Sold To The Billionaire Alpha
Chapter 57

Orchid

I barely felt the pain of my bones breaking and reshaping themselves. All I felt was rage. Jaack kept firing in my direction even though he had used his last silver bullet on my father. Without ammunition, the gun just clicked every time my ex pulled the trigger. I heard gasps all around me from the other wolves but I ignored them, assuming they were just shocked I had finally completely shifted. I leapt through the air and pounced right on Jaack In the distance, I could hear the cries of the hunters as they charged in response to me attacking Jaack. The other werewolves rushed forwards, shifting in midair as they charged towards the hunters, meeting them halfway.

There was so much fighting around me but my only focus was Jaack. I looked him right in the eyes. He had the gall to laugh.

“So you finally shifted huh?” He forced out despite the pressure my front paws were putting on his chest.

I snarled in his face. There was no punishment severe enough for him. I pressed until I heard ribs snapping.

“Dead or alive,” he wheezed. “You owe everything to me! I’m the reason why you didn’t shift and the reason why you finally did!”

He was always gloating. I realised I never wanted to hear him gloat ever again. I chomped at him, biting off more than half of his tongue along with his bottom l*p. He could not even scream, not without his tongue. Death was too merciful for him. I wanted him to live long enough to learn regret. I left him alive in a pool of b***d.

The wolves had made easy pickings of the hunters. After Orion, Perseus, Thaddeus, Maze, Timothy, Titus, Friday and her two siblings took down almost a third of the crowd in the first few minutes, the rest of the hunters retreated and the Alphas let them go. I shifted and ran to my Dad. Talus was being held by Timbre who was keeping pressure on the wound so Talus wouldn’t lose too much b***d.

“Dad,” I sobbed, kneeling close to him.

Bisa ran to me and dropped a blanket over my shoulders. I wrapped it around myself. Talus was focused on his badly laboured breathing. He was not saying anything.

“Don’t go,” I begged, cupping his cheek.

He put his hand over mine. He just looked at me.

“You can’t die,” rasped Timbre, his deep voice cracking. “You’re too stubborn for that baby brother!”

Talus forced out a weak chuckle.

“There must be something we can do, right,” I said, looking desperately at Timbre for answers.

“Fox! FOX!” Yelled Bisa.

She was still crouching behind me. Fox had been cursing the land. I saw him draw symbols on it. The symbols burnt brightly like they were lit from within before they disappeared. Fox ran over to Bisa.

“What were you doing?” Asked Bisa.

“Making sure every crop the soil here produces makes them sick. Hopefully they’ll figure it out and disband or just move further away from wolf territory,” explained Fox, as he knelt beside Talus and me. There was nothing much I could do for the wound here. The silver bullet would slow the healing process and it had hit him in the chest where a lot of vital organs resided. I did not know if it had pierced a lung and come close to his heart or some of the huge b***d vessels that connected to the heart. It was lodged in his chest and I couldn’t pull it out until we got him into a medical setting. This was not the same as being shot in the leg. This was complex.

“We have to get him to the pack doctors, now!” I insisted as the others gathered around me.

Orion hugged me from behind.

“We’ll take him right now,” said Orion.

“I can make a portal straight there,” said Fox, who was now laying his hands on Talus’ chest. “But…there’s only so much they’d be able to do…he seems close to…to the other side,” explained Fox.

“I don’t care! Take him to them! Try everything! If he flatlines, they can resuscitate him, can’t they?” I demanded. “There has to be routines for this right? Wolves get shot with silver bullets all the time right?”

Fox was whispering enchantments under his breath. I knew he was doing everything he could to keep Talus from slipping away. I knew I was not being very rational but this was my father. I couldn’t be rational.

“Before I make the portal, I have a better idea,” said Fox quickly. “I know someone who can help him much better than the pack doctors or you or I ever could!”

“Who?” I shrieked, grabbing Fox by the shoulders.

