Her Pack by Tamara White

Chapter Fifteen

After an hourand a half of walking among the more severe pack members and offering up my energy for healing, my body is almost depleted. It's reached the point where I feel almost like throwing up. Which is why Rick insisted I stop, or at least take a break.

Rick has one arm wrapped around me as he practically drags me to the van. Jason, Jonnie, and Mitch are still helping wolves, moving some to a better position. While others are being moved to gather in smaller groups, ready to get in the vans when Eli and his pack arrive.

They already look a thousand times better than before I started gifting out my energy, which is good news.

Once we reach the van, Rick moves me to sit on the edge of the van floor, my feet hanging out the side, barely touching the ground.

He crouches down so we're at eye level, his gaze filled with concern. "You okay?" His eyes take in every inch of me, mentally checking me for any outward signs of injury, even though he knows he won't find any. "You're not looking too good Dani. You shouldn't have shared so much energy. Or you should have borrowed some from the others."

I open my mouth to tell him I did borrow from my mates, only for him to pin me with a glare. "Don't you dare lie to me and say you did. I know you told them you took some of their energy, but I'd be a stupid enforcer if I didn't notice you never perked up after each supposed transfer. So, why didn't you take any energy from them? It's their job to share with you, especially in such times of need. If I had of known you'd be stupid and refuse their energy, I wouldn't have let you heal anyone whatsoever."

I shrug, my gaze going out to the wolves all over the yard. There are only four corpses, the ones who died before I even got here. Without my help, who knows how many bodies would litter the ground.

"Because it didn't make sense to take from them, when we're in a precarious position. If I drained them, it would have left only you and Jake at full strength, and while I trust Jason that his pack is good as are the people in it, I'd be stupid to openly trust people I don't know." I blow out a breath, the weight of the world on my shoulders. "Not to mention, the wolves who were here when we arrived could still be out there, waiting for me to use up all my strength. It would be something I would do if I were Luke. He knows I can heal. He could have planned it like this to weaken us all and take us out in one fell swoop. So better for me to weaken myself only, so at least the rest of you are capable of defending me and the weaker members of Jason pack if they were to return. Or at least hold them off long enough for Eli and the rest of my mates to get here."

Because I have no doubt in my mind that the moment Eli tells them what happened, everyone will be hauling ass to get to my side.

Rick takes a moment, his eyes studying me intently. After a moment, he grunts. "You're right. If I were Luke, I'd probably do as you said. So I don't fault you for being careful and trying to use only your energy. But are you sure you're okay? You're really pale, Dani. More so than I've ever seen you."

I offer him a weak smile, trying to hide the exhaustion. "I'm okay, I promise, I just need to rest a little. Keep watch will you? I want to have a little nap."

He chuckles and rises to his feet. He pats my head softly. "Relax Dani. I'll protect you till my last breath. You can rest."

I lay back, and close my eyes, trusting Rick implicitly. He and Jake are the only ones I would ever trust with my life, other than my mates. They have become fast friends since meeting them. And with each day that passes. the more I care for them. They are my best friends in this world. We may have issues, as any friendship does, but they are just doing their best to look out for me as a friend, and as their Queen.

The soft thud of my heart beating in my ears, lulls me into a state of relaxation, the sound soothing to my tired brain. I'm not sure how long I lay here, just letting my body and mind relax. After everything that's happened today, I deserve this moment to myself.

Suddenly the sound of sliding van doors startle me out of my relaxed state. I blink up at the roof of the van and know it must mean Eli and my mates are here, I just can't find the energy to move right now.

"Rick, my body is broken. Help me up," I moan out pitifully. I could probably do it myself but laziness is my middle name. At least, it is right this second.

Rick appears over me, his eyes twinkling with laughter. "Take my hand," he says, and I grab hold as he heaves me up into a sitting position. I still feel like utter crap but at least I'm feeling better than when I first got back to the van.

Rick hovers at my side, but I offer him a reassuring smile. "I'm alright. You can let me go now."

He does so hesitantly, his hands out to catch me if I so much as tilt. When nothing happens, but me sitting up without help, he relaxes.

My gaze goes past him, to see all the new wolves that have arrived to help Jason’s pack and I feel a sense of warmth. They're all rogue pack members, but yet they are here to help. This is what each pack should be doing for one another. When one is in trouble, the rest should be stepping up to the plate to help however they can.

