Chapter 157

I feel him close me out as soon as the images of the last memory fade away like a shutter coming down as he disconnects from me. That wall of emotion blanks and pushes me away. It’s not something most wolves can do, especially to an imprinted bond, but Colton does it right now and shields me from everything he’s feeling in the moment and shuts me out. It’s an Alpha gift to protect loved ones from pain and horror. It shocks me and hurts me a little, but I don’t think he’s doing it to punish me. I think he’s doing it because he knows his emotions are completely overwhelming and doesn’t want to make me feel them. He’s protecting me and pulling back, so he doesn’t share what he’s experiencing. He stands, lets go of his mom’s hand, and looks over my head at the doc with a glazed, distant expression and not what I expected. A look of determination as that leader takes over, and he stands that little bit taller, moving in to take charge. “How long do you need before you can wake her?” There’s