Chapter 31
Jessica
Keeping a close watch on Liam, Jessica looked through the medical bag Logan had. Chloe had done a great job thinking of everything to go in. Jessica found a bottle of painkillers. However, Liam can’t swallow them while he is unconscious. She passed the bottle to Nadine.
“Here, give two of these to Max. There’s juice in the purple bag on the floor if he needs it.” She instructed then went back to digging through the bag.
“Thanks,” Max muttered. His hands were shaking as he held the juice box.
“How often did they do this?” Jessica nodded over to Max.
“While Ryan was around, it was all little games.” She started but then her expression went dark. “But while Ryan was gone, there was no one to stop Kyle.”
“I’m sorry to say this, but I’m glad you were there.” Jessica’s eyes stung with tears. “Who knows what they would have done if you weren’t there to help Michael.”
“Don’t think about that.” Nadine said, and placed her hand on Jessica’s shoulder. “The important thing is he’s safe now.”
“And they won’t be able to do this to anyone else.” Jessica added.
“Someone else will come in and take their place.” Nadine said sadly.
“Why do you say that?” Alexander asked from the front.
“That warehouse is like a stop on a train track.” Nadine said looking at Max. “They kept shifters there, until they were ready to go to a lab.”
“For what?” Jessica asked in disbelief. Why would people do this? Why would they do any of this?
“I don’t know.” Nadine looked down at her lap. “Some type of experiments. They kept us drugged on something that weakened our animals. I’m glad they’re dead. I just wish I was able to dish out the judgment on Kyle.”
“You did have a part in it.” Alexander commented.
“Your animals?” Jessica questioned. “What type of animal are you?” Jessica didn’t even think to ask if that was a rude question, like asking a woman her weight.
“Me? I’m a bobcat. Max is a wolf.”
It fascinates Jessica as to the different types of shifters are out there. She had never thought it possible, and now she is slap dab in the middle of it all. She checked on Liam, wiping the sweat from his face. His fever is spiking, and his face scrunched in pain. Digging through the medical bag again, she grabbed two of the cool packs from a side pocket. After activating them, she placed them under Liam’s armpits. This is going to be a long ride, she thought.
Alexander called Sebastian to tell him they were on their way back with a couple extras. It will take them longer to get back since Liam is in critical condition. Jessica is glad most of the bleeding has stopped. Logan said Liam can heal himself but Jessica still stitched him up to the best of her ability. As long as he doesn’t go into shock or gets an infection, Jessica has high hopes that he will recover. However, the next twenty-four to forty-eight hours are critical.
Three hours later, light whimpers came from one of the twins. A second later, another set of whimpers joined in.
“Look who’s up!” Alexander exclaims, lifting Michael up face level.
A huge weight was lifted off her chest when she saw her little boys eyes open. Even though she knew he was okay, she still worried.
“Oh, pass him here.” Jessica couldn’t wait to get her hands on her baby.
She held her hands out when Alexander passed Michael to her. She hugged him to her. She held him tight to her chest, not wanting to let go of him.
“You are such a brave boy.” She kissed his head.
Michael licked her cheek over, and over again. She was so happy to have him back; she let him give her all the kisses he wants. When Michael had enough kisses, he tried to climb back up front. Jessica passed him back to Alexander. Michael started playing with Madison the second Alexander put him down.
Logan drove them to the cabin Jessica has been staying in. The lower elevation will be better for Liam until he heals a little more. When they pulled up to the cabin, they were greeted by the rest of the pack. Alexander made introduction before opening the back hatch.
“Thank the heavens you were there, Jessica.” Makenna said hugging Jessica.
Jayden and Caleb helped Alexander and Logan get Liam out of the back. They put him in Madison’s bed for the night. Nadine helped Max into the cabin. He’s already looking better than the first time Jessica had seen him. Max told her, he would be better by the morning. With all the talk about shifters healing fast, Jessica decides to just take their word for it. Makenna showed Nadine where to put Max. It’s best just to have him in the same room as Liam, so they both can rest.
Makenna and Chloe took over watching Liam. Jessica was ready for this day to be over. Madison and Michael both stayed right by Jessica’s feet. It will probably be awhile before Michael runs off like that again. Jessica is feeling the weight of the day, and feels like she is about to drop. All she wants to do is go to bed. Alexander was in the dining room talking with Sebastian, and the others. She didn’t want to interrupt them but she didn’t want the children out of their sight.
“Hey, I’m going to go shower. Will you keep an eye on them?” She politely asked Alexander.
“Of course, go get comfortable.” Alexander said placing a kiss on the top of her head.
