Marked

Chapter 16: Nightmares

Trigger warning: this chapter contains mention of PTSD and abuse.

I darted out of bed at the sound of the scream from the guest house so loud I could hear it from the pack house. I wasn't the only one. When I got out of my room, Kaden was already out too. Wordlessly, we sprinted down the steps and out the door. We weren't the only ones, other Deltas noticed and were on alert too. The closer I got to the guest house, the more I felt a horrible pain. One of them was hurt, really hurt. That made me pick up my pace, outrunning Kaden and getting to the house first.

I threw the door open and found Zach in his wolf-form. His crazed eyes snapped to me the moment I stepped inside and he lunged for me.

Kane grabbed me and pulled me away before Zach's claws reached me. Zach's claws hit Kane's back as he turned us, shielding me and taking the hit himself. He barely groaned in pain as he held me tight against him.

"Ben," Kane said. "Get him down before he really hurts someone."

Ben nodded and shifted, going after Zach while the others backed up. Kane moved us away as well, keeping his arms around me and staying between me and Zach as he looked over his shoulder at Ben and Zach.

"What the fuck is going on?" I asked. "Why is he acting like that?" I asked, looking over Kane's shoulder.

"He's not awake," Kane answered.

I frowned in confusion and then noticed the blood soaking into his shirt from Zach hitting him. Shit, I didn't realize Zach got him that bad, he barely made a sound when it happened. I set my hand on his shoulder and his eyes snapped to me. "You're hurt," I muttered, darting my eyes away.

"I'm fine," he said, swallowing hard. "It'll heal fast," he said, his gaze returning to Ben and Zach.

Ben got Zach pinned down and Zach was struggling under him. Kane released me and walked over, crouching down next to Zach.

"Zach, wake up," he ordered.

Zach flinched and struggled, snapping at Kane like he was trying to hurt him but Ben kept him pinned down. What the fuck kind of dream was this?

What's going on? Kaden asked as he stepped in the house.

I don't know. They said he's not awake.

He clawed Kane? Kaden asked, frowning.

I nodded, also not knowing what to think. Please get everyone out of here, I linked, inclining my head to the growing crowd outside. Kaden nodded and walked out, telling everyone to back off and give them space.

It felt like forever before Zach finally stopped struggling. The snarling turned to whimpering and he shifted, curling up in a ball and backing towards the wall. "Don't touch me!" He hissed.

"No one's going to touch you," Kane said, holding his hands up in surrender and standing, backing away.

"Here, Zach," Connor said, tossing a blanket at Zach and backing away again.

Ben shifted, panting heavily and backing away from Zach as Connor brought a blanket out for him too. Ben covered up with it but not before I saw the damage. Zach managed to sink his teeth into Ben's shoulder, clawed his leg and arms. Kane's wound was already healing all right but Ben's would take longer. Fuck, he needed to get looked at.

Anna, I linked. I'm sorry to wake you but I need to bring someone in.

I'm already here, staying the night with Addie just in case. Come on over, she answered.