by Alex Dafney
An hour later and we’re all drunk and giggling over everything with our feet propped on the coffee table. Raven looks over at me with a drunk, goofy smile. “So, when are you going to give Coopster the ole V card?” I giggle and shake my head. “It’s not something I have planned out.” Charlie leans over on the arm of the couch. “I mean, how do you live together and not have sex?” I chuckle before sipping my drink. “We just don’t. We agreed to take things slow. I don’t want to be with him just for the Prophecy. I want to be with him because we want to be together.”
Charlie gives an awww as Raven groans. “Oh my gosh. What a load of shit. We’ve seen the way you two are around each other.” I give a drunken half shrug as Raven sits up on the couch, turning toward me. “Wait a minute. How far have you actually gone with a guy?” I feel my cheeks heat as I slink further into the couch. “I never really dated in school. I mean, I’ve kissed a boy, but…”
I trail off as Raven stares at me with what could be a look of disbelief. “You mean you’ve only ever been to first base? Holy shit, you need to get laid!” She sits back on the couch, shaking her head lightly. “Hell, I need to get laid.” Charlie chuckles with her eyes closed as I shake my head. Raven stands up, stepping over the coffee table with a bit of a wobble.
“I’m serious ya’ll! It’s been six months. My vagina is going to have cobwebs before long!” I throw my head back laughing as she flings her hands in the air. I watch as she starts to pace in front of the TV. “You know what? I’m going to give Ryder the ride of his life when they get back. I’m going to hump him like a damn Jack Russell Terrier!” I slide off the couch onto the floor as I grip my side laughing.
Charlie lifts her head off the couch arm with one eye open. “You’re insane, Rave.” I stand from the floor, my legs wobbly. I check the clock on the wall and groan. “We need to get some sleep. We’ve got training in a few hours.” Charlie tries to stand and falls back on the couch. “Can I just sleep right here? I don’t think I can walk home.” Raven and I both laugh as she unsuccessfully tries to stand up again.
I step over to her, offering her my hand. Raven grabs her other side and we get her standing. “Come on. You can sleep in my bed.” We help Charlie up the stairs, and she falls on to the bed, face first, already snoring lightly. Raven shakes her head as she turns to me. “She’s a light weight.” I chuckle as we walk out of my room, turning off the light and closing the door behind us. Raven holds her hand out to me and I place my hand in hers as she shakes my hand lightly.
“You’re starting to grow on me, virgin shifting princess.” I groan as we drop hands. “Please don’t let that be my nickname.” She chuckles as she walks to the stairs. “Don’t piss me off, or it will be.” She calls over her shoulder as she walks down the stairs. I look over the railing as she gives me a little wave. “I’ll lock the door behind me. See you in the morning.” She says as she walks out the front door, closing it behind her.
I step back into my room, grabbing my pajamas from the bathroom and walking back out of the room, opening the door to Cooper’s room. I flip on the light and inhale deeply. The room smells of Cooper. I sigh as I make my way to his bathroom, getting ready for bed.
Chapter 13
I wake up the next morning with a throbbing headache. Groaning, I drag myself out of bed and check the time. “Shit.” I mutter as I walk out of Cooper’s bedroom to mine, knocking lightly before opening the door. Charlie is still sprawled across the bed, snoring. I walk over and pat her leg. “Charlie. Charlie! Come on! We’ve got to be at training in an hour.” She moans as she rolls over and looks at me.
“Ugh. Just five more minutes Mom!” I chuckle as I offer her my hand to pull her up. She rubs her eyes once she’s standing and looks around my room. “Damn. How did I even get here?” I laugh as I shake my head. “No time now. Get home and get ready. I’ll see you at training.” She gives a little wave as she walks through the bedroom and out the door. I hear the front door close as I step in the bathroom.
Forty-five minutes later and I’m walking out the front door with an iced coffee, feeling like death warmed over. I make the short drive to Headquarters and get out of the car, coffee in hand. When I pull open the main door, I find Raven and Charlie standing by the elevator. Raven is wearing big sunglasses with an energy drink in her hand and Charlie is propped against the wall, looking a little green around the gills.
