Re-cap: Grace finished her meeting with the Quileute members of the pack, asking if she could take her mate Esme with her onto the reservation to help give ideas of renovations. It would help their people of they could probably plan precise shops and homes. After a successful conversation, she returned home to find Esme already waiting and making supper. They teased and flirted until Carlisle called Esme to give the bad news…
Chapter 7
My skull felt like it was about to explode. Pain spread along the cap of my skull and rounded to the space behind my eyes. This sensation wouldn't go away no matter how many times I rose from my seat and proceeded to walk outside for a breath of fresh air. There was a collective of things that had me on edge, but for now the main one has to be my dad.
I went to press the heels of my palms against my eyes, pressing against the soft tissue that gives us vision. Grunting from the pressure I gave to counteract the pain behind my eyes, I drew in a few deep breaths. The sounds…
The small scratching sounds of pencils brushing against the hard printed sheets of information as they write answers to questions. The heavy breathing of a larger male who came into the clinic to have the doctor remove a large chunk of wood from his foot. We can no longer log that as a splinter, my good sir. You indeed stepped on a trunk.
I could smell the alcohol that tainted this males blood. His heart beat was loud enough to match the pounding in my head. All of this would be enough to make the vampires want to stay outside in their cars.
No wonder they didn't come out to socialize during the more hectic scenes. This was chaos.
Get a hold of yourself, Grace.
A few more collective breathing mantras and the use of my sleeve to remove any signs of tears from my cheeks. I returned to the inside of the Reservations Hospital. This place was small though. I can only vision it as a clinic to be honest.
With a weak smile I greeted my Esme at the counter. She gave me a reassuring hug before helping me back to a seat off in the corner. She let me stay close to the window, giving me the outside view.
The open air. The woods. Gosh, I don't deserve someone so thoughtful.
Do I? Do..we..?
I hear a low gruff from the back of my mind. Perhaps that is the wolfs confirmation grunt. That we deserve someone thoughtful and caring. Yeah.
I placed both hands down over my bouncing legs, stopping myself from further exhibiting my nervous energy. I stretched my shoulders back, releasing a few pops of air from in-between my bones. I was starting to feel more anxious.
Gather your nerves, Grace. You are leader. You must show confidence. The pack waits outside.
Right, says the wolf who has no concept of what its like to watch their father covered in blood and gagging for air…trying to survive for dear life.
There was only silence then. Yet, I could feel in my bones that my wolf was feeling a far deeper sense of consideration for her words.
How long has it been now since we had gotten the distress call from Carlisle? He was so on point with his medical staff. They came to the Reservation without a second thought. There were so many bags being moved from the trunk of his car. I wanted to step in and help the second Esme and I had arrived. The boys instead had lined up in front of me like a wall, and with a single glance at all of their glum expressions I knew that the scene before me was going to be gruesome. I was pained and grateful all at once. Somewhere between hearing my dad groan my mothers name and seeing the blood covering his midsection… I freaked out.
My mind had taken a rapid current towards the waterfall of 'what could happen' ..
I can't think about all the what if scenarios right now. I have to be strong. For my dad…. For me.
I felt what to others would be a cold ice pack being placed along the middle of my back. But for me?This was the soft and loving caresses of my mates hand. I nervously wonder if she ever dislikes how hot my body temperature stays at as her hand slipped between my shoulder blades. Esme, with her gorgeous lips, offered me a warm smile. I couldn't help the groan escaping my lips when she began to scratch at my back.
Wow, I didn't think something so simple could feel so freaking great. I can never reach those places! Having a mate adds on extra perks I see.
Esme giggled and inched herself closer. Drawn in towards me like we couldn't be further apart. WE just couldn't. I grinned and leaned my head down to press against her forehead. This woman wasn't having that. Instead, with vampire quickness I felt her cold lips press against mine far before my lips reached her forehead.
"That isn't fair, Esme." I chuckled.
"I'm sorry, dear. I have not the slightest clue as to what you mean. " My mate plays off innocently. Batting her eye lashes as she looks up at me. This angle was dangerous. I can see right down to her chest, and those eyes? Are those doe eyes?
"..Mhmmm.." I narrowed my eyes in playful display of anger. It earned me a small slap to chest, her uttering under her breath that she was only teasing and a warmth in her gaze that never seemed to leave those honey pot eyes.
My mate was acting as a distraction from the ongoing here at the hospital. I couldn't be more grateful for her. The universe really is working its magic in mysterious ways. I really, really, pray that whoever is watching out for my old man? Let him come through.
