Chapter 20

CHAPTER TWENTY

W ren held onto Logan and did her best to navigate the new bond between them. She focused all her energy on lending him her strength. He needed it, maybe more than he even knew, and if it was all she could do for him right now, then she'd give him everything she had.

She wished, more than anything, that she had ignored the order to stay outside. She should have gone back into the office with Logan but she'd been so upset by the barrage of truths she had discovered. Then, when she'd felt the rush of heat and fury, grabbing at her chest in shock as she felt Logan's emotions through the bond, she should have gone to him then. But Vivian had taken one look at her and told her to stay put, that her presence would only distract Logan, and then she'd gone inside to help her brother. She'd told Wren to stay outside and wait for Dominic, not wanting him to think they'd left when he didn't see them on the front step.

It had been a ploy to keep her out of danger. Vivian had been following Logan's orders to keep her safe. Only, by going in alone, Vivian was the one who had been hurt and Wren wasn't sure she could ever forgive herself for not being strong enough to stand by her mate as he confronted the Alpha if she died.

She wasn't sure how long she held onto Logan as he held his unconscious sister in his arms. It felt like hours but was likely mere minutes. The sirens had started up at almost the same time Dominic arrived and they'd gone rushing into the office. Shadow Pines was a small town and the medical clinic wasn't far. Still, when the paramedics came rushing into the office, Wren wished they'd been faster.

The two men looked around, taking in the scene. Wren noted the way their eyes went wide before they split up. One kneeled next to the Alpha to check on him and Wren realized she'd forgotten all about him in her rush to get to Logan and she didn't care if he too was unconscious, because Vivian was the one who was bleeding everywhere.

The second paramedic raced towards them and knelt down next to Vivian, "What happened?"

"She hit her head on the corner of the desk. It knocked her out and there was so much blood." Logan's voice quivered and Wren squeezed his arm reassuringly.

"Did you move her?"

"I… yeah." Logan winced. "I didn't think. I just needed to hold her, to try and wake her up. Do you think… could I have made it worse?"

"I'm sure it'll be fine." The paramedic's voice was soft and soothing. "But I'm going to need you to let go of her now so we can get her onto a board and move her to the ambulance."

"I… okay. Okay, yeah." Logan hesitantly released her as the paramedic moved in to slide a board beneath her.

"Rick, help me get her in the ambulance." he called over his shoulder.

"The Alpha…" The second paramedic, Rick, hesitated but a growl from Logan got him moving.

The two men gently moved Vivian onto the stretcher and then strapped her down. They did a three count and then hefted her up. They paused and looked at Logan as he scrambled to his feet.

"We'll get her to the hospital and then come back for the Alpha."

"I'm going with you." Logan didn't phrase it as a question and Wren pushed herself to her feet as well.

She needed to go home and take a shower, wash off the fear and panic that had seeped into her clothes. Maybe she could run by the Alpha's house and get Logan some of his things as well. Would he be okay with that? Could she handle going to the house where her sister had died? She steeled her spine, knowing it was the least she could do for her mate.

"Of course. You can ride in the ambulance with us and give us her medical history. Is there anything we need to know? Prior head injuries, immune disorders…" The medic trailed off when Logan winced.

"She's pregnant."

A gasp escaped Wren before she could swallow it but she didn't think anyone heard her because the growl that ripped through the room at Logan's words was much, much louder. She jerked her head to where Dominic stood, face pale and eyes dark. His jaw twitched and he looked downright murderous.

"She's what?" He looked from where Vivian lay on the stretcher to Logan. "She didn't say… you didn't say…"

"That's important and good to know." The paramedic broke in. "We'll let the hospital know so they can be prepared. We need to get moving."

"Let's go." Logan nodded before shooting a last glance at his best friend, "Stay here and oversee this mess."

Dominic's lips twitched as if he wanted to say something but he only gave a brief nod of acknowledgement.

Wren trailed behind Logan as he followed the paramedics outside to the ambulance. She watched as they carefully loaded Vivian and then one of them rushed around to the driver's side. Logan stepped up into the back and then turned, offering a hand to Wren.

She paused, "I thought I…"

Logan stared at her, "You're my family now. You're our family and I'm not letting you out of my sight. Not until we figure out this mess. Hell, maybe not ever. Come on."

Wren's heart swelled and she let Logan take her hand and pull her up into the ambulance beside Vivian's stretcher. He kept her hand in his and gave her a squeeze that she returned. She focused on pushing her strength through the bond again and felt Logan breathe deeply beside her.

"Thank you." he whispered softly as the ambulance started moving and the paramedic began to hook Vivian up to wires and beeping machines. "But I'm okay."

"You're not. And it's okay to admit it." she whispered back.

"I just wish there was a way to give my strength to Viv." he admitted.

"I know." Wren leaned into him. "But she's going to be okay. She's strong and she's a fighter. She'll make it through this. We all will."

