18 - the attack

"You let her go?" Jackson groaned when he approached me with Seth and Embry in tow.

"She just wants to end things with him," I sighed as my fingers plowed through my hair. "Tell me I didn't just make the biggest mistake," I demanded when my gaze landed on my friends.

They glanced at each other with concern in their eyes. "I hope not," Seth replied as his eyes darted between the three of us.

Yeah, me too.

I stood there, still stunned that she really left with him. Chloe told me he had never hurt her, but the way I provoked him during that meeting had me worried that things could change. When I started off for the door of the police station, my friends were right on my heels.

"What's wrong, Paul?" Seth quizzed when he caught up to me.

I scanned the parking lot for my father's car and shrugged. "I don't know, man. Something doesn't feel right. I don't trust my father alone with Chloe."

Embry furrowed his brow when he reached us. "What are we looking for?"

I continue to look around as I replied, "My dad's Mercedes. It's gold."

"Isn't that them?" Jackson pointed to the far side of the lot, closest to the trees. Even from here, I could hear him shouting at her.

"Fuck," I groaned as I sprinted across the lot.

"Who the fuck do you think you are, Chloe? You wanna embarrass by showing up here, draped all over my son like some sort of slut? Is that it?"

I could hear him growling in her face, his hand gripping the back of her neck to force her eyes on his. "You will never see him again. Do you understand me?" Jack seethed.

"Let go of me!" Chloe shouted as he reared his hand back to slap her.

The four of us converged on him. I yanked his arm back as Seth pulled Chloe into his arms. Jackson and Embry slammed Jack against the side of his car and held him as I looked Chloe over. "Are you okay?" I panted and she nodded.

"Get the fuck off me!" Jack roared as he squirmed around in their grasp. Jackson and Embry held that bastard so tightly, his suit was beginning to tear.

I focused my attention on my father now, curling my hands into fists as I advanced on him. "Who the fuck do you think you are?" I spat his question right back at him. "And that takes some real balls to raise your hand to a woman you claim to love."

"She's mine," Jack growled through clenched teeth. "Every good thing she ever got was because I looked out for her, paid for her schooling. I made sure they got you out of that house!" His eyes were focused on Chloe now.

"And I appreciate that, Jack, but you know I don't love you," she replied softly. Chloe stepped away from Seth and moved to stand next to me. "I'm in love with Paul. I can't pretend what we had was real. Paul showed me what this should feel like. We never had that. I felt gratitude for you...not love. I wanted there to be more, but there wasn't."

Her voice twisted with regret. I knew Chloe well enough to know she felt badly. It's what had kept her at arm's length from me for so long. But without the fear of Jack turning her in, she no longer had any reason to deny her feelings for me. But she also didn't like the idea that he would be hurt by her.

What she didn't know was, my father had no feelings.

His expression dropped as he glanced between us and saw the way she leaned against me. I nodded to Embry and they released their grip on my father. "Just leave, Jack. There's nothing in La Push for you now," I sighed and secretly hoped he had finally given up.

Jack straightened up, yanking on his jacket in a vain effort to smooth out the wrinkles. He glared at my friends, who had no intention of walking away. He took a step closer to Chloe and I could feel her tuck in closer to me. "It's over, Jack. There's nothing left to talk about," she told him as his jaw tensed.

Jack chuckled as I wrapped a protective arm around my girl. "My son is a manwhore, Chloe. Can't you see that?" he scoffed. "He fucks different women every weekend! He's paid to seduce women!"

"I quit," I announced suddenly when I felt Chloe easing away from me. "I could never do that again. Not while I'm with you," I whispered against her temple, keeping a close eye on my father.

"He's never loved anyone but himself," Jack continued to drone. "He'll get bored of you."

"I want Paul," Chloe asserted loudly. "I don't care what happened in his past. I love him."

"Then you're an idiot," Jack chuckled as he took another step forward. "I would've given you anything you ever wanted."

