Nick? I called to him through our packâs mind-link, but I got no response. He must not be in his wolf form. Daniel bumped into me and tossed his head towards a house with a laundry line. I followed him and we snuck into the yard, shifting into our human forms. I reached up to the line and grabbed a t-shirt that seemed to be a manâs or a large womanâs shirt. I pulled it over my head as Daniel threw on a pair of sweatpants.
âWe should be there soon.â Daniel said.
âWhat were you doing, Daniel?â
âI was rescuing you.â He said with a smile and I couldnât help but chuckle.
âYou did a bang-up job.â I responded sarcastically. âHow did you get to the bunker?â I asked him.
âNick couldnât reach Alex so, I offered to go check it out.â I wonder if that had anything to do with Alex being the one in danger? âWhen I got there, the window was broken in and Alex was unconscious behind the couch.â
âIs he okay?â I asked.
âHeâs with Doc.â Daniel ran his hand through his hair. âHe has a concussion, his kneecap needed surgery and he had drugs in his system, so he doesnât remember anything.â I put my hand on his shoulder. âI was so worked up about him that I didnât even check back in with Nick. I went back to his place to try and get some evidence. I checked the place for any scent I could pick up on, but there was nothing. A bunch of guys attacked me, drugged me and I was out.â He had a confused look on his face. âOne of them called me Nick.â
âHeâs their target.â
âWhoâs target?â
âDerek and Jackson.â
âYou saw them?â He looked stunned as I nodded.
âDerek is the one who attacked Alex. He drugged me and I woke up in the same cell as you.â I tried to hide the pain on my face as I remembered the betrayal of my once best friend. âI escaped, but Jackson caught me. He pulled a bow on me.â
âA bow?â Danielâs eyes widened. âHeâs the one who shot you?â I nodded again.
âHe locked me in a room with security cameras. Thatâs how I saw them bringing you in.â
âWe need to get back to Nick.â I agreed and we took off in a jog.
Daniel led the way as we made it back to the pack house where Nick told Daniel to go. We didnât even make it to the driveway before the door swung open and Nick came rushing out. I jumped into his arms and wrapped my legs around his waist as he held me close to his body. I breathed in his sweet scent and closed my eyes. This was bliss.
âYou have to stop doing this to me, little wolf.â He whispered in my ear. I couldnât help but smile.
âOne day my life will be boring again.â I responded as he set me down to my feet. He turned to Daniel and smiled.
âDocâs on her way to check you two out. Are you good?â He asked him.
âThanks to our Luna, I am.â He smiled at me before walking past us and into the pack house, happily greeted by the Omegas.
âWe have a lot to talk about.â I said to Nick.
âAfter Doc checks you out.â I sighed, there was no use in arguing with him, he wasnât going to budge on this matter.
We made our way into the pack house, straight to Nickâs office and I was surprised to find Emmett waiting for us. It shouldnât have been too much of a shock since Daniel was trapped with me and Alex was in the hospital, Emmett was the next best thing and Nick needed him. As we waited for Dr. Morris to get to the house, I filled Nick in on everything I learned in the bunker.
âHoly shit, Emma.â Emmett was used to having Daniel fill him in like the rest of the Omegas, not hearing it all firsthand. âNow what?â He asked. Before anyone could answer a soft knock filled the room.
âCome in.â Nick instructed. Dr. Morris peaked her head in and smiled warmly at us.
âWhoâs first?â She asked.
âLadies first.â Daniel offered.
âNo, Daniel, you go.â I countered.
âEmma, you were there a lot longer than me, I was barely thrown in the cage before you saved me.â Daniel fought me. Nick stood to his feet and held his hand out to me, and I took it, knowing that was his way of telling me I was going. He led me out of the office and into one of the empty bedrooms. He sat on the bed and pulled me down with him. Dr. Morris set her bag on the nightstand and took my hand in hers. My wrists were covered in bruises from the handcuffs, Iâm sure my ankle looked worse from the brace laced with wolfsbane. She squeezed my hand and I winced.
âItâs hard to confirm without x-rays, but I think you have a few broken bones in your hands.â I nodded.
âI slammed my back into a wall, my hands were behind me.â I felt Nick tense beside me.
âOkay.â Dr. Morris continued her exam. My shoulder was bruised, but I felt no pain with it. âAgain, I would need x-rays, but I believe your shoulder was dislocated.â
âI fell off a chair and landed on it first. It felt funny, but after I shifted it was fine.â
âYou probably popped it back into place when you shifted.â Dr. Morris held a light up to my head. âThis wound is probably going to need a few stitches to heal up.â She looked at the borrowed shirt I was wearing. âIf you donât mindââ I nodded and pulled the shirt over my head. Nick took it from me and squeezed the fabric like he needed something to do with his hands. âDoes this hurt?â She asked as she pressed on my belly.
âNo.â I said. She went higher and pressed on a bruise and I winced again.
âA few broken ribs.â She turned back to her medical bag. âYou can put your shirt back on, Iâm just going to stitch up your head.â Nick handed it back to me, but this time he helped me slide it in my arms and over my head. I took his hand as she got to work on putting the stitches in place. It barely took five minutes and she was cutting off her knot and putting her tools away. âOkay, Emma.â She stood to her feet. âIs there anything you would like to discuss with me privately?â She asked as her eyes darted quickly to Nick and back to me. I didnât understand.
âNo?â I shook my head, but Nickâs grip on my hand tightened as if he knew what I was missing. The anger seeped from my mate like a thick smoke.
âAre you sure?â She asked me again and I suddenly realized what she thought happened in that bunker.
âI wasnât raped if thatâs what youâre asking.â The only wound Derek was responsible for was the one she stitched.
âOkay.â She nodded. âYou have my number if you need me.â I stood up, pulling Nick with me. I thanked her on my way out the door. Nick shut the door and stopped me.
âWhatâs wrong?â I asked him.
âAre you comfortable with Dr. Morris?â I furrowed my brow at him in confusion.
âSheâs a pain in my ass, but yeah, Iâm comfortable with her. Why?â
âIf something happened in the bunker that you donât want her to know, you can tell me.â
âIf something happened in the bunker, I would tell you. But Nick, Iâve told you everything that happened.â I squeezed his hand in reassurance. âDerek isnât the same as I knew, but he still didnât want me hurt, and he surely wouldnât do anything like that.â
âI donât think you know Derek like you wish you did.â
âThat may be true, but I was tied down and completely helpless, if he wanted to make a move like that he would have.â
âNot completely helpless.â Nick reminded me as he pulled me into his arms. âNot only did you escape twice, but you didnât leave Daniel behind.â It never once crossed my mind to leave Daniel, the second I saw him thrown in the cell I knew I had to get him out. I felt utter guilt in my gut from all of this. Derek was my best friend for years and I didnât even see what he was doing right under my nose. Some friend I am.
âDerek and Jackson know this pack. Stefan has a whole army to back him up. How are we going to keep everyone safe?â I asked. Nickâs eyes darkened and I suddenly felt terrified for anyone who crossed him.
âIâm going to kill them all.â