Alpha Ultima

Chapter 27

The vicious pounding in my head was almost overrun by the deafening ringing through my ears. Wave upon wave of crushing pain blasted through my mind. I tried to lift my head until the sharp ring in my ears jumped up a few octaves. Giving up, I let my head fall back down to the bed. A loud groan took me by surprise before I realised that the awful sound came from me.

I tried to open my eyes but had to blink heavily at the painful bright lights filling the room. Goddess, everything hurt. When my eyes finally adjusted to the light, I looked around, trying to gain my bearings. I was in the pack hospital, my eyes trailed along a thin see-through tube that travelled down from a clear, liquid filled bag and into the crook of my elbow.

Goddess, I was tired. I moved to sit up and came to an abrupt stop as my hand came into contact with the warm body beside mine. My head shot over to look down at the man laying in my bed and a deep sob ripped it's way up my throat at the sight of my unconscious mate.

Quinn lay still beside me. Wires and tubes attached this way and that on his body. Dried blood now crusted around the edges of his mouth and nose. My heart clenched painfully in my chest. I closed my eyes and felt through the bond, I felt it thrum warmly in response and I breathed a sigh of relief. I dug deeper and tried to feel for Xander, only to come up empty once more.

The bond wasn't gone, I knew that. If it was, it would have shattered into a million pieces that I could not repair. It was still there, still a physical string that I could follow, but it was like I slammed into a impenetrable wall that blocked me from the other side. The side that lead to Xander's half of the string. It just stopped.

Frustration and anger burned deep in the pit of my stomach. My hands clenched tightly into fists and my teeth grinding together irritably. My eyes popped open and determination overtook the deep despair I was feeling. I would fix this. There was no other option.

Grabbing the tape that held the IV in my arm, I carefully peeled it back. Watching the clear tube slide out of my arm, I gagged a little before rolling my eyes. I was a werewolf for goddess sake. I should be able to handle removing an IV without fainting like a weak little girl.

Leaning down, I placed a soft kiss on Quinn's cheek before hopping off the bed. The cool floor alerted me to my current attire; naked except for Sammy's shirt. Nudity was nothing that made a werewolf uncomfortable, but I would prefer not to strut the goods around my pack unnecessarily.

Opening the door, I step into the main waiting area and I'm shocked to see it filled with pack members. Not just any pack members but the women. Heads jumped up at the sound of the door of my room opening, and the first set of eyes to meet mine were that of little Shauna's mother.

A broken sob left her as she rushed into my arms. I was to taken aback it took me a moment before I wrapped my arms around her in return. Her body shook with the force of her tears as she whispered her broken thanks. I held her a little tighter before letting go and stepping back.

"Please, don't thank me." I whispered.

She shook her head, her blond hair a mess over her usual well kept display. Everyone had been shook from the attack and I couldn't blame them. I could feel Lupin stirring within me. Her unease at the danger that had come to her pack was palpable.

Our brave and fierce pack was brought to its knees buy a force we never could have seen coming. Even with Tyler's forewarning, none of us had been prepared for what had come.

"You saved them, Luna. You kept our pups safe." Her words were soft but strong. "We will rebuild, stronger than before. We came here to thank you before going to help the warriors."

I give her another quick smile before turning to look each woman in the eye and offering the same.

"Thank you. You are strong and admirable. This pack would be nothing without you. I am proud to call you my own. Go now and help our warriors. We will never falter as we did last night. You have my word."

Each woman standing here in front of me, gives a soft, watery smile before they gather together and leave the infirmary. Goddess, I was thankful for my pack. Not once did they question my intentions or my loyalty, despite being an outsider and just coming into my wolf. I owe them my life and I will not fail them again.

I met Sam on the training field. Each of my warriors was dripping in sweat as they pushed themselves harder, faster. I could feel the despair and anguish coming off of their bodies in waves. We may not have lost anybody last night, but the failure of our battle fell on all of our shoulders.

Sam stopped his battle with another wolf and ran over to me. His shirtless body damp while he took deep, heaving breaths. I didn't move towards him, just stood my ground and watched as his brows furrowed and he opened and closed his mouth multiple times as he tried to find the words to say.

"You left me." I whimpered.

His shoulder tensed and the sound of teeth grinding filled the dead air around us. Not my finest moment, I can admit that, but Sam leaving without saying anything had hurt. Deeply.

"I- Carter... Listen," he huffed out. "I just... I'm sorry."

"You don't have to apologise Sam. I want to say that I understand, but the truth is, is that I don't." It was true, I couldn't comprehend what he was going through, and trying to say that I did was nothing short of cruel.

"It's no excuse. I shouldn't have ran. I shouldn't have left you undefended."

I shook my head and reached for his hand, intertwining our fingers and squeezing tight. "You're here now. You were here when we needed you. That's all that matters. I'll help you in any way I can, Sammy."

"I love you, little miss."

"I love you too, Sammy. You're my best friend and I don't know what I would do without you."

His eyes pinched and he gave me a tight smile, but pulled me into his body, holding me tight. He dropped his face to the crook of my neck and breathed deeply. The battle must have shaken him more than I had realised.

"I won't leave you again. I promise."

I dropped my face to the crook of his neck as well, breathing in the comforting scent of my best friend as he held me tight. He had become the twin of my soul, my other half, and I felt like I could breathe better now that he was home safely.

"Thank you for coming home. We need to be strong right now. The pack needs us all, now more than ever and we need to be ready. We can't let something like this take us by surprise ever again." I mumble into his shoulder.

"Of course. I've taken the warriors and any who want to train. We will be ready. The women and children are preparing food right now. Once we are done training for the day, I need to interrogate the two vamps we have in the holding cells."

"I didn't realise we had anyone in the holding cells. Goddess what a mess. Okay, you handle that and I need to get in touch with Amelia Cross. We need more information on the three bitches who came at us with Viktor."

"Amelia, wasn't she the witch who helped us with the Academy?"

I nodded, "Yeah, she's the matriarch of the Blood Rose Coven and I think we're going to need her help figuring this out."

"You should know better by now, Carter Silver-Thorne."

I turn around to see the woman of the hour herself. A sly smile spread over her unearthly beautiful face.

"Speak of the devil and he shall appear." She giggled.

"You sneaky bitch." I laughed and pulled her into my arms.

"Let's get your mate back, shall we?"

Author Note:

Poor Sam. I just love him.

Let me know what you think of the story so far!

- Xoxox - Ky.