“Was this during a breathing treatment?” Flynn asked, the doctor kicking in.
“Yes.”
“His air passages must have closed up,” he told everyone. “Where was the RN during all this?”
“She had stepped out of the room for something.”
“Ah. I take it she found him nonresponsive when she returned?”
Sasha nodded woodenly. “He was clinically dead for almost seven minutes before they could bring him back. Then he slipped into a coma for almost four months. When he came out of it, he wasn’t the same.”
“There was some damage to the brain, wasn’t there?” he asked with sympathy. His knowledge no doubt painted a grim picture of what her father had suffered. Sasha and her family as well. He would be right. It was grim indeed.
She took a deep breath, seeing it all again. “Yes. His long-term memory was damaged, so he had to learn everything over. Remembering his family, walking, talking, eating, and even going to the bathroom.” She swallowed hard, trying not to cry. “It’s hard seeing a man you thought could do anything brought to that state.”
“His rehabilitation must have been long and hard. For all of you.” Flynn rubbed her shoulder in comfort.
She touched his hand. “Yes. Fortunately, we were all grown. Alex and I dropped out of school to help Mom. Bobby took off because he couldn’t stand to see Dad like that. But all of us agreed Elaine would graduate and go to college. She started classes the week after we brought Dad home.”
“That had to have been a job. He probably needed round-the-clock care after the ordeal he went through,” Roan surmised.
She nodded. “Mom had to quit work to care for him. We all did the best we could to help, and Social Security paid for most of his meds, but a few months later, Alex had found a man. She wanted a life of her own, and I didn’t blame her. So after she got married, that left just me to help my mom. Elaine was in college, and my brother was still MIA.”
“How old were you?” Gabe asked.
She thought about it for a minute. “Twenty-one, almost twenty-two, I think.”
“So young to have such responsibility,” Roan commented.
“Someone had to do it.” She shrugged. “Anyway, a couple years later, my dad’s health started getting worse. The coma, brain damage, and constant meds had taken their toll, and his body was just wearing out. He wanted to be with his family before he died.”
“He knew he didn’t have long, didn’t he?” Gabe asked with sympathy.
“Yes, he knew. And he wanted all his family around when the time came. So, we called my uncle, my mom’s brother-in-law, and we all moved to North Carolina where both my mom and dad’s family lived. Elaine had flunked out of college by this time, and my brother had started to show up occasionally. He thought the job scene would be better there, so they both came along. My uncle helped get us a place and everything.” Her mind went back to those rough days. “He only stayed in our new place two days before he was rushed to the hospital. He died that night under sedation. It was peaceful and like he wanted.”
“Oh Sasha, I’m so sorry,” Charlie said, tears in her voice.
Sasha smiled wanly at her. “Don’t be, Charlie, because I was a lot happier for him after he died than before. No one deserves to live like that.”
“Well said, my dear.” Roan nodded.
She cleared her throat, continuing on. “Anyway, after my dad died, the family sort of went to hell in a handbasket. Elaine and I were working, Mom was going out, and my brother was into the drug scene—all this a couple months after my dad’s death. Things got worse after my mom came home with some man. I mean, I didn’t begrudge her her happiness, but the least she could have done was wait a while, ya know?” Sasha remembered how pissed she was at the time. “My dad wasn’t even gone three months when she brought the guy to our house.”
“That must have gone well,” Flynn’s tone conveying that he understood how Sasha felt must have felt.
Sasha snorted at that. “She wound up marrying the scumbag a few years later.”
“I take it you don’t like your mother’s husband?” Roan surmised.
She laughed at that. “Hate would be a better word. And I’m the only one who feels that way. Everyone else enjoys having him around.”
“What happened, baby?” Flynn asked her softly.
