Chapter Twelve
Nyx
After spending the remainder of the day in and out of consciousness thanks to Dr. Madison's drugs, I wake the next morning to find I feel pretty damn good.
Apparently, Marie is here with Cade's pack, and had shared some type of special medicine that helps with healing.
I know most wolves wouldn't trust a wolf. But hey—if that stuff she gave to stop our heats is anything to go by, I'm keen to let her help.
Clearly, she knows her stuff. And whatever she provided to Dr. Madison is no exception.
The men nearly lose their minds when I rip the cast off my leg and go to stand, the three of them shouting at me to lay down. But I ignore them, walking across the room in search of a bathroom, yanking the IV pole behind me.
Maverick comes barreling into the bathroom with me, glaring at my blatant refusal to listen to instructions.
“Will you just stop and do as you’re told?!” He snaps, though he grabs the IV pole and lifts the tubing to help.
“I feel fine,” I argue. “Honestly, I feel better than okay. Besides, we don’t have time to waste.”
That shuts him up. Can’t argue with facts.
When we emerge from the bathroom, Cade is waiting with a bundle of clothes, a big grin on his face.
“Ass kisser,” Maverick grumbles, shoulder barging him.
“The lady said she feels fine,” he responds, winking at me.
Ahh. An ally. I knew there was a reason I didn’t rip his dick off in the woods that night.
Stripping out of the hospital gown, the three of them turn to watch. There’s gauzes and bandages everywhere, and I pull them off, pleased to find everything seems to be healed.
Apparently, even in their panicked states about my wellbeing, the guys aren’t immune to my body. Eyes flare as they take in my naked frame.
I want to scold them about it, but truthfully, if I wasn’t worried about Dr. Madison catching us, I’d probably let them bend me over the bed.
Right.
Deadlines.
I’d already mind linked Alpha Daxton and informed him I was feeling better. Unlike the other three alphas, he was happy to hear I was keen to meet for a progress report. Well, not really a progress report. An action plan and follow up on my near death experience.
Sarah’s feeling better too, already sitting up and chatting happily to Reese and her parents. I give them a quick wave as I pass.
“Wait!” Reese’s voice calls out, the four of us halting in the hallway. He comes barreling out of Sarah’s room, pausing for a second before launching himself into me.
“Whoa.”
“Thank you,” he murmurs. “I owe you everything, Nyx.”
I hug him back tightly. “Thank you for trusting me to go save her.”
He stiffens and I can sense the guilt. He has nothing to feel guilty for. I have no regrets. This was the best outcome, what I had hoped for.
I shoo him back to Sarah before I can break down crying with him. After making our way to Alpha Daxton’s office, he surprises me by standing as we walk in. His whole attention is on me and I feel my face burn with embarrassment.
“Good Morning,” I greet awkwardly, looking at the guest chairs.
“Stevens,” he says, eyes visibly inspecting me. I suppose he’s also looking for evidence of injury, or to make sure I’m actually good. After all, he did see me in the woods. I can only assume he carried me out.
I opt to sit next to Maverick and Cade, Lex positioning himself on the other side of the former. When no one speaks, I casually try to make small talk.
“Thanks for finding us,” I mutter. “Good timing.”
Alpha Daxton frowns. Damn. Those stupid emotions on his face again.
Don’t laugh.
Don’t laugh, Nyx.
“You really worried us,” he says quietly, and it’s the most concern I’ve ever seen him allow himself to show.
I nod. “I know. I’m just glad Sarah is okay.”
The guys filled me in a little between naps. It’s possible Orson has control of witches since it’s the only reasonable theory as to why Reese couldn’t mind link his own alpha.
I try not to dwell on the fact that I was the intended target. I guess the consolation is I killed them. Well, that light did.
I wish it came with an instruction manual. I seem to only activate it when there’s an emergency. Sure—the timing has been impeccable. But between that and the four-way mind link, it would be easier if I wasn’t mid-coitus or near death when it decides to activate.
“Grace sends her love and best,” Alpha Daxton says.
“Beau and Lena too,” Lex adds.
I shoot him a surprised glance. “Lena knows?”
What a stupid question. Lex would have told Beau immediately, and in turn, he told my best friend. And hell, if he didn’t, Reese would have.
Lex nods. “She visited before you woke. But she was very distressed seeing you like that. Beau suggested she wait until you woke up. Perhaps you can see her for dinner tonight.”
“I’d like that,” I reply quietly, taken aback.
The thought of Lena being so upset breaks my heart. I can’t blame her though. If I was in her position, I’d be the exact same way.
“I guess it’s time to put together some plan,” Alpha Daxton cuts in, changing the subject which I’m grateful for.
Maverick scoffs. “I’m done with fucking plans. How many chances are we going to give this pathetic wolf? Next time, what if we’re not so lucky?”
Lucky.
As if mirroring my thoughts, Cade answers, “I don’t think luck was involved, Mav. This was all our girl.”
