Alpha Unleashed (32 page)

He chuckled, and then shifted. I knelt down beside him, and ran my hands through his fur.

That was how Agent Morgan found us. “You look okay, but it's torn to shit in here.”

“We're okay,” I said, even though I could barely believe it. “I think I might need some stitches and a gallon of holy water for my leg, but we're okay.”

“That was some fight. Those things—they just disappeared.” Strands of her hair had torn free of her ponytail, and her dress shirt was half untucked. “You all did a great job. I don't know how you pulled it off, but when we're cleaned up a bit, you'll have to share the secret to fighting those things.”

Horror filled me. I wasn't going to be working with the police, let alone the FBI. With Luciana gone, there wouldn't be any more demons showing up. I was hoping this would be my last battle for a while. “Have you talked to Donovan Murry? He's super good at this stuff, and he's a very powerful alpha. I can introduce you.”

She grinned. “Don't sell yourself short. I heard what you did this afternoon. The wolves were going to fight the police. You stopped it. Kept a clear head and saw the bigger picture.” She reached an arm around me, helping me limp my way to the exit while wolf-Dastien kept pace beside us. “I have a feeling this is going to be the start of a very healthy relationship.”

She was out of her mind. Once she realized there were other Weres—who were much better at all this stuff—then I'd be off the hook. Hopefully.

As we made our way toward the exit, I spotted Cosette and Van leaning together and talking. Cosette was waving her hands, arguing with him again.

I hoped this didn't mean she was leaving. I was just starting to get used to having her around.

Raphael and Claudia were talking as they reclined against the back wall of the church. She absently ran a hand through Lucas' fur. Chris, Meredith, and Donovan were lying on the floor together in wolf form, catching their breath.

I sighed. “Well, I guess we better go face the music outside. Any of you wolves want to shift so I don't have to talk to the cops alone again?”

None of those jerks changed.

“Fine. I guess it's on me, then.”
But you better stick by my side, even if you stay wolf.

Dastien laughed at me through the bond.
You're the one who told me to shift back.

Well, it's better than being naked in front of everyone, right?

As we stepped outside, the light of the helicopter shone down on me, and I raised my arm to block it.

For a moment, just the sound of the chopper filled the night, but then the cops started cheering. Whistling. And I took a breath.

This. This was good.

I let the last bit of guilt for what I'd done in that church slip free. I was sure I hadn't seen the last of it, but for now—I let go.

We'd survived and I was beyond ready to go home.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

About ten minutes after I exited the church, the Cazadores showed up, with Mr. Dawson and some of the alphas in tow. They took over the scene, helping with cleanup and making sure all the injured officers were properly taken care of. Some of the cops didn't like the idea of pouring holy water on their injuries, but after what they'd seen—it didn't take too much work to convince them.

In all the chaos, Cosette disappeared with Van, but I was sure she'd be back before long. I owed her big time, and from the looks of things, she might need my help.

We all split up to take care of ourselves. Dastien checked both of us into a new hotel so he could look after my leg, while the others went to see Shane and Adrian at the hospital. Adrian was doing fine, but Shane…

I'd wanted to go help, but I was fully burnt out. Closing the portal had used up every ounce of energy, and after getting my leg treated, there was no way I could do anything but pass out.

So I did. For a glorious twelve hours.

When I woke up, Dastien ordered room service. I hadn't looked at our room too closely last night, but Special Agent Morgan had recommended a hotel right off the historic plaza, and in the light of day, it was luxurious. Light-years apart from that disgusting motel. The bright white, fluffy duvet and soft mattress made it feel like I was sleeping on a cloud. I never wanted to get out of bed, but when the food came, Dastien handed me a fluffy robe—which was like being wrapped in heaven.

I tore through the best eggs Benedict with avocado and roasted tomatoes, a mountain of pancakes with a side of bacon, and Nutella-stuffed French toast. My stomach was full in the most amazing way. I stumbled over to the bed, face-planting into the soft, pillowy covers.

