Chapter 14 - Elize
I glanced at Troy as he drove. I could see several emotions filling his face. But I wasn’t sure what to say. I couldn’t imagine what he was feeling right now. He was the Alpha, and it was his job to ensure his members’ safety.
I watched his knuckles tighten, and his jaw clenched together. I felt my heart dip seeing how broken he looked. I’d never seen Troy look so worried. I knew that he cared about his members, but the look he carried was almost fatherly.
“Troy? Are you okay?”
He frowned. “No, I’m not okay. I have no idea what’s going on or who’s hurt. I don’t know how bad it is. I don’t know anything, and I hate it.”
He shook his head. “And I’m so angry. I know that the only reason this is happening is that they are losing their control over their emotions, but it doesn’t stop the anger.”
I reached across the dashboard and placed my hand over his. “It’s going to be okay.”
He looked at me for a moment before he pulled his gaze back to the road. “I wish I could have let you behind.”
I frowned. “Why? You know that I’ll be able to help.”
“Because I don’t want you to see my members like that. I have been working hard to set a good image. And this…” He shook his head. “It just ruins it.”
I shook my head. “Troy, whatever happens today doesn’t change anything. It’s just like you said, they don’t have control. This is all because of dark magic. It has nothing to do with how you manage your pack.”
I could see his shoulders relax a little. I hoped it hit home because it was true. I saw how hard he worked.
As we pulled in, he took several turns. I felt my stomach dip as we took the last turn. Ahead of us was a blood bath. The street and sidewalk were covered in blood. There were guys pressing others to the ground. I could still see fighting going a little further down the road.
You could hear the yelling from inside the car. I quickly spotted Dustin barking orders as he tried to get control of the situation. But I could see it wasn’t going well.
The guys they had pinned were thrashing like their bodies were moving on their own. There was someone who had shifted, and two other wolves were cornering him in a corner.
“Shit,” Troy said, pulling the car to a stop. “Stay in the car.”
“I can’t stay in the car, Troy. I have to help.”
“You can come out once we have this under control. I don’t need you getting hurt. Please. Stay in the car until I say otherwise.”
I didn’t even get to answer him before he hopped out. I watched as he ran into it, trying to help. I gripped onto the car seat, my nails sinking into the fabric. I could feel my heart racing as I looked the situation over again.
There had to be at least thirty people out here. Possibly more, but they were moving so quickly.
I counted eight men who were acting off. Three were already pinned to the ground, and two more were being chased down. One had shifted. Two were already tied up, sitting on the ground on the corner.
I felt my stomach tense up at the amount of blood everywhere. I swallowed, wondering if anyone was seriously hurt. I knew the answer and felt my hands starting to shake.
I couldn’t just sit in here when I could be helping. I knew how to help and how to take care of myself just fine.
A scream filled the air as one of the guys had gotten free. He shoved at the others, freeing the other two that were also pinned to the ground. I watched as Troy and Dustin started after.
I shoved the car door open and got out. My entire body was shaking now, and part of it was from the adrenaline. I knew I could help, and I wanted to.
I first headed over to the two that were sitting tied up. I reached out a hand, placing it on their foreheads. I allowed my magic to seep out and slowly soak over their faces.
I could see the effect it had. Their bodies began to relax, and their shoulders dropped. It was like they would snap out of this daze that they had been in.
I watched as his eyes widened and horror filled his face. It was the only part of this that I couldn’t change. They would realize what they had done and have to stomach it.
“Oh god,” one of them whispered as he looked around. The other pulled a hand up to his mouth, looking like he was going to hurl.
“What have I done?”
I wanted to soothe them more, but I didn’t have the time. I moved down the sidewalk toward the wolves.
I watched as they pinned him to the ground. I whistled, catching their attention. The other two wolves seemed unsure, and I pulled my hands up.
“I can soothe him. Please.”
They watched me with narrow eyes, and I slowly moved closer. I reached a hand out and placed it onto the wolf’s snout. I pulled my magic out from my fingers and onto him.
He jerked, trying to free himself, before he allowed the magic to settle over him. I watched as he stiffened and the wolf’s eyes widened. He looked stunned as the magic calmed him little by little. After a minute, his body sagged, and I knew he was calm.
