Chapter 4

Gabriel

I didn’t like having to put the little pup to sleep like that, but Erik insisted it was the best thing to do. He didn’t want to cause her any more pain than I did, and taking out that bullet was going to hurt.

As soon as she was out, Erik got started. My wolf was restless. We didn’t have a mate, and while that bothered both of us, what bothered him more was that he didn’t have any pups.

The moment he saw her, with her jet-black hair and her blue eyes, he started to purr.

Pup... Our pup.

He kept repeating. When Jason told me she had been shot, he got mad. Tried to take control. His growl had scared the pup, which was the last thing he wanted.

Once I had her in my arms, he calmed down.

It was all I could do to keep control when Melissa came over. We could both smell the hate and anger coming off her. Everyone knew she despised humans.

A lot of werewolves did, after what they had done. But this was a pup. It shouldn’t matter that Ellie was a human pup.

I was relieved when Erik sent her away and started treating Ellie.

I heard a clink as Erik dropped the bullet into a metal dish.

“Is it…?” I began to ask.

Erik cut me off, “No, it’s not silver. Just a regular bullet.”

He frowned, “which makes me think that they were trying to keep the humans in, not the werewolves out!”

I shook my head, “That doesn’t make sense.”

Erik started to stitch up the wound in Ellie’s arm.

“It makes perfect sense. Look at her, she’s a very sick little pup.”

My wolf started pacing again.

Our pup. Make pup better. You tell doctor fix.

I rested my hand on the pup's forehead; it seemed to calm my wolf a bit.

“How sick?” I asked, not sure if I wanted to know the answer.

Erik smiled at me.

“You’ve taken a liking to her, haven’t you?”

I nodded, “my wolf even more so.”

Erik nodded, “She’s severely malnourished and dehydrated. A few more weeks and it would have been too late. Her heart rate is very slow. The blood loss hasn’t helped, but she’s a fighter.

“A lot of rest and some good nutrition. It will be a slow process, but I think we can bring her back from the brink.”

I breathed a sigh of relief, and my wolf became calm. His calmness didn’t last, as Erik continued.

“I don’t know what’s going on with the humans, Gabriel, but I doubt that she is the only one in this condition. She’s very small for her age, and she’s been beaten at some point as well.

“She has scars on her back. It may not be my place to say, but I think you should speak to the council about this.”

My wolf tried to take control, but I pushed him back, only allowing him to growl.

“At least let me finish stitching her before you let your wolf out,” Erik said, deadpan.

I rolled my eyes; my wolf was the most paternal wolf I knew. He hated the idea of pups being hurt or abused.

“It’s not you, Erik. It’s what the humans are doing to their pups, and you’re right, I will speak to the council. I’ll need to anyway.”

Erik frowned, then as realization dawned, he smiled.

“You want to adopt her, don’t you?”

I nodded, “I don’t think my wolf will let her go, and as she’s human, the council will need to be aware.”

Erik finished stitching the wound, then put a dressing over the top.

“I want to keep her in for a few days, put a line in to rehydrate her, and monitor her food intake,” he concluded.

I shook my head, “No, I’m in agreement with my wolf. She needs to stay with me. Staying here will only cause her stress, especially if Melissa...”

Erik’s brow furrowed. Then his eyes flashed black. He was mind-linking someone, and he wasn’t using the pack link.

I glanced up to see a young nurse walking over. I stared at her for a moment before recognition kicked in.

“Amy?” I asked.

She grinned.

“Little Amy!” I exclaimed, “the last time I saw you, you were still a pup running around on the grass.”

Erik walked over and put an arm around her.

“She’s a trainee nurse now,” he beamed, proudly.

I smiled. I loved to see how our pups flourished. Erik’s daughter was no exception.

“You must be very proud, Erik,” I stated.

Amy flushed, then looked over at the bed.

“Is this the pup? She’s tiny! How old is she?”

I looked at Erik, not sure what he had in mind.

