Warrior Princess

Chapter 8

I got to go home the following day like Doc had said. I was given crutches but my brothers weren't having it. Owen carried me home.

I had a few more visitors at the hospital and after Owen left for the night I had told Liam I was cold again so he would lay with me. I know it wasn't good for my heart that was falling for him fast but I figured it couldn't hurt to be close to him while I could be.

Owen had come back in the morning and told Liam to go home and shower, then come back. While Liam was gone, Owen laid with my and it was comforting, but not the same.

Now Owen was carrying me home with Liam beside us and my family and Olivia waiting at home.

"This is ridiculous" I huff as Owen slowly walks to the Alpha house.

"Don't care" Owen replied as he tightened his grip around me.

I sigh and look toward the house. Only a little farther to go.

Finally we walk through the doors Liam is holding open and see my family hard at work to get everything comfortable for me. Mom was making popcorn in the kitchen, dad was fluffing the couch and Kody and Olivia were arguing about better ways to position my leg for more comfort. Everyone settled down as we walked in and Owen sat me on the couch. Immediately Lulu got a pillow and propped up my leg while Kody started checking my vitals.

"Kodiak, I am fine!" I tell him and try to swat him away.

"No your heart rate is elevated and so is your blood pressure" he says matter of fact.

"I wonder why" I grumble under my breath. Kody just laughs.

Mom walks in with a big bowl of popcorn and I can smell the ranch powder that I love on my popcorn. "Thanks momma" I say sincerely as she places the bowl gently on my lap. She just kisses my head and turns to the boys.

"Alright, she's home, she's safe, she's grumpy. All of you get out. Olivia and I are here if she needs anything and all four of you have work to do" she states and starts pushing Kody, Liam, Owen and dad out the door.

"Okay, okay! let us say bye" Owen says slipping past her and coming to my side. "If you need anything..."

"Yes, Yes! I will mind link you right away" I tell him putting on a smile. He kisses my forehead and he, Kody and dad walk out.

Liam comes over to me and bends down to give me a hug. "Seriously, link him for anything. One of us will be here" he says and begins to turn away.

"Hey. Liam?" He slowly turns to face me. "Thank you for staying with me. Really. Thank you."

He smiles slightly. "Of course Lea. Anytime" and with that he follows my brothers and my dad.

As soon as they are gone, Olivia finally breaks. "Stayed with you! Lea! He stayed with you?" she cried out.

"Two nights" my mother said with a mischievous look in her eye.

"Momma!" I shoot her a look begging her to stop. But in motherly fashion, she doesn't.

"He insisted. Said that he felt responsible and couldn't leave her side until he knew she was safe" my mom said smiling. I hear Olivia's gasps next to me and I know my face is on fire.

"And he laid next to you! Both nights?" Olivia asked. I felt my face get even more hot if that was possible.

"It was nothing. I was cold from trying to heal. He felt bad and was trying to help me warm up" I try to explain.

"The hospital rooms are heated you know" my mothers coy grin again.

"Okay I get it, can we move on now please" I ask Turning to my popcorn.

My mother giggles, yes giggles and turns to go. "I will be in my office if I am needed" she says and walks out.

Olivia is still staring at me. "How was it?"

"Lu I was sleeping. That's it" I plead with her.

"This is big. I think he likes you" Olivia says enthusiasticly.

"Don't be ridiculous Olivia. he's my brothers best friend. That's it" I tell her Turning on the TV. After a few minutes of silence I tell Olivia what she's dying to hear. "He is so warm, and strong, and comfortable. Honestly, it was the best sleep ever. But that could have been the drugs too."

Olivia squeals in excitement but doesn't push anymore and let's me fall to sleep.

When I wake up Olivia is with me still watching reruns of Outlander. She smiles at me but gives me a few moments to wake up. we sit like that for the rest of the day. When I needed to use the bathroom mom or Olivia would help me and the conversation was light and cheerful.

Later that night after I took a decent nap and my mom helped me shower, the boys came back home for dinner. Mom had made steak, mashed potatoes, corn and cherry cheesecake for dessert. I got up to go to the table to eat and heard Owen growl, "sit Lea. We will come in there to eat".

"Owen, honestly, we can eat at the table. I'm fine".

Without another word everyone came into the living room with their plates and sat around me in chairs and on the floor. Everyone thanked mom for our meal and began to dig in.

