by Vella Day
Chapter Six
‡
While Kalan really wanted Elana to learn how to shoot well, he also wanted them to have the chance to get out of the house, and he felt the indoor gun range would provide him with the right setting. Given it was a weekday, it didn’t surprise him that it was only half full.
Kalan smiled, wondering if he could make Elana break her concentration if he pressed against her? Of course, he had to be careful. Safety first and all that, but Elana was a rather focused and determined woman.
After he made sure her gear was in place, he told her to pick up the weapon. “Let’s see what you can do without any instruction.”
“Really? I might shoot someone else’s target.”
He laughed. “You’re mated to me, my sweet. I think my good-aim genes must be inside you somewhere.”
She smiled. “Okay, but don’t criticize when I suck.”
“Never.” Today was about bonding and then loving. Kalan slapped on his headgear. “Ready when you are.”
He’d shown her how to load the gun, but now it was up to her to aim and then pull the trigger. Not wanting to distract her, Kalan stepped back. Elana’s aim was too high, and her stance was off, but this outing was mostly about his mate getting used to firing a gun. It was also about him wrapping his arms around her in a seductive manner when she wasn’t actively shooting in order to help put her in the mood for what came afterward.
With care, she raised her weapon and fired one shot and then another. When it became clear to her that she hadn’t hit the target, her shoulders slumped, and then she swung around.
“Whoa. Put the gun down before you face me,” he warned.
Her mouth opened, and she turned back around. “Sorry.” She set the gun on the counter before facing him again. “Can you tell what I did wrong?”
“Your grip and your stance are a little bit off. Believe me, the slightest adjustment can make a big difference.”
At this rate, it might take many, many trips before he was willing to put a gun in her hand for real. He stepped behind her, just as he’d planned. “Pick up the gun and then move your hand up as high as you can to get a good grip.”
It required about a half-inch adjustment. “Like this?”
“Yes. Your left hand is there to keep the gun steady.”
She made the change. “That does feel more secure.”
“Good. Now be sure to lock your wrists over center.” He moved her hands into position, but being this close to his mate almost made him forget why they’d come here.
While he wanted to correct her stance, he didn’t want to overwhelm her. “Now try it.” He tugged her headgear into position and then put on his own.
She inhaled and fired three shots in succession. Hot heat seared his back, and it took a moment for him to realize he’d been shot. How was that possible?
“Elana?” he telepathed.
His knees weakened, and he dropped to the ground. “Rye, help me. I’ve been shot. At the indoor range,” he telepathed to his Clan’s Alpha before his ability to think left him.
*
It took a moment for Kalan’s message to register in her brain. Just as it did, an overwhelming wave of confusion, fear, and then pain caused Elana to drop the gun and turn around.
“Kalan!” she screamed or at least tried to scream. Her throat had closed up.
With everyone busy shooting, no one seemed to realize that something bad had happened. Her mind spun, filled with horrible images of her holding Ian and clasping Aiden’s hand as they all peered down at Kalan’s casket. Stop it! His bear will heal him. A gunshot wouldn’t kill him, unless it was through his heart.
Three others stood at their stations, weapons in hand, but they were several feet away, seemingly oblivious to the drama unfolding before her. She dropped to her knees and shook her mate.
He opened his eyes. “Elana. I’ve asked Rye…” Kalan then passed out.
Elana’s blood pressure skyrocketed. He’d asked Rye what… to come here? Their Alpha-Beta bond allowed them to communicate telepathically.
She pulled out her phone and pressed Rye’s number.
“Elana. How is he?”
She was right. Kalan had told his best friend what happened. “He’s passed out.” Only then did she notice the pool of blood oozing out of his back. “Oh, my goddess. He’s bleeding bad.”
“Press your hand over the wound. I’ll be at the range with an ambulance as soon as I can.”
Her hand shook so much she wasn’t sure she could do as Rye asked, but she had to try. “Okay.”
“Put the phone down and help Kalan,” he instructed.
