NAC & The Holly Group - Box set: Alpha Team

by Chelsea Handcock

  “Emma, look at me, please?” he said more softly. Dalton needed the eye contact with her, he needed her to see what he was trying to say with more than only words, but she wasn’t giving him an inch. He would’ve missed the slight shake of her head if she hadn’t had his undivided attention. With any other woman, he would’ve left, taking the hint, but he couldn’t with Emma, she meant something to him and his bear. He didn’t like her pulling away and pushing him out even though he realized he’d done the same thing to her. She was more, didn’t he tell her that? He needed her to realize that. Grabbing her chin, he gently forced her to comply, lifting her chin up, looking into her eyes.

  “Emma, I don’t know what’s going on in that head of yours.”

  “That’s the thing Dalton,” Emma responded, tears threatening to fall, “you don’t really know me.” Pulling her chin away from his slight grip, she said softly, “You’re not responsible for me or any of this,” waving her hands around indicating herself and her baby. “Please, I need to focus on my daughter right now, I can’t be distracted by anything else.” Emma noticed the flinch at her words and saw the hurt in Dalton's eyes. It gutted her, but she needed him to understand, even when she honestly didn’t herself.

  “I need to know what the results are concerning my daughter,” Emma stated, turning away from Dalton’s glare. She was aware that Dalton hadn’t moved from the bed, he was still looking at her, but he wasn’t touching her, and she was grateful. This man had the ability to crush any and all resolve she had. Her mind was as fragile as her current situation, and she didn’t know how much more she could take. Ignoring him, she focused all her attention on Mia and Ryleigh.

  Mia and Ryleigh took the chairs next to her bed and started to tell her what they had discovered and what they believed further testing would prove. How they believed she was one Franklin's babies, that she had shifter DNA two strands, bear and dragon. That threw Emma for a loop; dragons existed! It was hard enough to accept that bear shifters existed let alone mythical creatures; it was almost funny. She couldn’t help herself snickering and asking if Vampires and Fey people also existed. Prozac sounded better and better. They all just laughed.

  “Not that we know of, but you never know,” Mia said.

  They also explained that they themselves had only recently been made aware of shifters as well as the fact that they, too, possessed shifter DNA and had no idea about the six-month gestation period for babies. They were so new to the information, they knew little more than she did. Emma noticed that Ryleigh was kind of green when she said that and Emma felt sorry for her. The poor woman was cradling her small belly like she would go into labor at any moment. Emma could relate, she’d never expected to go into labor so soon. After talking with the two ladies, she realized she’d probably been in labor for a while and hadn’t realized it.

  It dawned on her why Ryleigh had asked her about cramping. Emma felt stupid, she’d missed so many signs. She wanted to curl up and dismiss everything. Every time she felt a little embarrassed or scared at what was being revealed to her, Dalton would rub her leg or lightly squeeze it letting her know she wasn’t alone. She was being so mean to him by shutting him out, but she didn’t know how to process it. She’d never had someone support her during rough or hard times. Dalton’s stoic and calm presence meant more to her than she could ever possibly put into words. Dalton Hayes was a good man.

  Dalton didn’t like the way Emma was acting, he’d thought that they had cleared some things up during their talk, but it was now obvious, they had a long way to go. She was shutting him out, trying to take the world on her delicate shoulders. If he were a different man, he would’ve let her, but she needed him as much as he needed her, even more considering the circumstances, and if his pride took a bit of a blow, so be it. He would support Emma whether she liked it or not. When she got better, he would spank her ass and make her realize that her pulling away wasn’t an option.

  Emma got caught up in her thoughts, zoning out on what Mia and Ryleigh were saying. Was Dalton acting this way out of pity or obligation? Emma couldn’t answer those questions and that made her sad and uneasy. She felt a connection to Dalton, but she didn’t want him to feel obligated to help her or pity her. Yeah, the circumstances that brought her to the Alpha Team’s base weren’t the best, but she would get better. She’d lived through crap as a child, raised in the system which would’ve broken most people. Emma didn’t break, she survived. But maybe this was the straw that broke the camel’s back. Maybe the last six months and meeting Dalton would be her breaking point.

