"I killed him, most of his high rankers are dead too, two of them have surrendered" I said not breaking eye contact with him, he looked at the other guy and then turned back to me.
"Well who are you?" he asked, I noticed a couple of the other wolves shift back too.
Brook was gripping the back of my shirt for dear life, her whole body pressed against mine, I could feel she was shaking so I put one hand back rubbing her hip reassuringly. "I'm Alpha Philips of Bane's Creak" I said sternly, it was the first time I had actually said anything like that out loud, it still felt a little weird.
"If you killed our Alpha then wouldn't you be Alpha of our pack too?" the same guy asked.
A few more shifted back moving closer to each other looking nervous and possibly a little excited.
Why the hell would they be excited? Are they glad he's dead? Wait! Shit, did that mean I was Alpha now too? I swallowed a groan and turned to Paul, he nodded slightly. Damn it! Three damn packs, are you kidding me?
"Technically as I've killed you Alpha and you have no high rankers I guess so" I said trying not to show how annoyed I was at the moment, maybe I should have said Paul killed him or something!
The two guys at the front spoke in whispers, I tried my best not to listen to them, instead I focused on the sound of Brook's ragged breathing behind me. I can't believe this has happened, for God sake, I didn't even want one pack and now I have three?
The two guys at the front turned back to me and bent down on one knee, oh for Christ sake I hate it when people do that! The rest of the pack shifted back and went to their knee too, Paul chuckled slightly next to me, probably at my horrified expression I'm not sure. "You can stand up it's fine" I said calmly, "Paul go back to Scott" I said slapping his shoulder gratefully. He nodded and disappeared back into the house quickly.
"We have an ambulance coming from West Bridge any minute, one of my pack are hurt" I announced as they all seemed to be standing there waiting for me to speak. "I need to go to the hospital, my mate has been injured, maybe we could arrange a meeting for tomorrow about Alpha" I suggested looking at the two guys at the front in particular, they seemed to be in charge more than the others.
One of them nodded eagerly, "I'll arrange it, what time?" he asked, I groaned internally, three packs was impossible, I couldn't have this one as well, in a year or so I would have Willow Creak too.
"About 12" I said I turned to Christian, "You can show me where the meeting site is right?" I asked, he nodded grinning happily. He was probably happy that Trey was dead, he said that this pack hated their Alpha and the way the pack was run, he probably had a lot of friends that would benefit from him being dead.
They were all standing around still, "It'd be great if you could arrange that for me, I'll be at your meeting site tomorrow at 12, you should all go back to your homes, there's nothing more you can do here" I said sternly ending the conversation. They all nodded, some of them shifted back and ran off, others walked off in groups talking excitedly.
Just then two ambulances pulled up and I prayed to God that it had arrived in time to save my best friend. The two guys jumped out of each one and ran towards us, "He's in the house, he's been shot in the chest, the other three are barely injured" I said still pissed that I actually let them live, they breezed past me into the house. I turned and wrapped my arm around Brook pulling her close to me pressing my face into her hair breathing in her beautiful scent. "I love you shortie" I whispered, silently thanking God that she was safe, how the hell we survived that I don't know.
She pulled back to look at me, "Are you really Alpha of this pack too?" she asked shocked, I nodded and cupped her face in my hands kissing her nose.
"I don't want to be, I'll let them fight for it, I can step down and let them chose their own Alpha through a competition" I said shrugging. There was no way I would have this pack too, I wouldn't do that to Brook, not three packs, I didn't even want one, I was thinking I would step down as Alpha of Bane's Creak and just run my fathers pack with Scott in a year or so, well if he survived.
"Don't worry shortie, in a month or so I'll step down as Alpha of Bane's Creak, and then it'll just be you and me for a year or so before I take over from my father" I said smiling at the thought of us being able to do whatever the hell we wanted. Maybe we'd wait until she finished school or maybe she'd even want to finish college, my father could wait that long. Her breath caught in her throat, her eyes filled with tears, what did I say?
"I don't want you to step down Jay, that was Dom's pack, he.....he asked you to t....take it, he wanted...." she said trailing off crying and hugging me tightly.