One of the men who had been shooting ran over. “What happened?”
“I think he might have been shot. The paramedic told me to turn him over and put pressure on the wound.” Even though Rye was a fireman, he had some paramedic training.
The man dropped to his knees on the other side of Kalan. “Good. I’ll help.”
“Hey, Joe,” the man called out. “Help us.”
Between the two men and her, they rolled Kalan onto his stomach. At the sight of so much blood, her heart lurched. A huge bloodstain covered most of his back, making it difficult to tell the source of the bleeding.
Footsteps sounded, and then someone handed her a towel. “Put this on the wound.”
She pulled his shirt out of his pants and lifted it up the best she could. It took a few seconds to determine where the blood was coming from. Swallowing her fear and the horror of her worst nightmare coming true, Elana pressed the cloth to the injured area, hoping not to hurt him even more.
“Did you call 911?” the towel person asked.
“Yes.” Kind of. Elana lifted onto her knees in order to keep a firm pressure on Kalan’s wound. “Come on, Kalan, hold on for me.”
No response.
He’d been winged before, and his bear had healed him quickly. This time, it didn’t look as hopeful. “Did anyone see who did this?” she asked with tears streaming down her face.
The three men looked at each other. “I didn’t. I was shooting and didn’t even hear the gunshot, assuming that was what happened.”
“I didn’t either,” added the second man.
“Me neither,” said the other one.
She was sure the guilty party would be brought to justice, but right now all Elana could think of was not losing her mate since the wound appeared really close to his heart. If the bullet had hit it though, he would be dead, or so she believed.
What seemed like forever later, sirens sounded, and then it wasn’t long before Rye rushed in with two paramedics carrying a stretcher. Even with her senses jumbled, she could tell they were both shifters.
Rye crouched down next to her. “Help is here. You can let go.”
A paramedic slipped his gloved hands over the spot where hers had been.
“He’s going to be okay,” she said, though her comment was more for her own sake than it was to assure Rye.
“Don’t worry, Elana, we’ll get him the best care.” Rye clasped her shoulders and helped her up, moving her out of the way.
The paramedics hooked Kalan up with fluids, but she wasn’t sure how much was really needed and how much was for show to convince the humans standing around that Kalan was just like them. Once they wheeled him away, Elana stashed the gun in her purse.
Rye stepped next to her. “Better if you take out the clip. You don’t want it to accidentally go off.”
She wasn’t thinking. “Yes, of course.”
Izzy rushed in, ran over to them, and gave Elana a hug. “I am so sorry this happened. Don’t you worry. I’m sure Kalan will be okay.” She looked up at Rye. “You go ahead. We’ll meet you there. Elana needs to clean up first.”
Rye trotted off. “Where exactly is he going?” Elana whispered. Not that Kalan couldn’t be treated at a regular hospital, but at some point, he’d want to shift to complete the healing process, and it would be better if a shifter treated him
.
“I’ll tell you once we leave. Come on, Elana.”
“I want to be with Kalan, of course, but shouldn’t we get someone to find out who did this?”
“You don’t know?”
Elana had already searched her mind and had come up blank. “No, I was shooting at the target when Kalan dropped to the ground.” She pulled out her phone. “I want to Dalton. He needs to investigate.” Elana’s hands were covered in blood, as was her shirt. “But first, I have to wash up. Can you Hold my phone?” she asked. “I’ll be right back.”
Elana spotted the signs for the bathroom and rushed in. As hard as she tried not to look in the mirror, she couldn’t help it. Streaks of blood laced her cheek, and her shirt would have to be trashed. She washed up the best she could and then rushed out.
“You look better,” Izzy said.
“Thanks.” Elana motioned Izzy for her phone. “Now to make that call.”
“When I arrived, I spotted the security guard finishing his rounds. I bet he called,” Izzy said.
“I’ll touch base with Dalton just in case.”
Izzy nodded.