“I could do that again.”

The bed dipped as Dastien sat beside me. “Do what again?”

“Another round of breakfast.” I lifted my head up. “What do you say? Again from the top?”

Dastien laughed. “How about you let me check your leg and then we'll talk?”

After the initial washing with holy water—which hurt like a bitch—he'd wrapped my leg in bandaging. Now it was in full-on itching mode, which told me it was probably healing just fine on its own.

“Do I have to?”

“Yes. The itching is driving you crazy.”

“I haven't said a word about it.” I'd been super proud of that lack of bitching about it, when all I wanted to do was grab my fork and go to town on my leg.

“It's almost all you're thinking about right now. I want to make sure it's not infected.”

I guess it could've been worse—I could've gotten possessed from it. But still, I didn't understand how I could get an infection. “I thought that couldn't happen to Weres. We don't get sick.”

“It's not likely, but with a supernatural hurt…” He slapped my butt. “Come on.”

I grumbled as I rolled over, and slid up the bed. Dastien was in a robe, too, but it fit his larger frame much better than mine did. As it opened, revealing just a bit of his chest, I tilted my head to stare.

“I'm being objectified again.” He gave me a little wink before carefully unraveling the bandages.

“You like it.”

“From you, sure.” He hissed as he looked at my leg. “We might need more holy water. It's healing slower than your side. And the edges are all red. It doesn't smell right.”

“Does it smell like sulfur?”

“No,” he drew out the word. “But it smells off.”

Pouring more holy water on it sounded like a whole bunch of no fun. “Have you heard from Claudia?”

He squeezed my foot. “You'd know if I had. I think if something was going wrong, we would've heard by now.”

I hoped so.

“Quit worrying. You've done enough of that the past few weeks to last us at least the next decade.”

“Clearly you don't know me very well. I can always come up with something to worry about.”

Dastien chuckled. “I know you better than you know yourself, which is why I'm not going to let you invent new worries.” He stood up. “Your leg—”

Three soft knocks sounded on the door.

“Please tell me you read my mind and went ahead and ordered another round of room service.”

Chris' rasping laugh came from behind the closed door. “Come on. Let us in.”

Dastien strode to the door. “Any of you have more holy water?”

Claudia pushed past everyone. “Why? Is something wrong with her wounds?” She was freshly showered. Her wet hair was pulled back in a loose braid. “What's going on?”

I tightened my robe as Lucas, Chris, and Adrian came in the room. “It itches. Like a lot,” I said to Claudia. “But I think it's going to be fine.”

She leaned in to it, touching it gently. “It's red around the edges.”

“How's Shane?” I said, hoping to change the subject.

“Recovering. He needed a little spell intervention, but now he's healing just fine. Raphael's with him. We'll stay here a few days while he recovers.”

I nodded. “Makes sense.”

“I think I'm going to stay, too,” Adrian said from the doorway.

I smiled at him. “Sure.” I hoped Shane appreciated how awesome Adrian was. “So, when are the rest of us heading home? Where are Meredith and Donovan?”

“They're arranging the travel,” Chris said. “We should be ready in the next couple hours.”

I let out a relieved breath. “Good.”

“Did you happen to see the paper?” Adrian asked.

I glanced at Dastien.
Did we get one?

No. They asked, but I didn't think we needed one.
“Why?”

“This was in front of my hotel room door this morning.” He pulled a folded newspaper from his back pocket and threw it on the bed. I grabbed it, opening the page as Dastien sat beside me.

An image of Dastien and me plastered the cover. We were exiting the church with Agent Morgan, him at my side in wolf form. We looked like we'd been through hell. Blood ran down my leg, but I was smiling.

Seeing myself on the front page of an actual printed newspaper was totally surreal. I swallowed. “Uh. Is this for real? We're really on the front page?”

“Of every newspaper in the country—hell, probably in every country, too. It's all over the news.”

This is crazy
.

Well, at least it seems like they trust us now,
Dastien said.

That was something.