I groaned, damn it I didn't think about her Dad, she'd just watched her father get murdered and now I was talking about shunning his pack. Nice one Jay, really well done! "Shortie, it was just an idea, I'm sorry, I don't want to upset you, I won't step down if you don't want me to" I said quietly. I hated to see her cry, I wiped her tears with my thumbs. "I'm sorry about Dom, he was a really great guy" I whispered holding her tight.
She nodded "Yeah, at least he got to meet you, approve of my choice" she said teasingly pretending she was fine.
I nodded "Yeah" I said kissing her forehead, she obviously wasn't ready to deal with this right now, maybe later when we were on our own she'd talk to me.
The paramedics came out carrying Scott on a stretcher, Paul was walking helplessly behind, "Is he gonna be ok?" I asked desperately, the paramedics looked at me sadly and I felt sick.
"He's lost a lot of blood, the bullets still inside, it's touch and go, he'll need surgery" one of them said as they carried him to the ambulance.
"This is all my fault, there were two guys outside when we got here, I sent Scott in to help you, I shouldn't have let him go in alone" Paul said sadly.
I gripped his shoulder, "It's not your fault, this is that assholes fault, he's the one who shot him, Scott saved my life" I said honestly. If he hadn't come in when he did I would be dead and that would have left Brook either on her own with Trey, or dead. Paul nodded looking at his son getting loaded into the ambulance, I could tell he was proud. "Go with him, I'll be there as soon as I can, I just need to sort out the three guys in there" I said nodding back into the house.
"What are you gonna do about them Jay?" Paul asked curiously.
"I'll see what they want to do, they surrendered, well two of them did anyway, maybe they'll want to leave once they're healed, if they go back on their decision I'll have to kill them" I said shrugging.
Paul nodded and turned to run to the ambulance, Beth walked out and hugged Brook tightly, she looked tired and so sad, Dom had meant a lot to her, that was probably a lot for her to deal with.
"Christian, come and watch Brook for me" I called, he came out straight away looking at them sadly. I kissed Brook on the forehead, "You ok Beth?" I asked wrapping an arm around her shoulders, she nodded and hugged me back.
"I'll be fine, go sort out what you need to" she said looking at me knowingly.
I smiled "Stay here shortie, I'll be a couple of minutes" I said squeezing her hand gently.
When I went in to the house I made sure to close the door behind me. the two paramedics from the other ambulance were working on the guy with the broken back. He still hadn't shifted to his human form, that was probably a good move, let the healing process take over. "I need to speak to them in private" I said sternly.
The paramedics looked at me a little shocked, "We're still working on him, and the other guys shoulder still needs treatment" one of them said.
"Your treatment might be unnecessary if I don't like what they say, I don't want to waste your time, I'll just be a few minutes" I said opening the door and nodding for them to leave. They looked at each other then stood up and left, the guy with the twisted leg started scooting away from me pressing against the wall looking terrified. Ok well he's not a threat.
I looked at the other two, "I need to know your ranks, and I need to know what you want to happen, I'm Alpha of the Trident's now, I have
no problem with killing you if I feel that any of my pack are in danger" I said looking at each one in turn.
The two that had shifted back were shaking their heads fiercely, "My name's Michael, I'm.....well I was, Alpha's fifth" the one with the injured shoulder said, I nodded and looked at the other guy.
"Lee, I'm Alpha's seventh and that's Jerry he's low rank" he said nodding to the wolf who was whimpering on the ground near him.
"Right, and what's going to happen now?" I asked curious as to what they wanted. The guy called Michael looked at me confused.
"What do you mean? I thought you came here to kill all the high rankers? That you wanted this pack, that's why you're here" he said frowning. I laughed, that's what Trey told them?
"Your Alpha told you we wanted your pack?" I asked smiling, wow he really was a wimp, couldn't even fight his own battles. Michael nodded looking even more confused.
"Your Alpha lied to you, he threatened to kill my mate and me, he started all of this, it had nothing to do with your pack, all I wanted was Trey" I said honestly.