“A year before they got married, he propositioned me, saying he and my mom had an open relationship and he had been fantasizing about having us together in a threesome.” Sasha shuddered at the memory. “I was disgusted, of course, and told him. I also told my mom.” She paused, taking a deep breath. Even after all this time, the betrayal still hurt. “She blamed his lapse on me. Said it was my fault, that I was teasing him and just trying to take him away from her. I was devastated, to say the least.”
“Jeez,” Gabe softly exclaimed.
“I cannot believe a mother would do that to her own child,” Charlie said with shock.
“Humans.” Roan just shook his head.
Flynn brought her hand to his lips and gently kissed her knuckles, his light eyes saying he understood her pain. She gave him a small smile, accepting his sympathy. Dillon, poor kid, just listened; he really didn’t know or probably understand much, but he smiled at Sasha, seeing that she was a little sad. It helped.
She took another deep breath and continued. “Like I said, everyone else likes having him around. But then, he sort of bought their attention. Helping Elaine get a car, getting my brother countless jobs, finding Alex and her family a larger house near my mom because Alex’s husband got transferred to a new job. The list goes on, but I never wanted to have anything to do with the man. And none of them could understand why I won’t forgive and forget. But it’s hard for them to really get it when my mom or my sisters and brother invite the man to family gatherings. I’m reminded every time I see him.”
“Must be hard to forgive when the others take it so lightly,” Roan commented, hitting on her feelings exactly.
“Yes.” Then she laughed sarcastically. “But everything is civil and normal. Like we’re all one big happy family. Only we’re not. Haven’t been since before my dad died. Hell.” She laughed again. “The only time I see my family is at holidays or the occasional birthday party for my nieces and nephews. Other than that, they keep the calls geared toward wanting something. My mom—her prescriptions or a few dollars here and there. My brother is the same. And my sisters always want a free babysitter, at the last minute, of course. Not that I don’t love being with my nieces and nephews, but I do have my own life, such as it is. But it’s mine, and I’ve done pretty well without any help at all.”
“And now, to add to all that, you’re part of a Lupus Pack, with a True Mate and an upcoming Challenge with the ex-female Alpha,” Roan stated. “I think a lesser person would have just given up and rolled over. Yet you haven’t.”
She smiled ruefully. “I’ve never been a quitter, and I never wanted to give up on my family even after they gave up long ago.” She shrugged. “But I have my memories of the good times. They should be enough.”
“That doesn’t have to be enough, Sasha. You can make new memories. With us. We’re your family now.” Flynn squeezed her shoulder, still holding her close through her tale of family woe.
“He’s right, my dear. You’re not just a part of my Pack, but a part of my family. A part of this family and all that entails.” Roan smiled.
“I don’t understand.” Nor did she dare to believe.
“We’re True Mates, Sasha, which is more binding than any marriage. It also means you’re a member of this family. Another daughter to my mother and another sister to Roan, Dillon, and Angel. My older sister,” he explained when he saw her confused look at the girl’s name.
“Flynn’s right. We’re family now, and you belong here, with us, my daughter,” Charlie said as her eyes started to tear up.
“I…I don’t know what to say.” She was starting to get a little choked up herself.
<
br /> “You don’t have to say anything. Just accept it as fact. You’re a LeGuer now.” Roan smiled at her with joy.
Chapter Six
Seeing everyone else sharing smiles pushed her over the edge, and she broke down for the second time that day. Must be getting close to my period. I’m not usually this weepy.
“Come on, boys. You can help me clear the table so these two can have a moment,” Charlie ordered, gathering dishes as the other three followed suit.
Sasha was too busy blubbering to pay attention or to hear what Dillon said as he walked into the kitchen with the others. Flynn told her later what was said.
“Is Sasha really my new sister?” Dillon asked Roan, seeing him and his mother nod. “Cool! A sister who can kick butt! And an Alpha, too. Wait till I tell the guys at school.”
Roan looked at Dillon, as the others did since surprise seemed to be the order of the day. “How do you know she’s an Alpha, Dillon?” he asked.
