I was holding Mark’s hand as soon as I got in, even if it was just my bad hand. Once he was settled, the EMT started to work on me, putting my arm in a splint and looking at my ribs. I ignored it as best I could, but she noticed. She was going to give me something for the pain, but I said I was pregnant and could wait. “How’s Mark?”
“He lost a lot of blood, but he should be all right. The wounds are long but not deep.” I was glad they were more interested in leaving a message than killing him, but I was beating myself up inside. Not only could I have gotten there early, but my mind went back to last night’s conversation. I didn’t tell him he was in danger because I was waiting for this morning. It was a mistake I would remember every time I looked at him.
Marge was already on the phone, first updating Mabel, who was returning to our house, then calling Doug and Remi. Pissed doesn’t begin to describe their reaction.
I would have preferred if this all would have been kept quiet, but they attacked humans and human law enforcement would be involved. I didn’t recognize either of the guys, so we would have to wait until they were identified to see who sent them.
We were sent to different treatment rooms at the emergency room. The doctor set my arm, which he said was a clean break, and wanted me to return in a week to have it checked. The ribs were taped, there wasn’t much we could do about them. I was given some pain medication, and as soon as I could walk out I was heading for the waiting room with Marge, Tom and Sally.
I gave Sally a gentle hug as I sat down, gritting my teeth. “I’m sorry, Sally. I didn’t know.”
“What do you mean?”
I looked at both of them. “Last night my mate came to me. We accepted each other, but he didn’t mark me because he said his Alpha and the other Alphas were still after me. Uncle Doug is protecting me, but he thought they might go after those close to me instead.”
“Oh God…” Sally buried her face in Tom’s chest.
“I’m so sorry. That’s what I was going to talk to you about this morning, finding a way to get Mark away and safe before he gets hurt. He was the logical one to go after to hurt me.” I couldn’t even look at them, I was so ashamed.
“Ella.” I couldn’t. “Ella, look at me.” Tears were running down my face as I looked at Tom. “This isn’t your fault, Ella. You couldn’t have known they’d invade our house and attack him in his own bedroom. You fought for him, you protected him. We’re so grateful you came over when you did.”
Marge pulled my head onto her shoulder until I was done crying. It was another hour before the doctor arrived. “He’ll make a full recovery, but there was a lot of damage. He has a dozen internal stitches, and over a hundred on his skin. I need to keep him for observation overnight due to his blood loss, and he needs to be on bedrest for a few more days to let things start to heal up.”
I had to ask. “Doc, what did they write on him?”
He pulled out his phone and showed me the photo he had taken after he had completed the stitching. It spelled out “URN.” He looked at us. “Any idea what this means?” We all shook our heads no. “Maybe the Sheriff will figure it out.”
We stayed until we could see him. Of course, he tried to make light of things. “Good shooting, Tex.” He grinned as I walked to the far side of the bed to stand by him.
“Ah, I don’t know, second one was a little high.” I kissed his cheek. “I’m sorry, Mark. It’s all my fault.”
“Stop that, Ella. They were just using me to send a message.” He checked to make sure the door was closed. “They said you are next, Ella.”
*******
Tom and Sally were debating whether to get a hotel or not when we were kicked out of the room, since morning visiting hours had ended. “Get the room,” I said.
Marge handed them a room card. “Already done. You can’t go home; your house is still a crime scene. It may be a day or two before it is released, and then you have to deal with cleanup.” They looked at each other, I could tell Sally was still freaked out about the house. “Now come on, you all need to eat, especially you, Ella.” I mouthed a ‘thank you’ to her as she led us out of the hospital, she just knew what needed to be done and did it without having to be asked. It was one of the things I loved about her.
Marge insisted on driving, knowing Tom was still a little rattled from everything. She pulled into a diner and we found a booth away from everyone in the back. After we ordered, I could tell Sally was nervous about something and I asked her.
“It’s… all that blood, what happened there. I’m afraid, Tom. I’m afraid to go home.” She buried her face in his chest as the emotion came out. I was glad she had fainted so as not to see more, but I’m sure what she saw through the doorway was etched into her memories.
Marge looked at me, lifting her eyebrow, and I nodded. “There is no need for you to go home right away,” I said. “Actually, it would be safer for everyone if you didn’t.”