I join them next to the elevator to wait for Dom and Reese. “Morning ladies.” Raven holds her energy drink up to me as Charlie moans. I look over to the front entrance as Dom and Reese stride in. Dom appraises the three of us before his face erupts in a devious grin. “Looks like ya’ll had a hell of a night.”
I groan as I rub my temples. “Don’t talk about it. I think I’m still drunk.” Dom bursts into laughter. Reese hits the elevator button for us and we all file in when the doors open. Dom looks over at me with a grin. “What the hell did ya’ll get into?” I sigh. “A bottle of vodka and a fraternity party.” The elevator door opens, and we find Niko standing with his hands on his hips and a scowl. “You’re late.”
I resist the urge to roll my eyes as I check the time on my phone. One. Freaking. Minute. Charlie darts by us, leaning into the garbage can next to the door and heaving. I wince, my own stomach doing flip flops as she vomits loudly. Niko rolls his eyes before settling his gaze on me. “Looks like the ladies had an interesting evening. Not the best way to start the week.” Dom steps forward with a smirk. “I was busy being responsible. Getting in bed at a decent hour.”
I scoff as I shoot daggers at his back with my eyes. Niko simply rolls his eyes. “Charlie! Get out of here. The rest of you, warmup!” He turns and walks across the gym toward his office. Raven sighs heavily next to me. “That’s bullshit. Just because she can’t hold her liquor, she gets an off day.”
I look over to Charlie with a sympathetic smile as she steps in the elevator with a shy wave. Turning back to Raven I give her a weary smile. “I feel like shit too. Let’s just get through the next hour and we can both go home and rest.” She scoffs before throwing back the remainder of her energy drink and tossing the can toward the garbage can.
After warming up we make it to the mats. Raven and I both getting taken down numerous times. Raven lands on her back for probably the fifteenth time, struggling to catch her breath. “I’m done, Niko! I’ll do a double tomorrow, but I’m done.” She rolls over and pushes herself off the mat as the elevator door opens. I turn to see Jim walking our way with a worried expression. I start walking toward him, meeting him in the middle of the gym. “What’s wrong?”
He sighs as he pushes his glasses up on his nose with his pointer finger. “Have you heard from Cooper?” I give him a questioning look as I scrunch my forehead. “No, not since I saw him leave yesterday morning.” Jim swears and places his hands behind his head as he paces a short distance. My heart quickens in my chest as I step over in front of him, blocking his way. “What’s going on, Jim?”
He sighs heavily as he throws his hands up at his side. “I don’t know. We lost contact with them hours ago. They ran into a large group of Hunters. Larger than we anticipated being there.” My face falls as I place my hand to my chest. I feel like my knees are about to go out from under me when Dom grips my elbow. “What happened?”
I shake my head as he looks between Jim and I. Jim clasps both of his hands behind his neck. “We lost contact with Cooper’s team. They were surrounded by Hunters and the portal was open.” I look up to find Dom with a shocked expression. “What portal?” Jim gives me a curious look. “The portal is how the Hunters take shifters back to their realm. Or headquarters as we call ours.”
I suck in a breath, suddenly feeling lightheaded. Dom wraps his arm around my waist, keeping me upright. “I’m sure they’re fine, O. They have a strong team and they’re all excellent fighters.” I nod my head, trying to convince myself he’s right. Niko steps up placing a hand on my shoulder. “You go home, Ophelia. Cooper may lead them back the
re.” He looks up to Dom before looking at Reese and Raven standing next to him. “You all take her home. One of you call me later with an update.”
We make our way to the elevator, my head swimming with awful thoughts of what could have happened. We walk across the parking lot and I pull the driver’s door open to Cooper’s Audi sports car. Raven places her hand on the door. “Let me drive, O.” I nod mechanically and hand her the keys. She turns and tosses her car keys to Dom. “Take mine home and meet us there.” He nods before jogging across the parking lot.
I sit in the passenger seat with my hands on my face in a daze as Raven drives us to my home. When we pull into the garage, I start to push the door open, but it opens instantly. I look up to find Reese with a concerned look on his face. He offers me his hand to help me out. I push the door open to the house, praying to find Cooper inside, only to find quietness. Walking into the living room, I sit on the edge of the couch, dropping my elbows on my knees and resting my head in my hands.
