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  Other wolves joined in the fun as they would pass us on their way back to the pack house. Almost all of my pack and quite a few of Starlight’s pack were there. Becca came up to me, knowing that she couldn’t bother Billy ass he was in charge of the watch and couldn’t play.

  When it had finally dwindled back to our original eleven, with the addition of Becca, we laid in the meadow. I was so tired, and I was trying to regain the energy to shift back. All of a sudden everyone perked up, their ears turning to catch some unknown sound.

  ‘Change back, Crystie. Climb into that tree.’ Billy said as he came to stand in protective stance in front of me along with Jerry and Ryan. ‘Something’s coming. Unknown scent.’

  I whimpered as I shifted back, expending the last of my reserves. I had overexerted myself in the fun of playing with the others. I lay there, not being able to stand, and I couldn’t communicate with Billy, Becca, or the others, since I wasn’t in wolf form anymore.

  Becca whimpered and nudged me with her snout, trying to urge me on, but I just couldn’t. I couldn’t even speak at that moment, I was breathing so hard. Becca and Ryan shifted back, Becca quickly climbing into the tree. Ryan picked me up and passed me to her. Then he shifted back and rubbed himself all over the tree trunk, then marked it with his scent. He did that to mask mine and Becca’s scent, and none too soon as a group of about twelve feral rogues came into the clearing.

  I couldn’t keep up with the fight, everything was moving too fast for me to see; me no longer having the enhanced vision of the weres. I saw Ryan at the base of the tree, but not so close as to draw attention to us. He took down the first wolf within seconds, but a second, more skilled one got him on the back as he did. He yelped, but was able to jump away from the attacker and get his bearings back before attacking the rogue from the front. They both used their claws, slicing each other, and their teeth tearing through fur, until Ryan was finally able to get a grip on the rogue’s neck, and throw him. Unfortunately the rogue hit the tree with such force I fell before Becca could get a hold on me. I fell a good twelve feet, hitting smaller branches on the way down. I tried to use my arms to catch myself when I hit the ground, and heard the snap of bone. A burning pain shot through my left arm and spread over that whole side of my body. I was just able to hold the scream in, though, not wanting to draw attention to myself, and invite an attack. Though my whole body was in pain from the fall, I was able to scoot myself against the tree. Becca came down and crouched in front of me. She decided to shift then, so if any wolves came our way, we wouldn’t be vulnerable to the attack.

  I couldn’t see where Ryan was now, all I could hear was the snarling and fighting of the wolves. All of a sudden, too many wolves to count broke through the tree line and joined in the fight. Becca changed back, so I assumed it was the Starlight pack. Several wolves came and surrounded me, protecting me from any further harm.

  “What happened?” Becca asked as she gently took my arm and straightened it out, examining it. I couldn’t look because I had felt the skin tear where the bone had broken through. I knew if I saw that that I would pass out.

  “I tried…to catch…myself…when I fell.” I panted out. I was getting more and more light headed.

  “Billy!” She yelled. “Come on Crys, you’re getting awful pale on me. You gotta stay with me.” She said to me. She kept murmuring soothing words, and trying to get my mind off of the pain, but I wasn’t able to concentrate on what she was saying.

  It felt like everything was going in slow motion; that I was moving in slow motion. I turned my head and saw all of blood and gore from the little battle. I couldn’t seem to look away from it. The last thing I saw as blackness took over was a gray wolf come over to me, whining and licking my face.

  Chapter 9

  I became aware. I don’t know how else to describe it. There was really no noise; I couldn’t hear anyone around me, and I was still in darkness, but somehow my senses picked up. I tried to open my eyes, but they wouldn’t cooperate. My mouth was dry, so I opened it, and I guess I somehow made some kind of noise, because all of a sudden there were voices around me; all talking at once asking me if I was awake and how I was feeling. I kept working my eye muscles and telling them to open, and eventually they listened. I had to blink to adjust my sight to the brightness of the room.

