Hidden In Plain Sight: Book 2 (Wolves)

Chapter 14- Halyn

When Susan stepped out, I felt somewhat awkward sitting there, holding Alistar’s hand with his father looking on. I reminded myself this isn’t about me. I shifted in my seat, trying to get comfortable with my bumps, bruises, and lacerations, but grimaced when pain shot through my lower abdomen. That damn Delta had tried to eviscerate me. Luckily for me, Alistar had no qualms about swinging the branch he had turned into a weapon. Alistar seemed to notice my discomfort and whimpered slightly while trying to sit up. “Please, don’t get up. I’ll be okay.”

At my words, he again laid back on the pillows. His bed was looking mighty comfortable right now. Fred startled me slightly when he spoke, “is there anything I can do or get for you Miss Halyn to help make you more comfortable?”

I shook my head, then thought I should explain. “I’m not sure how much you know about werewolves,” I said quietly before continuing, “but we have a very high metabolism and medications generally clear our systems quite quickly. Unfortunately that makes things like pain control quite difficult. Injections are more effective than oral medications, but even they are very short acting. Many times the best answer if someone is seriously injured is to put them in a drug induced coma fir a matter of time.”

“I was not aware of that. Thanks for telling me.” Fred smiled at me and we sat quietly for a few minutes. Alistar looked around with his eyes wide, his nose moved like he was smelling scents he had never noticed before, his ears twitched every so often when he turned his head, and he almost rhythmically opened and closed his hand around mine. Fred appeared fascinated with his son’s behavior, but thankfully did not appear fearful. Such was not always the case with families of new wolves. I’d have to tell Alistar later he’s

lucky his dad is so accepting.

Susan returned and filled us in on her conversation with Gannon, “apparently there are several more units available, so we have options. Knowing what I do about Alistar’s personality before the exposure, I think he would do just fine in Gannon’s basement with you Halyn.” I nodded in response but didn’t speak. “At least temporarily you would then have help while you both heal. There are two new units near Gannon’s house though that could work as well. Do either of you have an opinion?” Susan looked at Al, then Fred, then me, waiting patiently for an answer.

“Thank you both for being willing to help my son and keep the safety of my family in mind.I don’t like that he can’t stay, but I understand. I personally think with Halyn’s injuries, the basement would be a better option. As long as Gannon’s family would be safe.” Fred answered Susan.

Alistar appeared to had drifted off again, so I decided it’d be more comfortable to release his hand and sit back. As soon as I moved my hand, Alistar’s eyes flew open and he looked at me with slightly yellow eyes as he sniffed the air and reached out and once again entwined our hands. His grasp was not painful but I knew he meant business and allowed him to do so.

Susan had watched the interaction and answered, “I agree. I think the basement is a better option. They will simply secure the door between the basement and upstairs. Remember you’ll have mind-links, the walkie talkies, the intercom system, and with their wolf hearing, they’d hear if you yell.”

I looked at Susan and Fred, both appeared concerned as she talked. “What are you so worried about? I honestly don’t feel any threat from Alistar.” When I said his name, he rubbed circles with his thumb on the back of my hand. “I’m comfortable with either arrangement. I do agree though we could maybe use some help while I’m still healing.”

Fred smiled as he studied Susan and I. Susan c****d her eye brow as if to ask what he was smiling about. “Not to change the subject, but you two definitely have a family resemblance. You look more like sisters than cousins.” Susan nodded but I was stunned. I’d never considered the similarity between us other than knowing our coloring and build were similar. Of course I was slightly younger and Susan was pregnant, so there should be no problem telling us apart soon.

“Yeah, when we would go places together as pups, people thought we were sisters. I’d forgotten about that though.” Susan smiled. “Okay, back on subject…” Susan looked at Alistar, then at our hands, then continued talking, “I’ll contact Gannon and make arrangements for us to transfer Al to one of the bedrooms in his basement. Then he will be close to Halyn who seems to calm him, and there will be others upstairs if needed.”

Within the next hour, we were all loaded up into a utility vehicle with Alistar’s clothing and supplies in the other utility vehicle. Our vehicle was moving slowly to prevent us unnecessary pain from all the jostling. By the time we arrived, all Alistar’s belongings were already in his new room. As long as I stayed by his side, he was calm and quiet. I was starting to tire though, so I would need to lay down soon.

