Saving Akira (Complete)

Chapter 9

     They were greeted just outside of the building by a team of pride enforcers that surrounded them and escorted them inside. “Jon we secured the building as best we could. Those we could not talk to we are running security checks on now. But that will take some time.” The elevator dinged and the doors opened up allowing everyone entrance except for the few who would take the steps to make sure there was no one lying in wait. 

      “Thanks Sean. Sean this is my Mate Akira though right now she is pouting like a two year. Say hello sweetheart.” Her gaze moved to Sean and she nodded her head in greeting. The arguing with Jon had left her throat feeling scratchier than before. “Nice to meet you Sean.” Her voice cracked and even sounded as if her throat was bothering her. “I will get you some water sweetheart as soon as I get you settled on the sofa to relax.” The concern in his eyes touched her heart in ways she had no clue existed. All she could do was to keep reminding herself and her panther that they could not stay with him. 

     Moments later she was carried into Jon’s penthouse suite and placed on the sofa where there were pillows and a throw for her to cover up with. Jon gently laid her back against the pillows and laid the throw over her lap. “Do not move I will go get you some water. If she moves Cam sit on her if you have to in order to keep there.” Not another word spoken Jon went to retrieve an ice cold bottle of water for her. 

     “Look I can handle myself and furthermore I can take care of myself.” Moving as fast as she could Akira removed the throw so she could get up. Too bad for her, Cam was having nothing of it. “Stay put Akira do not make me tie you up. Though I am sure you would look simply beautiful tied up.” Cam offered her a wink as Jon and Daelin entered the living room together.  

     “Akira this is Daelin Cross the Alpha of the pride I told you about. Daelin this is my rather irritable Mate Akira.” He knelt down next to her and offered her a bottle of water. “Here drink this it will help your throat. Later I will get you some ice cream or something to help sooth your throat.” Jon pulled out a bottle of medicine that Noel had given him before they left the hospital and took out two of the tablets. “Take these too they will help with the pain. And do not tell me you are not in pain I can see it in your beautiful eyes and I can smell it too. I will change the dressing for it later.” 

     Muttering as she took the bottle of water and the pills she lifted her gaze to meet Daelin’s. “Nice to meet you Daelin. Please forgive me for not being able to greet you properly but Jon, who is not my Mate, is being f*****g stupid and not letting me move around.” As soon as she took the medicine that Jon gave her Akira extended her hand to Daelin. 

     “Nice to meet you as well Akira.” Gently he took her hand and shook it. “We will do everything we can to protect you.” Daelin offered her a soft smile. “But first you must tell us what has you running and why someone tried to kill you.” Daelin took that stern look that Alphas always seemed to give as he sat down in a chair nearby. 

     “Nothing is going on. I am sure that it was a case of mistaken identity or wrong place wrong time type of situation.” Normally she would shrug but when she tried to it sent a searing pain through her shoulder making her wince as she stifled a gasp from the pain. Damn that hurt! Slowly she took in a deep breath to steady herself as she opened her eyes. 

     “Do not move so quickly cara you will hurt yourself further. Also, you and I both know that we can smell a lie. So do not insult us by trying to lie about what is going on. I get it you want to try and protect me but let me protect you. Now you will tell us what is going on and the only answer from you had best be yes, Sir and the answer to Daelin’s question.” 

      “I am not…” She thought better of telling him he was not his beloved and that she was not lying. Damn shifters and their sense of smell and yes that even meant even her sense of smell at this moment in time. With a huff she began to explain, “A year and a half ago I was off in the mountains of Colorado hiking not far from my home when I came across a Hunter who had a small child chained to a tree. The sight was horrid and I tried to save the poor child. Unfortunately the little boy was so scared he shifted before I could get to him. The Hunter shot the poor child. My heart was so broken as I came over to the child after the Hunter had left. I spoke to him and held him as he shifted back crying. I tried to comfort the little cub but I knew I could not get him help in time the bullet must have been laced with silver because within minutes his body went still. I must have let out a howl or something because the Hunter came back. Before I could run he had me in his sights and told me that if I moved he’d kill me too. A friend of his joined him and tied my hands behind my back. They knew they could not let me go they knew in that moment that I had seen what had happened.” The memory of the poor cub brought tears to her eyes even though she tried not to let them fall. 

     Jon took her hand into his as she continued, “I was taken to their camp and was told that I would serve them or they would kill me. That night while they slept I managed to get my hands free and untied my feet as well. I ran through the woods as fast as I could filled with hope that I would get away. I finally made it home thinking I was safe because they did not know who I was. Unfortunately one of the Hunters was a police officer and had put an APB out on me. I guess someone spotted me because that afternoon when I woke up it was to his gun pointed to my face. Before he could pull the trigger my neighbor had come to check on me bringing her mutt with her. The dog growled and tackled him to the ground giving me a chance to yell at Mrs. Cooper to run and protect herself. Before I could do anything else he shot the dog. Poor Mrs. Cooper only had that dog and me to turn to. So I ran as fast and as far as I could to get away from that place. I later found out that the man killed Mrs. Cooper as well. He has found me everywhere I have gone so now you understand why I have to leave.” The tears that had threaten to fall finally spilled down her cheeks. 

     In no time flat Jon had climbed up on the sofa with Akira and pulled her into his arms. All she could do was cry because this was the first time in a very long time she actually felt safe enough to let her emotions free. “Shhh cara I have you and no one is going to harm you I promise you this.” Jon looked at Cam and Daelin as he held her close and she sobbed as she laid her head on his shoulder. 

     “Akira do you think you can remember his name? Did you see it on his badge?” This time she truly heard the Italian accent that Daelin had when he spoke. “I know you do not want to talk about this but in order to protect you we need to know. Also, what city were you in when this happened? Perhaps we can track down this officer and find out where he is.” The look Daelin’s face was full of concern. This was going to mess quick and they all knew it. 

     While Daelin asked questions Cam went to check on the enforcers to fill them in on what they had learned so far from Akira. With a bit of a hiccup Akira lifted her head and looked to Daelin as she answered, “Alpha Cross the city was Colorado Springs or more specifically Pikes Peak. As for his name I really do not know I was too scared to really pay attention. I can tell you what he looked like if that would help?” 

     “Please call me Daelin there is no need to be so formal right now. And yes a description will be very helpful. But I want you to wait on that for the moment. I want to bring in someone from the pride that does sketches for the police in Alexandria. With a good likeness we will be able to fax it off to the pride in Aspen to see if anyone knows anything about him. I do not have any more questions right now little one. I think you need to rest.” He gave her a smile for what it was worth as he went to leave. “I will be in your home office Jon making some phone calls. Take care of your Mate and we will talk later.” 

     Right now she did not have the strength to argue that they were not Mated. For the moment she was still crying unshed tears even though she was not sobbing at that moment in time. Gently Jon wiped away her tears and nodded to Daelin in thanks. “Come cara let me carry you to the bed where you will be more comfortable.” Not waiting for her to answer he stood with her in his arms and carried her off to the master bedroom.