Chapter 13 - Fall
Brent's POV:
Anderson arrived shortly after the Gamma was taken to the cells. I mindlinked him and told him to stay in the waiting room until further notice, not giving him any information about how the day had taken a sudden turn. I would brief him later, but right now my concern and attention were on Alyssa.
The head of her hospital bed had been sat up. The doctor had mentioned being concerned about a concussion and didn't want her lying flat. We sat in the darkness, with the shades drawn completely closed, as our fears were becoming more of a reality with a migraine setting in.
I looked her over by the faintest light coming through the shades, the purple bruises now on the verge of turning black. Her left eye was completely swollen shut as a raw, freshly stapled, wound stretched across her eyebrow where the mug had shattered over her face. The right side of her face had a large purple bruise on her cheek where he had attempted to knock her out. I couldn't help but admire her. He did a number on her and she fought back with everything she had. She was something else and I couldn't help but feel so very proud of her.
However, I wished it had never happened, it should've never happened. I should have known the letter was a weak point. I should've pressed the council to come earlier and we could've had the interrogations underway prior to her waking up...
"Those are some pretty rampant thoughts you have there, Alpha." She groggily whispered, the pain medication they'd given her had worked well.
"Oh, my love, I am so sorry. I didn't mean to push all of that through the bond…I just.." I dropped my head to look at my feet, "I just cannot help, but feel at fault. I left you without protection…I don't know what I was thinking..." I brought her hand up to my mouth to kiss it, "When I walked in and he was on top of you and striking you across your face, I could've killed him right then and there. Had my brother not stopped me, I would have, and I planned to. I have never been so furious in my entire life. I don't know if furious is even the right word for what I felt..." I let all of this flow out of me. I had never felt so desperate before.
She reached out for me so I pulled a chair toward her bed, but she shook her hand and patted the bed. I laughed and climbed in next to her. Lying on my back, I held her in my arms as she rested her head against my chest.
I ran my fingers up and down the length of her arm allowing the bond to dance happily upon my fingertips as I brushed her soft skin. I was beyond grateful that the bond had calmed her so much.
A knock at the door drew us out of our enchantment, as the nurse from earlier had returned with a wheelchair to assist Alyssa down to her test as well as some more medication for her pain. I helped her to get seated in the chair and I insisted she allow me to push her down to the MRI.
Once we’d arrived to the imaging floor, I helped Alyssa up from the wheelchair and onto the MRI table. She was as quite literally light as a feather. Our size difference was truly comical and I might’ve even laughed if this hadn't been such an emotional morning .
After getting her situated and reassuring her for several minutes that I would be right outside the door, the test was able to begin.
While waiting my Beta and I discussed the day's events quietly in the hall, "you mean to tell me that after betraying her, and abusing her for years he just decided to give her one for the fucking road?" Anderson asked, trying to remain calm.
Drawing in a deep breath at his choice of words, "yes." I pinched the bridge of my nose trying to steady myself. My wolf still wanted one thing, and one thing only...to rip the Gamma's throat out.
"Does Ryan have anything on Alpha Jacobs? I can't decide if I believe his version of events or not..." I grumbled to Anderson.
"Ryan has yet to find any involvement on the Alpha's behalf. He hacked the cell's cameras and the conversation went pretty much how Alpha Jacob's told you and the councill it did," he said, shrugging his shoulders.
I let out a sigh, "well that's one less issue to deal with then I guess."
Just then doors opened and the nurse stepped out, "Alpha O'Connor, Alyssa -"
"That's Luna to you," I growled at the disrespect my mate was shown.
"Oh yes, p-p-please forgive me, Luna needs help getting off of the MRI table," she said quietly with her head bowed in submission.
With the disrespect quickly forgotten at the needs of my mate, I sidestepped the still bowing nurse and quickly walked to my mate's side. Scooping her up I hesitated at putting her in the wheelchair, I very much liked her being so close.
"Would it be okay if I carried you?" I so badly wanted to just do it, but she had already had so much of her personal space violated today that I couldn't bring myself to do anything physical, even just carrying her, without asking.
