by Vella Day
“Thank you so much.”
The doctor nodded and then went over to Jackson just as Izzy rushed up to her. “Would you like me to call Missy? I know she helped Rye heal quicker.”
“That would be wonderful. I’ll take all the help I can get.” She hugged Izzy quickly. “I’m going to check on him as soon as I speak with his siblings and mom.”
“I’ll call my sister.”
As much as Elana wanted to tell all of Kalan’s worried relatives to head home, she understood how much his family loved him and wanted to be supportive. They needed to see for themselves that he’d be okay. “I won’t be long,” she told the anxious faces.
“We’ll be waiting,” his mom said.
Chapter Seven
‡
Kalan couldn’t figure out why his eyes wouldn’t open or why he felt as if he’d been in a battle to the death. The sad thing was that he couldn’t tell if he’d won or lost.
“Kalan? Can you hear me?”
His body relaxed at the sound of Elana’s voice in his head. Finally, he had confirmation that he was alive. “Yes, I’m here.”
Gentle cool fingers touched his skin. “Kalan, you need to wake up.”
“I am awake. Give me a sec.” Somehow his message didn’t seem to be reaching her.
“Open your eyes, Kalan,” she said out loud.
As much as he wanted to answer, neither his mouth nor eyelids seemed to be working. The harder he tried, the more pain entered his subconscious. “Are you okay?” he asked her.
“Kalan, is that you?”
Why couldn’t they connect? He hoped no one else was in his head. The voice was definitely female. “Yes. What—?” was all he managed to get out.
At least he believed he’d said that last part out loud, though he couldn’t tell if his lips had actually moved.
“You were shot,” Elana told him.
Shot? He searched his memory. Like an image slowly coming into focus, he remembered being at the gun range with Elana and not out on some case. The last thing he recalled though was checking out her ass as she lifted the weapon to take aim.
No wait. There had been a hot pain searing his back, and then his knees had given way. His initial instinct had been to tell Rye about it. Then total blackness had enveloped him until he’d heard Elana’s sweet voice.
Someone shook his arm and then pinched him. The pain barely registered, but it had been there. With great effort, he opened his eyes for a moment, just enough to see Elana’s beautiful face.
“Hey, you’re awake,” she said with a smile in her words.
The next time he managed to open his eyes, Missy was looming over him. “Elana? Where is—?”
“Shh. You need to rest. Elana is downstairs in the safe room. I’ve put a healing packet under your head. Just try to relax while I do my thing.”
Hearing that Elana was safe and then learning the Wendayan with the healing touch was there, allowed him to drift off to sleep again without worry. Several times during the night Kalan would rouse and fall back to sleep, all the while working hard to block out the intermittent pain. Elana said he’d been shot. The question was by whom and why? Between his family and Dalton, Kalan was certain they would be doing everything they could to find the answer. His job was to heal.
Even in his stupor, he understood that his bear would be the final step in doing just that. If Elana was downstairs in the saferoom, it meant he was at the McKinnon and Associates’ infirmary. Assuming he could shift, doing so in this small room though wouldn’t be wise.
“Kalan, it’s time to wake up. We need you to shift,” said a voice some time later.
It sounded like Elana. Regardless of who was talking, she was right. It was time to get up. First chore was to open his eyes. After a few failed attempts, he eventually succeeded. Slowly, his vision cleared, and all on their own, his lips lifted into a smile when he saw his mate.
“Oh, thank goodness. I was so worried. Aiden was really scared and threw several tantrums when I wouldn’t let him visit you.”
He reached out and touched her hand. “I’ll be okay.”
Elana lifted his shirt. “I want to see where they operated.”
Kalan had no idea he’d been under the knife. All he knew is that he needed to get out of this bed and out of this room so he could shift. “In a minute. Help me up, will you?”
Elana pressed some button that raised the back of the bed. Once upright, he swung his legs over the side.
“Let me see who is in the other room who can help you stand. Stay there,” she commanded.
He knew better than to argue.
Elana ducked out of the room and returned shortly with Jackson and their dad. “Let’s get you into the other room so you can shift,” his father said.
While the process was painful and hard, they managed to help him to get upright. Even with their support, putting one foot in front of the other wasn’t easy. Kalan was starting to doubt he could shift.
“You can do this,” Elana telepathed. He must be sending out vibes of doubt.
Not wanting to disappoint her, he made it into the main room. “Help me over to the table so I have something to hold on to. I’m going to shift, so stand back.”
“We figured, son.”
As soon as they moved out of the way, Kalan concentrated on changing into his bear form. He might have been an expert from the time he was four, but the ensuing pain made him reconsider ever shifting again. The cracking and lengthening of his bones, caused undo stress on his fragile system, but it had to be done.
“You did it!” Elana cheered.
When Kalan looked down at his arms and hands, he let out a big breath. Now do your thing, he told his animal.
I plan to. Lie down.
Happy to drop to the cold floor, he sprawled out and closed his eyes, where he promptly fell asleep.
*
Elana was never happier than when she walked upstairs the next morning for breakfast and saw Kalan rise off the floor and shift back into his human form. He looked good. His back had taken the brunt of the trauma, but she would check out his scar later. Right now, she needed to hug him.