My chest suddenly tightens and I know instinctively that my mates are nearby. I search the many faces, looking for Eli, Cam, Nate or Pete, when I spot them all making a beeline towards our van. The moment they catch sight of me, their steps speed up until they practically bowl into Rick in an effort to get to me, but he's standing guard and keeping them at bay.

"Hold up, guys. You need to tone it down and be careful. Your mate feels like shit."

They all nod, and Eli is the first one to move around Rick and take a tentative step towards me. When Rick doesn't keep him back, he quickly moves to crouch in front of me, his eyes filled with worry. "What's wrong? Is there anything I can do to help?"

He reaches out a hand to stroke my cheek, the rough calluses on his hand oddly comforting. As soon as his skin touches mine, I felt a rush. A wave of strength courses through me so profound that I don't try and fight it. He's sharing his energy with me, but it's not like he meant to do it, it is more like instinct. A give and pull guided by my needs.

I sigh, my body practically melting from the instant relief the energy boost gives me. "Just keep doing that, " I murmur, my limbs tingling from his power.

Cam and Pete both come to me, each one squeezing in to sit on either side of me, their skin pressed against my exposed arms. I feel the offering of energy and don't hesitate to siphon some of it away.

Nate watches on, his eyes filled with awe. "You look so much better," he remarks.  "If you don't need me right this minute, do you mind if I go and help the others get everyone into the vans?"

"Of course, Nate. Go and help, they need you more than I do."

He smiles at me, then takes off. Rick looking after him before throwing a glance back. "Since you have this under control," he directs his statement to Eli, "I’m going to help the others out. But I'll be close by if you need me. Okay?"

"Oh, just go Rick. I'll be fine. I promise. You've done more than enough for me. Go help the people who need it."

He smirks, his blue eyes filled with mirth. "I would help the people who need it but by some twisted stroke of luck, you tend to need it more than most of these people. It's like you have a danger attraction magnet. Just for once, keep safe while I'm gone. Or I will tie you up in a bedroom and make it so no one can visit without going through me." He winks to soften his words before walking away.

I know he's one hundred percent serious though. So much has been happening that I can't blame him for feeling that way. It seems like no matter how hard we try, life just keeps getting me hurt, kidnapped or my friends die. I'm over it. So if being locked away stops all that, then maybe it's an option I need to consider. Hopefully it doesn't come to that though.

I glance from Pete, to Cam, then down to Eli who's still got his hand cupped to my cheek. "Maybe you guys should go help too. I'll be fine here alone." All at once I can feel their objections about to come spewing out but I hurry on. "You can all see me regardless of how far away you are. And I doubt Rick is going to go farther than a few feet, just in case."

"Are you sure?" Pete asks, his eyes conveying his worry and doubt. "I don't like the thought of leaving you alone."

"I'll be fine. I'll just hang back here and rest."

At once, all three of them slowly get to their feet. Eli watches me carefully. "Are you sure? Maybe one of us should stay with you, just in case?"

"No, go and help. The sooner everyone is sorted out, the sooner we get to go back home."

Eli nods and they all move to leave when I remember why Cam shouldn't be walking among the wolves so I grab him by the hand. He turns back to me. "Ah, sorry Cam, would you actually mind staying? I need to talk to you about something important."

Eli and Pete share a glance, before leaving me with Cam. He retakes his seat at my side, runs a hand through his hair nervously. "I have to say, Dani, something tells me whatever you need to talk to me about isn't going to be good news."

I swing my legs back and forth, my feet scuffing the dirt. "Well, I mean, I guess it really depends on you as to whether it's good or bad. But I honestly don't know enough about your extended family to make that assumption."

"And just what does my extended family have to do with anything?"

I fidget, squirming in my spot at the thought of being the one to tell him of his grandfather’s return. Hell, I don't even know what happened or why he left in the first place. I'm sure either way it's going to bring up memories for him. I just hope they're not all bad.

"Shit, um, well, after we got here and scared off the wolves who were attacking Jason's pack, we made a discovery of sorts. Well, I mean we stumbled upon someone you know. That is to say, he revealed himself to us," I ramble, trying to make this as easy as possible on him. To soften the blow.

Cam groans, and grips hold of my face with both hands. "Dani, just please spit it out. You're just making it worse by dragging it out. I'm a big boy, I promise I can handle whatever it is you're trying to tell me," he smiles, his cheeks dimpling.

His thumb strokes over my jaw, before he removes his hands from my face and down to hold my hands that are still picking at my nails. He places his hands over mine to stop me ripping my cuticles out.

I sigh, and meet his eyes, knowing that I just have to get it over with. "Your grandfather is here."

