Blissful Agony

by Rivers, Brandy L

  In all her years, she couldn’t recall Emily ever physically training. The sight put a smile on her lips. “You got him all right,” Liz called, encouraging.

  Emily hopped up, and Clint rolled over. He rubbed his crotch with a grimace. “Next time, remind me to wear a cup.”

  Clint accepted Emily’s outstretched hand. She pulled him up and pressed in close, mouthing words.

  He leaned in to whisper a response in her ear and she actually giggled for the first time Liz could recall. Clint nodded her way. “Hey, Liz. Suppose you’re ready for Emily?”

  She dipped her head in a nod. “Brought you a change of clothes, Emily.” Liz tossed a small pack over and he caught it one-handed.

  Blushing, Emily took the bag and backed toward the locker room. “I’ll hurry.”

  Clint caught her hand before she got far. “I need to meet with Slater. Call me when you two are done?”

  “Sure, Clint. Be right back.” She hurried to the locker rooms and Clint joined Liz.

  “Hey.”

  She laughed. “You two make quite the pair.”

  He looked back to the locker room. “Seems like it took forever for her to let me in, but well worth the wait.”

  “Faster than our relationship built.” Liz shrugged. “Took me seventy-some-odd years.”

  His hands fisted. “You knew James?”

  She winced. “Yeah. I should have realized what he was doing.”

  He gripped her shoulder. “Predators like to hide in sheep’s clothing. Can’t blame yourself.”

  “I wish things had been different back then. If she would’ve talked to me, maybe I’d have seen the signs.” Liz sighed and looked over. “As it was, she hated me for years. I did my best to ignore both her and James.”

  “Not your fault. He’s gone and you two are friends now. No point in rehashing the past.”

  Liz gave him a smile. “You make her happy. It’s nice to see.”

  Clint looked up and smiled as Emily came out then started his way. “I’ll keep making her happy.”

  Emily closed the distance and took his hands. “Can’t wait to see you tonight.” She tiptoed up to give him a quick peck.

  He followed her back down, deepening the kiss. When he released her, he gave her a gentle nudge. “Go, before you get me in trouble.”

  Her brow arched as she licked her lips. “What kind of trouble?”

  “Maybe I’ll show you later.”

  “Bye, Clint.” Emily spun toward the door and Liz shook her head in amusement. They were cute together.

  Once outside, Liz asked, “I take it last night went well? Other than Robert barging in on you.”

  “Very.” Blushing, she nodded to the car. “Let’s go.”

  * * * *

  Slater strolled into the police station, waved at Erik, and headed back to Hayden’s office. “We have two numbskulls?” he asked.

  “Yeah. Neither look right. Too scrawny for wolves.” Hayden stood from his desk and ran a hand through his hair. “Why in the abyss did we stop looking for these fuckers?”

  “They’d disappeared off the face of the Earth. Thought they ran. Remember?” After Clint escaped, news of the Elm Wood Pack became sparse. A month later, their den was abandoned. Then no one heard from them again, though Slater and the Silver Council had spent a year looking for them after Clint filed a formal complaint.

  Robert walked in and threw down a file. “For a short time, maybe. They resurfaced about ten years ago and now have ties to HARP. Jones bought wolves from Axel, to send on missions. Jones’ recruits would hunt down the wolves, and he’d let his hunters kill them, after the wolves killed their target.”

  “We’re dealing with HARP again?” Slater asked.

  Robert shrugged. “Possibly. They aren’t in constant contact with the group, but they do communicate. Still, they could call for reinforcements. Who knows what we’ll get this time around.”

  “Great. So expect a clusterfuck.” Slater sighed. “Can I see these wolves? Maybe there’s hope for them.”

  “Hope, yes, though might not be worth it. They’re severely brainwashed,” Hayden warned, as he moved to lead them back to the cells.

  Slater and Robert followed. The sight of the prisoners disturbed Slater. The wolves were dreadfully thin. The woman wouldn’t look away from the wall. The male looked his direction but avoided eye contact while cowering.

  “Why in the hell do you stay with your pack?” Slater demanded.

  “Nowhere to go,” the male mumbled.

  The woman whispered, “Too scared to leave when he does let us out to hunt.”

  “What the—lets you out to hunt?” he snarled.

  “Kept in cages most of the time, unless he wants us for something.” The woman sniffled, looking away.

  Slater’s heart twisted for these wolves. He needed answers though. To ensure their responses were authentic, he turned to his alpha voice. “What were your most recent orders?”

  “Observe. Find the boy. Free him from his prison,” the woman answered.

  The male blurted out, “Get the boy. Bring him back. If we see Clint, report everything.”

  Slater stood, stunned. Normally it took a few tries to command a wolf from another pack, unless the other alpha was considerably weaker. Both answered immediately, without hesitation.

  How is Axel alpha? One command and they answer. They’re starved. Clearly mistreated. Yet, they don’t leave?

  Slater had met Axel once, years before he found Clint. All the alphas in the United States had come together to discuss ways to keep themselves hidden from the rest of the world. No one else at the small conference had seemed concerned at the time, but most packs already kept to themselves unless a wolf wanted to move to a new territory.

  Now Slater had to make a decision. The wolves left in Axel’s care needed a new pack. He could take a few, but splitting Elm Wood up into other packs who ran more like a community seemed to be a wiser idea. Spread them out where they couldn’t slip back into their old ways and learn how a real pack works.

  He needed to figure out how to best achieve that kind of relocation for an entire pack.

  These two wolves were likely Axel’s strongest, besides his enforcers. That said, based on their condition, he didn’t have much hope for the state of the rest.

  Slater gave them each a look. “You’re not going back. Once Axel and Ava are gone, and every one of the enforcers, I’ll help you find a real pack, but you won’t be going back to those sick fucks.”

