Daniel and Eli froze!  They both realised that Kasey was no longer in the café, they stood and in one fluid movement Eli rushing out the front door and Daniel out the back one.  Daniel sent out a message not just to Eli, but to his Alpha and any other Were’s that were near.  “Kasey has left the café and I sense danger.  Eli, she would have come through the alley, head that way I will be there in a minute.”

Daniel kept the link open so that everyone would know what was happening.  He sensed Braedon rushing to get to them and hoping that Kasey was safe and unharmed.  Daniel ran up the alley and into the main street, he stopped and turned around trying to find her and when he did he didn’t think he reacted… he ran with all the speed of a Were and felt a strangled cry escape his mouth as he realised he was too late.

He saw the man from the bank shouting at Kasey, he wanted to kill him for the words he said alone, then he saw the gun and tried harder to get to her but even a Were can’t out run a bullet.  He heard the shot ring out and caught her as she was about to collapse.  He looked up to see Eli coming up behind the man who’d shot Kasey and turned not wanting her to see what he was sure Eli would do to the man for daring to harm her.

Daniel picked Kasey up holding her against his chest as he walked into the nearest store, it was a clothing store and he carefully lay her on the carpet grabbing whatever clothing that was nearby to hold against her wound.

He spoke to his Alpha then, “I have her, we are in the clothing store he shot her… that bastard shot her!”  He took a breath and concentrated on Kasey, “She needs an ambulance, she’s losing a lot of blood.”

Braedon ran as fast as he could ignoring the fact that he was moving way too fast for a normal human.  He needed to get to his mate, needed to see that she was alive… that she would survive this.  Long minutes later he entered the clothing store and fell to his knees beside his injured mate.  For a long moment he couldn’t breathe and it took Jacob’s hand shaking his shoulder to bring him back.

“Brae, the ambulance is here, you need to move so they can see to Kasey’s wound.”  Jacob helped him move away, and signalled for two other Were’s to hold him back as the paramedics started working on Kasey.

Braedon tried to go to Kasey as they put her in the back of the ambulance, but was held firm.  Jacob spoke with the paramedics and told them that they would follow them to the hospital.  The ambulance sped down the street towards the hospital as several cars pulled up to pick up Braedon, Jacob and Daniel. 

Eli was handing David over to the police and making an informal statement, but once they realised who had been shot everyone moved quickly to get David to the station for processing.  Eli got a ride to the hospital with Nate, who had collected Henry, Marie and Chrissy as well. They were barely holding it together by the time they arrived.  They parked the car as close to the hospital as they could then they ran for the emergency area.

As they walked in Nate saw the others had already arrived and he went straight to Braedon.  He didn’t have to ask, didn’t have to say a word, Braedon knew what he wanted, what he needed.  “We are still waiting for news Nate, they will let us know as soon as they can.” 

Nate shook his head and walked away, he found a piece of wall that wasn’t already draped with a Were and took up residence there, Eli did the same in another area of the room.  Braedon sighed and ran a hand through his hair several times needing to expel some of the agitation that was building up inside of him.

Chrissy and Marie were in tears as Henry ushered them to seats and Braedon came over to them to try and reassure them that Kasey would be alright.  He patted Chrissy on the shoulder and gave Maries hand a squeeze.  He looked up at Henry and he nodded acknowledging that he understood what he was trying to do for the woman.

Braedon walked back to where Jacob was then commenced pacing again.  His mate was in bad shape and he was at a loss as to how to help her, he started pacing again and no one was sure of how or if they should try to help him.  The minutes ticked by and no one spoke, all were focused on their Alpha and his pain… all were concerned for him and especially for his mate.

After what seemed like forever a doctor came out to the waiting room and everyone tensed.  Braedon took a step forward so the doctor would know who to speak to.  He saw Daniel out of the corner of his eye; he was standing just outside the doorway not wanting to be a part of those present. 

Braedon knew Daniel was hurting almost as much as he was, he was responsible for Kasey’s safety and he would be feeling pain as well as shame at failing to protect her.  He turned back to the doctor needing to discover how his mate was.