Chloe leaned toward him and sneered, "The only thing you would've given me was an STD with the way you were sleeping your way around Seattle."

My father's eyes widened and his jaw fell slack. "I..I didn't…"

"Don't lie! That's why you stay in Seattle all week. I'm not stupid, Jack."

Chloe sighed and shook her head. "It doesn't even matter now. Just let me be happy with Paul and you can go back to… whatever their names are. You don't have to pretend you want me and I don't have to fake my orgasms anymore."

Embry coughed into his fist as Seth's mouth hung open. The color drained from Jack's face as his eyes narrowed and he glared at Chloe. "Fine," he huffed. "Just know you're taking a gamble every time you fuck him," he paused and pointed at me. He took another step closer and lowered his head. "He's an animal, Chloe. He can't control himself. You say the wrong thing...do the wrong thing and he'll lose it. And then he will tear you to shreds. It's not safe to be alone with him!"

My father was resorting to desperate tactics now. I didn't give a shit what he had to say about me, but I knew if he kept pushing Chloe, she was likely to push back. "She's not going with you, Jack. Just give it up!" I spat, drawing her back into my arms and out of his reach.

My father scoffed as he looked around at all of us and then stomped off to get in his car. "What an asshole!" Jackson groaned as my father sped away. "I can't believe that he's your dad."

I chuckled when I remembered that Jackson had never met him before. Well, that was a hell of a way to meet. "Let's just get out of here," I sighed before pulling Chloe close and giving her a tight hug. "Thanks for having my back, guys."

"You got it, Alpha," Seth laughed as he slapped my back. "I'm just glad we got here before Chloe got hurt."

I released Chloe and held her chin in my hand. "I love you, Sugar."

"Awww," my friends crooned in unison.

"Our alpha has become such a softie," Embry joked.

I growled at them as we made our way back to my car. "Laugh it up, jackasses. Breathe a word about what you heard and you'll all be pulling double patrols for the next month," I threatened.

The guys were groaning about not really missing me when I was gone but I couldn't hear a word. The sound of squealing tires filled the air as my father's gold Mercedes tore down the street and dangerously close to us. "Get down," I ordered when his window lowered and a gun came into view.

Everything happened in a blur. Shots rang out and everyone scrambled. I caught a glimpse of Chloe reaching for me as I pulled her down behind an old Chevy. "Fuck! Are you guys okay?" I hollered when my father's car disappeared down the street.

Seth and Embry rushed to my side. "Jackson is chasing him down. He won't get far," Embry reported.

"Paul," Seth gasped as he knelt behind Chloe. "I think Chloe got hit."

I lowered my face and caught a glimpse of my imprint. She brought her hand around from behind her back and held it up to me. "I didn't even feel it," she whispered as the color started draining from her face.

I ripped my shirt over my head and handed it to Seth. "Hold this over the wound!"

Embry was already talking to the officers who had run out after the shots were fired. "Call an ambulance! She's been shot!"

I pulled Chloe close to me, keeping her turned to the side so Seth could see where she had been shot. I held the back of her head and guided her face to my neck and whispered into her ear, "I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry, Sugar."

I watched Seth's face as he pulled off his own shirt and added it to mine. He was shaking his head, tears brimming. "There's so much blood, Paul, I…"

"Don't," I growled. "Don't quit trying to help her."

Seth sucked in a deep breath and shook his head. "Of course not. Nobody's giving up."

"Paul," Chloe wheezed in my arms. "I love you."

I clenched my jaw and gazed down at her. "No. Don't tell me goodbye," I whimpered. "I'm not done with you yet."

My head spun as the ambulance arrived as I reluctantly let them take my girl. The whole scene looked like a war zone. Seth and I were shirtless, covered in blood. I forced them to let me ride along with them as I couldn't face the thought of us being apart.

Chloe lost consciousness on the way and heard them say her lung had collapsed. I held her hand the entire time, even with them yelling at me to back off.

