The Bite [Luke Hemmings AU]

Chapter Nine

Claire's POV

I leaned into Luke as I heard a yelling coming from the office. Luke wasn't holding my hand anymore, he was hold me entirely. I was sat on his lap with my head in the crook of his neck. More screaming could be heard and it kept getting louder. Luke's arms got tight around my waist and Cooper sat next to us with his legs pulled into his chest. His vacant state was directed to the far wall.

I heard the door open and slam shut. Saunders came walking in through the doorway with a worried look.

"I could hear him screaming at my house," he said softly. "I...think I know someone who could help us," he hesitantly said.

I lifted my head and looked at him. He sat down in the chair beside the hallway.

"There's more to the story about Collin," he breathed out. I slide to the seat next to Luke, but still kept a hold on his hand.

"What?" I asked in disbelief. What did he not tell me? Collin died in Afghanistan. That's all I thought happened.

"He's not dead," Saunders said leaning forward and putting his arms on his legs.

"Then, what happened?" I asked still not believing him.

"Collin had a sister. Her name was Candice," he smiled at the mention of her name. "She was beautiful. Everything I wanted in woman. She was like us. But, she was special. She had a special...ability to heal. She could heal others. Not just taking away pain, but she could actually heal people. She healed almost instantly too. Collin became blood thirsty while we were in Afghanistan. He wasn't himself after a while. He thought if he killed Candice he could have that power. He wanted to be invincible. He wanted power, more power. He killed her. Right in front of me. Ripped her heart out and ate it. He was right, though. He could heal anything. He was more powerful. So, he killed Ellie, our alpha at the time. He became an alpha and I left. I was fed up with him. I came home and I was angry. My anchor was gone. My dad pissed me off once and I flipped out and killed him," Saunders said not looking at any of us.

He's alive. Why didn't Saunders just tell us in the first place. We're a family, we don't keep secrets.

"So, you think he can heal Zack?" Cooper said an looked over. He was paying attention.

"I know he can. He and his pack through this big banquet every year around this time and he always invites me. I never go, but I think we all need to go. It's tomorrow night," he said looking back at us.

"No we're going. Luke can get this bullet wound healed too," I said looking at him with a weak smile. Luke smiled back and I turned back to Saunders.

"It's formal, so find a dress, Claire. And boys, suit and tie," he said. There was still a hint of regret in his voice. How bad could this guy be?

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I didn't want to go shopping for a dress when Zack was in so much pain. But, to get him better I had to. I hate shopping anyways. I told Luke he better go home to his parents. I told him to hide the wound the best he could.

Cooper took me into town to the small boutique in the town square. I was just trying on some dresses and he was just judging them.

"Nope. Eh. You look good," were mostly his responses. Then, he picked one out and handed it to me.

It was a light purple color. It was long and elegant. It didn't look like it would show off anything. Not that I have anything to show off, anyways.

I took the dress and slide it on. I stepped out and his jaw dropped.

"We're getting it. Don't ask questions. You're getting it," he said and pushed me into the dressing room again. I changed and stepped out with the dress draped around my arm.