“Friday,” said Fox, looking at her as she neared us.

“Really?” I asked, my eyes wide.

“Me?” Said Friday, seeming shocked.

“Yes,” insisted Fox. “You’re immune to silver and if not for the silver Talus could heal a wound like this with his wolf abilities. Let me use siphon some of your gift into Talus. I know a spell. If you’d let me,” explained Fox.

I hoped Friday would be okay with giving Talus some of her ability.

“Friday please,” I begged.

“Of course,” she said grabbing my hand quickly. “I don’t even need to think about it,” she said, giving my hand a squeeze. “We’re family,” she said.

“Thank you,” I whispered, more tears falling down my cheeks.

Fox held Friday’s hand and then took Talus’ hand he closed his eyes. I could feel the wind grow strangely still.

“You’ll still be immune to silver, Friday, don’t worry,” said Fox softly. “I’m only taking just enough to get Talus through this.”

“Take as much as you need,” insisted Friday.

I watched with bated breath. Orion was rubbing my shoulders and keeping me close. Maze and Thaddeus each had a protective hand on one of Friday’s shoulders.

“I’ve got my eye on you, wizard,” said Maze, narrowing his eyes. “No tricks.”

“Maze,” grumbled Thaddeus.

“No tricks,” Fox assured us, without opening his eyes.

Bisa looked really annoyed at Maze insinuating that Fox was not trustworthy. I kept my hand on Talus’ forehead, gently stroking his sweaty skin with my thumb. My eyes were on his face. He was gasping for air. I glanced back at Fox, silently willing him to hurry. I gasped when Fox, Friday and Talus were suddenly bathed in light. There were different colours swirling around them. Friday had a kaleidoscope of colours around her and so did Fox. I was dismayed to see only one colour around Talus. He was surrounded by a jagged black aura. Fox was whispering in a foreign language. I recognised one of the words. It was latin. He was speaking latin.

He opened his eyes suddenly and pulled something from his pocket. It was a small dagger. The blade was made of sterling silver. It shone magnificently in the early morning light.

“Why do you have a silver bladed weapon on you if you’re so close to an Alpha?” Demanded Maze, his tone accusatory.

“Alpha Jessie’s wife gave this to me,” said Fox simply. “She realised the need for it when she had to do a ritual involving Jessie and could not draw even one drop of his b***d with a regular knife. She would never hurt Jessie or any other wolf unnecessarily and neither would I,” said Fox, his voice impassioned.

Maze settled down. He seemed to believe Fox. I trusted him too. As Fox continued to chant, the dark aura around Talus seemed to dissipate slowly. Colours replaced the fading black aura. Talus seemed to be breathing a bit better though he still did not speak.

“The transfer will only take permanent effect after a b***d oath,” said Fox, took Talus’ hand and carved a small X on his index finger.

“Friday, do you have a way to draw your own b***d?” Asked Fox since silver would not work on her.

She nodded.

“Same hand, same finger ok,” said Fox gently.

She lengthened her canines and graved right hand’s index finger.

“If you’re ok with this Friday, press your finger to Talus’ and repeat after me,” said Fox.

Friday pressed her bleeding fingertip to Talus’ bleeding finger. She looked at Fox expectantly.

“I, Friday Mason Hawthorne, willingly bestow upon you, Talus Hawthorne, a lesser fraction of my immunity to silver,” said Fox.

Friday repeated each word.

“By the power invested in me, so mote it be,” proclaimed Fox.

“By the power…” began Friday.

“No, that’s my part, sorry,” said Fox.

“Oh, sorry,” said Friday, her cheeks reddening.

Thaddeus pinched her cheek and Maze took her hand to inspect her “grievous injury.”

“Did it work?” I asked anxiously.

“It’s never failed me before,” said Fox confidently.

Talus did not look much different. All the Hawthornes, myself included, gathered around him.

“Uncle Talus?” Said Timothy.