  “Wa…” I was so thirsty, I tried to ask for water, but it wouldn’t come out. Next thing I know though, Ryan was there with a glass of ice water and a straw. After I drank my fill, I looked at him and smiled best I could to thank him.

  Looking around, I saw that my main friends were there with the exception of Bolton. Becca was sitting in a chair beside my bed and had Jazzy in her arms asleep. Billy, Jerry, and Ryan were all situated around my bed, and I even saw Gary and Peyton on the sofa through the door in the sitting room.

  “What happened?” I asked looking at Becca since I knew she had been there.

  “You went into shock from pain and blood loss.” She said, tears welling in her eyes. I knew my weakness bothered her even more than she’d say; and that’s a lot. “The bone nicked an artery when it broke through your wrist. You lost a good amount of blood, but not too overly much. The pack doc said your healing would take a little longer than normal because of that,” She gave me a pointed look when she said that. At least there would be an excuse for my slow healing. “But he set the bones and put a splint on for you. Otherwise, you’re just a little banged and bruised.”

  “What about the attack? Was anyone hurt?” I looked around for someone to answer, but they just looked at each other for a minute before Ryan spoke up.

  “A few minor injuries, but they are already healed. We got all of the rogues, though.” He said. “We were going to keep one and try to interrogate him, but when Alpha Burgess forced him to change, he was crazy. I mean he was beyond feral, no humanity left, so he had to be put down. So we don’t have any answers for the attack.”

  Rogues were usually weres who had given complete control to their wolves and had gone insane as a result. There were a few who would organize them into packs to try to take out packs and claim territory, but it wasn’t many. Rogue packs were not usually that organized, it was just instinct for a wolf to try to find a pack, so they would band together attacking humans and weres alike in their travels.

  I noticed the glances everyone was still giving each other, and after drinking a little more water, I asked them about it.

  They seemed reluctant to tell me. “Come on and just say what’s wrong please.” I asked.

  “The Alpha in questioning Bolton.” Jerry said gravely.

  “Why does it sound like he is doing more than just questioning him?” I asked. There was a knot forming in the pit of my stomach. I had a bad feeling I knew what wasn’t being said.

  Jerry answered. “The Alpha seems to believe that Bolton knew something of the attack.”

  “Why? Did he not fight with you guys?”

  “Yes he did.” Billy said in a tight voice. It was good that they seemed to disagree with what Alpha Burgess was doing. I didn’t think Bolton would do something like that.

  “Actually, he took out three rogues himself.” Jerry said, confirming my thoughts.

  “Can someone go get him and ask him to come and talk with me?”

  Ryan nodded and left the room.

  “What time is it?” I asked Billy as Gary and Peyton came in. I had noticed it was dark outside.

  “It’s eleven thirty. You’ve been out all day.” Jerry said. “Are you hungry?”

  “No I’m actually feeling a little queasy.”

  “We need to call Alpha Parker. He wanted to know as soon as you were awake.” Becca said. “Your mom and dad should be here soon. They called from the airport about half an hour ago. They panicked when they heard what happened and came as soon as they could book a flight.”

  “But they shouldn’t be leaving the pack! What if something happens to Daddy?” I said. With threat out there, I didn’t want Dad to get ta
ken or hurt.

  “Alpha Parker sent eight Guards with him, so he’s not unprotected.” Billy assured me.

  “Well, let’s wait for them to get here before calling the Alpha.” I suggested and turned to the newly mated couple. “So how’s it going for the two of you?”

  Peyton blushed and ducked her head as Gary spoke up. “Outside of her dad threatening me with certain dismemberment if I hurt his daughter, it’s been great. We’ve decided to stay here until the move so she won’t have to leave her parents and siblings.”

  “Well that’s wonderful,” I told them. I was so happy that Gary had found his mate so quickly. I really hoped that they would all find their mates on this trip. “And like you said, it won’t be long before you move home anyways. Maybe there will be a Junior on the way by then.” I added, smiling at them. Peyton’s face seemed to redden even further, and I hadn’t thought that was possible. Gary just had a huge grin on his face.