“Okay.” I rubbed my hands together. “Well, we better get dressed if we're leaving soon.”

“Oh, no you don't.” Claudia wagged a finger at me. “That leg looks infected. You don't need more holy water—I don't feel any evil in it—but you definitely need antibiotics.”

I plopped back on the pillows. “I'm a werewolf. I don't get infections anymore.”

“Apparently you do if it's a cut from a psychotic, demon-possessed witch,” Chris said. “We can call Dr. Gonzales. I'm sure one shot and you'll be fine.”

“Shot? You have to be kidding me.” I groaned.

“You can take on Luciana and a church full of demons, but one shot has you shaking in your robe?” Claudia said.

Dastien started laughing.

You're not helping
. “I just don't like them. Okay? And for the record, I was scared last night. More than scared. I was terrified.”

“I think we all were,” Lucas said. “I've seen a lot of battles in my life, but that was truly terrifying. You did well.”

“Thanks,” I said. “That means a lot coming from you.”

He nodded. “I'm only stating the truth.”

I stared at the ceiling for a second, before giving in. “Fine. Call Dr. Needle-Happy, and let's get this done with. As nice as this bed is, I'd like to be home tonight.”

“Agreed,” Dastien said. “The sooner we're back home, the sooner we can put all of this behind us.”

A quick call to Dr. Gonzales, and we were off to see the doctor that had helped Adrian. The shot wasn't that bad, plus I got to check in on Shane, who was recovering well. Better than I'd hoped.

Two hours later, we were heading to the airport with Meredith, Donovan, and Chris. The others would come in a few days. Although, I wondered how long Claudia would really stay or if they'd head to Peru. Selfishly I wanted her to stay, but I knew she'd have to do what she felt was right. And Lucas had a pack to look after.

Everyone was exhausted on the quick flight home. Donovan offered to drive when we landed, and I was more than happy to let him.

As we got closer to St. Ailbe's, cars lined the two-lane farm road. I leaned around the passenger seat, trying to get a better view of the crown ahead.

“If they're telling us to burn in hell again, I'm going to lose it,” I said.

“
Non. Cherie.
Listen.”

I lowered the window a little. “Is it just me, or do they seem happy?”

“They're definitely happy to see us,” Meredith said.

Instead of blocking our way, the people actually moved, allowing us through the gates. A lady patted the window as we rolled by. “I love you,” she said. “Turn me into one of you.”

“Girl doesn't know what she's asking,” I said.

Dastien poked my side, making me laugh. “Hey. It didn't turn out so bad.”

Two girls, a few years younger than me, waved a sign that read, “We <3 Werewolves!” in glitter puff paint. They shook it in front of the car, screaming their heads off like we were the hottest boy band.

“I guess when you stop a murdering witch, people like you. Who knew?” I laughed. “But these people are crazy.”

It took us nearly twenty minutes to make it through the gates. I would've abandoned the car, but even if the mob was for us this time, I was a little afraid of them.

As we exited the car, I saw my parents and Axel.
You called them?

He nodded.
I knew you'd sleep better if you saw them.

Even with our bond, he always managed to surprise me with his thoughtfulness. It was one of the many reasons I loved him.
Thanks.

Of course.

“Mom! Dad!”

Mom let out a little squeal, and closed the distance between us. “I'm so proud of you. I don't know how you did it, but you're amazing.”

Axel pulled me from Mom. “Kind of badass.”

I shoved him.

“You did good, kiddo.” Dad brushed a kiss on my forehead. “Let's go get some food. I hear the cafeteria is pretty good.”

“Yeah. It's pretty decent.” I turned to my friends. “You guys coming?”

Meredith scoffed. “Me and food? Yes.”

Dastien came up behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist. I leaned back into him.

So, when are we leaving?
He asked.

We're going somewhere?
For a second, I got worried. I didn't want to have to deal with another catastrophe. Not yet.

I thought you wanted to go on a honeymoon.

I spun in his arms.
Hell yes. When can we leave?