“Are you responsible for the young woman with the bullet wound?” the doctor asked Braedon and he nodded in response.  “We’ve removed the bullet and stopped the bleeding, she’s stable at the moment, but the next few hours will be critical in regards to her survival.  She‘s lost a great deal of blood and is very week.”

The doctor looked around the room and realised that everyone was watching him and Braedon, “You can see her for a few minutes, but just you, she needs her rest and we will have someone monitoring her around the clock.” 

The doctor walked back to where he’d come from and Braedon followed.  He gasped when he saw the state Kasey was in, bandaged and hooked up to machinery that he truly had no idea of what their use was.  The doctor said he shouldn’t stay long and left the room.

In all his years as an Alpha he had never felt so helpless, his mate lay unconscious before him, she looked so pale and he just wanted to pull her to him hold her close and never let go.  But that might harm her or cause her more pain.  He sighed and realised that at least while she was unconscious she wasn’t feeling any pain and was grateful for that.

He stood close to the bed and took her hand in his; he felt her warmth, heard her heartbeat and sent out a silent prayer asking that she recover.  He’d just found her, he wasn’t about to let her get away.

Braedon stood beside his mate silently with no idea of how long he’d been there, all he could see, all he could hear and feel was Kasey.  He felt a familiar hand on his shoulder and turned to Jacob wondering what he wanted.

“I brought a chair for you, please sit and rest, no one will harm her again I swear my life on that Brae.”  He ushered his Alpha and friend to the chair against the wall and looked him in the eyes, “Brae listen to me, Shallana is here and she is going to check out Kasey’s wound, if she can do so she will help her heal. 

I’d suggest you bring her over, but I know you well enough to realise that you would never do that without her consent.  So let Shallana do what she can and we’ll take it from there.”

Braedon nodded and Jacob not only saw the pain in his eyes he felt it as well.  The mind link an Alpha shared with his Pack ensured that if any Pack member were injured and in need of help, someone would be able to find them and see to their needs.

But this… this situation was very different and Jacob needed to do something before they all fell to their knees in pain and anguish.  “Brae… Braedon!” he sighed when there was no response, “ALPHA!” he finally shouted through the link. 

“You need to take strength from the Pack; they are there, waiting for you to take what you need.  Take the strength they offer my friend, because if you don’t you will fall apart and be no use to your mate when she wakes up.” 

This seemed to bring Braedon back to himself enough to do what was needed.  He closed his eyes and drew on his pack, pulling just enough strength to himself as he needed.  When he was ready he opened his eyes and looked up at Jacob an unspoke look of thanks in his eyes.

Jacob turned as Shallana entered the room and Braedon stood acknowledging her presence.  She smiled at them both and walked over to the bed taking Kasey’s hand to connect herself with her.  Shallana focused on Kasey, letting everything else drift away from her.  As a Shaman she was capable reading people, she could see their future at times and she knew magic, true white magic. 

It was with this latter gift that Shallana could sense Kasey’s pain; and would try to heal her it.  She moved her other hand to rest on Kasey’s wound, just barely touching it, wanting more to sense it than truly touch.  She closed her eyes and calmed herself and as she did so she felt warmth emanate from her hand and pour into the wound.  She knew that she couldn’t heal it completely or the hospital staff would start asking too many questions, so she did enough to get the healing process started and ensure that Kasey would survive.

As she pulled away her hands she felt the connection break and suddenly Jacob was beside her, guiding her to the chair that Braedon had vacated.  Both men knelt by her waiting for her to catch her breath and let them know how things had gone.

Shallana nodded and smiled at the Alpha, “She is healing, I could do no more than I have or there would be far too many questions asked.  But the healing process has been boosted slightly,” and here she grinned and they could both see a wicked gleam in her eye.

Braedon looked at her in wonder, “Shaman, how did you know she was in need of you?  I don’t think anyone even thought to contact you.” 

