Chapter One #2
When Em woke up, she was in a different hospital room, and Luna was there, along with a dark elf with a fierce scowl. She croaked, “You don’t look suave either, you pointy-eared thundercloud.”
He blinked in surprise. “You can see the ears?”
“Yeah. What do you guys use for skincare? Your face has the texture of smooth leather.”
He stared. “You have seen others?”
“Yeah, there are over a hundred of you running around the city. Most of you are doting on someone small with surprising height at the same time.”
He blinked slowly. “That does describe our omegas.”
“Right. Why are you here? Am I being sued? You have lawyer face.”
“No. Not yet. I am here to start the paperwork to break the power of attorney.”
“Do you think we can do that? Augusta is a parasitic persuader. She can get anyone to agree with her.”
The man-elf whistled softly. “That explains the constant verdict in her favour. Do you know how to end it?”
“Sure. Find one of your people who is a judge or a judge who is resistant to it.”
“Do you know any?”
“I haven’t met any; therefore, I don’t know any.” She snorted. “It is hard enough to dodge them before court. They always catch me and wedge my jaw open while they pour the drug in. After that, the day is hazy.”
“Do you know what they use?”
“Some kind of opiate. I don’t know what it is. I do know that it makes the judge look past my tax filings, my driver’s license, and my communications degree.” Her mouth felt less mushy. “How long was I out?”
Luna spoke. “Six hours. They kept you under while they moved you to a private room. Before you freak out, I have the bill. It’s the least I can do for not paying attention.”
The lawyer frowned. “What do you mean?”
“I run a group for abused betas, and Em’s situation isn’t flashy, and others needed more immediate attention, so no one spoke to her. No one offered resources. We could have ratified this eight months ago if I had been paying attention.”
Em pushed the button, and the bed rose. “Keep a tally. I will pay you back.”
Luna sighed. “It isn’t necessary.”
“Yes. It is. It will probably take me until your baby is in school, but I will do it.”
“Em, you don’t have to do that. Between my husband, the guys, and my dad, I am more than covered. You should have been, but you are not.” Luna said. “Is there anyone you trust that we can call?”
Em paused and wove her fingers together. “There sort of is. There’s a cousin, but we haven’t seen each other in years.”
The lawyer said, “His name?”
“He has a fairly new pack or den or whatever. I don’t want to bother him. Plus, we weren’t really close.”
Luna sighed. “What is his name?”
“Mateo. His omega is Owen.”
The lawyer stiffened. “Does he have a second omega?”
“Um, not technically. He is in a pack with two other alphas and what may or may not be an omega named Persephone. I haven’t met her, though.” Em sighed. “I am sure she is very pretty and probably has pale skin.”
Luna asked, “Why would you say that?”
“He has a type.” Em smiled.
The lawyer said, “I will be right back. Time to play telephone tag.”
Em watched him go. She asked Luna, “What is his name?”
“Duran Path. He’s excellent at litigation, and I am paying his fees as well.”
Em blinked. “Why?”
“Because the betas who have made matches have gotten their spouses to kick money toward the book club for events such as this.”
“Oh. So, no one will be importuned?”
Luna chuckled. “No.”
“Good. I hate to cause a fuss.”
“The fuss has already happened, now we are watching it grind through the world until you are safe.” Luna smiled and moved to sit closer to her, touching that unbruised spot on her wrist.
“I hope he gets a restraining order for my sister and her pack, or the moment they figure out where I am, they are going to try and come through that door and drag me out by my hair.”
Luna chuckled. “Don’t worry about that. My guys are outside the door in human form, and nothing is getting past them unless Duran gives them the password.”
“What’s the password?”
“PB and J.”
“Oh, I like that.” Em smiled and leaned back.
“Did you need something to eat or drink?”
“Just some water. My stomach is sore and kind of hard and hot.”
Luna got paler. “Just a moment. I will be right back.”
Em nodded. Less than a minute later, three staff members were there checking her vitals, drawing blood, and one rolled in a portable ultrasound.
The blanket was arranged, her bed went flat again, and she was under the sticky-slippy gel for the ultrasound.
She didn’t know what was going on, and they didn’t tell her, but a call was made, and under a minute later, she was moving through the halls with the team at her side.
The lawyer looked at her with widening eyes, and Luna went to brief him.
Em sighed as they got to the surgical suite.
She met the anesthesiologist, chatted a little, was moved to the operating table, and then hands were everywhere on her, and she got warm and sleepy right before she felt like she was melting and on fire.
The surgeon said something softly, and she looked at his pointy ears and black skin with his red eyes glowing in the space.
He met her gaze, and his brows lifted. She could tell he was smiling in surprise as her vision narrowed, and she was knocked out.
This was a terrible habit to develop.