  With a new resolve, she focused back on the conversation. She needed to concentrate and tune out thoughts of Dalton Hayes. His comfort and support were nice, but she had to do this on her own, for her daughter and for herself. She needed to rely on the one constant in her life, herself. If that made her a bitch, she would deal with that, too. She would survive this for her daughter.

  Mia and Ryleigh explained she would be staying with them for the foreseeable future since her baby was the first female shifter. The first female born in a hundred years who might have the ability to shift; she would be sought after by many factions. That terrified Emma. Dalton had spoken up several times with what the Alpha team was planning to do to help her and she listened, but focused mainly on Mia and Ryleigh. She really was a bitch.

  Dalton mentioned that Jacks and Cash would be in later to question her about the last six months and her captivity to get a lock on exactly who had held her and why she was the only one at the facility when she escaped, noting that things weren’t adding up based on their experiences in such matters. Emma wished she hadn’t had the experience herself.

  Emma was a bit uneasy with her present situation, having to remain with the Alpha Team for protection. She couldn’t help but wonder if she were trading one prison in for another? Sighing and shaking her head, she realized she would do whatever it took to keep her daughter safe, even if that meant they both needed to have protection for the foreseeable future. This seemed to be her best if not only option. She would give up her life and future for her daughter. Emma would deal with anything that came up.

  Dalton was still offering her support with small touches and staying on the bed with her; she wished she could give in to her feelings for this man and the comfort and security he provided. Unfortunately, her insecurities had the upper hand and wouldn’t allow herself to accept it. As a defense against her feelings, Emma felt she needed to be strong and not rely on him for anything. She’d never looked to anyone for that before, and she couldn’t understand why she desired it with Dalton. She wanted his warmth, she wanted his manly smell to permeate the sheets and pillow she laid on, but most of all she just wanted him, the one thing she was she couldn’t have.

  Emma welcomed any questions the Alpha team had because she needed some answers herself. She wanted justice for herself and for her daughter, wanted the company she worked for and the people at the lab to pay for what they had done to her. She also wanted to prevent them from doing it to anyone else. By the glimpses she got of the members of the Alpha Team, she believed they were the right guys to make that happen. They looked like a group of badasses and she really needed some badasses right now. The information she was being given proved she would never have been able to get justice on her own, and unless they could find some answers, she would never have any type of life again.

  Emma must have drifted because Mia cleared her throat to get her attention, this was the second time someone had to drag her back to the conversation. Red-faced and ashamed, Emma focused back on Mia.

  “Hey Emma I need to go over some other things with you as well if that’s okay.” Mia placed her hand over Emma’s and she knew that she wasn’t going to like what the doctor had to say next. Mia didn’t strike her as the overly affectionate professional type, a bit funny, yes, but affectionate, no.

  “Emma due to your confinement and your current underlying health issues, I’m going to have to place you one some antibio
tics, anti-inflammatories, and pain killers. You need rest and your body needs to recover. That stuff takes time.

  Emma already figured as much, but she didn’t understand why Mia was acting so hesitant. She wanted her to just rip the Band-Aid off already.

  “As a result of your current condition, it’s my professional opinion that your body is too weak to produce enough milk, and with the medications you’ll be taking, it will be unsafe for you to breastfeed your baby. I’m going to have to recommend that you bottle feed her.”

  Emma thought, yeah, that Band-Aid definitely had a sting to it.

  I know this is hard for you.” Mia had leaned forward in her chair and gripped Emma’s hand tighter. “Most mothers want the closeness that breastfeeding provides, and even though it’s the best nourishment for babies, I can assure you formula today is quite good for babies. On the bright side, by bottle feeding, we’ll be able to help with the baby and let you get the rest you need to recuperate properly.

