Damien

Lily had been distant ever since she discovered I hadn't connected with Cage. She started to recover when Junior called for help with Lyssa. Naturally, she went immediately, and I intercepted her leaving the packhouse. When Liam and Azalea entered, I knew my suspicions were correct.

Liam was noticeably distant the following day. I couldn't gauge Azalea's feelings; she seemed solely focused on Liam and the children. My inability to connect with Cage was exacerbating the situation; everyone was treating me differently. I knew I needed to reconnect with him, but I had no idea how.

Liam found me at the training grounds the next day. Until I knew what to do and we could discuss my returning to my position, there wasn't much for me to do but train. I was doing push-ups when he approached. He stopped a few feet away, crossed his arms, and waited for me to finish.

When I stood, he had a serious expression. "What?" I asked, avoiding insincere pleasantries.

"I called my uncle," he said. "We're going to the clinic."

"Like hell, I am, Liam!" I retorted. Anger surged; this was my problem, not his.

"This wasn't a suggestion," he said coldly, much like his father used to act.

"Are you going to order me?" I asked.

"If I have to," he said. "Damien, how am I supposed to help you if we don't talk to a professional?"

"I didn't ask for your help," I pointed out.

"You're my best damn friend, and I'm not going to leave this alone!" he shouted. "Your mate feels guilty, and so does mine! We're going to talk to my uncle, and you will let him examine you however he wants until we get some answers!"

My nostrils flared. "You think I don't know how my mate feels? I'm well aware!" I yelled. "Azalea has nothing to feel guilty about. She didn't do more than expected. Reconnecting with Cage is my problem, and I'll solve it!"

"No," he said. "We will solve it. You and me. We're a team. When I needed you, you stepped up. You acted as Alpha and helped me get my mate and pup back. Now you need me, and I'm not going to let you push the rest of us away."

"That was different!"

"I don't care. You don't need me to rescue Lily, but you do need someone to knock some sense into you. Azalea is worried you won't want to live without your wolf and will hold herself personally responsible if you do anything stupid."

I recoiled in shock. "She thinks I would kill myself? Because I can't access my wolf?"

He nodded. "She's suppressing it, but it's there. She's terrified; Lily is too. She doesn't know how to help you, and you aren't letting her in. She and Azalea aren't even speaking. So get your things, and let's go. We'll figure out how to fix this."

I swallowed hard. I'd seen Azalea's expression the night I rescued Lily, but I had no idea she felt that way. Hell, she's probably the only person in this pack who can even remotely relate to my situation. I was grateful she'd saved me and couldn't blame her for this.

"Fine," I said. I grabbed my water and towel as Liam turned toward the packhouse. I followed him, growing more anxious about what we might learn from his uncle.

We walked in silence, Liam never looking back until we reached the clinic. Only Doctor Ron was in the waiting room. "And the guest of honor has arrived," he said.

"Sorry, there was a bit of an argument about this," Liam muttered, passing his uncle.

"I hope you know we're all just trying to help," Ron said as I approached. I nodded.

"Let's chat first," he said, clapping me on the back. I sighed and followed him. We went to the room where I'd woken from my coma. There was a bed and some medical equipment. To my surprise, Lily and Azalea were waiting.

"What are you doing here?" I asked Lily, going straight to her. Unshed tears glistened in her eyes.

"I just want to help you get your wolf back, Dai," she said. "I don't want you to live without Cage." I rested my forehead against hers.

"I know, Lilypad," I said softly.

I pulled away and looked at Azalea. "I want you to know, no matter what we find out, I'm glad you pulled me out of the coma. I'll never regret waking up." Azalea offered a small smile and nodded. Liam put his arm around her waist.

"Damien, have a seat," Ron said, gesturing to the bed. I nodded, releasing Lily, and sat down. He came over and produced some sticky pads. "Remove your shirt. We'll run a few tests while we talk."

I pulled off my damp, sweat-soaked shirt with difficulty. He attached the pads and wires. When finished, he stepped back and grabbed a stool.

"Okay, Damien, you haven't been able to speak to Cage," he began.

"Yeah," I nodded.

"Do you remember feeling him while you were in a coma?"

"It's fuzzy, but no," I answered.

"And when you woke up, nothing?"

"Nothing."

"What happened when you shifted?" he asked. I recounted the incident in the woods with Liam. Ron listened intently, nodding occasionally.

"Still no access to Cage, I presume?" he asked when I finished.

"No," I said.

"Not even when sleeping?" he asked.

"When I'm sleeping?" I repeated.

"Yes, do you see or hear him in your dreams or unconscious mind?" he clarified.

"I don't think so," I said. I tried to recall last night's dreams but drew a blank.

"Don't strain. We often can't recall dreams. It's normal. If it's not prominent, we won't worry about it now," he said.

"So, any ideas?" I asked.

"No," Ron admitted. "This is new territory. There's little research on this. But, if you'll humor me, I'd like to test a few things."

