Beauty in the Beast
Chapter 9

Nick had no answers for me. Only more questions. I couldn’t be mad at him for interrogating me, he was the alpha after all. Someone attacked his territory; his pack, he wanted answers. Didn’t we all? I acted weaker than I was and he instantly stopped the line of questioning, telling me to rest as he left my room. I did as my alpha told me too and let the sleep take over my body.

Nightmares of the night my mother was taken from me plagued my sleep in a new way. Now my mother wasn’t the only innocent I couldn’t save: Derek was too. I turned my head to my hospital room’s door. Thankfully, my hearing was recovering well and I could eavesdrop on the wolves hushing outside my room.

“The explosives were the same ones used in the law office attack from ten years ago. Nick had me cross check the records.” For a Beta, Daniel wasn’t being too stealthy as he conversed with an Omega. “This wasn’t a random attack by rogues, this was planned and deliberate.”

“Who was the target?” I recognized Alex’s voice.

“It’s hard to say, but there is a common denominator between the two.”

“Emma.”

“Nick’s ordered a protective detail until we figure this out.”

“And if we don’t? I hate to say it, Daniel, but the last attack’s trail went cold.”

“Lets not get carried away.” I heard the sound of a hand coming into contact with fabric. Maybe a touching hand to the shoulder?

“You know she’s not going to like this.” Alex was talking about me.

“Alpha’s orders.” I heard footsteps getting farther away as Daniel’s scent became less and less clear.

“You can’t be dumb enough to think I didn’t hear all of that?” I called from my room. Alex chuckled as he stepped into my room.

“How are you feeling?” He was polite.

“I’d be a hell of a lot better if I wasn’t here.” I smiled back at him. “Did you guys get any updates on Derek?”

“He’s resting. His surgery went well from what I hear. “

“Is he getting a protective order too, or am I the only lucky one?”

“That’s classified information, Miss Clark.” Alex took the seat Nick was occupying.

“What do you know, Alex?” I narrowed my eyes at him.

“Not as much as you think.” He rubbed his eyes. “We’re on a need-to-know basis and if you’re not the Alpha or the Beta, apparently there isn’t much we need to know.”

“Nick’s being tight lipped. That means he’s either worried or clueless.”

“Or both.” Alex stood up and went to my bedside. “Really Emma, how are you feeling? You just got blown up and you’re more worried about everything else that isn’t you.”

“I want to know who’s attacking my pack, Alex.” I looked up at the monitors keeping track of my stats. “I want to know who has a ten year vendetta against my pack.” I turned back to him. “If the same type of explosives were used then it was the same people.”

“We don’t know that, Emma. The explosives used in both attacks could just be the most common type of explosives rogues can get their hands on.”

“You’re and Omega for a reason, I know you’re not that stupid to believe that.”

“You know, that’s twice now you’ve insulted my intelligence.” We smiled at each other.

“Help me up.”

“Now you’re the stupid one.”

“Alex—“

“Emma, you were just involved in an explosion less than 24 hours ago, you’re not getting out of this bed.” He placed a warning hand on my shoulder.

“I have to pee.”

“Oh.” He blushed and looked around, anywhere that wasn’t in my direction. “I’ll grab a nurse.” The second he was out the door I rolled over to the nightstand and practically ripped the drawer off it’s hinges. A bag of my belongings rested beside a bible. Just what I needed. I tore the bag open and pulled out my cell phone. Fourteen missed calls across the screen, all from my dad. Did anyone tell him?

“You need to use the restroom?” A blonde nurse stood beside Alex in the doorway.

“Does my dad know where I am?” I ignored her question and Alex’s face turned a deep red. “Why wouldn’t someone call my dad?” I felt something I hadn’t felt in a long time: tears welling up in my eyes.

“Emma, I’m sorry.” Alex slid past the nurse and tried to take my hand but I pulled it away.

“Why, Alex? Why wouldn’t someone call my dad? I’m in the hospital for fuck’s sake!” The nurse turned and left, knowing she wasn’t welcome.

“Emma, please, calm down.”

“Calm down?” I felt a tear slip down my cheek. “What if I died? What if I died just like my mom? My dad would be alone and no one thought to even take a second to call him!?” Alex’s head fell to the floor as I came to a sudden realization. “He told you not to.” I whispered.

“He told us to spread the word that it was an electrical accident. No one was around and no one got hurt.”

“Why would he want to cover it up?”

“He didn’t want the pack to panic. To think that whoever started that fire ten years ago was back to finish it.”

“I want to see Nick right now.”