Cam sucks in a shocked gasp, his face paling considerably, but I haven't even gotten to the worst part yet.

"He's not alone though. He brought a human with him, one who just so happens to hunt our kind for a living. The wolf hunter is here with the sole purpose of finding your father and killing him, and your grandfather is helping him to reach that goal." I pause letting him digest all that when I quickly add on. "Oh and the wolf hunter wants to make some kind of deal where I get control of all wolves killing humans or he's going to let his kind kill us all."

Cam simply stares down at our connected hands, most likely trying to process the influx of new information I just told him. After a couple of moments of silence between us, he finally lets out a low whistle, his eyes raising to mine. "Sorry Dani, I just don't know what to do with all of that." He takes in a deep breath, staring at the wolves being guided to the vans or carried to them.

"A wolf hunter? I didn't know they existed."

"Neither did I, but apparently they are as real as you and me. Though the human could just be wackadoodle and thinks he's a wolf hunter. Wouldn't be the first time I've seen a crazy human."

Cam nods absentmindedly, his thoughts elsewhere. "I thought my grandfather was dead," he finally says, turning to face me. "Are you sure it's really him?"

"Ah, well, I'm not sure," I begin, thinking over the fact the only real proof I have that he is indeed Cam's grandfather, is the man's words and looks, which are anything but concrete evidence. "He said his name was Anthony Bairn, and he looks a lot like you and your dad, but it's not like I thought to get a DNA test or something. I mean who would lie about being related to you." My eyes widen at what I said. "Shit, sorry that sounded harsher than I meant."

"It's fine, you're right. Not too many people would willingly admit to having any connection to my father so the fact he did, makes me believe it's definitely my pops."

I'm already nodding, assuming as much. "He can't hurt anyone though, if that's his agenda. Jason and Rick insisted we tie both him and the wolf hunter up with silver banded rope until you all arrived. But I wanted to tell you about him before you see him and it's just thrown in your face. Either it will be your grandfather, then we can deal with it together. Or it'll be some crazy pretending to be your grandfather, then we'll deal with that too. Either way, I will follow whatever you want in this situation. I'll stand by whatever decision you choose to make."

"Thank you, Dani."

My eyes crinkle in confusion. "What for?"

"For just being you. For taking care of us, and letting us take care of you."

Oh. I lean into his side, enjoying the comforting way he wraps an arm around my waist. "Thanks for putting up with me, even when I know it's difficult as hell with everything going on."

Cam simply chuckles, and we sit together, and watch everyone being helped to vans, loaded inside and given water. Even the dead are coming with us, something I’m glad I don't have to remind anyone of. They died a noble death protecting their family members and so I would like to honor them as the heroes they were.

After a few moments of sitting in silence, Hudson and Blaise appear among the crowd of wolves, guiding none other than Cam's grandfather and the wolf hunter, Aiden.

"Ah, hello Cameron my boy! It's been a while since I've seen you young lad!" Anthony calls which causes Hudson to stop and face us.

Blaise pauses, turning to see what the fuss is about when he catches sight of me. "You alright Dani? Need me to find Eli for you?" he asks, genuine concern in his eyes.

I give him a smile. "We're fine, thank you though." He nods and moves to turn back to his task when I call back. "Um, what are you doing with those two?"

"Vivienne said they are to go back to pack lands and in a silver cage until she can deal with them."

I nod, and when I don't say more, he shoves Aiden towards one of the vans. Hudson does the same after a moment. But not before Anthony throws Cam a wink. "I'll be seeing you soon, my dear boy."

Hudson and Blaise make quick work of shoving the two men inside a van and then slamming the doors shut on them. When my gaze comes back to Cam, he's white as a sheet, his eyes wide in panic.

"Holy shit." He breathes out, his breaths coming faster and faster until I realize he's having a panic attack, an actual panic attack.

I'm off the seat and standing in front of him, my hands gripping either side of his face to force him to look at me. "Cam, just breathe. Copy me, see," I imitate what you're supposed to do, or at least what I've seen other humans do. "One breath in," I murmur, making sure he copies the action, "then one long breath out." Again, I wait for him to mimic me.

"In. And out. In. And Out." I do it with him a couple more times until he seems to have finally gotten himself under control. Internally though, I'm also panicking.

Not once have I ever seen a wolf have a panic attack about anything, let alone Cam. Not when he was faced with his father almost killing him, or reunited with his brother who aided in his torture. But all of a sudden one is brought on by seeing his grandfather? Yeah, that's enough to have me scared too.