Hidden In Plain Sight: Book 2 (Wolves)

Chapter 13-Halyn

It was much brighter outside when I woke again. I had the feeling that I needed to check on Alistar. I’m not sure why, but it was very similar to the day he was attacked. I must admit that each time I sleep and wake up, my pain is less. Rest really does seem to help the wolf heal my body. I pick up the walkie talkie and ask if anyone is able to give me some assistance. Surprisingly, Luna Paulina answers she will be down shortly. “Good afternoon Halyn, what can I assist you with?” She stood just inside the doorway, like a mother, her hands on her hips with a smile on her face, waiting for my response.

Now that Luna Paulina was in front of me, I wasn’t sure what to say. “Umm have you heard how Alistar is doing? I have this apprehensive feeling like I need to check on him. I also need the restroom please.”

“I was there this morning and he seemed surprised to learn about our kind, but he seemed to be healing and without signs of infection. I took that as good news but I can mind-link Susan. How about we get you to the bathroom and I’ll ask her?” Luna Paulina pulled back the covers and held a hand out for me to pull myself up with. I nodded before grasping her hand. Once my feet were over the edge of the bed, I sat there to take a few breaths, before I slowly pushed myself to a standing position. I attempted to stand as straight as possible and felt several inches taller than this morning. My bladder was scolding me for ignoring it so long after consuming several drinks for breakfast. I was escorted with Luna’s hand on my elbow all the way, but once I was seated on the toilet stool, Luna Paulina stepped out to give me privacy. Not sure why I didn’t think of mind-linking Susan? Once I was linked to Gannon by the blood oath, I could access the whole pack telepathically.

Once I flushed, Luna Paulina rushed back in to help me and give me a quick report. “Halyn, I’m not sure how you sensed it, but Alistar is really struggling and they are trying to calm him down. Evidently when Susan explained there is a possibility his injury was serious enough that he could become a werewolf, he didn’t handle it well.”

I swore under my breath while I considered what to do. “Luna, could you please get a utility vehicle and take me to Alistar’s home? I can’t help but feel I need to be there to help calm him.”

“Oh Halyn, I’m not sure that’s a good idea. You are still healing as well.,” Paulina answered hesitantly with a look of concern on her face.

I scowled before saying defiantly, “with all due respect Luna, you can give me a ride or I will hobble or crawl. I need to go see him. I cannot explain it, but I need to be there!”

Luna Paulina’s eyes went wide before she reluctantly nodded her head. Luna Paulina grabbed a tee shirt, sweat suit, socks, under clothes, and tennis shoes, then helped me dress. Once I was dressed, Luna Paulina helped me out of the bedroom and to the garage to a utility vehicle. Luna Paulina drove slower than I would have liked, but I was in pain and couldn’t bring myself to rush her driving. Once we pulled up outside a home, made with several shipping containers combined, I thanked her and hobbled as quickly as I could into the house. I entered without knocking and followed Alistar’s scent back to his bedroom. I found a middle aged man with a goatee and balding salt and pepper hair sitting in a chair with Susan in the chair next to him. When I entered, they both looked up at me in surprise. “Halyn, what are you doing here? You should be home healing. Here, take my chair,” Susan said as she stood up.

“Why would I take your chair, you’re pregnant. That’s no better.” I laughed after my smart remark and shook my head.

No longer was it out of my mouth than the man stands and gestures for me to sit while saying, “please, take my seat. I can grab another.” I sit in the chair closest to Alistar and even though he appears asleep, I can still feel his agitation. The balding man with the goatee is larger than he appeared in the chair; he briefly exits and returns with another folding chair. Susan sat down next to me in his recently vacated seat.

As he sits down, I look at them both and explain, “I hope I’m not intruding. For some reason I just felt the need to be here. I felt Alistar’s distress and knew I needed to come. I’m honestly surprised to see him asleep. Peace is certainly not the feeling I’m sensing, regardless of his outward appearance.

Susan nods, “he was really struggling a while ago, so that must have been what you sensed. Hopefully he will wake calmer, but if not, we’ll be glad you are here.”