I beam at him, my heart doing that little weird flippy thing when his eyes dance and his lips curl into a warm smile.
“You did good, Red,” Lex agrees. “I’m so proud of you.”
Maverick scoffs again, shaking his head.
Turning to him, I grab his hand. “Hey…” I murmur, squeezing it. “At least you know I’ll be able to protect your pack. You know that, right? I’d do the same for all of them.”
He softens, leaning toward me. “It’s my job to protect you. You’re my Luna. But I always knew you would. You’re fast and strong. Stubborn and fucking difficult… but a fighter.”
“You just had to add that,” I grumble in amusement.
Maverick smiles. “I wouldn’t have you any other way.”
“Likewise,” I murmur, cupping the side of his face.
“But we need a plan. I know you want to go rushing in. It’s in your nature to defend your loved ones.
However, if Orson has witches under his control, we need to be smart about this.
We all know first-hand how powerful they are.
It will be difficult to even get close to them.
We can’t afford to run the risk of losing pack members just because we want revenge. ”
“Stevens is right,” Alpha Daxton agrees. “Orson is probably expecting us to attack. We have to take him by surprise.”
“That’s a bullshit way of saying we do nothing.”
Cade hums. “It’s not nothing if we still plan to wipe him from the face of the earth. This might be something we speak to Marie about. Perhaps she might be able to help.”
Nodding, Lex asks, “Are there any other alphas that might be able to help or provide insight?”
I can’t hold back the snort that breaks loose. “No more alphas here.”
“It wasn’t a bad thing,” Lex teases. “I think we were brought to Shadow Creek for a reason. Not just because Daxton asked, but we were pulled here in time for your birthday.”
Throwing Maverick a subtle side glance, I smirk. “Yeah, well I’m just glad no more packs came. Not sure I could handle any more mates.”
Maverick raises an eyebrow. “Funny way of saying you do want me to kill an alpha. But alas, I accept.”
“There are other ways to find your mate,” Cade jokes, and I quickly grab a book from Maverick’s hands that he scoops up off the floor. “Whoa, calm down, Mav. No wonder you pair are perfect for each other. The fascination with throwing things.”
“It’s just you,” I shoot back lovingly. “Don’t throw stuff, Maverick. Alpha Daxton will get very mad if you damage something.”
Lex laughs. “Red is breaking out the day care voice.”
Lena tackles me as soon as I knock, my hand still poised against the door when it flies open and her body collides with me.
Beau appears behind her a second later, relief and a big smile on his face.
“You’re alive,” she blabbers, and I realize she’s crying.
“Lena,” I murmur sadly, squeezing her in a hug.
Lex waits patiently next to us, giving Beau a quick shoulder grab. “Thanks for hosting us on such short notice.”
“Always, brother. Anything for you and Red.”
“Come on,” I say soothingly to my sobbing best friend, wrapping my arm around her shoulder and guiding her inside Beau’s guest house.
A few people have poked their heads out of their own guest houses, a mixture of various pack members from Blood Moon, Night, and New Moon Packs. We’re well and truly at full capacity now, people sharing accommodation.
It was nice of Alpha Daxton and Luna Grace to make arrangements, even if we don’t have a giant hotel like Alpha Wyatt.
No one seems bothered about sharing though, and from what I’ve been told, my pack has been friendly and welcoming.
Everyone is chipping in to help support, feed, and look after our guests.
Even Alpha Daxton has opened the training facility to the visiting members, allowing them to join and train with us. That will be interesting.
Of course, all the alphas are now having a pissing contest, confident their members are stronger than everyone else’s.
I make a mental note to call Eve as soon as possible, worried about her and the pup. If our suspicions are right, they are also on Orson’s target list, solely for the purpose of acquiring and expanding their territory.
My concern is now that they have been unsuccessful with us, they might turn their sights on the neighboring packs.
I told the others I was going to spend the night with Lex since we were having dinner with Beau and Lena.
I’ve then got coffee lined up with Cade, where we are going to start reading Ophelia’s journals. And Maverick and I are going to go for a run. Just the field though. Even if I wasn’t banned from the woods, I’m not keen to step foot inside them at the moment.
The four of us sit down in the living room, my face twisting in amusement at the stacked pizza boxes on the coffee table.
“Didn’t feel like cooking?” I joke.
Lena wipes her nose. “I’ve… been crying all day. Pathetic, I know.”
“Not pathetic,” I answer, reaching to flick over a box. Holy fuck, yes meatlovers! I have to say I’m a big fan of multiple meats now. “It’s nice to be loved.”
“Well, you’d know all about that,” Beau laughs, grabbing a slice. “Speaking of which—when everything is sorted, Mom is keen to meet you both.”
“How is she?” I ask, interested in hearing about how their trip went.
Lex squeezes my hand. "She's good. But she'll be even better when this is all done and I can bring my Luna home."