As they were heading out, the owner of the indoor range jogged up to her. “I just heard what happened. I am so sorry. I ordered the place locked down. We’ll find out who did this. The guard will speak with everyone.”
“Thank you.”
“What did happen?” the owner asked. “I was in my office at the time.”
“Someone shot Kalan, but I didn’t see who it was.”
The owner’s face paled. “Nothing like this has ever happened here before.”
“Good to know. I’m just about to call the sheriff’s department. Dalton Garner who is Kalan’s partner, will be over shortly to look at surveillance tapes and ask if anyone saw anything. Excuse me, I have to see to my husband.”
“Of course,” the owner said, almost looking relieved. “I need this figured out as soon as possible. This could ruin my business.”
He was more worried about his damn business? A trickle of anger edged out her worry—but only for a moment. “I need to go.”
She and Izzy rushed out. Who had done this? As was often the case, her mind raced to the Changelings. They’d killed both of her parents and had ruined so many lives. Too bad she had no proof they were involved.
Once outside, Elana finally called Dalton. Apparently, he’d just hung up with Rye.
“I’m on my way, but don’t worry, Elana. Kalan is tough.”
She wished people would stop telling her not to worry. This was her mate they were talking about. “I’m sure he will be. Just find out who did this.”
“I will,” Dalton said.
Just as Elana stuffed her phone back into her purse, Izzy held out her hand. “The keys, please?”
“I can drive.”
“No, you can’t. I had Missy drop me off. You’re in no shape to be behind the wheel.”
Elana didn’t have the energy or the focus to argue. She fished out Kalan’s spare set of keys she always kept and dropped them onto Izzy’s palm. “Fine.”
“Thank you.”
Elana slipped into the car, her eyes watering so badly she could barely see. “Who would do this?” she asked, knowing full well Izzy wouldn’t have any idea.
“I know Kalan works in a dangerous profession, but he wasn’t even on the job when this happened.” Izzy huffed.
“That almost makes it worse. I remember when your mate almost died from a stab wound when he was on his way from your house to his.”
“I can never forget that,” Izzy said and then shivered.
Elana’s mind raced. “I wonder if it is a coincidence that the man who stabbed Rye was a Changeling.”
“Maybe. I’ll tell you I was so scared for Rye, as well as the fact that Owen Chancellor came all the way from Scotland in an attempt to steal my powers. That Changeling thought he could get to me by eliminating his rival and then win my heart. Fat chance. I’m just happy Missy intervened and helped Rye heal. I can’t be sure, but I think bears are a bit more resilient than wolves when they are injured.”
“In the wild maybe. Besides, if Kalan is unconscious, he can’t shift.” He might have been able to at first, but he would never want to be the person who let the human race know that shifters existed.
At first Elana thought Izzy would drive her to the hospital, but instead she headed around to the back of the McKinnon and Associates’ office.
Izzy briefly held up a hand. “I know what you’re thinking. Kalan needs surgery at a hospital. Don’t worry. The security firm has a lot of high-tech equipment for such an emergency. They even have a shifter doctor on call. He’s treated a lot of knife and bullet wounds.”
“Kalan has told me how up-to-date the office is. Knowing my mate, as soon as he wakes up, he’ll try to shift. He might not even think that he shouldn’t. If he became disoriented while in a hospital, there could be dire consequences.”
“I totally agree.”
Once they arrived at the main floor of the McKinnon and Associates’ headquarters, Izzy led her to their infirmary. Kalan’s mom was there along with both Kalan’s sister and brother.
His mom held out her arms. “Are you okay?” she asked.
“Not really, but I’m going to pretend as if this is an everyday occurrence and that Kalan will heal quickly. He needs me to be strong.” Elana leaned back. “Wait a minute. If you’re here, where’s Ian?” His parents were supposed to be watching her youngest. Aiden was still at school.
“You needn’t worry. He’s with Daniel. We’re going to take turns standing watch over our son.”
