The Alpha and the Mistake novel Chapter 28

Ryder

"What time is it?" I demanded.

"You know full well what time it is," Andy said flatly. "You're supposed to be making me feel better, not the other way around. If you haven't noticed, I'm kind of paralyzed!" He smacked the wheels of the wheelchair as if I would possibly miss the fact he was sitting in it.

I gave him an apologetic grimace. "Sorry man, it's just Brook," I said, running my hands through my hair.

"We get it but asking us every five minutes what time it is or how long it's been isn't going to help anything," Kara told me. "Now how about we figure out what we want to do when she gets back."

"Not a whole lot I can do," Andy complained, crossing his arms over his chest. "I'm a freaking disabled! Who's ever heard of a disabled werewolf?"

"Oh not this again," Kara groaned. "You act as it'll be forever. It's only like this until you heal."

"Right, it'll heal, but I'll be Disabled Andy, forever."

"Oh, grow a pair. There is a lot of people who are disabled and don't whine like a baby as you're doing. Here's the kicker, they won't even heal from it."

"Right, says the one who can walk," Andy replied, petulantly.

I chuckled as I listened to them argue. "I like Disabled Andy, or maybe I'll just call you Disandy for short?" I hope to relieve some of the tension or put it on me. I'd hate for Andy to say something to her and later regret it.

"You call me Disandy and I will kill you," Andy threatened, but the edges of his mouth started to turn upward. "If you really want to see a baby, you should look at Dean. Misses W is forcing him to act as if you're completely out of it and now he's the future alpha."

I grinned at the thought. I'm sure Dean was on the verge of cracking by now. "Thanks, man, and thanks for trying to keep her safe."

He shrugged. "She's our friend. What else was I going to do? It's not like you wouldn't have done the same for Kara."

Andy was right. Suddenly a lot of shouting came from outside. "What's going on?"

"Let me check it out. You," Kara said, pointing to me. "Have gone crazy, remember." I scowled but stayed put. Kara opened the door, peeking out and letting the chaotic sounds come in.

"Hurry, get her on the bed! Tyler I.V. now," Mom said, her voice tight with urgency.

I stiffened. Mom was supposed to be waiting for Diego to return with Brook. Why was she here?

"It looks like someone is really hurt," Kara said, still sticking her head out.

Andy and I raced towards the door at the same time, but just as I got close, a sharp pain shot through my foot. "Ow, what the hell, man?" I complained, glaring at Andy. He'd run over me with his stupid wheelchair.

"Disables get right of way, punk," he said, pushing in front of me and crashing into Kara.

"Ow," she yelled. "Get off of me or, at least, let me get out of the way before you run me over!"

I mumbled an apology and started to back up when I saw Dad. What was he doing here? As much as I was happy he's okay, he was supposed to be a hostage by now. My heart stuttered to a stop when I saw there was blood all over him. "I didn't know what else to do, Emily! It was the only thing I could think of." Grief chiseled hard lines into his face. He ran his hands through his hair, apparently unaware they too had blood all over them.

Mom stopped what she was doing and took my dad's face in her hands. "I understand Brent, but if you don't let me work, it won't matter. The bite alone won't be enough to keep her alive."

Her? Oh God, it couldn't be. I looked at the stretcher surrounded by nurses and doctors. No! This was not happening. I pushed the others out of the way, or they moved, I wasn't sure which.

"Ryder, wait," Mom yelled, her hands up to stop me, but someone grabbed me before I reached her.

"Let me go," I growled, trying to push ahead.

"Stay back," Diego said, against my ear.

My strength faltered as I finally saw Brook. The world stopped. I couldn't move, blink, hell or even breathe as I stared at the cut, bruised, and swollen body. If I didn't already know it was Brook, I wouldn't have recognized her.

"Come, get her into the O.R. now," Mom barked to the nurses and doctors, who all stared at me with sympathy and pity.

I struggled against Diego as they pushed the stretcher down the hall and away from me. "Stop Ryder! You can't help her. Emily and the medical staff are her only chance. You have to let them work," he told me.

I slumped to the ground, despair making my head spin. This wasn't happening. How did this happen? Rage filled me, and I stood quickly. "What happened? My uncle wasn't going to kill her." I glared at Dad. "You said he would keep her alive. You said it!"