Page 45 of Hers

He called Jake. He knew he would want to know. “Jake, we had two visitors tonight Greg and my mother. Kegon’s on the way. I know Slater called the police, and he would have called the ambulance. Matty was here. He’s safe, and Blake should be here any minute.”

“Shit. I’ll be there as soon as I can. I’m sure Kegon will be on the phone to the captain now.”

Brock almost cried in relief when he heard Blake. His voice cut off as he came upon the scene. “What the fuc—”

“I’ll talk to you when I see you. Blake’s arrived, and I need help.” Brock hung up and turned to see Blake coming to him with a worried look.

“Is she alive?”

Brock closed his eyes and listened to the faint sound of Sammy’s beating heart. “Yes. She needs immediate medical attention.”

“How on earth are you so calm?”

Brock had no idea. He knew he had to be calm so Sammy would be okay and get the help she needed. “Sammy needs me with my head on straight. I need you to check on Greg. Yell to me if he’s still alive. If he can’t move, go take Matty home and keep him safe. If he’s dead, do the same. If Greg’s more alive than I thought and trying to get away or anything that doesn’t look right, do something about it. Got it?”

Blake nodded and walked away. Brock could hear the sirens in the distance and prayed they would hurry.

“He’s alive. Barely,” Blake yelled at him. “I’m going to get Matty and take him away from this.”

Brock didn’t say anything back. He didn’t need to. Slater came to him as Brock heard the sirens turn down their road. Slater fell to the ground next to where he had laid Sammy andwept.

Brock knew that Slater wouldn’t leave Sammy now he’d seen her. Getting up he did what he had to do. He got his badge out ready, and checked on Greg, then went down to meet the police and ambulance.

****

Slater couldn’t believe what had happened. What he’d seen. As soon as Blake came and got Matty taking him away, so he was safe, Slater went to Brock’s mother. She lay breathing heavily in her bear form. Taking off his clothes, he changed to bear beside her, and then he helped her change back to human sharing his magic as he changed. Adelea moaned and grumbled until her bloodied naked form lay beside him. Slater reached for his shirt and gently put it on her. He then went inside to find Sammy. He knew Adelea would be okay.

He came upon a battered and bruised Sammy. At first, he’d feared the worst and thought she was dead. Then Brock told him she was alive, and he heard the faint beat of her heart. He broke down crying like a baby in relief knowing she was alive. Slater wasn’t going to leave her ever again.

The police came up, then the ambulance. They wanted to see Greg first as he was in worse condition than Sammy, but Brock wouldn’t let them, and Kegon arrived to help.

Slater sat back and watched the paramedics work on Sammy. He followed when they put her on the stretcher.

“Sir, only family can ride with us.”

Growling at the paramedic who put his hand out to stop him, Slater ignored him and got into the truck. “Sammy is my fiancée. I’m not leaving her.”

The ambulance arrived at the hospital in record time. Slater stayed with Sammy for as long as he was allowed. His mother and father arrived, and his mother fretted over him and helped him worry over Sammy. His brother Jordan came over to him in his scrubs. He told them what he could.

“Sorry, Slater, they won’t tell me much as she’s family. Sammy’s in the best hands though. I made sure of it.”

“Thanks, Jordan.”

They all waited in the waiting rooms for what seemed like hours until a man in scrubs came out. Slater stood.

“Mr. Bear. We have done what we can. The bleeding at the back of her head is worrying us and we have eased it, but with it being a head injury we must be careful. Samantha has been moved to recovery, and when she’s moved to a room, we will tell you and you may see her.”

Slater nodded feeling numb inside. He hoped Brock would get everything else sorted out, so they could focus all their attention on Sammy’s recovery. His mother’s arms wrapped around him, and he let the warmth of her love seep into him.

“Sammy will get better. She will be fine. Sammy is strong. She’s survived before. She’s a fighter.”

Slater knew his mother was right. Sammy was amazing. She’d saved herself and protected Matty. She would live.

****

Pain was like a constant shadow. Sammy tried to pry her eyes open several times, but every time she saw light the energy it took her to do that one act seemed to knock her out again. Sammy knew there were things she needed to do, people she needed to check on, but nothing seemed to work. She fought for what felt like days trying to open her eyes and do what she needed to do.

The searing pain radiating around her body woke her on a moan. Sammy felt like weights were holding her down. She struggled to break free until gentle, familiar fingers stroked her cheeks.

---