art sighs.


    "What can I do to help?" Dot asks.


    "We are about to remove Luke''s venttor, but I have that covered. I think Josie would benefit from a breakaway. Take her for some breakfast maybe?" Art suggests.


    "No, I want to be here in case he wakes up," I shake my head.


    "Girl, we will be back in ten minutes tops, give them some time to get him off the machines and when you get back he will look like a different man without so many tubes and wires," Dot says, taking my arms and leading me


    out.


    "I need to stay and protect them. They''re vulnerable like this. What if there are rogues here that we don''t know about," I protest.


    "Oh look, Luke''s parents are here," she points down the corridor to where his


    parents are. "They will watch over them whilst you take a break. You are going to burn yourself out and when they wake up you''ll be too frazzled to


    be there for them," she insists.


    Luke''s mum rushes forward, pulling me into a hug. I spend a few minutes updating her and her bonds on everything that has happened and his current condition and then Dot tells them that I need a break. They very quickly side with Dot and practically push me away from the room where all my guys sleep.


    Dot takes me to the small break room that the medical staff use and pulls two sandwiches from the fridge, handing me a cheese one. I have always loved cheese, especially through each of my pregnancies, but I can''t enjoy it the same at the moment, not until I know my bonds are all safe.


    They feel safe through our bond, the connection to each of them strong and steady. It just feels as though they are sleeping normally, but they aren''t. and until


    Is


    each of them with their eyes open and up on their feet, I won''t


    rx.


    "Are you listening to me?" Dot says, getting my attention by snapping her fingers in front of my face.


    "No, sorry. What did you say?"


    "I said, where is Harper?" She says.


    "Oh my god, I don''t know. I didn''t even think about where she would go after we left. It was all such a mad rush, and then I''ve been here ever since," I say, covering my mouth with a shaky hand. "I''m such a bad mum."


    "No, Hunny, you are not, you are in a highly stressful situation, and I''m sure you left her somewhere safe," she


    reassures.


    "I did, she was at the military headquarters, but she is probably so worried," I say, unable to hold back the tears.


    How could I have been so careless when we had only just got her back? I know she is old enough to take care of herself now, but she has been through a lot and I should have been there supporting her, or at least checked in on her and made sure someone picked her up.


    "Don''t worry about a thing. I''ll have someone pick her up and bring her home, or back to my house. You focus on your bonds for now," Dot reassures.


    "Thank you, Dot. I''m just such a mess right now, I can''t think straight.''


    "Girl, if you weren''t a mess after everything you''ve just been through, I''d be concerned,"


    I head back towards my bond''s room with major mum guilt. I need to get one of the guy''s phones and contact Raff to see where Harper is. Just before we reach their room, I bump into Raff, as if just thinking about contacting him had summoned him.


    "Do you know where Harper is?" I ask, not even taking a moment to greet him.


    "Yes, Deacon arranged for his parents toe help her with the rest of the teens before he came here. She went back to the academy with them and I assume they took her home afterward," he exins.


    "Oh, good," I breathe out a sigh of relief. Of course, Deacon had made sure she was safe and with family. "What''s going on with everyone here? I have been trying to call all your bonds but no one is answering," he asks.


    I begin exining the situation to Raff when I feel a confused awareness through the bond. It''s Luke, he''s waking up. I stop talking and run towards the room, desperate to see Luke''s bright blue eyes and tell him how much I love him.


    N.O Darling Author


    Sorry I didn''t upload any chapters yesterday. I''ve had a hectic, but fun filled weekend and time got away from me. I also injured my finger, which is not ideal


    when typing so much and has slowed me down somewhat. Thank you as always for your support! Fracture


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