“I really appreciate that.” Guilt shot up her spine at leaving her baby with Kalan’s folks, but she might not be focused enough to watch Ian. “Can I go into the room?” She nodded to where the doctor was treating Kalan.
Felicia shook her head. “The doctor doesn’t need to be distracted.”
In truth, Elana could communicate telepathically from outside the room. The part that was the most disturbing was that she wasn’t feeling anything from her mate, implying he was out cold. If he died, she’d know it though, right?
“Come sit down. It may take a while,” his mom said.
Elana wasn’t sure how long she sat there as time seemed to stand still. Blair, Kalan’s sister, brought her a cup of much-needed coffee, and later Jackson said he’d ordered pizza since everyone needed to eat.
Once the food arrived, the whole group gathered at the large table in the main room. After Elana managed to get down two pieces, Rye scooted next to her. “Tell us what you know.”
“About the shooting?”
“Yes.”
“Nothing. There were maybe three other men at the range when we arrived. I didn’t even know we were going there until the last minute, so I have no idea how anyone even found Kalan, unless they followed us.”
That concept scared the crap out of her.
Before Rye could ask her another question, Jackson’s phone rang. He held up a finger. “It’s Dalton.” He returned his attention to the phone. “Hey, what did you find out? Uh-huh. Can you send us a copy of the tapes? Sometimes a second set of eyes is better. Okay, thanks.” He disconnected.
Elana’s heart was speeding. Figuring out who had done this would help calm her. “Anything?”
“They have an image of the shooter, but Dalton wasn’t very optimistic. The shooter kept his face averted from the cameras. It was almost as if he knew everything about the range.”
“Either he was the owner or a frequent visitor. Anyone who could shoot someone close to the heart has to be skilled.” She leaned forward. “From what Kalan told me, the only sure way to kill a bear shifter is to rip out his throat or put a bullet straight through his heart.”
“True. Thankfully, this shooter didn’t have a perfect aim.”
“Thank goodness.”
Jackson put down his coffee cup. “Elana, what case was Kalan working on? I’m wondering if he was shot because s
omeone didn’t want him investigating.”
“I’m sure you’ve heard about the murder at the pawnshop and the attempted murder at the antique store, but Dalton and their new hire, Wes, are on the case too. Even if Kalan is healing, there are others to continue.”
“I agree. Anything else?”
“Kalan only gives me bits and pieces of what he is working on, but did you know that Kip’s friend is missing?”
“I was aware of that. In fact, Kip, Ronan, and Connor are out looking for him now. I’ve already contacted them and told them about Kalan, but I suggested they keep up with their search. There is nothing they can do for your mate here.”
She nodded. “That’s good. I can’t imagine what Kip’s friend is going through if someone kidnapped him.”
“Was Kalan working on anything else?”
“Just the break-in at the Blooms of Hope.” Elana explained Dalton’s theory about why the Changelings might be behind her break-in, one murder, and one attempted murder—or two attempted murders if she included Kalan’s. “Kalan said it is just a theory though.”
“I never discount gut feeling, especially Dalton’s or Kalan’s. I’ll check when the next red moon is. We don’t need any of the Changelings transforming into anyone else and fooling us. We have to be on our toes more now than ever, especially since they seem desperate. In the past, they’ve always been willing to kill in order to get their precious stone.”
The door to the infirmary opened, and a tired looking doctor came out. Wood squeaked on the tile floor as everyone pushed back their chairs. Elana rushed up to him. “How is he?”
“Holding his own. I was able to remove the bullet. Kalan was lucky. The bullet narrowly missed his heart.”
Elana let out a breath. “May I see him?”
“Are you his…”
“His mate? Yes,” Elana said.
“He’s still sedated, but I’m thinking he should be able to hear you. Just don’t stay too long. He needs his rest. When he is feeling better, he should shift, though I’m not sure if the cot is strong enough to handle a bear.”
“I think they reinforced it.”
“Good. Call me if he develops a fever or anything.”