“We can’t stay in a hotel forever, Ella, I have work and Mark has school!”
“I know, Tom, but hear me out.” I took a napkin out and awkwardly drew the street leading to my house, as best I could with my ‘good’ arm in a cast from elbow to thumb. “When the Pack dissolved, these twelve houses were left empty as the families moved elsewhere. I’ve leased or purchased all of them; some are going to be needed for people who I’ve already asked to come help me, but most are empty. Just pick one, a couple are even furnished.”
“Oh, I couldn’t put you out, Ella,” Sally said.
“Really, you’re saving me work,” said Marge. “Right now we are maintaining these houses and keeping them clean and ready. Moving in at a minimum gives you time to get your house cleaned and repaired, but there is more than that. They know you are close to Ella, so what if they come again, this time after the two of you?” I watched as Tom looked angry and Sally scared. “We are setting up security already, it will surround these houses and Ella’s house. If you and Mark move in, it makes it easier for us to protect you.”
I nodded. “I’m so sorry you’ve been dragged into this, but you know the situation I’m in. I don’t know how long it will take to resolve it so you are no longer in danger. It would make me feel better if you were close by, plus I’m sure it would be nice to have their grandparents nearby when they come. I’m going to need the help.” Yep, I played the grandma card. You do what you have to do. “It will be nice having their father around, too.”
I could almost see the gears going in their heads. “All right, we’ll talk about it,” Tom said. “We’ll let you know tomorrow.”
“Great!” The food had just arrived, so we got off those subjects and soon the girls were talking crib patterns and nursery colors while Tom pretended to be interested. Sally was going overboard with all this, but she had struggled with fertility and was lucky to have Mark at all. Now that she was having grandchildren, she was all in.
We dropped them back at the hospital, then we went home. Along the way, we called Aunt Remi and Uncle Doug and filled them in on what had happened since the ambulance ride. “We still don’t know who the attackers were, Uncle Doug. I didn’t recognize them.”
“We will have to wait for the police to identify them, Ella. Even then, they probably used contractors so they couldn’t be directly tied to the attack. Those three Alphas heard what I said, yet they did this and you got hurt. They’ll pay for it.” I was sure they would, Doug was a trusted ally and a fearsome enemy. “As for your security, I’ve talked with my Betas and we decided. I’m sending the Greens.”
I slipped into my Samuel L. Jackson voice impersonation. “The Greens? Well, shiiiit, negro, that’s all you gots to say!”
Doug laughed. “They left an hour ago, it’s an eight hour drive, they’ll be there in four.” It was my turn to laugh.
“Are they all coming?” In addition to Morgan ‘Moe’ Green and his mate Theresa, they had six children, sons Michael, Matthew, Luke and John, and daughters Mary and Elizabeth. Yes, they were Italian, having moved here in the early 70’s when their Pack was merged with another they did not want to join. Moe had been Doug’s lead beta on Pack security until his recent retirement, and his sons and daughters were all Betas or Warriors. It wasn’t the family you wanted to fuck with. “I’ll give them the Jennings house to stay in, it’s the largest and has that huge pole barn out back. I’m sure they are bringing their toys.”
It was Remi’s turn to laugh. “Yep, it looked like a caravan of trailers as they left. They won’t go anywhere without their motorcycles and RV’s. They can’t wait for Sturgis.”
They would fit in there, I thought, they were big and intimidating and they stuck together. “Are Michael and Luke bringing their mates?”
“Yes, Linda and Katy are coming along too.”
“Hmm… maybe I’ll give each of them one of the smaller houses. You know, given how loud new mates can be.” We all laughed. “I’ll give them a call next. Thank you, Uncle Doug. I really appreciate the help.”
“You’re welcome, Ella. You just take care of your Pack, all right?”
“And get some rest, Ella.” Remi couldn’t hold back.
“Don’t worry, guys, she’s pretty helpless right now. She can’t even get dressed without help. I’ll make sure she doesn’t over do it.” Marge would, too.
“I love you both, and thank you.” I hung up and called Moe; they were very happy with the arrangements I was making, and he gave us some things they would need to get going on right away. The rest would wait until they had a chance to survey the land and the houses. Moe was very good at what he did, and I trusted his judgement. I wrote down the items they wanted and Marge said she would get them ordered when we reach home.