Chapter Seventy-One – The silver bullet

“Why isn’t he waking up?” Talia asked. She’d finally allowed them to take him to the clinic, but she refused to leave his side. Couldn’t. She had to know what she hadn’t somehow fucked up the healing.

“Silver does nasty thing to a wolf’s body, hurts the wolf more than the human part. Damir is weakened because of it.” One of the doctors explained.

“I didn’t see a bullet. It might be lodged in there somewhere.” Xavier said, standing by the window. He and Nadine had accompanied Talia to the clinic, monitoring both of them. Healing wasn’t an easy task, and he’d been surprised to see her pull it off. It wasn’t something most of them could do. Bending water was one thing, blood and liquids inside the human body something else. It was a skill that required a lot of practice and patience. She'd done it without even realizing what she was doing.

“Then we get the bullet out, and he should wake soon after.” The female doctor continued. She was the friendly and helpful one. Her sidekick, and the only doctor there with surgical experience, was grumpier and judging.

“Easier said than done.” The male doctor grumbled, looking annoyed at Talia, like he was blaming her for his Alpha’s condition. It didn’t sit well with her.

“I saved him” Talia hissed. “I. Me. I did that. His alive because I healed him. Me. Not you. So, watch your tone”

“He won’t heal properly with silver in his body. He might even take a turn for the worse” The doctor continued to speak, still glaring dagger at her. If he hadn’t been one of the few people who could help Adam, she would have sent him flying. She doubted Adam would appreciate another hole in the walls though.

“Just do what has to be done and get it over with. He’s not going to get any better with you just standing there.” Nadine butted in, slightly annoyed herself. Wolves, such hardheaded and territorial creatures. The older they were, the harder to deal with.

“What seems to be the problem here?” Lilith walked in just in time to cut off the old doctor, earing herself a look from his as well. He didn’t like her, that much she knew. Prejudiced as he was.

“We don’t need your help.” He glared at her, but the female doctor stepped in front of him, welcoming Lilith in with a warm smile.

“We need to get him to surgery. And the only one we have is old and grumpy, and stalling, do you have anyone we can call in?” She asked. Lilith had contacts, and she knew how to make use of them. And the younger doctor’s and nurse’s at the clinic saw the value.

“I do. He can be here in five, if Nadine can give him a lift?” Lilith turned to Nadine, who nodded. Anything to get on the old doctors nerves.

“Good. We’ll get him ready then. You’re excused doctor Martinsen.” The female turned to her older colleague with a look that said get out or I’ll make you.

“I think Marjatta could use some more help. Silver dagger, most likely wolfsbane as well, poor thing is in a lot of pain.” Lilith didn’t like to just take over, and she’d seen the black she wolf, she didn’t look well.

“Fine. But if anything happens to our Alpha because of either of you” He pointed fingers at both Lilith and Talia, leaving the words hanging as he exited.

“Okay – so let’s get to work. The longer the silver bullet is in there, the weaker Damir will get, and the weaker Adam gets.” The female doctor clasped her hands and set thing’s in motion.

Lilith went to call her friend, and soon after disappeared through a portal with Nadine. Nurses came in to get Adam ready to move, and Devan stepped inside just as Lilith, Nadine and a younger, male doctor came through the portal.

“What’s going on?”

“Surgery. He’ll be fine afterwards.” Lilith answered him with a smile.

“I have to ask everyone who isn’t next of kin to step out. The room is getting crowded. Devan, as Beta, you’re in charge while Adam is under. You two” The female doctor pointed to Xavier and Nadine. “Can you be of help with some healing? We can do much, but the case with Marjatta, she might need some extra care”

Xavier and Nadine nodded, leaving the room to go be of use somewhere. Nadine also wanted to check on Ariel, who had gone into hiding somewhere with Katlyn.

“Talia” She turned to Talia, a different expression on her face. Like she already knew what she was going to ask wasn’t going to be well received.

“I’m waiting here. I won’t leave. I can’t. I have to make sure he’s okay.” She argued, much to everyone’s understanding.

“Talia, can you come with me? There is someone who’s scared and need you more than he does right now.” Devan looked her in the eyes, urging her, pleading with her. She nodded slowly and let Devan guide her out of the room as the crew of doctors and nurses got Adam ready for surgery.
–
“Talia!” Alehtta came running into her arms the moment she saw her. It was well past midnight, and the little girl had been too scared to sleep. Monica had tried to calm the little girl down, promised to stay beside her, but she had to call in backup.

“Lehta” Talia opened her arms and let the girl throw herself into them, crying against her shoulder. She had been so brave earlier, been such an inspiration. Seeing her now, so scared and upset, it made something twist inside of Talia. Devan was right, she was of much more use here.

“I got you. I’m safe. Adam is safe. We’re all safe” Talia soothed, wrapping her girl tighter against her, letting her cry her tears while she stroke the little girls hair. It was a soothing gesture, both for her and Alehtta.