  Right then, Ryan, Alpha Burgess, and my parents entered the room. I realized as both Mom and Dad rushed over to my bed that I was still laying down, so I scooted up to where my back was resting on the headboard.

  “I’m alright.” I told them, but they weren’t listening.

  “I told you.” My dad said. “I said I had a bad feeling. You didn’t listen.”

  “Daddy, you can’t shelter me from everything, you know that.” I said softly. He knew my injuries were not all I was talking about.

  “But it is our job to try, Tink.” He said. “We want you to come home with us. Alpha Parker agrees.”

  “Then you can help me talk him out of it.” I looked at him pointedly. “Please, Dad. Remember the reason for this trip, please.”

  He looked over to my mom and had a silent conversation with her before turning back to me. “Alright, Tink, We’ll talk to Jeffery, but please consider coming back early. Maybe cut the visits to each pack a little short.”

  “We’ll talk about it, Daddy, but remember that I’m not the only one on this trip.”

  “Well,” Alpha Burgess said stepping up. “I’m very happy to see you awake.”

  “Thank you, Damon.” I bowed my head to show him my respect before looking back at him. “I really appreciate you coming to help during the attack.”

  “I’ll not have rogues on my territory; much less have my honored guest being in the center of an attack by them.”

  “I understand that, sir, but can I ask you a question?” I asked respectfully. I knew I had to watch the way I said what I wanted to say or it could be construed as a challenge to his authority.

  “By all means.” He answered.

  “Sir, why are you questioning Bolton about this attack?”

  “I just find it convenient that we let him in, then you come to visit, and all of a sudden rogues are attacking. Don’t you?”

  ‘Dad, please help me keep him calm and reasonable.’ I saw a small nod from my dad from the corner of my eye.

  “Damon, Bolton helped to take out the rogue pack. From what I understand he took out three on his own. Why would he do that?”

  He looked like he was thinking over what I had said.

  “Furthermore, sir, when you took him in, there was no indication that I would be coming here, so how would he have known to join this pack to get to me? Not only that, but I don’t think the attack was aimed at me. The rogues never once tried to get to me, even after I fell from the tree. They just fought, not like they had a particular goal in mind.”

  Alpha Burgess sat down in the chair Becca had vacated when he and my parents came in the room.

  “You are right.” He sighed. “I don’t usually have to apologize for my actions, but I owe Bolton a big one. I guess I was just so upset to think that an Omega would be taken from my care and disgrace my pack, I wasn’t thinking clearly.” He got up and headed to the door, but he stopped to turn to me and said, “I apologize to you as well, and thank you for making me see reason.” And he left.

  I took a big breath and let it out. Only my mom, dad, Billy, Becca, with Jazzy in her arms, and Ryan were left in the room with me. Gary and Peyton had left with Jerry when the Alpha had come in, and I didn’t know where they went.

  “Does anyone have any aspirin?” I asked. My arm was throbbing and my whole body was sore. Mom took some out of her purse and handed a couple to me along with a glass of water.

  “How are you going to explain your human healing?” My dad asked.

  I saw Ryan raise an eyebrow in question, but he knew to wait until we were alone and I would explain. He probably wouldn’t need an explanation if he stuck around us talking. Dad obviously wasn’t thinking about him being in the room, and of course Billy and Becca knew.

  Billy was the one to answer. “The doc said that with her blood loss that her healing would be slower, so that should cover her unless something else comes up.”

  “Good.” Dad said. “Alright, let’s call the Alpha before it gets any later.”

  He took out his I-Phone, dialed the number, and put it on speaker phone so we could all talk and hear. It wouldn’t have been a problem for the others, but it was for me.

  “Hello?” I tensed as Trent answered the Alpha’s phone.

  “Hello, Trent, is Jeffery there?” Dad asked.