They both looked at me shocked, "He said it was a coo, that you were leading it and that you wanted to kill all the high rankers and replace us with your own" he said grimacing.
I shook my head, "That's not how it happened, so with that in mind, the fact that you felt you were in danger, is that why you chose to fight?" I asked, watching intently for their reactions.
They both nodded, "If we'd have known it was just Trey we would have stepped aside, he's not a good Alpha" Michael said looking at me apologetically.
I nodded "I think you need to leave the pack, go find somewhere else, I won't harm you unless you make me" I said warningly. They both nodded looking at me gratefully, I nodded towards the wolf on the floor, "If he's a low ranker why was he fighting?" I asked curiously.
"He wanted promotion, he does a lot of odd jobs and stuff for Trey" Lee said.
"Right, well I'm going to the hospital, you can stay here until you heal then leave and don't come back, if you do anything I don't like I swear I will hunt you down and rip your head off, is that understood?" I growled. They both nodded gratefully, I pulled the door open and nodded for the paramedics to come back in, "You can treat them, if they need to go to hospital take them, if not then they're leaving as soon as they can" I said.
I turned back to look at Dom tied to the chair the pool of blood under his chair was starting to darken and congeal slightly. I walked over and untied his arm restraints, he was a really good guy, he didn't deserve to die like that. Brook was right, he asked me to take his pack, he wanted me to keep it in his family so I would, I wouldn't step down. Looks like I'll have two packs after all, now I just needed to get rid of the Tridents!
"Will you have someone come and look after Alpha Logan?" I asked one of the paramedics, he nodded and I patted him on the shoulder gratefully as I walked out without a second glance to the three that surrendered. They weren't a threat, they were lied to and controlled by Trey the same as the rest of this damn pack.
I wrapped my arm around Brook, "Come on then shortie lets go get your leg and neck looked at ok?" I said smiling at her beautiful angels face as I led her and her mother over to the Scott's car, I looked back and noticed two dead people on the front grass. "Christian, ask the paramedics to take care of the two that you and Paul killed and have the taken to the morgue or something" I said quietly not wanting Brook or her mother to hear. He nodded and ran back to the house, I got in the car and held Brook's hand tightly waiting for him to come back so we could go to the hospital. I had a horrible feeling Scott wasn't going to make it.
Brook ended up having stitches on her leg but her neck was already healing slightly so they left it to close itself. We were now sitting outside the operating theatre, Scott had been rushed in as apparently the bullet had ripped through one of his lungs and they couldn't control the bleeding.
Brook was sitting next to me quietly, she hadn't spoken much, I noticed her head fall forward where she kept dozing off. I smiled, "Come here shortie" I said pulling her onto my lap and tucking her head into my neck rocking her gently, she kissed the side of my neck.
"Love you" she mumbled sleepily making my heart beat faster, I closed my eyes, I will never get used to those words coming out of her mouth.
An hour later they wheeled him out, "We've got the bullet out and repaired the damage" the Doctor said to Paul, he sighed and seemed to relax slightly, he looked like he'd aged ten years in the last couple of hours. "The damage was extensive, when he wakes up from the anaesthetic we'll try to get him to shift, if he can shift, he'll be fine" the Doctor said looking hopeful. I kissed Brook's forehead, thank God he seemed to be ok, the only one that's been lost is Dom.
Paul went into the room with Scott and Beth, I waited outside with Brook to let her sleep for a little while longer, she seemed so peaceful. Maybe she'd sleep through the worry of whether or not Scott would be able to shift, she loved Scott, if he died it would be worse that her losing Dom. After another hour Beth came out and waved me over, "He's waking up" she said looking stressed. I swallowed, oh God please let him be ok!
"Brook, wake up shortie, Scott's waking up" I said brushing her hair away from her face.
"He is? Is he ok?" she asked hopefully.
"Let's go find out, we need to get him to shift" I said easing her off of my lap and holding her tightly as we walked to his room in case she was a little wobbly still.