I stepped back, needing to find Troy and Dustin. I headed down the sidewalk, and I could hear howling behind me. I curled my hands into fists, trying to stop myself from getting emotional. I had to think clearly.
I paused as I looked around, not sure where the others had gone.
I knew they took off down the road, but I didn’t see which direction they headed.
I guess I could always stay with the group, but if anyone else was hurt or needed soothing, I needed to be there.
I knew how hard it was to control a person who had lost their cool.
I kept walking until I spotted them just ahead of me. They had the last guy pinned to the ground. I hurried over to them and could hear the man cursing at them. His words sent shivers down my spine.
I bent down, placing my hand on his head. I forced my magic out and into his head. He stiffened before falling limp in their arms.
Troy and Ivan sighed, their shoulders relaxing. Troy looked at me with concerned eyes. “Are you okay?”
I nodded.
“Good, now let’s get everyone to the infirmary.”
***
I helped get everyone moved to the infirmary to get checked out before they were free to go. The smell of blood was strong in the air, and I could hear crying already before we entered. I looked over at Troy, who looked exhausted.
“Here.” Dustin pointed to a large room. “Have them stay in here until you guys decide to leave.”
I looked past Troy and Dustin toward the couple of smaller rooms. I could see a woman crying over a man. He was still, and I could tell from the look of the nurses next to him that he was gone.
I glanced at the other room, where I found another body.
“Two people died today,” Dustin said, his voice sharp.
“I’m sorry,” Troy said, running a hand through his hair. “I’ve said I was sorry. My men are sorry.”
“Sorry doesn’t bring them back,” Dustin snapped. “You should have had better control of your men!”
I bite hard onto my cheek. Dustin ran a hand over his face. “Just get your men healed and leave.”
Dustin marched away, and I turned to Troy. I didn’t know what to say. I doubted anything I said would help.
“Can you just check on them. I need a minute.” Troy headed down the hallway, and I stood stiff for a moment longer.
I slipped into the room and helped with what I could. I healed wounds and offered a hand to whoever needed it. But I knew there was still more to come.
It was about twenty minutes later when Troy came into the room. Everyone stiffened, and the space fell silent.
I walked over to him and placed a hand on his chest. I looked into his eyes, unable to read him. I could see anger mixed with hurt. I knew he was blaming himself, but it wasn’t anyone’s fault that what happened tonight happened.
“Troy…”
He swallowed. “I know they didn’t mean to, and I know being angry doesn’t help. I’m angry at the situation. I’m angry that two people died, and it’s my fault.”
I shook my head. “It’s not. It’s not your fault. It’s not anyone’s fault.”
I stepped closer to him, reaching my hands up. “Magic took hold of them, and there was nothing you guys could have done.”
He pulled me into a hug, resting his face against my head. I could feel his heart racing, and I wrapped my arms around him. I allowed the world to disappear for a moment, hoping I could comfort him even if it were only a little.
He pulled back and cleared his throat. “I need to tell them.”
I nodded. I knew they already knew something. I could see it in their eyes when they all came to.
I headed for the door and stepped out of the room, needing to collect myself. I could feel the tears burning now as Troy spoke.
I quickly wiped at my eyes as I walked away, just needing to catch a breath. I wanted to give Troy some space as well to talk to the guys and have a heart-to-heart conversation.
I headed around the corner and took a deep breath. I shook my head and reminded myself I couldn’t fall apart. I turned and found Dustin leaning against the wall by a window just a few feet away.
I walked over and glanced outside the window. The sun was starting to set you could see people were trying to clean up the street.
I thought of his words just a little bit ago. “You know it’s no one’s fault.”
“It’s someone’s fault.”
I nodded. “It is, but no one here.” I glanced at him. “You know that. I know you’re angry, but deep down you know that. Troy is a great Alpha and would never let his men come into your pack and murder anyone. You know that.”
I could see his face shift slightly as he looked away. “He cares about you.”
I felt my eyebrows go up at the sudden change. “I can see it in the way he looks at you.”
I tried not to take his words to heart. Troy was the one who walked away all those years ago.
“I’m sure it’s because of the help.”
Dustin shook his head. “No. It’s not. I’ve seen the way he looks at women, and I see the way he looks at you. It’s not the same.”
I looked back outside the window. “How long has this issue been going on?”
Dustin shrugged. “A while. Don’t know how long because the council hides it.”