I mean, there wasn't anything to overly concern myself with. I knew that my father was in great hands. The man inside the surgery room was more than qualified to save his life. I don't need to bring myself to brink of exhaustion because of overthinking. It wasn't like he'd been bitten so many times that he'd turn into a vampire. There wasn't anything more than a large, fist like wound that went through this stomach. Nothing more was done to his body, other than his arm being broken from the fall he had taken after he rolled down the hill.
'…..here I thought I was being insensitive.'
Hush! I don't need any more from you!
What type of creature was out in those woods that could cause an injury like that? Strong enough to hunt down the humans without their own animals being able to sense them. A creature of fast action and unsatisfying hungry.
I was going to kill them. I will find that fucking loose vampire and end their life. They tried to TAKE from me. No right.
"Grace..? You're shaking." Esme whispered loud enough for our meta human ears to detect. Her melodic voice stirred me from my inner turmoil. I'm basing my stability on luck and the closeness of my mate that I am able to regain my train of thought. I used my senses and with the help of my anchor, it was enough.
"I'm sorry, Esme. I don't think I can stay inside here. Excuse me." Through a clenched jaw I gritted out each word. My tongue felt like sandpaper against the roof of my mouth, no amount of swallowing my own saliva was helpful.
My legs didn't want to move on their own. I needed to call upon some inner strength that would help me stand from my seat. I know that a part of me wanted to stay inside, to be closer to my family or who I have left, but right now I needed to be outside.
Staying inside, feeling trapped by the stained yellow and flower covered walls, made me want to break out of a cage and go for a run.
I grunted louder than necessary and violently rose to my feet. I shot upwards quicker than I had predicted, and to balance that sudden rush of adrenaline - I began to walk towards the exit doors of the clinic. A gentle tug on my chest told me that I had a follower who wasn't far behind my quick exit. Tailing me. Keeping me safe.
Air. The smell of nature was pungent around the reservation in Forks. We had plenty of woods out here with zero sign of city life for miles. It was the perfect corner of earth that I could stay on.
I let out a relieving sigh as the cold evenings breeze brushed along the exposed lower half of my back. I couldn't believe that my legs had enough strength to even hold me up. I felt so freaking weak. I didn't do a damn thing to even assist with this, yet I can't help but feel like what's happened to my old man is all my fault. If maybe I had been on patrol for this morning, then those loose vampires wouldn't have been able to get to him. Perhaps, if I had taken over as Alpha like my wolf wants, then he wouldn't be laying on the surgery table with all that blood slipping out of his injuries.
I could have done more… I should have done better….Why am I so fucking weak?
"Urrrgghhh." I allowed the weakness of my legs to finally cave and I fell into onto the bench that was a few feet away from the small hospital we had on the Reservation. There was a berry bush and it looked like a lemon tree being grown on the side of the building. Possibly a hobby for the doctor and nurse here. They were an older couple after all. I'm sure they have seen their fare exchange of injured mutts and humans a like.
"This isn't the time to blame yourself, Grace. Get it together." I tell myself with another frustrated sigh that escapes my lips. I can't fall into the pit of "What I could/or should have done" it was only a trap that would lead me to bad mental conclusions.
"He will survive." I mutter under my breath as I lean forward, letting my elbows rest against my knees.
"Is this seat taken?" A soft- stuttering voice asks from in front of me. I didn't need to look up. I could tell from scent alone that this was Bella, but her tore up chucks were also a dead give away.
"I could never turn you away, Bells. Sit. Please…" I tip my chin upwards and our eyes met. It was then that Bella's shoulders dropped and she immediately took a hold of my head in her arms and brought me into her chest for a hug.
For someone who used to think that being 5'6 was tall, I have to say that Bella is rather short compared to me. If I wasn't sitting on this bench, I don't think she'd be able to reach my head. I chuckled as I thought about Bella jumping up for a hug. The poor girl must have thought I started crying, her skinny-frail human arms tightened around my head.
"He's going to make it out, Grace. Carlisle is like, the fucking greatest doctor on the planet. You'll see."
Another soul to tell me about the greatness this vampire doctor has to offer. The skill he has mastered after being on this earth, roaming its lands for….how long was it? Did he tell me? Fuck, I wasn't paying attention again. Damn hormones making me focus on other things.
Crack
My ears twitched, picking my the sound of a piece of branch breaking under the weight of someone's approach. The fresh scent of the ocean came second, and I knew immediately who was nearing us.
