The Scarlet Hunter II

Chapter 5-1

Damon leaned against the far wall, aware of Alec making his way through the hospital to relieve him. He looked over Isla one last time, knowing that he may not see her for a while again. Isla was isolated from the mindlink, but could read the changing tension from Damon. When Alec appeared in the doorway, her eyes popped wide with joy as she looked over his dark features. His exhaustion was evident, but so was a little girl hiding behind his thick thigh.

Damon had lowered his head when Alec walked in. After releasing him, Alec told him, "Beta Kelvin will be here before I leave. Report to the basement of the packhouse for now."

Looking towards Isla, she was the first to speak up. "Thank you, Damon. I'll see you later."

"Goodbye, Isla," Damon offered before turning and walking himself out of the room.

"Your dad and grandma will be here soon. I've been keeping all the visitors away, including my own family, but there was one exception I had to make." Alec looked down to see a little girl firmly lodged behind his leg. "I believe you've already met Nikki here."

"It's good to see you again, Nikki," Isla cooed at the little girl. "Thank you for coming to visit."

Her head popped out first, to investigate before committing to moving into the open. Squinted eyes scrutinized the bed, equipment, cast, and the reclined warrior. Once she was found satisfactory, the rest of her body followed and she moved to the side of Alec.

"I see you did a good job protecting him after I left," Isla continued to praise her.

Nikki's head bounced up and down in affirmation as she walked forward towards the bed. "I did what you said."

"You did it so well too," Isla beamed down on her.

"Are you, OK?" Nikki asked, her eyes trying to make sense of the situation.

"I will be."

Alec's voice cut in, "Nikki here is the main reason why we were able to get to you in time."

"So, you saved me, little one?" Isla asked.

"I did!" confidence was growing in Nikki and she climbed up onto the bed, but careful not to touch Isla. "The kids at the playground said that the future Luna of Dark Moon was at Raven's House. Since Alpha Alec was looking for you, I knew they were talking about you. Cause Alphas look for Lunas."

Isla gave her a warm smile and reached a hand over to hold her arm. She continued, "So I told Alpha Alec what they said and he told me that it was important."

Alec chimed in as he approached the bed as well, "The pups overheard some conversations in their house and were sharing at school."

"I didn't know what Raven's House was, but Alpha Alec knew," Nikki beamed as she looked up at Alec, clearly smitten with him.

"Thank you, Nikki, for saving me and for protecting Alpha Alec," Isla's voice was warm, "You are the bravest and smartest pup I know."

Alec leaned over and gave Isla a warm kiss. Scents of Damon, Jax, and a vampire wafted around her. Not that she would be able to tell. "How did it go last night?"

"Overall, it was good," Isla looked up from Nikki. "It's still a little fresh and raw though. We can talk more about it later." She looked over his tired features and reached out for his hand. "How are you?"

"We have a big night tonight and day tomorrow," Alec confessed as they were interrupted by her dad and grandma entering the room.

After greeting her family, Alec asked, "Did you want help with a shower? Your family can watch Nikki." He would be more than happy to wash Damon's and the vampire's scents off her.