“I was so so scared” Alehtta cried.

“I know darling. I know. Me to.” Talia admitted. Hearing the gunshot, watching Damir, and then Adam, fall to the ground. She couldn’t even remember how she had gone from the second floor to the ground, but she imagined there was a broken window somewhere.

“Are you sure it’s over?” Alehtta sniffled, looking up at Talia with big, puffy eyes.

“This fight is over. And we’re safe. You’re safe here with us.” Talia wanted to say that even though the fight was over there would always be people who wanted to do bad thing. Wanted to hurt others. To hurt them just because they were different. But Alehtta was only six years old, she was too young for that kind of message.

“If I can promise you one thing, it is that I, we, this pack, will always do everything in our power to keep you safe. Just like your mom and dad did. Always. No matter what.” It was a promise she could keep.

“Are they coming back?”

The question stung. It had been days, and no words. Nothing. If Katlyn was there, maybe she’d been able to tell, but she was busy elsewhere. Had retreated somewhere safe with Ariel. As the word about Ariel's father’s death, and finding his body, spread across the pack no one seemed to mind that the huntress was there. They didn’t like it, but they didn’t push for her to be escorted away.

“I don’t know darling, but I don’t think so. No one has found them yet.” Talia expected the girl to start crying again, pulling her tighter, but she didn’t. Alehtta just slowly nodded her head, like she had expected the news.

“That’s what they said. They thought I was asleep, but I wasn’t. I heard them talking, about having to flee. If the people found them, they would die. So, we ran, in the middle of the night. Just a backpack with clothes, and my teddy. But they were so scared, running and running and running. They swapped between carrying me on their backs, as it was easier to run as wolves. But – I think the people we were running from caught up with us. That’s why they gave me and my backpack to Marjatta, to keep me safe. And then they ran in the other direction. The last thing my mom said to me was to be brave. I’m trying to. But I miss her every day.”

Talia didn’t know what to say at first, she just hugged the girl close and kissed the top of her head.

“I don’t know why they were scared. But I think it was because of bad people, like the ones who attacked us tonight.” Alehtta continued.

“I think they were scared of the bad people taking you from them” Talia whispered. She’d never be a mother, never feel that fear for her own child. But she’d felt it, the worry, the stone-cold fear of losing the people she loved most. Of not being able to protect the people she cared for. She imagined it was how Alehtta’s parents had felt.

“But they didn’t get me. I’m here. And I’m trying to be brave.” Alehtta scooted out of Talia’s embrace, showing her a small smile.

“You are, and you’re the bravest little girl I know” Talia smiled back and kissed her cheeks, making the little girl squirm in her arms.

“Now, how do you feel about going to bed? I know I need to sleep. Maybe for a whole week.” Talia rose to her feet, and put the girl down on the floor, taking her hand in hers.

“Are you staying with me?” Alehtta asked, her voice tiny again, like she feared what would happen when she was sleeping.

“I am. In fact, I know the safest place to sleep in the entire house. But you have to keep it a secret” The word secret caught the little girl’s attention and sent her mood upwards. She nodded eagerly and followed after Talia as she made her way to the second floor, walking past her own room and down another hallway to the Alpha wing.

“This is Adam’s room. And I don’t think he would mind us using it” Talia whispered, cracking the door open.

“Isn’t he going to use it himself?” Alehtta asked a little worried, but she couldn’t help but peek inside.

“Not tonight. He needs to be checked by a doctor to make sure he’s a hundred percent healthy. And then he will be back.”

Alehtta accepted the answer and let Talia guide her into the dark room. The curtains were all drawn, keeping the sun out. Talia didn’t bother with turning the lights on, letting her own senses guide her to the bed and the nightlamp, who didn’t work.

“He should change the lightbulb” Alehtta said from the doorway, making Talia chuckle.

“He should”

Instead of the lamp she opened one of the curtains, allowing enough light in so Alehtta could make a run for it and jump on the bed. Talia laughed as the girl bounced several times before settling under the covers, her head on the pillow.

“Good night, Talia” Alehtta yawned, and she was out like a light. Talia stayed by the window a little longer, looking down on the ground where the hunters were now being escorted into waiting vans, being transported to a place where they couldn’t hurt anyone, for a little while at least. Talia doubted they would face many repercussions, but she was glad they were being delt with by someone else.

Tearing her eyes away from the outside they lingered on Alehtta, sound asleep on the bed. She was peaceful now, but Talia imagined there would be nightmares hunting her dreams for a while. Just like the ones she had to deal with. One day she would ask Nadine for some of the dream banishing elixir, but not tonight.

Letting go of the curtain she walked back to the door, closed it, welcoming the darkness back before she went to lay down on the bed, taking in the scent of Adam that still lingered on the pillow. Having his scent around was calming, made her nerves settle and it didn’t take long before a dreamless sleep claimed her.