“How are you feeling?” she asked as she wrapped her arms around his naked body. Elana kissed him lightly and then handed him a pair of track pants someone had placed on the chair for him.
“Good, but I’ll be better once I find some place where I can be alone with you.”
She smiled and then stepped back. “While I appreciate the sentiment, you can’t fool me. You are still weak. And you smell of dried blood.”
“I’m not surprised, but after a hot shower and a few more hours, I’ll be as strong as ever.”
“I hope so.”
“There’s a shirt on the chair for you too,” Jackson said as he entered the room carrying some marvelous smelling coffee from a cup that surely had come from their mom’s house. “I’m afraid the one you were wearing is toast, bro. You’ll never get the blood stains out.”
“I figured. Even if I could, it wouldn’t do to have an officer walk around with a bullet hole in his shirt.”
“Too true. I’m just happy you healed so quickly.”
“I couldn’t agree more. I think it was hearing Elana’s voice in my head that helped pull me through.”
Her heart melted. “You are so sweet.”
“I’m hardly sweet.” He tapped Elana’s nose. “Sit down and have some food while I clean up. My stench is even offending me.”
“Hurry back.”
“Don’t you worry.” He grabbed the shirt from the chair and then headed down the hallway.
Because she was starving, Elana grabbed a donut and a cup of coffee. She had to admit, the sinfully cream-filled donut was pure euphoria—or else it was all of the endorphins floating through her body after seeing Kalan up and looking healthy. Last night had been such a nightmare. The next time he was in his bear form, she would have to give him a hug to thank him for working overtime to heal her mate.
“Wh
ere are your folks?” she asked.
“I made Dad go home early this morning. He looked exhausted. I had to promise them once Kalan was out of danger that I would call them—which I just did.”
She looked around. “Is anyone else here?”
“Connor. I don’t think Kip, Sam, or Ronan are back yet from their early morning search.”
“Have you spoken with Dalton since yesterday? I’m wondering if he has any more information about the shooting.”
“No,” Jackson said. “I looked at a copy of the indoor shooting range tapes that Dalton sent over, but I have to agree with the sheriff’s department. While I can see the gun, the shooter stood in the doorway in such a way that his face was blocked. All I could see was him raising his gun and then afterward, casually walking away with his head down.”
“Weren’t there any cameras near the entrance?” she asked.
“The coverage there is rather poor. The owner definitely needs to beef up his security.”
“Where does that leave us?”
Jackson shrugged. “The doctor left us the slug he recovered from Kalan’s body. I’ll ask Dalton to run a test on it. If we’re lucky, it will match one of the other crimes. If that is the case, then Dalton would have been right in thinking the cases are related.”
Elana sipped her hot coffee. “At least we have a clue.”
“That we do.”
When she’d finished eating, Kalan came back into the room, looking quite fit. Elana jumped up. “You look better.”
“Between my bear and Missy, I’m as good as new. Ready to head home?”
“Absolutely.” She turned to Jackson. “Please thank everyone for their part in helping Kalan. I don’t know what I would have done without all of you.”
Jackson smiled. “We are all family. And in this case, brothers.”
“Very true.” She hugged Jackson and then led Kalan outside. Elana wanted to tell him how scared she’d been of losing him, but Kalan seemed to be in another world. “I’ll drive,” she said, even though she’d barely slept a wink.
“I’m fine.”
“You were under an anesthetic. I would feel better if I did.”
Kalan held up his palms and pulled open the passenger side door. “You’re the boss.”
Since when? Though she decided not to make a comment. She was holding on by a thin thread as it was. Instead of driving straight home, she detoured to his parents. “Aiden will be so excited to see you,” she said. “I agreed to let him stay home from school. That way it saved two trips to the school.”
“I’m sorry he was worried.”
“Your parents took turns being by your side all night, while the other watched the kids.”
He blew out a breath. “I had no idea.”
“A lot of people stood watch to make sure you were okay.”
Kalan reached out and squeezed her leg. “Thank you.”
Elana pulled into his parents’ driveway and cut the engine. The snow had already melted, but the wind cut through her clothes as they headed to the front door. Kalan knocked and then went in. “Anyone home?”
Several sets of feet pounded on the floor. The first ones belonged to Aiden. “Daddy!”
Kalan picked him up and swung him around. Elana wanted to tell him to take it easy, but he never would, regardless of whether he was in any pain or not. His mom rounded the corner from the kitchen next and then his father entered from the living room, holding a sleeping Ian.
“You’re a sight for sore eyes,” Daniel said.
“I’m sorry I gave you a scare, but I’m all good now.”
“We’re so happy to hear that. Let me fix you something to eat,” his mom said. Food was the answer to everything, according to Felicia.
If Kalan didn’t need the nourishment, Elana would have suggested they leave. While her mate had the day off, she needed to be at work since they were interviewing a new assistant today. Even though she trusted Anna’s opinion completely, Elana didn’t want to burden her too much with making the decision by herself.