“Uncle Tal,” whispered Titus, shaking him a little.

“Don’t,” I said, putting my hand on Titus’ wrist.

I looked at Talus’ bleeding finger. There was a drop of b***d suspended there. The drop was sucked back up and the red lines of the X thinned until they disappeared completely. All the while I was listening to Talus’ racing heartbeat and fast shallow breathing. His breathing became slower and deeper. His heart slowed down a little.

“Brother?” said Timbre.

“Dad?” I said, turning his face to me.

“I stopped drinking for a couple days and I almost die. Those health gurus don’t know what they’re talking about,” grumbled Talus softly.

I breathed a massive sigh of relief. The twins laughed, relieved. Talus sat up with great effort on his part and assistance on the part of his brother. I hugged Talus, carefully avoiding his wound. Tears were still falling from my eyes but these were happy tears.

“Can’t keep a good druncle down,” said Thaddeus.

Talus g*****d in pain.

“You were shot,” I told him, my voice thick.

I was not sure if he remembered.

“Fox and Friday saved you!” I explained.

Talus put his hand out towards Friday. She held it.

“I didn’t get to dance at your wedding cause this prick threw me early,” said Talus, with a nod towards Timbre.

“Shut your trap. You need to save your strength,” retorted Timbre.

“Well, you’ll dance at your daughter’s wedding,” said Friday kindly.

Talus smiled. He put a hand on Fox’s shoulder. Fox was cleaning his dagger and putting it away.

“He still needs medical attention but he stands a fair fighting chance now,” said Fox.

“Let’s get you out of here,” I said.

Fox opened a portal, forming it from thin air. Orion grasped my waist. Thaddeus and Timbre supported Talus. Bisa’s eyes never left Fox. I had to ask her about that later. Everyone was gathered at the portal besides Ellie who was standing near to an unconscious Jaack.

“Go ahead!” I insisted to Talus.

“Hell no, we came here to rescue you,” said Talus.

“Okay,” I chuckled. “Ellie! Come on!” I called.

Ellie looked at me. She looked back at Jaack.

“You belong with us, Ellie. Come with us,” I said. “There’s nothing for you here! You know that, right?”

Ellie nodded. She was still staring at Jaack.

“Come on, Kellie, we don’t have all day! I’ve been shot!” Yelled Talus, annoyed.

“Ellie,” I said.

“I just met her. Give me a break,” complained Talus.

“You’re both wrong,” whispered Ellie. “My name is Joan.”

She salvaged an axe from one of the dead hunters on the ground and swung it high over her head, bringing it down on Jaack’s neck, decapitating him in one quick swoop.

“That was kinda hot,” said Titus, under his breath, to Timothy.

“You and I have very different ideas on what’s hot,” said Timothy, looking at Joan in horror.

Ellie or perhaps Joan walked towards us. Everyone but the twins had been stunned silent.

“If you’re coming to my pack house with us, leave that axe where you found it!” Said Orion sternly.

She threw it and it landed in the soil, handle side sticking up and sharp side buried in the soil. We all used Fox’s portal to get back to Orion’s mansion. It was crazy how thrilled I was to be back here. Fox’s portal had led directly to the infirmary at the mansion. The doctors and nurses began working on Talus immediately. He was being very vocal about the lack of alcohol in their treatment and his need for high doses of strong painkillers.

“Got any opiates lying around,” he said to the head doc.

It was the silver fox doctor I had met before.

“You’re already getting morphine. That’s an opiate. Top of the pain ladder. You want something stronger that?” Said the silver fox doctor incredulously.

“If you got it, share it,” said Talus. “Where’s my daughter?!” Demanded Talus.

I was right in the hallway, in Orion’s arms. The Hawthornes and other guests were staying a couple days so many of them had gone to shower. Timbre remained with his brother.

“Baby, I have something to tell you,” said Orion, caressing my cheek gently. “And you,” he said, looking at Perseus.