“When I met your mate the other night Alpha I made a connection with her, I will now know if she is in need of my services and will come to her gladly.  When she is fully healed she will need to spend time with me so I can help her understand her emerging gifts.  When are you planning to take her to your Compound?”

Braedon sighed and ran his fingers through his hair, “I would take her now… tonight if possible, but if she will consent we will leave in a day or so.  I want her where I know she will be safe, even if she does not agree with me on that.”

The sound of someone clearing their throat brought everyone’s attention to the doorway where a rather peeved looking nurse was standing, hands on hips.  Both men stood and Jacob held his hand out to Shallana and led her out to the waiting room.  Braedon moved the chair to Kasey’s side and looked back at the nurse. “I’ll be staying with her until she wakes!” then he sat and ignored the nurse hoping she’d go away.

The nurse seemed to realise that Braedon needed to be close to the woman in the bed, so she left the room and headed for the staff kitchen.  She returned a few minutes later with a mug of coffee and a sandwich for Braedon and before he could do or say anything she placed them on the dresser next to him and gave him an order, “Eat!  You need to keep yourself strong if you want to be there for her when she wakes.”

Braedon was somewhat surprised, he wasn’t used to anyone telling him what to do and today he’d had Jacob and now this nurse doing exactly that.  He looked up at the nurse and saw the name on her badge, ‘Sister Ruby Benson’.  He smiled at her, “Thank you Sister Benson.”

The nurse smiled again and left him alone with his thoughts.  She’d been nursing a long time and knew when a loved one needed to be close; it wasn’t exactly following the rules, but then neither was having a waiting room full of hot hunky guys that she could daydream about.  She smiled to herself as she went about her duties and did not reprimand herself at all when her eyes inadvertently landed on something she liked.

Braedon ate the sandwich and drank the coffee, grateful that the nurse had brought it to him.  He hadn’t realised he was hungry and thought that his men would all be in need of food too, so he sent out a message for them to go get something to eat, to take care of their needs and return if they wish. 

He was pleasantly surprise when he didn’t hear anyone leave; he smiled to himself and felt himself calm completely.  His Pack would stand by him no matter what.  He decided then and there that once they were home and Kasey was well again, he would have a gathering of the Pack, firstly to celebrate him finding his mate and secondly to show his appreciation to the Pack.

Braedon rested his head on the side of the bed still holding Kasey’s hand, he was exhausted, but was determined to be awake when she finally woke.  Unfortunately he could feel himself losing the battle to do so and drifted off.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The early morning sun began to slowly stream in through the window and Braedon could feel it’s warmth on his face.  He blinked his eyes trying to wake himself up and froze as he felt Kasey squeeze his hand.  He sat up and looked at her; the colour was starting to return to her cheeks and he was amazed to see her eyelashes flickering.  He waited hoping that she was indeed regaining consciousness.

Kasey squeezed his hand again and opened her eyes.  She smiled softly at him and tried to lift her free hand so she could touch his face, but it hurt to move it.  Braedon saw what she was trying to do and shushed her, “Relax kitten, you need to stay still and not try to tug at your arm, it will only cause your shoulder pain.”

Pain raced across her face and Braedon realised she was remembering what had happened.  He waited patiently for her speak and was surprised at what she said, “Braedon, is everyone else alright?  I can’t remember what happened after I got shot.  Please tell me…”

Braedon kissed her forehead, “Everyone is fine Kasey and David has been arrested.  He will no longer be a threat to you or any other woman.”

Kasey nodded and worry again showed in her eyes, “Daniel!  Where is he, I need to speak to him Braedon, please…”  He hushed her again and sent out a message to Daniel asking him to come to Kasey’s room.

Daniel heard his Alpha call to him and froze; he had spent the time waiting to see how Kasey was alone, thinking about what had happened.  He was responsible for her safety and he failed her, she could have died and they still didn’t know if she would be alright.  He knew that whatever his Alpha had to say wouldn’t be good, he sighed, straightened up off the wall and walked towards Kasey’s room.