I took a deep breath and relaxed back on the chair as

much as one can relax on a metal folding chair. Susan said, “please excuse my rudeness… Fred, this is Halyn. Halyn, this is Fred. Fred is Al’s father. Alistar lives here with his father, mother, and two younger siblings. Dad is the only one aware of our…. situation.”

“Good to know. Fred, it’s a pleasure to meet you,” I offered.

Fred asked, “how do you know my boy, Halyn?”

I explained, “formally I don’t really. I met him in my wolf form the day before the attack, and he intrigued me. The day of the attack, I had a feeling I needed to return to that spot, and I arrived while he was being attacked. Together, Alistar and I defeated the Delta wolf.” Fred nodded in response, so I continued. “I must admit I don’t think either of us would be here if we didn’t work together to defeat him.”

Susan spoke up again, “Fred, Halyn is my cousin and she came here, from Alaska. Halyn is to attend college this fall. The same school Alistar is planning to attend.”

I couldn’t help but think about Alistar and I attending the same college this fall. Just then, he began to thrash his head side to side, moan quietly, and quickly became more restless. Fred attempted to talk to his son and patted his arm, but it had no effect on him. Susan stood and said she was going to call Doctor Hansen for some possible sedatives.

I wasn’t sure why Alistar was struggling like he was, but I wanted to help. I felt protective of him, but did not want to upset his family by trying to take over. Suddenly Alistar gasped, partially sat up, although awkwardly with his injured leg elevated, and his mouth and eyes were wide open. Carefully I moved my chair closer to the bed, put my hand on his bare arm and said, “Alistar, it’s okay. I’m right here with you.”

His chest heaving with his labored breaths, he looked me in the eye and grabbed my hand in his. His grip would have been a crushing grip to a human. I could see a yellow tint to his normally sky blue eyes. I squeezed his hand in return to get his attention and he nodded at me. “It’s okay Alistar. Your wolf is just trying to make himself known, but he recognizes me. Can you feel him inside of you now?”

Alistar didn’t seem to be able to talk, but his breathing was calming, his grasp on my hand lessened slightly, and he nodded again in response to my question. I gave him a small smile and nodded in return. “See, it’ll be okay. Your wolf is waking up, but you will always be in control. Does your wolf recognize me?”

Subconsciously, Alistar sniffed in my direction, licked his lips, and nodded again. Fred likely did not realize how close to the edge Alistar was, but I did. Seeing his eyes change when it’s only been two days since he was bit, was highly unusual, and I wasn’t sure why his change seemed to be accelerated. Whatever the reason, I felt the need to help him through it.

Susan returned and sat down quietly in the chair by my side. Alistar’s eyes shifted to Susan briefly, then returned to me. I couldn’t explain this bond we had developed very quickly, but I couldn’t deny it. Finally, Alistar relaxed back on his pillows and his eyes returned to only a slightly darker blue than the first time I met him.

“Okay, Luna Paulina is going to go meet Dr. Hansen and bring back the package I requested just in case we need it. Umm Fred, something we need to discuss is that this may not be the best setting for Al to recuperate in right now. Unfortunately, he seems to be going through an accelerated change. Dr. Hansen isn’t sure why and said although it’s rare, he has heard of it happening before. The worst part is that it can make the new wolf highly unpredictable and a danger to humans around them.”

Fred took a breath and sighed as he leaned forward and rubbed his face with his hands. He looked back at Susan and I with a helpless expression before asking, “so what do you suggest? As you know, I need to keep the family safe too.” A pained expression filled Fred’s face as he spoke. No doubt, he felt torn between helping his son and the safety of the rest of his family.

“Well, Doc suggested somewhere with other wolves that could keep him safe. If you are agreeable, I’ll see what Gannon says. Ideally somewhere where it’s relatively low key, free of vulnerable people or children, and with another wolf or wolves to help calm his wolf.”

“I can help him. His wolf seems to recognize mine. Is there somewhere we can go? Somewhere safe?” I asked.

Susan turned to me with a look of shock on her face but quickly schooled her expression. “I’ll go talk to Gannon and get right back to you.” With that, Susan left the room to talk to Gannon via mind-link. I wasn’t sure why she left to talk to him other than she was vulnerable when she was mind-linked with another wolf. I then remembered that Susan is expecting another pup and that’s likely why she chose to step out.