Normally, she would have stayed home to hover over Kalan, but the truth was, he seemed to be in perfect health. Because he appeared to be over his injury, if she were there to watch the kids, Kalan would have insisted on going into work, and then questions about his miraculous recovery would surely raise suspicion. Besides, it would be good for Kalan and the kids to have some alone time.
“Have a seat,” Felicia said, pointing to the dining room chairs. “I’ll whip up some eggs.” She turned to her husband. “Can you help me in the kitchen, Daniel?”
“Ah, sure.” He handed the slowly rousing Ian to Elana.
Having her baby in her arms helped calm her. It was also a sweet scene with Aiden on Kalan’s lap hugging his dad.
“Would you mind if I went into work today?” he asked.
Called it, which was why she had her answer ready. “You’re supposed to be home recuperating—for a week or so—and besides, Anna and I are interviewing our new assistant. I believe your mom said she has plans too, so tag, you’re it.”
“I can’t just sit home and do nothing.”
“You’re not thinking clearly. You can’t waltz into the station after just being shot. A human would need time to heal.”
“I’ll tell them it was just a graze. I know a few have returned to work the day after their shooting.”
She had heard of a few humans, and maybe some not-so-human officers, returning to work rather quickly. “At least take the day off. Sheesh.”
“Don’t forget someone tried to kill me,” he telepathed. “They might try again. I’ll be safer at the precinct.”
He was grasping at straws. “Can we talk about this later, after we’ve eaten?” She nodded at their child who always seemed to know when they were telepathing.
His excuse about being safer at the station was bogus. Changelings knew that being anywhere around Silver Lake diminished their power, which meant Kalan would be safest at home. She doubted Kalan had forgotten about how before they’d even mated, a Changeling had come to their home and couldn’t even keep in his shifted form.
“Sure.”
A few minutes later Felicia and Daniel carried out a feast. If Kalan was able to eat half of what was on his plate, Elana would have to conclude her mate was indeed healthy. His parents joined them, but they had the sense not to discuss the near tragic incident in front of Aiden. Instead, Felicia asked about Blooms of Hope and how the store was doing.
“It’s great. We’re actually interviewing another person today. Anna and I both want to spend more time at home, so we need someone else to be at the shop.”
“That’s such a great idea. Where did you find this candidate?” Felicia asked.
“She called us and asked if we needed help. I considered it a sign.”
Felicia laughed. While nothing Elana said was funny, Felicia clearly meant to set a light tone for breakfast, and it was working. Aiden was devouring some of the eggs and all of his toast that was slathered with jelly. Kalan too was doing justice to his meal.
When Aiden finished first, he started wiggling—a sure sign that he needed to get out and run around. Elana made a big show of looking at her watch. “We need to get going. I can’t thank you enough for all you’ve done.”
“You know I love being with my grandbabies. I’d take them today, but I have some errands I have to run,” Felicia said.
Kalan’s mom and Elana had previously spoken about coming up with some fake errands. It was important to Elana that Kalan not overextend himself. Family was important, and her mate needed to reset his compass.
Even though Elana offered to help clean up, Felicia told them to get going. After dressing Aiden and Ian in their warm clothes, the four of them headed out.
As soon as they were strapped in the car, Kalan turned to her. “How long will this interview take?”
She knew what he was doing. He was trying to find a way to go into work. “I can’t really say.” And she wouldn
’t either.
They lived close to his folks, so they were at their house before they could finish the discussion. Once inside, she hurried to the bedroom to change. She kept wondering what it was going to take to make Kalan hers again. Work was important, yes, as they both needed jobs to have the things they wanted, but that shouldn’t come at the cost of putting his career over his family.
Chapter Eight
‡
As soon as Elana left for work, Kalan put Ian in his playpen in the living room and told Aiden to find some games to play with in his bedroom. He needed to call Dalton.
“I wanna go outside,” Aiden said.
Kalan wanted to say yes worse than anything, but Ian couldn’t shift yet, and Kalan needed some time to make his calls. Not only that, if Kalan didn’t learn about the progress on finding Sean, he’d go crazy. “I need to be outside with you, and if I’m outside, what are we going to do about Ian?”
“Put on his coat too. He likes snow.”
“He does?”
Aiden nodded, clearly making up a story to fit his needs. His son reminded him of himself way too much. “How about you let me make a quick phone call and then maybe we can visit Mommy later today? You always like her shop. Remember how good it smells in there?”
“I wanna play outside.” His lips pressed together, a sign that a fit was about to start.
“I hear you.”
He debated asking his dad to watch the kids again, but Kalan wasn’t sure what he could really do to help with any of the pending cases if he couldn’t be seen by anyone from the department.
Dalton would have ordered a ton of crime scene techs to go over the indoor shooting range to find clues as to who had shot him, so that place was off limits too. With the precinct aware of his injuries, Elana was right. It would be a bit suspicious to waltz in looking perfectly fine. He could however be in the field looking for Sean.
“Go ahead and play in your room,” he told Aiden. “Maybe after that, we can go outside.”
“’K,” his son shouted before running down the hallway to his room.
Thank goodness his child had the ability to entertain himself for hours. Regardless of how well-behaved Aiden could be, Kalan couldn’t leave him, and he certainly couldn’t take two kids with him into Changeling territory.