She slowly nodded and laid her head against my chest, "sleepy?" I asked as I began to walk out of the room.
"Very,"she yawned, bringing her hand up to cover her mouth. It was nearing
I was grateful to see her more calm. I knew we had a long road ahead, but I would cherish each and every calm moment we had along the way. Seeing her distressed absolutely killed me.
Anderson quickly came up to her, his eyes going black with his wolf surfacing at the wounds on his Luna. "Luna, I am your Beta, Anderson. I very much look forward to getting to know you and please know from now on you have my protection and it will be an honor to serve you." He then bowed his head in submission. My wolf very much liked his Luna being honored so highly.
"It's very nice to meet you, Anderson. You can call me Alyssa, though."
"No, no he cannot," I grumbled earning a look from my mate, but she said nothing further, just simply smiled once more at the Beta and returned her head to my chest. We continued our walk back to the room, having to take the elevator to the 5th floor where her private quarters were. I had them move her room while we were down for testing, not wanting her to return to the place where she had been violated.
I had just stepped in the door when I heard, "MOMMY!" And Tenley shot out of her grandmother's lap toward us. In all of the chaos I had completely forgotten to make contact with her parents and now Tenley would have to see her mother in this condition. I was mentally berating myself as I sat Alyssa on the bed, Tenley quickly climbing up after. I was reaching to pull her from the bed when she took her mother's face into her hands.
"Oh no mommy! Did you fall down again?" The sweet four year old asked, checking her mother's face over. My stomach clenched. She'd seen her mother like this before. Alyssa glanced up at me, and then back to Tenley, her eyes filled with tears, "yes, silly mommy fell down again baby. I'll be okay though. I don't think I'll be falling down, well at least not like this, ever again." She said as she looked up at me once more for what appeared to be reassurance, which broke my heart more as if that were even possible.
I let out the breath I realize I was holding, and squeezed Alyssa's shoulder, 'No, no you won't.' It tore me apart that she had needed me to reassure her this would never happen again, but I would do everything in my power to make sure this was the final time.
She leaned into my arm, and I wrapped it around her shoulder pulling her in tightly.
Her mother walked over, wanting to see her daughter of course. Tears fell down the older woman's cheeks at the sight of Alyssa not only awake, but badly injured. I leaned down to kiss my mate's temple and whispered, "I am going to give you some time with your parents and Tenley. I will be out in the hallway speaking to Anderson, okay?" She nodded timidly. "I won't leave, I promise you," her eyes softened and with one more kiss to her forehead I gestured for Anderson to follow me.
Doctor Grace happened to be walking up at the exact time I closed the door behind me, "Alpha O'Connor, Beta Anderson, I have some news that I don't think anyone will be particularly happy about..."
Crossing my arms over my chest, I braced myself for what she was about to say. I nodded for her to continue, "Luna has a moderately severe concussion and I cannot recommend that she leave the hospital today. She needs to remain on the monitors."
A growl began in my chest, remembering I had promised her we would head home after the tests. She would be devastated.
"You're absolutely positive?" I asked, trying to control my breathing. I blocked my side of the bond, not wanting to upset Alyssa.
"Yes, unfortunately," she responded.
"With all due respect, I am going to have my pack doctor look over the results just to be sure. I promised her we would leave after the testing was complete. Please send those over if you haven't already."
I was trying to stay as calm as I could with the doctor. I knew she was just keeping my mate's best interest in mind, but I was truly worried about breaking this promise. Hindsight I never should have said it without being sure, but I had and now I needed to be absolutely sure there was no other option.
"The reports were sent as soon as I got them. They should have received them at this point. I cannot recommend discharge, but if that is what you and your pack doctor conclude is best, I will send up the discharge nurse," her voice strained with worry.
"I will alert you, thank you doctor." I quickly pulled my phone from my pocket and pressed the numbers for the hospital .
After the third ring it finally connected to the operator, "Dr. Greer," I simply stated. I didn't have time for pleasantries.
After a few moments of holding music, the doctor picked up, "Alpha O'Connor, I was just about to call you." He didn't sound very optimistic.