I feel a hand on my back and glance over. Raven sits next to me with a glass of water. I huff. “Why do people offer you water when you’re upset?” She gives me a wicked grin before tossing the cup over her shoulder. I hear it clatter over the hardwood floor as my mouth drops open. A smile tugs at my lips and I let out a light laugh before shaking my head slowly. “You’re insane.” She shrugs a bit as she nods. “Pretty much.” She wraps an arm around my shoulder, pulling me against her side. “They’re fine, O. I know it.” I nod in agreement as Dom and Reese walk in the living room.
Dom sits on the other side of me, placing his hand on my knee, squeezing gently as Reese sits on the coffee table in front of us, gripping my hand in his gently. We sit quietly like this for what seems like hours. My head snaps up as I feel the familiar tingle coursing through my spine that I get only when Cooper touches me. I jump up, spinning around in a circle as I look around the room with wide eyes.
Raven stands next to me, placing her hand on my shoulder. “What is it?” I shake my head slowly as I scan the room with my eyes. “I don’t know. I can feel him.” Raven gives me a questioning look. “I only get this feeling when Cooper touches me. I think they’re close.” Just as I finish the sentence Cooper and his team materialize in the floor in front of the TV.
Cooper drops to his knees, his shoulders hunched over, and his head dropped. I jump over the coffee table and fall to my knees in front of him, placing my hands on his cheeks and pulling his head up to look at me. He has a haggard look on his face but gives me a weak grin. His left eye is swollen shut and his lip busted, a cut over his eye. My face falls as I run my fingers along the side of his face.
I look over at the rest of his team knelt or lying on the floor. I quickly look back to Cooper. “Are you okay?” He nods. “Yeah, yeah, I’m good. Check on them.” He motions his head to the side and winces. I quickly crawl over to Zane’s side. He’s groaning and clutching his side. I look over my shoulder to Dom, Reese and Raven who are staring at them all with shocked expressions. “Reese! Check on Grant! Dom, check Micah! Raven, get to Ryder!”
They all spring into action as I turn my focus back to Zane who’s breathing is labored. I gently move his hand away from his side and lift his shirt up. The skin over his ribs is already turning a deep purple color. I look at him and notice the blood pooling from his nose. Jumping up, I sprint to the kitchen, grabbing the first aid kit and a few dish towels before darting back to the living room. I drop down and hold a towel to his nose. “I think your ribs are broken. We need to get you to a doctor to make sure you haven’t punctured a lung.”
I look around the room to find Reese helping Grant to the couch. He seems to be alright other than a busted lip and a nasty cut above his eye. Raven is on the floor next to Ryder. She looks over at me with a scared expression. I leave Zane and hurry toward them. Ryder’s eyes are both swollen shut, his hand clutching his shoulder. “Ryder, can you hear me?” He gives a grunt and I sigh in relief. “Can you move this arm?” I ask as I touch the arm of the shoulder he’s clutching. He moves his head slowly from side to side. “Okay. Hang tight. You may have dislocated your shoulder.”
I look over to Raven. “Call Jim, now.” She jumps up and runs to the kitchen table where she deposited her purse earlier. I slide over to Dom and Micah just as Dom is helping him sit up. Micah looks up to me with a faint grin. “Are you alright?” He nods slowly. “I, I think so.” He tries to stand, but falls back, Dom catching him. I look at Micah and lift one of his eyelids as the light catches his eyes. His eyes are dilated. “Did you hit your head?” He gives a light shrug before grimacing.
I look over to Dom. “I think he has a concussion. Let’s get him to the couch.” Dom nods as he stands, both of us hooking his arms around our shoulders and helping him to the couch. The front door to the house bursts open as Jim, Calvin, and Niko run in.
Jim marches straight to Cooper kneeling on the floor. “What the hell happened, Cooper?” He shouts angrily down at him. Once I have Micah on the couch and Dom sitting next to him, I walk back to Cooper, kneeling and placing my hand on his back while I glare up at Jim. “I think we’ll deal with what happened after we deal with what’s happening.”
Jim narrows his eyes at me. I narrow mine right back as I point to Zane still groaning on the floor. “His ribs are broken. He needs to be checked to make sure he hasn’t punctured a lung.” I turn to my right and point at Ryder. “I’m almost certain his shoulder is dislocated.” I nod my head toward Micah propped up on the couch. “He may have a concussion.” I turn my focus back to Jim with a fierce look on my face. “They need medical attention before we delve into what happened.”