By the time everyone showed up in the emergency room waiting room, I must have looked like a zombie. Rachel walked in and covered her mouth with her hand. "Oh my God, Paul. Are you okay?" she gasped as she approached me.

I nodded and looked down at my blood soaked hands and jeans. "It's all her blood."

Rachel nodded and sighed. "Embry told me to get your car and bring it here." She paused and held out a stack of clothes to me. "I grabbed some things you had packed in your bag. I thought you might need to change."

I shook my head and glanced around. "I need to stay right here. What if they come looking for me?"

Rachel huffed and nodded, turning to approach Kim and Jared. I walked over and stood behind her, taking note that Kim's pregnant belly had gotten even bigger in the days since Chloe and I left town. Jared gave me a sorrowful look, obviously empathizing with how badly he would take it if his imprint had been shot.

"Go get cleaned up," Kim urged as she grabbed Jared's hand. "We will come and get you the moment they come looking for you."

"I don't…" I started to argue, but Rachel was already pulling on my bicep and dragging me down the disinfectant scented hallway. I hate this fucking place. Looked and smelled the same as it did the night my mom and sister died.

"Here," Rachel announced as she shoved the restroom door open and jerked her head it's way. "Get it in here, Paul."

I absently stared at the mirror, taking note of my tear-stained face and blood smeared on my chest. I lifted my head when I heard the door lock. Rachel sauntered up behind me and touched my back gently. "This probably isn't the best time to take a walk down memory lane," I told her, raising my eyebrows as I watched her scan my body in the reflection of the mirror.

"You are so disgusting!" she squealed as she shoved me in my ribs.

"You used to love it," I whispered when she turned the water on and held my hands under the spray.

"That was a long time ago, Paul," Rachel sighed and refused to meet my gaze in the mirror.

I let her scrub my hands with soap and it took a while to get all the blood off, but she finally did. I rinsed the soap off as she wetted down some towels and attempted to get my stomach clean. She laughed when I leaned forward and sniffed her hair. "Stop messing around," Rachel huffed as she wiped my stomach down. "You're only acting like this because you're scared." She slowly raised her eyes and wrapped her arms around my waist. "Chloe's gonna make it. I just know it."

I stood there for a moment longer as she hugged me tightly before sighing deeply. I felt so lucky to have Rachel as a good friend, but I couldn't help worrying about what Embry would think if he knew we were together.

Rachel gathered the wet towels and tossed them in the trash. She placed my clothes on the counter in front of me and forced a smile. "Get dressed and come join us," she told me as she headed for the door.

I began unbuttoning my jeans as she reached for the door. "Thank you, Rachel. You know I always loved you, right?"

I watched her shoulders drop and swivel around to meet my gaze. "I love you too," she laughed as she yanked the door open.

We both froze when we saw Embry on the other side. His mouth was in a tight line as he glanced between us. I noticed that his eyes dropped to my unbuttoned jeans before he turned and walked away. Fuck!

I got dressed quickly, opting to toss my blood-stained clothes in the trash instead of carrying them around all day. I checked in at the nurses' station, but all they could tell me was Chloe was in surgery. Kim looked so miserable sitting in those hard, plastic chairs, so I convinced Jared to take her home and I would call them as soon as I found out anything. Kim gave me a big hug and they were on their way.

I approached Seth and Jackson as they stood off to the side, giving one of the officers another statement about what happened right in front of their building. "Have you found my father yet?" I asked the officer as he scribbled down more details in his notepad.

He shook his head. "We're looking. We assume he's left town, but don't worry. We'll find him and question him."

"Question him?" I scoffed. "Don't you mean arrest him? He shot my girlfriend!"

Seth squeezed my shoulder and Jackson looked around nervously. People were starting to stare, but I didn't give a shit. The officer glanced at the three of us and added, "Well that's our job, Mr. Lahote. We have to gather the evidence first."

I threw my hands up and growled, no longer able to stomach anymore of his bullshit. I tugged at the top of hair before spinning around and spotting Rachel and Embry in the corner talking. He didn't look very happy.