"I assume that means you've read the report," I solemnly replied.
"Yes, Alpha, I have," he hesitated to respond further.
"And?" I growled, getting impatient.
"I agree with Dr. Grace, Luna has a moderately severe concussion. I cannot safely recommend she travel in her condition," he carefully explained.
I smashed my fist into the wall, watching as the drywall crumbled to the floor, causing Anderson to look up from the stupid magazine he was reading.
"When, in your opinion, can she travel?" I spat.
"Two days. Give it two days and on the evening of the second day she can travel," he said on the other end of the line.
Having nothing else to say, I smashed my finger on the end button. I gripped the phone tightly, fighting the urge to send it hurling against the wall. This was just my fucking luck.
I placed my hand back on the doorknob to give my mate the news, taking a deep breath before entering. My heart swelled at the little girl in my mate's arms. My girls. My family. Not wanting to ruin the moment, I decided to save the bad news for later. I crossed the room and pulled both of them into my arms, making Tenley giggle .
"Mommy, what's that spot on your neck?" The ever observant child pointed out.
Alyssa looked sweetly at me, "that's my mark."
"What's a mark?" She asked inquisitively, her little eyebrows scrunching together.
Alyssa giggled at the redheads antics, "a mark is something given to you by a mate that you'll be with forever."
Suddenly sad, "oh, did daddy do that?" The child wondered.
I breathed heavily, seeming to forget the douchebag was a part of the equation, no matter how badly I wanted him out.
Alyssa cleared her throat, trying to decide what to say so I interrupted, "Tenley do you remember how when mommy was sleeping I told you that I would always be here to take care of you both?"
Her curls bounced wildly as she nodded her head yes and I couldn't help but chuckle, "I put this mark on mommy because she is my mate now." I leaned forward and showed her my mark just above my collarbone. I watched carefully for her response. Most pups at this age knew what mates were to some extent, but the mark wasn't really talked about until they either asked about it or they had had their first shift.
Her eyes filled with tears and her chin and lip began to quiver, "does this mean you'll yell at us and tell us what to do now?"
What was left of my heart shattered completely, "oh honey, no. Why would you think that?"
She sniffled, wiping her nose on the back of her hand, "daddy always said he had to yell at mommy and me because the Moon Goddess made her his mate. "
Another strike for the Gamma. I couldn't wait to be alone with him, well Anderson would be there too, but we were a team and the Gamma had no clue what was coming.
I held all of the composure I could before responding, "you and your mommy are a precious gift from the Moon Goddess and I could never yell at either of you. I am going to take very good care of you both. I promise." I leaned forward and tapped her on the nose, earning a giggle from the little girl, my little girl. My heart swelled at what she asked next,
"So does this mean you're going to be like another daddy?" She shyly giggled.
"I can call you daddy B!" She shouted before I could respond.
Alyssa pulled her back into her lap and shushed her, "baby girl, Brent may want you to call him by his name," she scolded with a hint of embarrassment on her cheeks.
I bent down and tucked Tenley's hair behind her ear, earning me a precious grin, "miss Tenley, you may call me whatever you wish. I would love to be called Daddy B if that is what you wish to call me." I was doing my best not to tear up, what had these girls done to me.
Alyssa, however, was crying all over again and I couldn't help but laugh lightly as I wiped tears away from her eyes.
She pondered for a moment and then excitedly asked, "WAIT! If I'm a gift, does that mean you will buy me gifts for my birthday next month?"
I couldn't help but laugh some more, "yes, my dear, you can have whatever you wish for and we will throw you a huge birthday party, fit for a princess."
This earned me a pop to my shoulder from my Luna and I looked down at her, still grinning, "you are going to spoil her and her birthday is in May, it is not next month," she quickly reminded me.
Kissing her forehead, I responded, "yes, I know, but it sounds like the both of you are long overdue for some spoiling."
I was enjoying the moment so much, but I knew I had to tell Alyssa sooner rather then later that we would not be leaving tonight.
"Speaking of spoiling, Anderson, take Tenley down to get some ice cream. I need to speak with Alyssa."