"I have to agree." Esme's voice sounded from behind Bells. We both gave a small gasp, mine being played off, before parting from one another. With her hands clasped in front of her, she patiently waits for her own turn to share her affection towards me. I smiled, albeit sadly, and reached a hand towards her.
Without hesitation I watched as Esme closed the distance between us in a few strides. She made herself comfortable on the seat next to me and placed a hand on my thigh. I breathed in from my nose and collected her scent into me. I wanted to be wrapped in this woman's arms somewhere soft and have the privacy to weep.
To release.
"Thank you for driving me here, Esme. I-I don't think I could have." I placed on hand down over the top of hers, and with a growing smile I turned my gaze towards an awkward standing Bella.
"Your dad I hear drove faster than the ambulance, Bella. I want to make sure I thank him too. He got my dad here before he lost anymore blood. Without him…" My eyes were starting to swell with tears again. I could feel my throat constricting, the mucus was building so fast that I can feel a build up in the back of my throat. Everything was blurry and my breathing was shallow.
I was so scared.
I was scared this would mean…I'm all alone.
"Grace…" I felt Bellas body wrap me into another friendly hug before she slipped away. I can only think that she was going to leave me in the very reliable hands of the one and only Esme Cullen. I wouldn't blame her. Seeing someone shed so many tears, with their dad almost lost, and both teenagers being near the same age. Not even I would know how to console someone who was about to have a large change happen to their life.
"I'm right here for you, dear." Esme, she whispered against the top of my head. I felt my mates arms wrap around my waist, and with the strength no human would have guessed, she pulled me closer to her. I was nearly on Esme's lap at this point. I could feel my cheeks burning at the realization that she man-handled me like I was a rag doll. I definitely need to lift more weights with the guys.
"Thank you, Esme."
#
We all waited for what felt like the entire century. My palms were sweaty. My knees were weak. I was wanting to go home for a fabulous feast cooked by my Esme. Something to share over the table with my dad. The steak he's always wanted cooked perfectly. Not too raw, but I also don't want to chew a tire.
It was somewhere around 2am that Carlisle came out from the surgery room. Everyone who was able to fit in the waiting room had gathered around. As if on instinct the rest of the pack came walking through the doors. The boys all scanned the room until they could find me. With small winces to their expressions when they see that Esme is in fact near by, they slowly walked closer.
Showing some signs of hesitation was good. I would rather they still have a sense of caution around vampires. Not all of them play as fairly as this coven does. From the stories of the elders? I would have to say the other half would rather start a war than talk about forming a treaty.
Jared and Quil seemed to be the more trusting part of the pack so far. They both rose a hand to greet my mate before they moved their eyes onto me. I smiled weakly in greeting. My gaze moved over to meet with brown eyed pups who watched me while side eyeing the vampire doctor. They were are so adorable.
"Good news, Doc?" Jared brushed the back of his hand against his chin, removing some of the rain that had yet to dry against his skin. "Or did you break some rules?"
"Shut the hell up, Jared. Let the…doctor speak." Paul, someone I didn't think would show signs of compassion was standing up for me. Or was it the vampire? Either way, I was grateful. Did he not call Carlisle a leech? WAIT. We will tackle that later.
The all knowing Doctor Carlisle, gave out a soft chuckle. He clasped his hand together before he turned himself to better address the entire room.
"Nothing I am not used to already, Paul. I thank you." Carlisle gave the young shifter a small tilt of his chin. "Yes, well, your father is going to make it. It was a very close call, but we were able to sew him back." His honey tone wasn't finished, "and I suggest he stays here for at least a week or so of monitoring before he is sent home."
"YES!" The pack excitedly rose up and down. The boys were bounding into each other. Leah was leaning against the entrance wall watching the boys go wild hearing the new. My mate gave her own 'hoorah' and tugged at my arm.
"Did you hear, sweetheart? Your father is alive." Esme's voice was the only thing that cut through my loud pack mates.
I wanted to do nothing more than jump up in the air along with the rest of my party. I could defiantly use that energy boost after waiting here for hours. The anxiety, the rabbit holes, the amount of coffee I drank. I'm exhausted, super freaking tired. I didn't have anything else to say but, "I'm so glad…"
With all the excitement of the news, I could finally allow my body and mind to relax. There wasn't going to be a storm after the sun broke past the horizon.
Instead of jumping up and down for joy with the boys. I felt the air in my lungs squeeze out. The room started to tip sideways and before I knew it, I was out.
The darkness swallowed me whole.
I was being dragged down by an unnatural force. The power coming from the depths below was scary. I feel like I'm being constricted and…and…ARE THOSE TEETH?