“I’ll release her from the hospital, but Amy will stay with her, and she will need to be on a drip for a few days. Amy can help with her diet.”

I folded my arms across my chest.

“I don’t suppose I have a choice,” I huffed.

Erik smirked, “No, you don’t. Besides, Amy has studied human physiology as well as werewolf, so she probably knows more about Ellie than any of us.”

I glanced across at Amy, who was now standing next to the bed, observing Ellie closely.

“You don’t have any issues with the fact that she is human?” I probed.

Amy smiled, and her father rolled his eyes. It was a slightly pointless question, I realized. Erik had no issues with humans, so there was no reason why his daughter would. He had raised her well.

“No, Alpha Gabriel, I’m a nurse. We look after those in need, whatever the species.”

I nodded and scooped the little pup into my arms. She was limp but seemed to be breathing normally.

“She’ll be staying in one of the guest rooms in my wing for now. There should be enough space for the medical equipment. I’ll arrange for one of the other rooms to be set up for Amy,” I concluded.

Erik gave a nod of agreement. “I’ll get the medical gear sent over. Amy can help clean her up in the meantime. She’ll need fresh clothes too.”

With Amy trailing behind, I carried Ellie away from the hospital.

We headed to the third floor, a space reserved for the senior werewolves. That included me, my beta Jason, his mate—who happened to be my sister—and their pups.

Our offices were also situated on this floor. This meant I could always be near the little pup, or at least be within seconds of her if Amy needed me.

The guest room I’d picked out for Ellie was right across from my own, with another guest room next door for Amy.

I gently placed Ellie on the double bed. It was a typical werewolf size, but she looked so small on it. Maybe I’d need to get some smaller furniture.

The bed’s size wasn’t really the problem, but the height was. For now, though, she needed rest, so not being able to climb off the bed without help was actually a good thing.

I sat on the edge of the bed, brushing a few strands of hair from her face. I glanced at Amy, who was watching me with a smile.

“She’s lucky, finding you,” Amy said warmly. “And lucky she left human territory when she did.”

I returned her smile and nodded.

“I’ll let you clean her up. My sister has some clothes her pups used to wear. They should fit.”

I pointed to another door.

“The bathroom’s in there.”

I didn’t want to leave the little pup. I didn’t want her to wake up in a strange room with a stranger.

“How long will she be out?” I asked.

Amy gave me a reassuring smile. “Don’t worry, Alpha. She likely won’t wake up until morning. You can rest. If she wakes, I’ll mind-link you immediately.”

We stay...stay with pup...make sure ok.

My wolf started to protest.

I found myself agreeing with him.

“It’s okay, Amy. I’ll just find her some clothes and come back. My wolf isn’t too keen on leaving her.”

Amy chuckled. “I understand. Once I have the medical equipment set up, I’ll let you sit with her. I’ll be next door if you need anything.”

I nodded and headed for the door. There was no need for both of us to stay up all night. Once my little pup woke, I’d introduce her to Amy properly.

I’d only leave them alone once I was sure she was comfortable. The only other female wolf she’d met was Melissa. I’d have a talk with my Beta Jason about her behavior.

In time, I’d bring Ellie into the pack, and anyone with issues about humans would be dealt with.

I knocked on the door to Jason’s quarters. I was sure he’d be awake, as he was just due back from patrol. I didn’t knock too loudly, not wanting to wake his pups.

The door opened a crack, then fully when he recognized me.

He stood there with just a towel wrapped around his waist.

“Did I interrupt anything?” I asked with a smirk.

Jason grinned, “Five minutes later and I wouldn’t have answered the door...how’s the pup?”

I frowned, “She could be better. I was hoping you might have some clothes that would fit her?”

Jason nodded, and motioned for me to come inside.

He walked to another door, which I assumed led to the bedroom. Opening it, he poked his head inside.

“Jazzy, where do you keep the boys' clothes that don’t fit them anymore?”

I heard Jasmine sigh.

“Is that my brother,” she grumbled.