Logan wrapped her in his arms and nuzzled his face against her hair. Wren breathed him in, the new scent of their mating still there, beneath the blood and sweat and tears. So much had changed today but that hadn't. They were bonded, mated, for better or worse.

They reached the hospital in less than ten minutes and then there was a flurry of activity. She and Logan were forced from the ambulance as a team of doctors swarmed. It was rare for their kind to need actual medical doctors. Their wolves had the power to heal most minor injuries after all. But despite the many old traditions that the pack still honored, they had a hospital where the healers and those who had earned degrees in medical fields, could work together in a healthy, sterile environment.

Wren had a vague memory of her parents discussing the hospital when she was a child. The Alpha had touted it as a way for their little town to appear more natural to any humans who wandered through the area. As she'd gotten older, she'd realized it was likely more about the Alpha having the ability to oversee and control the medical care of anyone in the pack at his whim.

She wondered randomly if, after this, the Alpha would insist they purchase a second ambulance since he'd been left behind while they dealt with the more serious injuries Vivian had suffered.

Logan took her hand again, as if he couldn't bear to be without her touch, as they followed the paramedics through the sliding glass doors. She laced their fingers together and stayed by his side. She had so much to apologize to him for, to make right, and she would start by being whatever he needed in this terrible situation.

One of the paramedics pointed to a waiting area, "You can sit there and someone will come and update you once they've stabilized her."

Logan stopped walking and Wren was jerked to a stop as well. She frowned as she watched the paramedics and doctors rush through another set of doors and disappear behind them. There was a woman sitting behind a desk, gaping at them and Wren turned her back to the receptionist and focused on her mate.

"You need to get checked out too."

His brows furrowed, "I'm fine."

"You're not fine. You're covered in blood, Logan."

He glanced down at himself, as though he was just realizing it himself. Wren's stomach had turned at the mere sight of him in that office and he hadn't even noticed he was injured. There was blood in his hair, crusted above his eye and his hands and clothes were stained with it. Her own hand, which he still held, was also red with the transfer from his skin.

"I told you. It's not mine."

She frowned, using her free hand to gently touch the spot above his eye, "You have a gash right here and who knows what else…"

"Stop." He grabbed her hand and pulled it from his face. "I'm fine. It's just a cut and it's already healing."

"I'm worried about you." she said softly. "I'm just trying to help."

"I know you are but I'm fine. I'm more worried about Viv right now." He moved towards the nearest chair and collapsed down into it. "Viv and the baby…"

"Yeah." Wren took the chair beside him, brows furrowed. "She's pregnant? That's… news."

He shot her a pained look, "I know you have questions, not just about Viv but about everything and I'll tell you. I'll tell you anything you want to know, later. Can you just not push me for answers right now? Not right now. P-please?"

His voice broke on the last please and so did her heart. She nodded and he pulled her closer. She leaned into him even though the wooden arm of the chair dug into her side. Her pain was nothing compared to his so she hugged him close and stroked his hair as he leaned his head against her shoulder.

She still marveled at the fact that she could sense his emotions, feel him inside of her. They were linked in such a profound and spiritual way now. She'd always heard that the bond between two wolves was intense but now she understood why it was so unbreakable. They were so deeply entwined now, his soul and hers, fused together, that even thinking of being apart from him made her ache with a loneliness that she knew would swallow her whole.

Wren wasn't sure how long they sat like that, arms around one another, sharing their strength. It was long enough that the pain of the chair jabbing into her side had faded completely. She couldn't feel anything except her overwhelming need to take care of this man who was hers and his intense sadness and worry. It could have been ten minutes or two hours before the sliding doors opened again and Dominic McMurtry came storming through them.

He looked like hell, Wren noted as Logan sat upright beside her. Then again, she assumed they all looked that way after the events of the day. She and Logan neither one had bothered to go and clean themselves up and clearly neither had Dominic before coming to the hospital.

"Alpha." Dominic gave a curt nod and Logan flinched beside her.

"Dom?"

"I came as soon as I could get away. How is she?"

Logan shook his head, "We haven't gotten any updates yet. She was still unconscious when we arrived. They said she'd lost a lot of blood but the head wound seemed to be healing itself, slowly, but healing nonetheless."

"That's a good sign." Dominic took a deep breath, but Logan shook his head.

"The paramedics said they were more concerned with what might be going on inside her head. Something about a possible brain bleed or trauma. They couldn't be sure but I figure the doctors are running tests."

"And they haven't told you anything?" Dominic scowled.

"No, but you're welcome to wait with us." Wren offered when Logan didn't immediately respond.

"Alpha?" Dominic glanced at Logan again and she furrowed her brow in confusion.

That was the second time Dominic had said that word. The first time she'd thought he was going to tell them something about the Alpha's condition. She'd expected the doors to open behind him again and the paramedics to come back through wheeling him in but the doors stayed shut and a heavy weight filled her chest. She had missed something amid her shock and horror in that office, something important, and now it was finally sinking in.

"Yes, wait with us." Logan nodded.

"Actually, I was…" Dominic started but Wren couldn't keep the words inside for another second and they burst out of her.

