The Challenge (The Pack 2)

“Dad?” Her voice wobbled as she stared at him, the crisp uniform snug on his large frame. “Daddy,” she cried, launching herself at him and he accepted her with open arms. “They have my baby.”

“Not for long,” Hank answered, patting her back as he nodded at Payne. “Not for long.”

Dad cradled me against him as I whispered, “They took him?” He nodded his head as his chest shook.

“They took Monster and Nicky. We managed to hide the other children and women, but their focus was Nicky,” Dad spoke up, drawing their attention. “They came for Nicky.”

“This is my fault,” Trent said hollowly. “I left. I trusted Liam.”

“This is not your fault, son,” Dad denied. “We all trusted Liam, but he was under orders from his Alpha. He tried to warn us,” Dad explained, frowning. “He fought the compulsion. He saved Dylan.” Under his breath, he muttered, “Possibly at the cost of his own life. The Alpha attacked Dylan.”

“Dad?” I questioned and he jerked his head.

“Come on, he’s with Wren.”

Dom went to his sister and father, and his Dad wrapped his arm around him, enfolding both of his children into a massive hug.

Sam hiccupped, rubbing her face against her Dad’s uniform. “I can’t lose him,” she sobbed, shaking her head as she pleaded with her brother. “I can’t.”

Dom exhaled, patting her back, as he said, “We’ll get him back, I promise.” He met Payne’s eyes as he spoke and Payne nodded.

Trent was standing there, guilt and self-loathing on his face and I grabbed his arm, forcing him to come with me as I followed my Dad. Maybe we could get answers from Dylan.

Dad led us to Wren’s room, but it was unnecessary since blood smeared the ground, guiding us. “How badly is he injured?” I asked, wondering how Dylan could survive that much blood loss.

“It’s bad. I’m not sure he’s going to make it,” Dad replied, his eyes downcast. He opened the door and I instantly recognized the dirty brown fur of the wolf sprawled on the motel mattress

“Liam?” I gasped and Trent pushed past me.

“Holy shit,” he cursed as Wren held her hands to Liam’s stomach. “He’s been gutted.”

“He leapt in front of Dylan,” Wren told us, her words thick as she nodded to her brother, who sat in the corner rocking back and forth, as he wrung his hands. “The Alpha intended to kill Dylan, who was trying to protect Theodore. Liam…I don’t know how he did it, but he took the blow meant for Dylan.”

I gave Trent a confused stare and he explained. “He would have had to disobey a direct order from the Alpha to do that. Not an easy thing.” Trent sank to his knees in front of the bed, his hands hovering as if he didn’t know where to look first. “This is bad. We need more help.”

“Let me see.” I spun around at the sound of Leah’s voice, even more shocked when I saw the bag in her hands. She shooed Trent out of her way and knelt on the bed, her hands steady as she started examining Liam. “Exactly how much can a shift heal?” She asked after a minute. “Keep pressure there,” she told Wren, pointing to a spot where blood oozed.

“Almost anything,” Caleb answered, hovering by the door. “The shift is magic. It puts our bodies back like they were before, human or wolf. Severe injuries…. life threatening injuries, the shift can repair them to the point that we won’t die.”

“Okay, his guts are basically spilling out of his abdominal cavity. I’m not sure he would survive shifting right now. I can put everything back and stitch him up. Then see if he can shift and hope for the best,” Leah answered, glancing around the room. “He’s a Hanley, I take it. Do you want him to die?”

“No, he saved my brother,” Wren pleaded. “He didn’t have to do that. He tried to warn us.”

“He shouldn’t die just because he’s a Hanley,” Trent stated and I shook my head.

“He saved my life. He’s a good guy,” I spoke up, pinning Caleb with my stare. “He deserves to live.”

Caleb’s face took on a hunted expression as he realized we expected him to make the call. Until he glanced at Leah, and at the sight of her understanding smile, he relaxed. “Try,” he agreed, nodding before he turned to leave. “If nothing else maybe he can give us intel.”

“Do you need help?” Trent asked doggedly, though his face was paler than I’d ever seen and he looked seconds from puking his guts up.

Leah spared him a split-second glance. “Nope. I don’t need you vomiting all over everything. She can help me,” she answered, nodding to Wren.

“Wren, my name is Wren,” she whispered softly, not in the least bit phased by the fact that she was literally holding Liam’s life in her hands.