Fox and Bisa exchanged a glance. They seemed to be waiting for us at the end of the hallway.

“Sure, one sec,” I said, giving Orion a quick k**s and going to Talus.

Talus held my hand.

“My daughter is a doctor! Tell this man I need more painkillers!” He said.

“He’s going through a lot right now,” I said apologetically to the silver fox doc. “He’s been cutting back on alcohol after years of use so he’s probably feeling everything quite intensely,” I explained as the silver fox doc handed me my Dad’s drug chart.

He was already on adequate analgesia but the “time given” recorded for all of the drugs was about ten minutes ago.

“Just be glad you’re alive, you old boozer,” said Timbre.

“You’re older than me, you old geezer,” said Talus.

“They’re gonna kick in, Dad, trust me,” I said, squeezing his hand reassuringly.

“So, I’m Dad now?” He said.

“Not if you don’t wanna be,” I said quickly. “Talus is fine!”

“No, I wanna be Dad,” said Talus.

I smiled.

“Orchid,” called Orion.

I had almost forgotten that he needed to talk to me and Perseus about something serious.

“It really can’t wait,” said Orion, his jaw set and his expression grave.

My smile slipped off of my face. I did not like the sound of that. Orion led me to his office and sat me and Perseus down. Bisa and Fox were leaning against the wall. Orion sat behind his desk. He reached across the desk to touch my hair.

“You know, your wolf is silver,” said Orion, playing with the curls in my hair. “That’s very rare. My wolf explicitly told me to tell you he thinks your she-wolf is beautiful. We both do.”

I knew he was stalling but I bit the bait.

“I’m silver?” I said.

Perseus nodded.

“You didn’t notice your paws?” Asked Orion.

“I didn’t notice anything,” I admitted.

I had been out of my mind.

“How rare are silver wolves?” I wondered.

“Really rare like…” began Orion.

“What’s the hold-up?” Interjected Perseus impatiently. “You and Orchid can discuss this anytime. You know how anxious I get when people say they have something to tell me and then don’t tell me right away!” Complained Perseus.

Orion let go of my curls. He sat back.

“I’m waiting for Rose,” said Orion, his expression business as usual.

Perseus furrowed his brow and looked at me. I shrugged. I did not know any more than he did.

“Why?” Asked Perseus.

Orion looked exceedingly uncomfortable.

“Emotional support,” muttered Orion finally, looking at the desk. “For you,” said Orion.

Perseus frowned.

“I have Orchid here so…” said Orion, gesturing vaguely at me and then trailing off.

Rose entered the room escorted by two guards.

“What’s going on?!” Asked Rose, looking worried.

She spotted me.

“Orchid!” She screamed, running to hug me.

I hugged her back.

“I should have never let you go,” said Rose apologetically.

I felt awful. I had guilted her into that.

“I manipulated the situation and I’m sorry,” I said.

Rose sat on Perseus’ lap as they were only two chairs facing Orion’s desk. There was a love seat against the far wall but instead of sitting there, Bisa and Fox were pretending to be really captivated by the artwork in Orion’s office all of a sudden.

“What is going on?” I demanded, repeating Rose’s question.

“The Marys conspired against you,” said Orion.

“I know,” I said pointedly, getting angry all over again when I thought about it.

I f*****g hated them. I looked at my wrist. The silver bangle had come off when I burst into my wolf form. That paw had been badly singed in the process but it would heal. There was a thick pink line around my wrist in human form too.

“One of them is responsible for this,” I revealed, holding up my bruised wrist. “The silver bangle that stopped me shifting while I was kidnapped was here!” I explained.

Orion took my hand and gently massaged the wrist.

“The Marys did not work alone,” said Orion, his eyes on my wrist.

I sat back in my chair.

“Who did they work with?” I asked, a few guesses coming to mind as I waited with bated breath for Orion to reveal the truth.