  Emma never thought about it before, but it hurt to think that she might not be able to nourish her own child. Those people at the lab had destroyed her body along with her ability to feed her daughter. How dare they play with human lives and do these heinous things to anyone! How dare they take these precious moments away from her and her daughter! For six months, they had taken control of her body and it looked like that control would last even longer. She hoped, no prayed, that when the Alpha Team finally caught up to the people responsible for all of this, they paid dearly for the injustice.

  Mia assured her that there were several things they could do, but first Emma had to heal and with the medications she needed her on it wasn’t safe. Emma knew the woman was repeating herself, trying to lighten the blow. Mia hadn’t let go of her hand, and she could still feel Dalton rubbing her knee. All of this sucked. These people were trying to comfort her and right now, she didn’t want it.

  Emma wanted to check out for a little while, she needed a few moments alone to process everything. She wished they all would leave, but she knew she needed to hear everything they had to say before she let herself go.

  Chapter 30

  “Okay what else?” clearing her throat, she asked. She also moved her hand out from under Mia’s and crossed her arms over her chest. In the same move, she moved her leg away from Dalton's caress. She’d faced everything in her life alone, and she would face whatever was to come that way as well. She only had to think about her daughter. She couldn’t think about the look Mia gave her or the tension she felt from Dalton. She had to think about her baby and nothing else.

  Emma was numb, and even though she noticed Mia was a little shocked at the distance she’d placed between them, she didn’t care. Ryleigh cut the tension by explaining that they had set up shifts for people to come in and sit with the baby and her to help. Emma was apprehensive but also relieved. She didn’t have any idea of how to take care of a baby; she knew she needed to get strong and to do that, she needed rest. She couldn’t even get out of the bed on her own, she was too weak. Even lifting her arms was becoming a chore, and she if she tried to stand, she would probably fall flat on her face. She needed to get well, so she could be the one to protect her daughter.

  Dalton had noticed Emma yawning and sagging more into her pillow. He didn’t like that she moved away from his touch, but he’d seen her resolve. He was turning into a pussy, letting her dictate what he did and didn’t do. He would give her today, maybe even tomorrow, and then he would explain things, again. Hopefully, he would finally get through to the stubborn, bull-headed woman. He was about to put a stop to the conversation when Mia stood up and clapped her hands together.

  “Okay, Dalton is going to go get you some food.” Looking to Emma, she said, “While he’s doing that, I’m going to do a quick exam to make sure everything is going well post-delivery. The exam will be pretty basic. I have tests running as we speak to determine exactly what your continued care will involve. Right now, sleep food and healing are what’s needed.

  Emma wanted to sleep, she didn’t want to eat. She also wanted a couple of minutes alone with her daughter, but knew she wouldn’t last much longer. Her eyes were heavy, and she wasn’t looking forward to Mia’s exam. She wanted a little sleep, then she would face what was coming next, she tried to convince herself.

  “After you’re done eating,” Mia continued, “I’m going to give you some medicine. It’s going to make you sleepy; please know, sleep is the best possible medicine. You are safe here, Emma, we’ll protect you and your daughter with our lives; if you don’t believe anything else, please, believe that.”

  Emma appreciated the comment, but knew she would make up her own mind regarding the Alpha Team. She wanted to trust them to keep her daughter safe, she didn’t care about herself, but she still had questions and reservations. Maybe if she could get a little sleep, she could think more clearly. Right now, she needed to trust that, at least for a little while, they would keep their promises. She didn’t have any other choice.

  Dalton was going to protest, but Mia gave him a look that kind of freaked him out. She looked like Jacks on a bad day. Her scowl was prominent and she exuded an Alpha vibe that took him by surprise. Never having been around the doctor, he wasn’t quite sure how to take her, but if that look was any indication, he needed to take her seriously. She’d probably perfected that look working as a doctor, but Dalton thought there was more to it. He made a mental note to look into Mia James a little further once he got the chance. Ryleigh trusted her, but Dalton didn’t know her from Adam.