  “No. We had a few problems around today after you left that he had to resolve, so he was tired and went to bed not too long ago. He told me to wake him as soon as there was word on Crystie. Has there been any change? Is she alright?” I could hear the concern in his voice and my heart constricted.

  “I’m awake now, and I’m doing fine.” I said, trying not to let my nervousness show in my voice.

  He let out a breath. “You gave all of us here a scare, Crystie. Nikki has been cooking and cleaning all day to try to calm her nerves.” It was common knowledge that cooking was Nikki’s stress relief.

  “I apologize for that, sir.” I said, still trying to sound normal.

  “I won’t correct you tonight, Crystie, seeing as you are just recovering,” He sounded like he was teasing me, and again I felt the tightening in my chest. “But I would like to know when I can tell Dad you’ll be home.”

  “Well, Trent, I would like for our group to finish the circuit through the packs, maybe just shorten each visit, and then return.” I hoped he would allow us to. “If it is at the other packs as it has been here, then they are really looking forward to meeting me and letting our singles meet theirs.”

  He didn’t say anything for a moment, and I was afraid he was going to make us return. “Mr. Lake, how do you feel about that?”

  “I was the one to suggest the shorter visits.” Dad replied. “Of course I’ll come back tomorrow. After I accompany Crystie to the next stop, I’ll head home.”

  “Alright then. No more than one week at each pack, and then you head home, okay Crystie?”

  “Yes, thank you Trent.” I said.

  “Just make sure to take care of yourself.” He chuckled. “It’s sad that we went to school together and are in the same pack, but this is the longest conversation we’ve ever had. That’ll have to change, Crystie.”

  “Yes, okay.” I said, and then hanging up. I was dreading the day that would happen. The whole situation was so much easier to deal with when I was able to avoid him.

  Chapter 10

  I woke up with the morning light shining in the window. I looked around and saw that everyone had pretty much had a sleep over in my room. I chuckled lightly at that, which woke everyone up. The only ones missing were Gary and Peyton. I would have to get used to not having Gary around, which I was a little sad about because, though a quiet person, when he spoke, it was always to make people feel better. He was always funny without being degrading to others. He never made fun of anyone, except himself, to make someone laugh.

  “Are you feeling a little better this morning?” Bolton asked. He had joined us last night as soon as Alpha Burgess released him from questioning. He told us that he had apologized to him, and according to other
members that were shocked; he hardly ever apologized to anyone.

  “Better, yes.” I said. “I would like to get up so we can get ready to go.”

  “Is that why you are sad? Because we have to leave?” He asked, concern lacing his voice.

  I shook my head. “No, I was just thinking about the fact that Gary was staying, but I’m alright. I know he’ll be home soon.”

  Bolton helped me stand from the bed and everyone left to go to their rooms to change and finish packing for the move. I didn’t have too much to do because my mom had packed me up the night before. When she was nervous or upset, she always had to be moving or doing something.

  When we were on the way to the airport, Alpha Burgess apologized again for what had happened.

  “No apologies are needed, Damon. You can’t control when rogues will decide to strike.” I told him. I hated that he felt bad. “You have so many stresses and responsibilities; I can understand you needing to look into all angles of an attack.” I said, thinking of his interrogation of Bolton. “I just wish that the questioning wasn’t so harsh. Besides that incident, we all had a wonderful visit with your pack. Your hospitality was beyond what was expected, and I thank you. I can’t wait until you, Yip, and your boys move to South Dakota.”

  The rest of the ride was spent in comfortable chat. Again, Jerry and Ryan were with me, Alpha Burgess and an enforcer of his pack. Bolton had ridden with my parents, and the rest had split up amongst the other cars. We got to the airport and to the private hangar where our pack’s leer jet was being geared up ready to go.

  Within the hour, we were on our way to Houston, TX; to the Diamondback territory. It was another smaller pack only having thirty four members, mostly male. None, but the Alpha in the pack, were mated. I really don’t know who chose this pack for the trip. I really didn’t think it would be likely that any of our pack would find mates there, but it would be a nice place to visit.