It was now afternoon and my stomach was reminding me I haven’t eaten recently. Now that we were back and had Alistar settled, it was maybe a good time to eat and then lay down. “Susan, do you know if there were leftovers from lunch?”

“I’m not sure, but I need to update Gannon. I can have someone bring you something down if that’s acceptable?”

“That would be wonderful. Maybe food for two?” Susan nodded so I finished, “thank you Cousin.”

Within fifteen minutes, Gannon himself brought down a tray with two plates and said, “ I brought sandwiches, cottage cheese, fresh vegetables with dip, and glasses of milk. High protein to help you heal.” He smiled as he looked around the room. This room was set up in a mirror image of the one I’d claimed with a bathroom between them. I was in a padded chair sitting at Alistar’s bedside, so the options were the dresser, which we couldn’t reach, or the nightstand. Gannon moved to set the tray on the nightstand that was close to the chair and the bed. As he neared me, Alistar bolted into a sitting position and growled at Alpha Gannon. Alpha Gannon used his Alpha voice and said, “back off wolf. I’ve brought you food. I’m no threat.” Alistar froze but continued to growl slightly. Once the tray was securely on the stand, Alpha Gannon turned his back to me so he could face Alistar, gazed into his eyes, and flexed his Alpha wolf powers. Alistar tilted his head and lowered his eyes in submission. Although I couldn’t see Alpha Gannon’s face, I’m sure when he flexed his power to put Alistar’s wolf in his place, his eyes were bright yellow. Gannon had tremendous control, and every right to start putting the new wolf in his place now. The pack mentality only works if everyone follows the hierarchy and respects the positions of everyone in the pack. Alistar’s position remains to be seen, but pups do not start out as Alpha and 99% never reach that rank. “I’ll leave the food and come back for the tray later. If you need anything, anything at all,” Gannon met my eyes when he said this, “I’ll be right upstairs and can be down in seconds.”

“Thank you Alpha Gannon, but I don’t think that will be necessary. We should be good. Thanks again for the food.”

“Hey, protein is important for a healing wolf, so I’m glad you asked. I won’t hug you because I’ve no doubt that would cause issues again, but I love you cousin. We should talk soon.” Gannon finished as he turned to leave.

“I love you too,” I replied, and Gannon was gone.

“Alistar,” I waited for him to meet my eyes before I continued talking. “I know your wolf is on the surface right now, but you have to try to control him. Gannon is our Alpha wolf. In another pack, what you just did, disrespecting an Alpha, could have been suicide. Luckily for you, Alpha Gannon is caring and levelheaded.” Alistar simply nodded in response, so I tried again, “I know you can talk. I heard you after the Delta attacked me, before I passed out. I’d love to hear your voice now. I want to get to know you.”

Alistar grabbed a large glass of milk from the tray and continued to drink until it was gone. Setting the glass down on the tray again, he smiled at me. I couldn’t help but smile back. He looked so cute with his milk mustache, and had a very nice smile. I tried to thing if I’ve seen his smile before, but couldn’t recall it. I placed a plate on my lap, picked up my sandwich, and began to eat.

“I’m sorry I’ve been so growly. I swear I’m usually much more in control. Thank you for saving me from that wolf. The doc said my foot is healing well.” Alistar hadn’t talked to me before now, but was now talking nonstop. You know what they say, ‘be careful what you ask for’. Alistar then grabbed a sandwich and began to eat.

“I actually think we saved each other from that wolf, so thank you as well.” I smiled, took a drink of my milk, and continued to eat

We cleaned our plates in no time. The food wasn’t fancy, but it was nutritious and edible. I felt honored the Alpha brought it down himself. My eyelids were starting to droop, and I figured this was the perfect time for a nap before supper was served. “Alistar, I need to go lay down for a while. As you know, I’m still healing too. If you need me, I’ll just be in the next room.”

Although he didn’t seem happy about it and his yellow hue returned to his eyes, Alistar simply nodded at me. I gingerly walked to the bathroom between our rooms to use the facilities. Once finished, I opened the doors again so I’d hear Al if he needed me, and laid down in my bed. Pulling the covers up to my chin, I was asleep in seconds.