"Why does he keep calling you Alpha?"

Logan shut his eyes and groaned. Dominic's lips thinned. Neither man opened his mouth to answer her question and she scowled but waited.

Slowly, he opened his eyes, "Because he's a dick who is more worried about protocol than being my friend right now?"

Dominic grunted.

Wren glared, "I'm serious."

Logan sighed, "I know. I'm sorry. I just… I don't want to deal with it right now."

"You don't really have a choice anymore, Alph…" Dominic started but Logan held up a hand.

"Stop calling me that. You're my second. You're allowed to call me by my damn name."

Dominic nodded, "Okay, Logan, but it's still true. There's a lot for you to do. First off, maybe you should tell your mate."

Logan sighed and turned to face her, "Wren, you know the answer to your question. Deep down, you already know. I'm the Pack Alpha now because my father is dead."

"What?" She gaped at him, looking between the two men as if they were going to tell her it was a joke. "He's dead? But I thought… the ambulance was going to go back for him."

"With a body bag." Dominic offered and Logan pursed his lips.

"He's really dead?" She gaped at them.

She had been in shock when they were at the office, and she'd purposefully given the old man a wide berth on her way to Logan and Vivian. He hadn't deserved even an ounce of her care or attention. But Dominic had been with him, and she'd assumed… well, she'd assumed a lot apparently.

The evil man who had ruined her life was dead. Logan's father was dead and she could barely wrap her head around how she had missed such an important detail.

"He is." Dominic informed her when Logan stayed quiet. "The Pack Alpha is dead. Long live the Pack Alpha." His lips twitched almost imperceptibly, "And our Queen."

"Oh…" she gasped, putting a hand to her mouth.

She hadn't even thought about that. She was still trying to wrap her head around the fact that the Pack Alpha who she had spent so long hating and trying to destroy, was dead. Logan was the new Shadow Pines Pack Alpha and he was her mate. That made her the Queen of the pack.

"Turns out you were right all along. I am a killer." Logan looked defeated and his shoulders sagged.

"No." Wren shook her head at the same time Dominic hissed.

"No, you're not. The paramedic who looked at him on scene said it was likely a heart attack."

"He was already dying. We all knew he was sick." She reached for Logan's arm and gave him a reassuring squeeze. "You didn't kill him."

"I did. I knew his heart was weak and I knew when I walked into that office that a fight would likely kill him. And he deserved to die for so many reasons. For daring to touch you, for what he did to the pack, to the people he was supposed to protect…" Logan's voice rasped as he got choked up but he met her gaze. "And for what he did to Lark."

Her heart stopped for a full second before it began to pound again.

It was the truth she had been looking for every day of the last six years. The truth Logan hadn't been able to tell her. The truth that she'd put together for herself when she'd been confronted by the evil inside his father.

She had been right about some of her suspicions but she had been so, so wrong about Logan.

"I'm so sorry." They said at the same time and Wren's heart ached.

"I'm sorry I blamed you."

"I'm sorry I couldn't tell you. I will. I can tell you now."

"Not right now." She swallowed hard, "I've waited this long for the truth, I can wait a little while longer. Right now, we need to focus on your sister because she's still here and she's fighting to get back to us. I know it."

"I uh…" Dominic cleared his throat and Wren realized he was still standing over them. "I think I might be able to help with that."

Logan tilted his head, "With what?"

"Healing Vivi."

Wren pressed her lips together. Logan still looked confused but she wasn't. Not for a second.

"You're not a healer. You can't…"

"Logan." Wren put a hand on his arm, drawing his attention back to her, When he met her gaze she raised an eyebrow. "Think about it."

His brows furrowed and then his eyes flashed gold and he whipped his head back to his best friend, his voice practically a roar, "You have got to be fucking kidding me! You sparked a bond with my little sister ?"

Dominic winced, "Lo…"

"When? How?" Logan demanded and then winced and shook his head "You know what? Don't answer that. I don't care. Not right now. I'll deal with you later, just go and be with Viv right now. Share your strength with her. She's going to need it."

"Yes, Alpha." Dominic ducked his head, using the formal title again as a show of respect, before he turned and stomped his way through the swinging doors.

Once he was gone Logan dropped his head into his hands and groaned. Wren tried not to smile at the sweet, brotherly exasperation. He cared so much for Vivian. He cared for Dominic too. He would learn to be okay with their mating, with a little time, she was sure of it.

"It's going to be okay." She rubbed his back reassuringly.

He grunted, "This day can't possibly get any worse, right?"

"You might want to knock on wood." She winced.

His lips flickered into the smallest of smiles that disappeared just as quickly, "You're probably right."

"Now that's something I look forward to getting used to hearing."

He pulled her across the chair and into his arms. He hugged her tight and she melted against him. Despite the blood, the death, the fear and pain of the last few hours and despite the uncertainty of the future that loomed ahead of them, being in Logan's arms felt like coming home and finally… Wren was ready to accept that truth too.