“’Cause she smells like one. Not as strong as you, Roan—almost like Jenna, but more fruity. Apples, I think?” he answered, his little brow scrunched with thought. “You think she’ll smell like you soon, Roan?”
Roan smiled in reply. “I’ve no doubt, scamp, no doubt at all.” He ruffled Dillon’s hair with affection.
“Awesome! A brother and a sister for an Alpha,” Dillon said in awe, going through the kitchen door with his share of the dishes.
Roan looked over at Flynn, watching his brother comfort Sasha. “Yes, very awesome, indeed,” he replied and then followed the others with more dishes.
By the time the table was cleared, her crying had stopped, and she was a mess. Again. Luckily, she had her napkin from dinner. It sopped up the tears Flynn’s shirt had missed.
“Sorry about that.” Sasha blew her nose with as much delicacy as she could, which was impossible, of course. She thought she sounded like a sick goose. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I hardly ever cry, especially around others,” she said, secretly wishing they were alone so Flynn could comfort her like he did earlier.
“I think you’re entitled. You’ve been through the ringer today. Anyone else would have probably lost it.” Flynn smiled, touching her cheek. His expression said he too wished they were alone.
“What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.” She smiled back, feeling those words clear to her soul.
“Amen,” Charlie agreed, carrying a cake through the kitchen door.
The others followed behind with Roan carrying a loaded tea tray, Dillon a pie, and Gabe brought up the rear with a coffeepot.
“No truer words have been spoken, my dear,” Roan replied, setting the tea tray down on the table. The others did the same. “And appropriate, given the situation.”
She guessed she could take that saying literally now, couldn’t she? It had been her private litany for years when things got rough. Who knew it would come true someday? Irony at its best. And I guess that’s me in a nutshell.
“Who’s up for dessert?” Charlie took dessert plates and forks off the tea tray. “I’ve got German chocolate cake and cherry pie. Nothing like sugar to ease the nerves.”
“Just a small slice of cake for me, Charlie,” Sasha said. “Now that I actually have a figure, I want to keep it that way.”
She handed Sasha the plate with a larger slice than she had asked for, smiling merrily. “Don’t worry about the weight and figure anymore, hon. DNA isn’t the only thing that’s changed in your system.”
She took the plate, along with a cup of coffee from Gabe, a question written clearly on her face.
Seeing her confusion, Charlie asked Roan if Sasha had been informed, in detail, about her new life as a Lupus as well as apologizing for her father’s attack. From what Roan had explained, the man hadn’t been in his right mind so really couldn’t be held responsible for his actions. Besides, she was alive, and that was all that mattered. Charlie gave her a teary smile of gratitude.
“I had hoped to rectify the matter over dinner, only Jenna had other plans. But now is as good a time as any for it.” Roan nodded, taking a bite of his cake.
Sounded good to Sasha, too. She was getting kind of tired of all the little surprises being hurled her way out of nowhere. Hard to keep up with the score if you hadn’t played the game before.
“Great! After the day I’ve had, I could use a crash course in Lupus 101,” she said, chocolate cake melting in her mouth. Ah, sweet chocolate. What more could she say?
“You’re definitely with the right company for answers.” Gabe grinned, a piece of cake and pie on his plate.
“Well, then, class is in session,” Flynn stated, a big wedge of pie already starting to disappear off his plate. “To begin with, Lupus are born, not made.”
“That’s right,” Roan said, picking up Flynn’s thread. “Long ago in our history, Lupus ran wild, attacking humans. Turning some, killing others. The humans took offense, naturally, and tried to wipe us out.”
“Damn near succeeded, too,” Flynn continued. “The Alpha at that time knew he had to do something to keep our race from being slaughtered. So he gathered his remaining Pack, moved to another country, and started over.”
“There, he wrote down a set of laws for the Pack to adhere to. Then getting a blood oath from every member of the Pack, which bound them to their promise till death, they began a new way of life.”