As he came through the doorway he was stunned to see Kasey smiling sheepishly at him.  He looked to Braedon who nodded for him to come closer, so he stepped slowly up to the bed to stand beside Braedon and looked down at the slip of a woman that had shaken his Alpha’s life up so much.

Kasey tried to sit up and Braedon stood to help her, propping her up against the pillows.  When she was comfortably sitting up Braedon moved back giving Daniel room to come closer to her.  She nodded to the chair and he sat down, as he did she reached out grabbing his hand and he looked at her unsure what the hell was going on.

He opened his mouth to ask how she was but was cut off, “I’m so sorry Danny,” she all but whispered, “please don’t be angry with me, I was feeling so suffocated and I needed to have some space… I needed some fresh air and…” tears started streaming down her cheeks and Braedon wanted to rush to her and hold her close.

Daniel was at a loss as to what to say to calm her and her tears were almost his undoing, without thinking he reached over and pulled her into his arms trying not to hold her too tight and hurt her further.

“This wasn’t your fault Danny, it was mine, I shouldn’t have snuck out, but I couldn’t stand it anymore,” she looked over to Braedon, “None of this was Danny’s fault okay, it was mine!”

Braedon was not happy at what she had said, Daniel was responsible for keeping his mate safe and he had failed.  He took a deep breath to calm himself and realised that Kasey truly did believe that this was her fault. “I understand how you can believe that kitten, but Daniel was in charge of your safety, he alone…”

“No!” Kasey all but screamed and the machinery she was hooked up to started beeping, “I snuck out, I made sure he thought I was okay and I snuck away from him, from Eli and from all the others you’ve had stalking me!”

Daniel released her and helped her to lie back against the pillows, Braedon moved forward and tried to sooth her as he didn’t want the room full of nurses, doctors or Were’s.  Braedon saw the pain in her eyes and knew if he didn’t do something she was not going to calm down.

“Kasey this isn’t our way, Daniel must be held accountable for his failure.  My hands are tied in this regard.”  He smoothed the hair off her face and hoped she would understand.

Kasey however was not having any of what he’d said, “You said you are my mate right?” Braedon nodded and a smile appeared in one corner of his mouth. 

“As my mate aren’t you ultimately responsible for my safety?” she paused to give him a moment to take in what she was trying to say, “if that’s the case, then aren’t you more responsible than Danny is?”

Braedon looked at her in shock and he was fairly sure his jaw had just hit the floor.  He sighed and shook his head, “Alright Kasey, I see your point,” he looked at Daniel, “She is right my friend, I am the one who is ultimately responsible for her and I think what Kasey is asking is that you are not punished because if you are, then I should be also.”

Kasey smiled, “I was the only one at fault Braedon; please don’t blame Danny or yourself okay.”  Braedon saw her struggle to reach out to him so he moved to her side and she touched her hand to his cheek, her eyes filling with tears again.

Braedon sighed, “Alright if this is the way you want it.  This was your fault and when you are well enough we will be discussing not only why you won’t ever sneak away from your protectors again, but also your punishment.”  Braedon looked her in the eye a stern look on his face waiting for her to respond.

“Don’t you think this is enough punishment?” she lifted her left arm slightly indicating her wound and smiled softly at him. 

He shook his head at her and tried not to laugh, “Rest now Kasey, we’ll talk more later and before you ask, Daniel is no longer in my sights.  I’m sure he’s beaten himself up more than enough and if I know him he’s likely to become your permanent shadow when I am not with you.”  He turned his head to Daniel who nodded his acknowledgement.

“Wonderful.” Kasey thought to herself, “Now I’ll never have a moment to myself.”  Braedon leant down and kissed her forehead, pulled the covers back over her so she’d be warm and followed Daniel out the door. 

He turned at the doorway, “Sleep kitten, your shadow will keep watch over you.” then he grinned wickedly at her knowing that he’d gotten one up on her and continued out to the waiting room.  Daniel she could see was standing guard just outside the door.

“Crap!” she said to herself as she turned onto her side and got comfortable.  She was exhausted and as she felt sleep pull at her she let herself slip into it.