Jason glanced over his shoulder and smirked at me.

“Yeah, it’s for the little pup,” he clarified.

A moment later my sister emerged from the bedroom, wrapped in a towel.

“If this wasn’t for the pup, you’d be out on your ear,” she scolded, “how old is she?”

“Twelve, but she’s about the size of an eight-year-old wolf pup,” I answered.

Jasmine walked to a chest near the door and grabbed some piles of clothes.

“That’s small, even for a human,” she observed, handing me the clothes.

I nodded, “I know, the poor little thing hasn’t had a great start.”

Jasmine walked over to Jason and hugged his arm.

“I know, Jason told me about her,” she said, looking up at her mate.

Jason wrapped his arm around Jasmine.

“Don’t worry babe, Gabe will look after her...” he looked at me, “won’t you?”

I smiled and nodded, then I headed for the door, leaving the two lovebirds alone.

When I opened the door to the room, Amy was already getting to work. She had removed her clothes, and she had laid the little pup on a towel. Amy was gently cleaning her with a sponge and warm water.

Her skin was a light olive color, but what shocked me the most was her body. Her ribs stuck out so much that I saw them move with every breath she took.

Her pelvic bones jutted out, where there was little or no fat or muscle covering them.

I was no doctor, but I could now see how sick she was.

I handed the clothes to Amy.

“Here, these should fit.”

Amy forced a smile; I could see the sadness in her eyes. I could tell she was shocked at the state of the little pup, and she was a nurse, albeit a trainee.

She gently dressed Ellie in a pair of shorts and a tee-shirt. They were a perfect fit. I didn’t think the little pup would complain; the clothes she was wearing weren’t exactly girly.

To be fair, though, none of the female wolf pups here dressed particularly girly. They were too busy running and playing on the grass.

“You may want to turn away while I put the line in. Your wolf may not like it,” Amy suggested.

I nodded and turned my back.

Five minutes later, Amy spoke.

“Okay, it’s all done.”

I turned around to see a tube attached to the pup’s hand, which was covered in a bandage.

Amy removed the towels and the old clothes and covered Ellie with a thick duvet.

She seemed even smaller now, her head and arms peeking out from the covers. Her jet-black hair spread out on the pillow, forming a dark halo.

“Amy started, “She can get everything she needs through the line. Extra nutrients, painkillers, and antibiotics. If you need anything or if something worries you, just let me know.

“I’ll be back in the morning.”

I nodded, and Amy walked towards the door, throwing one last glance over her shoulder before she left.

I perched on the edge of the bed, looking down at the tiny pup.

I gently placed my hand on her head, softly stroking her forehead with my thumb.

“You’re safe now, little pup. I’m going to make sure of that,” I whispered.

Ellie

~FLASHBACK~

The guard yanked me away, wrenching my arm in a painful grip.

“What did you do this time, you little rebel?” He sneered down at me as I struggled to free my arm.

“I didn’t do anything!” I wailed. “Mommy! Daddy! Help!”

A group of guards towered over Daddy. He was injured. Blood trickled down his face.

Mommy was huddled over him, trying to shield him.

Daddy tried to rise to reach me, but a guard smacked him in the face.

Jackson tried to intervene, but Mommy held him back.

“Stop!” I screamed, tears pouring down my face. “Please!”

I spun around and bit the guard’s hand, and he released me with a yell.

I dashed back towards my family, but two guards grabbed me and pushed me to the ground. My back scraped against the concrete.

“The little monster bit me!” the guard shouted.

I kicked and shrieked, trying to break free, but they pinned me down. A third guard approached me with a needle.

My eyes widened with fear.

“No! Stop!” I pleaded.

The guard jabbed the needle into my arm, and suddenly I felt icy cold. My eyes started to close, my heart pounding wildly in my chest.

“You’ve really done it now, you brat,” one of the guards said. His voice seemed distant.

My world turned black.

I was petrified of the dark.

~END OF FLASHBACK~