“Over the years, some laws have been changed, others done away with. It happens when the world around you changes. But one law has never changed. Attacking a human means automatic execution. No questions asked. No excuses. And because we have followed this law to the letter, the Pack has never been safer,” Flynn explained, finished with his pie then took a sip of his coffee.
“But it does happen,” Sasha replied. “I wouldn’t be here otherwise.”
“Not often, no,” Roan agreed. “Like every race, we also have the occasional deviant. Or in your case, unbalanced Elder. But our justice is harsh and a lot swifter. We couldn’t do otherwise. Our safety hinges on secrecy. If one of the Pack started leaving a trail of bodies, questions would arise, and we would eventually be found out. Then hunted down.”
“Man destroys what he fears.” She repeated a phrase Roan had said earlier.
He nodded in acknowledgment, saluting her with his coffee cup.
“That or worse.” Gabe shuddered visibly.
They all knew what the worse meant. Capture and experimentation. That was a nightmare better left in the dark.
Time to change the subject. Little ears, she thought, thinking of Dillon. “Okay, that’s some history. Now how about some biology? I got a very brief outline earlier.”
“Flynn, you’re the doctor. You can explain that better than the rest of us,” Charlie said with pride as she poured another cup of tea.
“All right,” he agreed. “I told you about the virus and how it alters your DNA and renews and repairs your body on a cellular level.”
She nodded, taking a sip of her coffee.
“Well, the virus also enhances all five senses and gives you much greater strength, as you no doubt discovered.” He smiled, clearly remembering Jenna pinned to the wall.
“Yeah. I kind of figured that one out for myself.” She chuckled along with everyone else.
“What’s so funny?” Dillon asked, chocolate smudged at the corner of his mouth.
“I’ll tell you later.” Gabe winked.
“Gotcha.” Dillon winked back conspiratorially.
That got another round of laughter from everyone again.
“And to touch on what Mother said earlier about the cake, you now have a higher metabolism as well.”
“Of course, all that will magnify after your First Transformation,” Roan said, voicing aloud the one thing she wanted to know more about.
“You guys touched briefly on that as well.”
Flynn frowned, a look of worry passing across his handsome face. He clearly didn’t want to worry her about what might happen. But the
not knowing was worse than the truth.
“I have to know what to expect, Flynn. Going through this blind would be worse than knowing. At least this way, I can try to prepare.” She took his hand and laced their fingers together. His touch was such a comfort. Which was kind of scary really. They hardly knew each other.
“I know. I just…” He took a deep breath. “I just don’t want anything to go wrong.”
“Have faith, brother. She has already shown us how strong willed she is. I should think the First Transformation a small feat compared to what she has already been through,” Roan assured them, trying to offer comfort with his firm belief in her.
“That’s right, son. She’ll be fine,” Charlie concurred.
Gabe and Dillon nodded in agreement.
“Okay.” Sasha let her breath whoosh out. “What are the beginning signs, and what am I to expect?” She hoped all the movies about how a werewolf changed were greatly exaggerated.
Flynn sighed in resignation. “All Lupus have their First Transformation at the height of the full moon. There have been exceptions to this rule, but that’s rare.”
So the myths were right on that one.
“The beginning signs are edginess and a need to be outdoors. Tingling in the hands and feet are also common. As your time draws nearer, usually on that day, your skin will itch slightly, and all your senses will be heightened. You’ll be ravenously hungry because your body knows what’s going to happen, so it needs plenty of energy to complete the process.”
“It’s a good idea to eat a lot a few days before. The more fuel your body has, the less drained you feel afterward,” Gabe added.
Everyone nodded in agreement.
“The process for first timers last no more than fifteen minutes, depending on the Lupus, though it definitely feels longer.” Flynn smiled ruefully.
“What’s the process like, Flynn?” she asked softly.
Sasha knew he was going around the actual answer, but she couldn’t let him skirt it anymore. She had to know.
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