Calvin kneels in front of Cooper and I, placing his hand lightly on Cooper’s shoulder. “Cooper? Are you alright, son?” Cooper gives a slight nod without looking at him. Calvin looks at me with a sad expression. “Can I speak to you in the kitchen, Miss Oakes?” I glance at Cooper who is still kneeling on the floor, breathing heavily. “You alright, Coop.” He nods in response and sits back, resting his arms on his knees as he breathes heavily.
I stand up and follow Calvin to the kitchen as Niko tends to Zane and Cooper. Calvin rakes his hand down his face before meeting my eyes. “Our doctor that normally deals with things this serious has disappeared. We don’t know where he is.” I glance over my shoulder at the living room before turning my focus back to Calvin. “My Mom is Society. They have doctors.” I know it’s against the rules to bring non-Assembly members here, but surely this is a special case.
He nods. “Go then. We’ll take care of them until you get back.” I nod as I take a step back. “Dom.” I call into the living room. Cooper looks up to me as Dom makes his way into the kitchen. I quickly explain the situation and grab his hand, giving Cooper a small smile as I shift us to my home in Alabama.
I open my eyes to the familiar living room. “Mom!” I yell. She hurries into the living room, gripping my arms and looking me up and down with wide eyes. “What is it? Are you alright? Where’s Cooper?” I shake my head quickly. “We need a doctor. Cooper’s team had an issue. One has a dislocated shoulder. Another has a concussion, and another has broken ribs.” I spew out quickly.
She grips my hand, holding out her other hand to Dom, who quickly accepts. We materialize in a place I’ve never seen. Mom turns and runs down a long hallway, her heels clicking with every step. Dom and I follow closely behind her as she flings open a door to a gray-haired man with a shocked expression. Mom huffs as she explains. “This is my daughter. She’s Assembly. One of their teams had a run in with the Hunters. They need help.”
He looks from my Mom to me to Dom a few times before quickly standing. He grabs a bag from behind his desk and crosses to a cabinet. “What are we looking at?” Mom looks to me and gives a nod. “Zane has possible broken ribs. Micah may have a concussion, and Ryder, I think a dislocated shoulder. They’re all pretty banged up and a few probably need stitches.” He glances at me over his shoulder as he grabs an arm load of suppl
ies and walks to his desk, tossing them in the bag. He grips the bag in his hand and steps over to us. “Very well. Lead the way.”
I grip his and Doms’ hand, while Dom grabs Mom’s hand, transporting us back to Cooper’s house. As soon as we materialize the doctor bounds for the living room as Mom follows. I take a shaky breath, blinking back tears as the last few hours weigh in on me. Dom places his hand on my shoulder. “They’re alright, O. We’ll figure out the rest later.” I nod as I walk toward the living room.
Cooper glances up from the couch, sitting next to Grant. I sigh with relief as I walk toward him. Balancing myself on the couch arm next to him I place my hand on his cheek as he looks up at me. “Thank you, love.” He whispers. I give him a brief smile before joining my Mom and the doctor on the floor around Zane. Mom and I help Zane sit up as he curses so we can get his shirt off.
Just as I suspected he has a few broken ribs, at least, but he seems to have not punctured a lung. The doctor moves over to Ryder, feeling along his shoulder as he grits his teeth in pain. “Alright son, this is going to hurt like hell.” He says before relocating Ryder’s shoulder. Ryder yells before falling back to the floor. The doctor opens his eyes and shines a flashlight in each before patting his good shoulder and moving over to Micah.
He checks out Micah and confirms my suspicions of a slight concussion. He turns to Grant and Cooper sitting on the loveseat. “Are you boys alright?” They both nod in unison as he steps toward them. He lifts Grant’s face by his chin and eyes the cut above his eye. “This needs stitches.” He points to his medical bag on the floor and I quickly scramble to retrieve it.
After a few stitches to Grants eyebrow he turns his attention to Cooper. He flashes his light in each of Cooper’s eyes before Cooper waves him away. “I’m fine. Zane and Ryder took the brunt of it.” The doctor turns to me with a slight shrug. “Can I speak with you in the kitchen.” My eyes lock briefly with Cooper’s before I walk away.