I approached them cautiously, aware they were most likely arguing about me. I'm such a dick. "Hey," I sighed as I flopped down in a chair across from them. I handed Rachel some money and asked her if she could find me some food. I wasn't hungry, but I wanted to talk to Embry alone.

"Nothing happened, man."

"I know that," he snapped, his glare saying otherwise.

"Rachel would never…"

"But you would?"

I rubbed my hands over my face and groaned. "No. Neither of us would. That's what I'm trying to say."

Embry nodded and leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "I know she still cares about you."

I shrugged. "Just cuz she's a good person," I reasoned.

"She has pictures of the two of you in her dresser."

I smiled at the thought and immediately regretted it when I saw a flash of anger in his face. "Dude, come on. That was such a long time ago."

"Evidently not long enough," he sighed, tipping his head in Rachel's direction.

"Where's he going?"

I glanced up at Rachel as she stood next to me with a stack of styrofoam to-go containers in her arms. Her eyes were glued to Embry as he wove his way around the waiting room and out the automatic doors. "I'm sorry, Rachel," I told her, rubbing my hand down her back. "He's still pretty mad."

She nodded and sighed, handing me one of the containers. "He's just being stubborn. He'll get over it."

"Go get him. Talk it out. He just needs your reassurance."

Rachel nibbled on the corner of her mouth as her eyes darted around. "Call me later," she called over her shoulder as she ran to catch up with Embry.

….

Another two hours had gone by and I still hadn't been updated on Chloe's condition. I picked at the food Rachel brought me before finally just tossing it in the trash. Charlie had stopped through for a little while and told me that my father still had not been found. It didn't matter. Even if the cops couldn't find that bastard, my pack promised me they would and I'd deal with him later.

"Why don't you go home?" I asked a dozing Seth as I sat beside him.

Seth shook his head and ran his hands through his hair. "Nah, man. I'm staying."

We sat together for a while, not talking. Seth knew Chloe better than any of the other guys. He also knew how much this was killing me.

"She's gonna be okay," he finally said.

"I wanna believe that. I mean...I'd hate to think that I finally got my imprint and then I lost her just as quickly."

"You won't lose her. You can't. We need to keep our Alpha happy," he laughed.

I laughed too. What else could I do? It was tearing me up inside not to be near her or know how she was. The nurses were sick of me asking and I was just sick of waiting.

"Family of Chloe Cavanaugh."

Seth and I jump up to approach the man calling out in the waiting room. "I'm with Chloe," I announced quickly when we reach him. "Is she okay?"

The doctor placed his hand on my shoulder and guided us to the elevator. "Miss Cavanaugh sustained serious injuries. Her lung collapsed and her spleen was damaged beyond repair. And obviously she lost a substantial amount of blood."

We waited as he pressed the up button before talking again. "It was a tough surgery. The bullet became lodged and I had to be careful not to do more damage by removing it."

"But she's okay now?" I asked desperately.

"Miss Cavanaugh's heart stopped and there was a period of time where we couldn't get her back."

"So what happened?" Seth gulped.

"For now...she's recovering. Once she regains consciousness, we will evaluate her again. But for now, it looks like she's gonna make it."

I finally let out the breath I was holding and I could feel Seth's arm tighten around me. "Thank you for saving her."

The doctor took my hand and shook it before guiding us into the elevator. "I did what I could but...she's not out of the woods yet."

The door closed and suddenly my stomach felt like I left it back in the waiting room. "What do you mean?"

"Chloe's brain was deprived of oxygen for a short period of time. We will have to wait and see the extent of that damage once she wakes up," the doctor explained.

I nodded slowly as we traveled up to the intensive care unit. I tried to wrap my mind around the fact that Chloe may not be okay. But for now, she was alive and that's all I needed to know.

I'd worry about everything else later. Once I knew my Sugar was fine, I'd set my sights on my bastard of a father.

I was determined to destroy him once and for all.