He was still coming round and was a little groggy, they were tying to wake him up and encourage him to shift but he wasn't responding. Beth and Paul were either side squeezing his hands calling his name, Brook burst into tears next to me squeezing herself to me tightly. The Doctor shook his head slightly, and I felt sick, Paul looked at me. "Make him shift Jay, make him!" he cried desperately, shit make him? How the hell can I make him? I could try I guess, I nodded to Brook and she let go of me wrapping her arms around her Mom both of them crying. Scott was really pale, he didn't look good.
"Scott, it's Jay, you need to shift" I said, his eyes fluttered again but nothing else, damn it! "Scott, you need to shift" I said sternly, his hand moved slightly, "If you don't shift you going to die, now shift" I said shaking him slightly. Come on Scott please! He opened his eyes and looked at me, he was trying, he couldn't do it, I could tell by his eyes, they were hopeless. He knew he was going to die.
I refuse to lose my best friend because of that asshole. "Scott Porter, you WILL shift right now!" I commanded using my full Alpha command, his hands started to shake, shit he's doing it! It was almost impossible for a shifter not to submit to a full Alpha command, he was born to be a second so he had more control over his submission than other lower rankers but it would still be strong.
"Shift now, I'm telling you to shift, now do it! Do it now" I commanded. He squeezed his eyes shut and a couple of seconds later exploded into his tan wolf with a small yelp. "Holy shit it worked" I cried excitedly looking at Paul who looked like he was about to pass out through stress.
Brook laughed sounding relieved and Paul grabbed me into a hug, "Thank you, oh God Jay, thank you" he said gratefully. I can't believe that worked! He was going to be fine. I breathed a sigh of relief and smiled as Brook kissed Scott on the side of his snout, she really was amazing, less than two weeks ago she didn't even know what the hell a shifter was and now here she is kissing a wolf.
I rubbed my hand down her back, "Maybe we should let him rest, he'll need plenty of sleep, we can come back in the morning" I suggested looking at Beth, she nodded and hugged Paul tightly. Brook stepped away, I looked at him, God I was so happy I could burst. "Well done, good job and thanks for saving my life" I said grinning, he whimpered slightly. "I'll come back in the morning, rest, recover, that's an order" I said sternly before hugging Paul.
"Is it ok if I take Scott's car, I'll drop the girls home then come back to get you" I suggested.
He shook his head, "Rachel and Mel want to come to the hospital, I told them to wait at home, I
'll call them, you take the car, I'll see you tomorrow, and Jay if you need me to come to the meeting with you tomorrow you let me know ok" he said smiling. I nodded, Paul was a really great guy, and such a great Dad, in a way he had been a Dad to me too, he always treated me like one of the family when I was at Scott's.
"Thanks, I'll see you in the morning" I said taking a last look at Scott who was now asleep on his side. "Come on then shortie, Beth let's go" I said nodding to the door.
....................................................................................................................
I woke in the morning with my body wrapped protectively around Brook's. She was still asleep, I brushed her hair away from her face and tried my best not to look at the heeling teeth marks on her neck, he was dead now, there was no point in me getting myself worked up about it again. I still can't believe Brook shifted like that, her Dad would have been proud of her if he'd have seen that.
We were both just lucky that she was able to get back, I'd follow her anywhere and be happy whatever happened, but the thought of not seeing her beautiful face or hearing her beautiful voice wasn't something I ever wanted to got through.
We hadn't spoken much since last night, by the time we got back to my house she was exhausted and barely managed to climb in the bed before she feel asleep. I loved waking up to her, it was the best thing that I could ever wish for. After an hour she stirred and pressed her face into my chest,
"Mmm, I know you're awake Jayden, you better not have been watching me sleep again" she mumbled against my skin. I laughed, wow busted! She pulled back to look at me smiling teasingly.
"Sorry, couldn't help myself" I said shrugging, she laughed and shook her head as if I was being silly, she obviously wasn't over the hang-ups about her body quite yet.
She kissed my chest and I felt my wolf fighting me growling at me to take her. I sighed and wrapped my arms tighter around her, I didn't ever want to let go. "Shortie, can we talk about something?" I asked swallowing my nerves, she nodded looking at me tenderly as she ran her hand over my chest lightly making my wolf growl louder.