Deciding to break the silence I ask "did anyone find anything out today about the white wolf?"

The look on everyone's faces fell and became looks of frustration. "No, no one found anything" Kody said looking at me. "Dad asked some of the elders, Owen and Liam went through a ton of old archives, and Jake and I scoured the internet for any information. We didn't find anything".

"We aren't giving up though" Jake threw in quickly. "We sent word out to grandpa Alpha and should hear from him and the elders soon". I think he was trying to keep hopes because of all the frustrated faces.

"Oh" was all I could manage to say in response.

"We aren't giving up princess" my dad assured me. "It's just taking more time" he said gently patting my good leg.

"I can't thank you all enough for putting in so much work for me" I tell them. Tears come to my eyes as I look around the room.

"It is our job little sis" Kody says. "We keep each other safe. We protect each other. It's what we do."

I didn't say anything else. I felt like I was putting more work on my brother's, but I didn't want to push it. I ate my food in silence while the boys discussed the Columbia pack in Oregon.

After everyone had finished eating, mom and dad went to mom's office to get some work done. Jake and Kody did dishes, while Owen and Liam turned on a movie. Owen sat in a recliner while Liam sat on a pillow on the floor next to the couch.

We sat in comfortable silence until Kody came in. He checked my vitals again and then sat in a recliner next to Owen. Jake came in and laid on the floor. I knew they had work to do, but it felt so good having all my boys here together that I couldn't say anything. Content and happy, having everyone together, I laid my head back and fell asleep smelling Liam's musky, woodsy scent.

I woke that morning to everyone still in the same spot as last night. Liam was leaned back against the couch, his head resting on the edge of the couch, barely touching my stomach. All the boys had blankets, I'm assuming mom had made sure to take care of everyone.

I heard mom starting breakfast in the kitchen and I slowly and quietly picked myself up off the couch and limped into the kitchen. Mom looked up when she heard me walk in.

"Good morning sweet pea" she said with a smile. "How are you feeling?"

"Honestly momma it hurt but I won't say that in front of the boys" I have her a small smile. "Walking was a bit harder than I thought, but if I go slow I can manage".

She got a glass of orange juice and set it down at the island for me as I sat in a bar stool. "Take you medicine sweets, that will help" she said, handing me the pain medication and antibiotics that Doc had put me on.

"Thanks" I said to her and took the meds and downed the orange juice. "Having your leg almost ripped off makes you thirsty!"

She laughed softly and handed me the jug of orange juice. When the coffee pot alarm went off, she also poured me a steaming mug of coffee and handed me some French vanilla creamer. "Thanks momma, I don't know how I'd get through all this without you".

Just them Liam came in followed by all my brothers. As they all stretched and got their coffee I watched my mom. Although she continued making breakfast I saw a tear in her eye as she looked around at all of us in her kitchen. She was an amazing Luna, on top of everything and always by my dad's side, but I knew that being our mom was her most important job. I couldn't image how she was feeling with all of us home and my situation. Not knowing why rogues wanted me must be eating at her too, but she didn't show it. She was poised and confident as always.

I felt Owen sit next to me and looked around to see everyone sitting at the table except me and Owen. "Did you walk in here on your own"? he asked me.

"Yes I did" I said matter of factly and put my chin slightly in the air, expecting a fight.

"How was it?" Kody asked me from the table.

"Honestly I'm sore, and stiff, but it felt good to move around" I said.

"As long as she takes it slow she should be okay to walk" my dad said coming in looking ready to go to a meeting. As if reading my mind he says "I am meeting with some elders for coffee this morning. A few neighboring elders will be in attendance. I think this is perfect to ask around for information."

Jake growled "I don't think that is a good idea. The less people know about rogues wanting Leah the safer she will be."

"I agree with Jake" Owen said.

"I think it's a good idea dad. I need answers" I say looking up at him. "I need to know why so I can protect myself."

"We will protect you Leah, you don't have to do anything" Owen said glaring at me.

"Owen I am a warrior." I said back and he just growled.

"There is no use fighting about children, dad and I have already decided it is happening" mom said to us while handing out plates of French toast.

I smiles triumphantly while Owen glared and stabbed his French toast. "I am the Alpha of this pack" Owen growled, but no one said another word.