  Conceding Emma did need food, he got up and moved to the door, stopping to make sure his littlest charge was comfortable in her bed. He couldn’t resist looking back before he actually cleared the door; he didn’t like what he saw. Not only did Emma look tired, she looked utterly lost. Resolving himself to give her time, he walked out of the room to get her something to eat. He knew he would do whatever it took, even if that meant backing off to let her heal. He was determined to be a part of her life, now as a friend, in the future, hopefully, something much more.

  Emma loved the look Dalton gave her baby on his way out of the room, but she needed to keep those feelings close to the chest. Sometimes he acted like he wanted more between them, at other times he was closed off. Everything was too much, she’d just given birth, no way should she be thinking about anything other than getting better and taking care of her daughter. Dalton inspired fantasies she should not even be considering. Why would a man who could have any woman want a broken woman with a child? Was she so desperate that she was reading into it feelings for her that weren’t even there? Did she want the fairy tale husband, kids, white picket fence and happily ever after? Sure, she did. She couldn’t help but feel she was she placing Dalton in that position because of her desire for him when he’d only been kind to someone in need.

  She would do what she’d always done, muddle through the best she could. The tears she’d been holding back were threating to explode from her once again, and she wanted everyone to leave. Thankfully, she didn’t have to wait long. Ryleigh left shortly after Dalton had and Mia after she completed her exam.

  The exam was simple like Mia said. Emma was thankful for that, she was starting to feel like a bug under a microscope. Mia palpated her stomach, checked to make sure she wasn’t bleeding heavily, and checked her vitals. Mia left pretty quickly and said she would be back after she ate. Emma took those few quiet moments alone to just be. She longed to hold her daughter, but knew she didn’t have the strength to get out of the bed to get her. Maybe when Dalton got back or one of the others, she would ask them to hand her the baby. Too numb to cry or think, Emma laid there, her mind and body unable to compute everything that had happened.

  Dalton went to the kitchen and tried to avoid running into any of his teammates. He didn’t have the time or the patience for any of their questions or judgments. He also didn’t want to tell any of them what he saw. They meant well, and he understood the need to keep everyone safe, bu
t he was still angry. Understanding didn’t mean compliance. Dalton had never questioned or debated direct orders before, he never rocked the boat. He did his job and he did it well. Emma didn’t even realize how much Dalton was willing to do for her and her daughter. It would more than likely scare the crap out of her if she did; it sure as shit scared the crap out of him.

  He had no idea what to do with a mate and a child. Sometimes, it felt as though Emma was accepting him and other times she was distant and cold. He admired her strength and will, but he liked being her lifeline. He loved holding her; those moments before Mia and Ryleigh interrupted them were precious to him, he hoped there would be more in the future. But then again, what did he honestly have to offer Emma? He didn’t have the first clue on how to build a relationship with a woman. When he needed a release, he searched out a willing woman; he didn’t date. Shit, his longest standing relationship to date was a one-night stand that lasted all of eight hours. He didn’t even know how to woo a woman, generally he showed up at a bar or the club and selected his conquest for the night.

  Emma kept saying he was a good man, but was he truly? His bear was generally out of control, and he only formed attachments to his team. His childhood was crap. Damn, if it wasn’t for the mating thing riding him, he would let her go; he wasn’t in any shape to be someone’s mate. That’s if he was even able to let her go, which he doubted. He didn’t think he or his beast could live without her. Making up Emma’s tray, he filled a mug with mainly broth, then filled a glass with grape juice. Grabbing the fresh bread Cash had left, he cut off two generous slices and added some butter. He laced two pieces of biscotti on a separate dish. Emma deserved something sweet for all that she’d been through. Looking at the tray, he even thought about putting a flower or something on it. Didn’t chicks like that kind of thing? Having never been in this position before, he had no clue.