The Chosen

Chapter twelve

Ellie's P.O.V

Calleo slwoly stepped in front of me, shielding me from the gun. "Who are you?" he asked softly.

The unknown man chuckled. "That's for me to know, and you to find out."

I rolled my eyes. I though only villans in a bad movie used that line?

"Give me Ellie, and there will be no trouble." the man said, getting right to the point.

"You see," Calleo began casually. "you taking Ellie will cause trouble."

"Don't make this harder than it has to be."

"Then leave and we'll act like nothing ever happened."

The man chuckled. "I'm afraid I can't do that."

"Please." Calleo said, his voice slightly strained. "She's my mate."

"My Alpha wants her."

"Why her?"

He ran his eyes over my body. "What's not to want?"

Calleo growled at his comment, making the man smile evily. I put my hand on Calleo's hip, hoping my touch would calm him down like it did earlier. It seemed to work a little.

"I'm done playing games with you, wolf." the guy snarled, getting impatient.

"Who's playing a game?" Calleo asked innocently.

He took a step towards up, causing Calleo to back up. His feet tangle with mine, causing me to fall. Out of instinct, he turned to catch me before I hit the ground, which was a mistake. Taking advantage of the opportunity, the man fired his gun. Thankfully, his aim was a little off and the bullet burowed into a tree off the the right of us.

"Run!"  Calleo hissed in my ear as we both took off running.

Bullets wizzed past us, a little to close for comfort. One hit the ground beside my foot and I lost my balance for a second. Calleo grabbed my hand to steady me. My legs were aching and my lungs felt like they were on fire. I knew this amount of exertion wasn't good for the baby, but neither was slowing down, which would mostlikely get us caught.

The house came into view and relief flooded through me. The sun was just rising in the sky. Rays of light beamed through the trees, momentarily blinding me. Those few seconds were enough to slow me down. My feet tangled with a fallen branch and I fell to my knees. Pure pain, hot and breathtaking, ripped through my shoulder.

"Ellie!" I heard more than one voice yell in unison.

Calleo's hands wrapped around my waist and he pulled me to my feet. I stumbled into the house, not paying attention to anything except the growing pain in my shoulder. I really hope he didn't use a silver bullet. That wouldn't be too nice.

Someone slammed and locked the door behind us. "Get her to the couch!"

Calleo lifted me up into his arms and carried me over to the couch. He laid me down carefully. I groaned from the pain in my shoulder.

"Take these, baby." Calleo said, handing me two small pills.

I shook my head. "The baby."

"It's okay."

I shook my head again.

"Don't force her." Caleb said softly.

Calleo gave up on trying to get me to take the pills and went to work. I tried to focus on something other than Calleo poking around my shoulder to see if the bullet went through or is still in there. Matt must have noticed me trying to find a distraction because he moved to the end of the couch, lifting my feet up so he could sit down. He leaned forward, resting his arms beside my hip.

"How do you feel?" he asked me.

"My shoulder feels like it's on fire."

"Do you feel sick?"

I shook my head slowly.

He smiled. "Good." he patted my stomach gently.

I gave him a small smile. Calleo tugged on my shoulder and before I could clench my teeth a glass shattering scream exited my mouth.

"I'm so sorry, baby." Calleo said, his lips close to my ear.

"It's okay." I said through gritted teeth.

"I got the bullet out." Calleo said, his voice filled with relief.

I sighed. atleast the worst of the pain was over.

"She's going to need a doctor." Caleb said. There was an edge to his voice that confused me.

"Why?" Calleo asked him.

"This bullet is laced with silver."

Silver. The one thing that harmed us. And it was coursing through my veins at this very moment.

"Are you sure?" Matt asked, stunned.

"Positive."

"She needs the cure for it." Calleo said. "No doctor in this area would have it."

"Then we have to take her back home." Matt said.

I looked at Calleo. He seemed conflicted. I reached up to touch his face. I rested my hand on his cheek and he looked at me. His eyes filled with tears and he leaned forward, resting his head on stomach. I grabbed his hand and squeezed it. He returned the squeeze.

"I'll go pack her stuff." Matt said, getting off the couch.

"I'll help." mom followed, her voice shaky.

Caleb followed them as well. Once they were gone, Calleo lifted his head from my stomach. His eyes were red from crying.

"I am so sorry, baby." his voice cracked.

I ran my fingers through his hair. "Everything will be fine." I assured him.

"I love you."

"I love you, too."