It seemed natural, like he did it out of habit. Smiling, Jessica went to her room to get a shower. She washed quickly, not wanting to be away from the twins for long. When she opened the bedroom door to come out, Alexander was standing in front of the door holding the twins in his arms.
“I think they could use a quick bath.” He said. Their little pups squirmed in his arms at the word bath. “Want to tag team it?”
“That will be great.” Jessica says petting Madison on her head. “The faster you two let us do this, the quicker you can get out.”
It only took a few minutes to get the little wolves washed up. Jessica was surprised that Michael stayed so calm. He must have wanted to get out as soon as possible. When they got the twins out of the tub, they tried to dry them off but the twins had other ideas. They shook their entire bodies, slinging water all over the bathroom.
“Oh, come on guys!” Jessica held the towel in front of her.
Alexander laughed as he caught Michael, and started drying him off. Once the twins were close enough to being dry, Jessica dropped the towel on the floor, and picked up a fresh one. She left the bathroom, and went over to the bed. She spread the towel out in the middle of the bed as the twins tried to jump onto the bed themselves.
“Would it be alright if I stayed the night with them?” Alexander asked.
“Yeah,” Jessica replied. She knows how he feels. He probably doesn’t want them out of his sight either.
“I’ll get a shower first.” He turned towards to bedroom door, but stopped just before opening it.
“Thank you, Jessica.” He said then left the room.
Jessica put the twins on the towel in the middle of the bed, and climbed in. Getting settled under the covers, she pulled her pups closer to her. They weren’t rambunctious tonight. Instead they curled up next to each other and closed their eyes.
Alexander knocked before coming in the room with some clothes in his hand. He went to the bathroom to shower. Only gone about ten minutes, he came back out in nothing but a pair of jean shorts. Jessica could tell he was going commando. His shorts sat low on his hips, showing a trail of dark hair that led from his stomach to below the waist of his shorts. The sight alone had Jessica gulping. God, he is sheer perfection, she thought. He climbed in the bed on the opposite side of the twins. They both watched the twins peacefully sleep.
“I never thought I could be so scared.” Alexander broke the silence.
“Children have that effect on their parents.” Jessica replied. “I think I had a couple of heart attacks myself.
Jessica looked down at their sleeping pups. She still can’t believe that Madison shifted. It’s wild how Madison is white. She had thought if anything she would be brown like Alexander, and Michael.
“They’re beautiful, aren’t they?” Jessica commented. “How is she white?”
“She looks like an arctic wolf.” Alexander said. “Aren’t your parents from Alaska?”
“My dad is. My mom is from the states.” Jessica stated.
“Maybe that’s where then.” Alexander suggested.
It makes sense, she thought. Either way, they are beautiful no matter their color. They laid there for a few more minutes, petting the little ones. Their fingers touch gently in passing. She would catch him looking at her and smiling. Time was spent in silence, but not a bit awkward. With each passing caress, his hand would linger longer over hers. She doesn’t mind, his touch had her longing for more. After another pass, he intertwined his fingers with hers. Her heart sped up.
“So, what are you doing tomorrow?” He asked.
She had planned on returning to work on Saturday, but right now she isn’t even sure she wants to go back. Things have changed in the last twenty-four hours; knowing that there are people out there that are stealing shifters doesn’t sit well with her. If it wasn’t for Alexander, and the pack then she wouldn’t have gotten Michael back. She had thought that he would be safer away from the pack, and away from the mountains. Now she believes it might be the safest place for them.
“I have a few things to do.”
“What time are you leaving to go back home?” He asked sadly.
“I don’t know. I have to find one first.” She gave him a hint. She knew the moment he caught on because his eyes widened in surprise.
“You’re staying?” He asked looking excited. “They’re staying?”
“Well, I wouldn’t go anywhere without them.” She said jokingly. “I have some things that I will need to work out back home. Once I find a place here, and a job, then we will move out here.”
The biggest smile spread across his face. She could tell he’s happy but she didn’t expect for him to lean over and kiss her lips quickly. She smiled knowing that he was just caught up in the moment. She liked seeing him happy.
“You know there is a wildlife reserve that’s looking for a veterinarian.” He informed her. “They would be lucky to have you.”
“That sounds interesting.” She commented.
“I would be lucky to have you.” He raised her hands to his lips, and pressed a kiss to the back of her hand.
“You would?” She asked smiling.
“You’re what has been missing these last few years.” He held her hand in his. “You’re my missing mate.” He leaned forward, and kissed her again. This time she kissed him back.