Laney and Hunter (4th in werewolf series)

Chapter Eight

Laney was sitting at the kitchen table surrounded by her family but still she felt completely alone. She wondered if Hunter was still alive or if her mother had not been able to save him. They'd been up there for over an hour.

Everyone was trying their best to stay upbeat but Laney couldn't hear them through her own sadness. Suddenly a glass was pushed under her nose and the smell of alcohol teased her nostrils.

"What the hell are you giving her, Lane?" Jake demanded.

"I'm introducing her to my friend Jack." Lane replied. "He really helps me out in stressful situations."

Laney took the glass and downed it in one quick swig then held it out for Lane to refill it. Lane did.

"Why does it seem like that's not the first time she's met Jack?" Charles asked. Lane shrugged.

"I may have introduced them before." he replied. Bethany flipped her long blond hair over her shoulder and shook her head when Jake growled.

"That's what you and Angela get for naming her after Lane. He's not exactly the best role model you could have given the girl."

"Laney..." Laney heard her mothers voice call from upstairs. Laney was out of the kitchen in a heartbeat and took the stairs three at a time. She could hear her father behind her. She walked into the spare room and found her mother looking more pale and tired than she'd ever seen her. There were dark shadows around her eyes and she was covered in a thin layer of sweat.

Jake went to her and took her into to his arms. Angela leaned on him grateful for the support for her weak legs.

"He's going to be fine Laney... I couldn't heal all his wounds I'm sorry. The poison was strong in his blood.. It took everything I had." Angela said her voice weak and strained. Laney hugged her mom tight and kissed her wet hair.

"Thank you mom.. Thank you so much." she said.

"Jake, will you carry Hunter up to Laney's room?" Angela asked. "I'm going to get to the kitchen and get something to drink." Jake nodded and kissed Angela's lips gently.

"Can you make it on your own?" he asked. Lane walked in the room then.

"She won't have too, I'll help her." he said. Jake nodded and handed Angela over to Lane who wrapped his arm around her shoulders and led her out of the room. Laney watched her dad pick Hunter up as if he weighed no more then a feather and carry him gently out of the room. She followed behind and hugged her father tight after he had laid Hunter down in Laney's bed.

"You know I hate the thought of you being a grown woman." Jake said. Laney nodded as she stood wrapped in the comfort of her father's strong arms. "That boy loves you and I think he'll be good to you but if he ever screws up, even once, even just a little bit, he's going to have to deal with me."

"I love you, daddy." Laney said feeling very much like a little girl again. Jake pulled away from her and kissed her forehead.

"I love you too." he replied. "I'll have your grandma bring you up some supper when it's ready." Then he turned and walked out of the room closing the door behind him.

Laney was so happy. In his own way her father had just given her his blessing to be a woman and be with her mate. She knew it hadn't been easy for him but he had done it anyway because he loved her so much.

Laney turned and looked at Hunter and felt new tears come to her eyes. But these were tears of happiness and relief instead of tears of sorrow.

Her mother had taken the time after healing him to clean him up and change him into some of her fathers plaid pajama pants and a gray tank top.