Fated to Be Family(41)

Kate ran into the recovery rooms where Aleks stood in human form in front of the bed. His large hands shifted as Rebecca looked on in fear. The Raymonds stood shifted in front of Gina’s bed, where Cecelia, holding Gina’s hand, looked out at the room with large eyes. Kate shifted and headed toward Ashby and Rebecca.

Aleks stood holding one shoulder, which was bleeding profusely. Rebecca sat huddled with Ashby, who was holding Nic close.

“My brothers?” Aleks asked, breathing hard.

“Fine. They were flinging bodies left and right outside,” Kate said, walking over and taking Ashby’s hand. Bran and Caleb ran in.

“Aleks, why aren’t you shifted?” Caleb asked.

“I wouldn’t leave Rebecca and Nic still needed to have his transfusion bag changed, so Doc handed me the bag and ran out to try and hold them off. Only one made it past Connor and Finn. Is the doc okay?” Aleks asked.

“I’m fine,” Dr. Claybourne said. He strode in, pulling on a pair of green scrubs. He walked over and checked Nic’s pulse before going to check on Gina. He went to a side cabinet and gathered a stack of spare scrubs in all sizes and then he turned and threw them into the empty chair. Kate went over and pulled on a shirt and a pair pants. She turned back around and watched Doc go from patient to patient. Caleb and Bran pulled on scrubs and walked over to Kate.

“Thank God they slept through this! Any more mental trauma may have been detrimental,” Doc said.

They all turned as a thundering roar was heard outside before yips and whimpers sounded off around the outside of the building. Aleks slumped against the wall in relief. Finn, Connor, Benedict, and Gavin walked in and went to the pile of scrubs.

“Ma,” Aleks said simply grinning, a goofy smile on his face. The other Arkadion boys were grinning at each other knowingly.

“Aleks! Are you okay? Doc, is he okay?” Rebecca said when she saw Aleks slide down the wall, her voice reaching octaves that made most of the shifters wince.

Rebecca started to shake then cry. Aleks struggled to stand. Caleb walked over and pulled him to his feet. Aleks staggered over to the chair next to the bed and took Rebecca’s hand.

“Shush, Becca, baby it’s okay.”

She shook her head, sending her curls flying.

“No, no, no, no, it’s not okay! Everyone is getting hurt. The hyenas won’t stop. Why are they doing this?” Her words had turned into unintelligible shrieks as she began to hyperventilate.

And just like that, Kate knew Rebecca had found her breaking point. Aleks looked up at Doc and nodded, she could see his soul shattering in his eyes. Ma and Pa walked in just as Doc started to administer a sedative. Slowly, her breathing evened out and her sobs slowed down. Her eyes started to droop as she snuggled into Nic’s body. Ashby, who had been sharing her emotions through the bond, breathed a sigh of relief and closed his eyes. Soon all three were fast asleep.

Ma and Pa had blood and gore covering their clothes. Like Aleks, they were strong enough to do partial shifts and attack with just their claws. Duncan and Emmett followed, the blood only visible on their hands from where their claws had been. Their clothes were unmarred by blood.

“Thank God she went out before she saw you two. She would have gone into complete hysterics,” Doc said, pointing to their clothes.

“Please tell me she is okay,” Ma said, rushing over to stand beside Aleks.

“They’re both fine. As soon as I finish checking on Gina, I will check on your arm, Aleks,” Doc said and Aleks waved him off.

“Tend someone else. This will be healed by morning,” he said.

Kaden and Beau walked in, carrying the Wade children. Both Beverly and Arthur Raymond stepped forward, having already pulled on their clothes as soon as the fighting stopped. She went over and took the girls in her arms as Arthur wrapped his arms around the boys’ shoulders. Kaden and Beau went to the pile of scrubs.

“You’ll be living with us now,” Beverly said.

“Is my sister okay?” Ethan asked, going to stand by his sister taking her hand.

“She will be, but I bet she’d be real happy to hear your voice, son,” Doc said.

“Gina, it’s me Ethan. You were right. Alpha Kate and Alpha Bran and Alpha Caleb came and saved us just like you said they would. Please wake up soon!” He kissed her hand.

Kate had to look away. She’d never thought anyone in the pack liked her, but she had missed how much trust the children put in her. She cleared her throat.

“You’re going to like living at the Pack house, Ethan. There are lots of other children to play with.”

He looked up at her and smiled shyly.

“The boys?” Caleb asked, turning to her. Bran walked out of the room flagging Riley down.