My Defender(72)

Redly tripped and scrambled to get away. Ellie charged and brought her heavy flat foot down on the screaming man. Again, again, and again.

Too fat for you to fuck me? As if I'd want a piece of shit like you. My mate loves me, and he's all I need. How dare you threaten my son!

She kept stomping. No one would hurt her child. No one!





*****





Grant's action figure had lost for the third time when he heard a loud trumpeting noise. Four beds over, Marjoram stood quickly, clutching at her chest. Her eyes met his. "Ellie!" she screamed.

Later, Grant wouldn't remember rising or running from the hospital. One moment he was with the children, the next he was standing with others in a circle around a very, very large rampaging elephant.

Declan ran up and skidded to a halt beside him. "I'm going to assume that's Ellie."

Grant nodded. He looked at Ellie's feet and saw a bright red smear. His wolf wanted to break free. Someone had threatened his mate.

"Grant, you need to get her to shift back! If she gives in to her animal for too long, it could be dangerous not only for herself, but for others. She'd never, ever forgive herself if she hurt an innocent," Marjoram pleaded.

Grant tipped his head back and howled. The elephant stopped mid-stomp and turned her giant head toward him. The crowd around him answered his call. The Wolftown pack sung with him, and as they did, his mate grew calmer and calmer.

Grant watched as the elephant that was his mate sat back on her hind legs, tucking his son close. As moments passed, the elephant's image began to waver and finally melted away completely, leaving a naked Ellie standing in the middle of the stone street.

He pulled his shirt off over his head as he ran toward his mate. He gently took Benji as Ellie covered up. When she was done, he pulled her close and held her tight. "What happened?" he whispered, his voice sounding harsh to his own ears.

Ellie looked down at the bloody mess she had created. "He said he was going to kill me and Benji, to make face cream. I had to, I had to. I couldn't let him hurt Benji," Ellie explained, her voice becoming more shrill.

Grant looked around the crowd a moment before Marjoram popped up beside them. "Ellie darling, let me watch over Benji so you can wash up," Marjoram suggested in a calm even voice.

"I had to," Ellie whispered.

"We know dearest, we know. Of course you couldn't let that man hurt Benji; you're his momma," Marjoram continued in a soothing voice as she took Benji from Grant.

"I'm his momma," Ellie repeated.

Grant turned to Marjoram. "Shock?" She nodded.

"Was that a person?" a female voice asked.

Grant was snarling his reply when he stopped short. Meryn was standing over whatever was left of Ellie's assailant. When she reached down to touch one of the mangled fingers sticking up, her mate barked at her. "Meryn!"

Meryn jumped a mile, clutching at her chest. "What did I tell you about yelling at me when I try to touch dead bodies? You almost gave me fucking heart attack!"

Ellie blinked her eyes. Grant could see them slowly bringing everything into focus. The distant look was fading from her eyes. "Does she touch dead bodies that much?" she asked.

Grant felt relieved as Meryn's antics seemed to help Ellie's psyche skim over the horror she had just faced. Aiden stepped up beside them. "More than I would like." He turned back to his mate. "Don't touch it!"

Meryn stood with her hands on her hips. "Don't touch dead bodies! Stop kicking tunnel escorts in the balls! Stop being a lesbian on Facebook! Why can't I have any fun?" she demanded.

The wolves around them tried desperately to hide their laughter but failed miserably. Demetrio clapped Aiden on the back. "Her heart seems to be in the right place."

Aiden smiled. "It always is." His eyes narrowed as Meryn bent down again. "That does not mean you get to play with dead bodies!" he roared.

Meryn ignored him and picked up a bloody strand. "I guess you don't want this necklace then?" She swung it back and forth on her finger.

Aiden began cursing a blue streak. Kendrick stepped past him. "I've got it Aiden."

Kendrick pulled a small plastic bag from his pouch and held it out to Meryn. She dutifully dropped it inside before he sealed it. "Hold up your hand."

Meryn held up her blood smeared fingers. Kendrick murmured and the blood disappeared. "Go to your mate before he strokes out," he ordered.

Meryn rolled her eyes and walked over to where they stood. She looked up at Ellie. "You are so kick ass. Eva has her ninja kick, and you have a killer stomp attack. All I have are drones."

Ellie leaned against Grant, sniffling. "He said I was fat."