I looked at Liam across the room. "I'm not sure I have much say, Doc. Test away," I conceded.

First, Ron had me run on a treadmill while wired up. I wasn't in shape, so I exhausted myself sooner than expected. Next, he had me focus on connecting with Cage while he monitored my neurological activity. He didn't explain what he was looking for. He wanted one more test.

"I want you to shift," he said. I stared at him.

"I can't control Cage. Why would I shift again?" I asked.

"I want to see if we can get Cage to cooperate. I also want to observe what happens. Plus, I believe Cage acted out because he's been cut off from everything. Like a rogue wolf slowly losing themselves. Cage is becoming more volatile as he struggles. You're talking to me, and you're around your mate and friends. Cage is isolated," he explained.

"What if Cage loses control again?" Lily asked.

"I'd like to see if Cage will calm for you or your wolf. And we have an Alpha handy to intervene if things escalate," Doctor Ron said, looking at Liam with a calm smile. I'd never seen him panicked or uneasy.

"Sure," Liam agreed. "My Alpha tone seemed to work last time."

"Alright, then let's find a more suitable location." We left the clinic for a nearby wooded area. I wasn't eager; I didn't want Cage to hurt anyone. I was also afraid of Lily's reaction if Cage didn't acknowledge her or her wolf.

Deep in the woods, Liam began shifting, handing his clothes to Azalea. I sighed and did the same. Lily caught my shirt before I dropped it. She gave me a sad smile as I handed her the rest.

Liam shifted first, landing on all fours beside his mate. "Azalea, would you mind staying behind Liam and the doctor?" I asked. She nodded, her eyes on me. Liam positioned himself to shield her from me; at least she wouldn't get hurt if Cage lashed out.

"Alright," Doctor Ron said. "Whenever you're ready, Damien." All eyes were on me. I'd shifted countless times, but this felt different. I took a deep breath and closed my eyes.

"Come on, Cage," I thought. "Just be there. I need you." I focused on shifting, imagining my features transforming. Pain surged, starting in my spine and spreading outward. It wasn't as bad as before, but it wasn't pleasant.

Slowly, I felt the shift. My body curled, bracing against the pain of my bones reforming. "Cage!" I called, hoping to find him.

Then, nothing.

Liam

Damien stood before us, struggling to shift. I shielded Azalea, though I knew she was trying to peek around me. I didn't want her near Cage, just in case.

Damien bent over, pain etched on his face as he suppressed a groan. Slowly, his skin rippled as he transformed. Fur sprouted, and his limbs elongated. He was clearly containing his discomfort because of the audience.

His shift was faster than last time, but only slightly. Finally, his wolf's head rose. His eyes were dark, and I knew my best friend wasn't there.

"Damien?" Lily asked softly, stepping forward. His head tilted, observing her. His lip twitched as he smelled the air.

"Damien, can you hear us?" Uncle Ron asked.

"Damien, are you there?" I linked him. Nothing. "Cage?" Still no response.

"Cage, are you there?" Lily said, raising her hand slowly. Damien's wolf crouched defensively, snarling. I looked at Lily, who was starting to cry.

"Lily, let your wolf take over. Maybe Cage will recognize his partner more easily," my uncle instructed.

Lily nodded and closed her eyes. A moment later, her posture shifted as she opened her eyes. Her shoulders relaxed, but she leaned forward slightly, her demeanor becoming more timid. "Cage?" she said shakily.

His ears perked up, and he stood. Cage circled Lily protectively, rubbing against her. She knelt, wrapping her arms around his neck. He sat, letting her cling to him.

Cage's eyes met mine. A threatening look passed between us. "Cage," I linked. He responded with a growl. "You need to listen."

His eyes flicked from me to my uncle and back. "Cage, we know you can't speak with Damien," Uncle Ron said. "We know you're struggling. Please try to stay with us." My uncle nodded at me, indicating I should take the lead.

"Something happened when the vampire bit Damien. Your connection was severed," I linked him. His expression faltered. "When Damien woke up, he couldn't access you, and it's been worrying him. It seems you can only be brought out when he shifts, but he doesn't know what's happening when you are present."

His head nodded slightly. "It's dark and quiet," he finally spoke. "I want out."

I nodded. "I know. We're trying to figure out how to do that," I told him.

"Now," he said.

"I don't have any answers yet. We don't know if we can fix this," I told him honestly. I saw his eyes widen; he looked ready to flee.

"Cage, you can't leave!" I said quickly. "If you leave, Lily and her wolf will be devastated; your pups will be devastated. Give us time to figure things out."

Silence. Cage held my gaze; I wondered if he was communicating with Lily's wolf. Finally, he nodded slightly. "Let me out. I need to be out," Cage said.

"I'll make sure Damien shifts every day to let you out if you promise to stay in our packland and not hurt anyone," I said.

"I feel the fall," he said. "In the dark, the fall is imminent."

"We won't let you fall like rogues. But you have to fight for yourself and Damien," I assured him.