  The woman finally lifted her head, making eye contact. “Truly?”

  “Yes, truly,” Slater snarled. “We don’t treat our wolves like shit. However, until we’re sure they’re gone, we can’t let you loose.”

  The male let out a hollow laugh. “These cells are better than what we lived in.”

  Slater’s hands cranked to fists. “That’s going to change. Hopefully soon.” He stormed back to the lobby. Robert and Hayden followed. Spinning around, he declared, “We never should have stopped looking.”

  Hayden nodded in agreement, then shrugged. “We didn’t know. We’ll fix it.”

  “I need to talk to Clint.” He left, fuming.

  * * * *

  At the clinic, Emily led Liz to an exam room. Neither bothered to talk about what they were doing on the way. Once the door was firmly locked, and Emily had warded the room to keep sound in, she took a deep breath and faced Liz.

  “I’ll have to see what we’re working with. I can give you a gown.”

  Liz nodded, her hands trembling.

  Emily handed the cotton garment over. “Relax. We’re here to fix the damage, not make it worse.” She turned around to gather towels and a scalpel, while giving Liz privacy to change.

  First boots hit the ground, followed by clothes, then a squeak as she climbed onto the exam table. “I’m ready.” Liz’s voice shook.

  Emily came over. “Liz, what you went through was horrible. I understand how terrifying it must have been. You
can trust me. I’m not that same scared little girl who shut you out because I got it in my head I was worthless.”

  “You’re not worthless. Never were. I was always envious of your ability to heal. All I do is destroy.” Liz let out a breath and lay down, staring up at the ceiling.

  “No. You protect. You find the truth and push for justice. Regardless of what you think, you’re a worthy woman who does more good than you realize.”

  Liz nodded, staring up at the ceiling. “Thank you,” she whispered.

  Emily gently touched her hand. “I have to see.”

  “Okay.”

  Her heart squeezed tight, realizing how uncomfortable this must be. If she had known Liz lost her baby, Emily would have rushed to help.

  With a deep breath, she pushed the gown up and found a phoenix splayed over Liz’s hips. The meaning instantly obvious. Liz had risen from the ashes more than once. Always stronger for it.

  Emily smiled. “The phoenix is perfect. Have I ever told you how much I admire your strength? That I want to be more like you.”

  Liz took her hand. “You’re getting there. I’ll help any way I can.”

  “Thanks.” She drew a breath and took a look. Hidden in artistic shading, she found the scars. Five jagged lines. “Yeah, I think he damaged your uterus, and at least one Fallopian tube. Maybe even an ovary. I can take the scars.”

  She shook her head, her eyes wide as her hands covered the phoenix. “No. Sometimes you need them to remind you of the important things.” A tear slipped down her cheek.

  Emily remembered Tremaine saying those same words the day he brought Liz to her family. His hands and forearms had been burned and scarred. She offered to heal them, but he gave Liz a warm smile and declined, with that exact explanation.

  “Is that… did Tremaine get his scars… uh… when he found you?” Emily asked softly.

  Liz nodded. “I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for Tremaine.”

  “I could take yours, Tremaine’s, and Robert’s,” Emily suggested.

  Wiping the tears away, Liz smiled sadly and met her gaze. “Robert and Tremaine have refused healing of theirs. I don’t want to lose mine.” Liz ran her fingers over the marks. “When they caress, or kiss them, they remind me of what I’ve overcome. It’s empowering.”

  “Okay, new plan. I’ll cut as if I were doing a cesarean, and heal the inside. Then I’ll mend that wound making it undetectable. But Liz, you might want to mention to them that you really want a baby. Robert will be ecstatic. Tremaine, too. Though I imagine it might be complicated in your situation.”

  “If my period comes back, I’ll talk to them.” She shrugged, glancing away with a heavy sigh. “I haven’t had one in twenty-two years.”

  She nodded, realizing that yes, Liz’s womb was destroyed. “I’ll do everything I can. Never done this before though.”

  “I have faith. You are amazing, Emily. I’ve seen you heal things that shouldn’t have been possible.”

  “You’re just saying that.”

  Liz shook her head. “You’ve brought people back from the brink of death, healed scars that plastic surgery couldn’t erase, and mended things specialists can’t begin to fix.”

  Emily blinked back tears. She’d never realized Liz held her in such high esteem and now acutely regretted how she’d treated her for all those years.

  After sucking in a breath, Emily offered a smile and changed the subject. “I can numb the pain. You won’t feel the incision or my hands in your body.”

  “Thanks. I’ll need that.”

  Emily whispered the spell.

  Long ago, James convinced her to put Liz under for some prank. They quickly learned she was immune to sleeping spells. Even then, Liz didn’t retaliate against her. No, she struck James with a ball of lightning that sent him flying out of the room but left Emily alone, even though she had been the one who cast the spell.

  There were so many things Emily regretted about their past relationship. Liz held none of it against her though.

  Emily grabbed a scalpel, peeling it from the sterilized packaging, and sliced into Liz’s belly. She held the incision open with one hand. The damage obvious, it took only moments for her to reach in and mend the injuries with her other bare hand.

  She looked closer, prodding around to make sure no other impairment remained. When everything had been repaired, she touched the uterus and infused positive, healing energy. Dizziness nearly overcame her as she gave everything she could to Liz. Her last action was sealing the wound before fainting.

  * * * *

  “Shit, Emily,” Liz shouted, landing on the floor beside Emily. Her blood-soaked hands startled Liz. She hadn’t realized Emily had been digging around inside her until that moment.

  “Damn it, Emily, wake up.”

  Liz managed to get her up and onto the table, cleaning her hands with some alcohol swabs she found before wiping the blood off her own body and hurrying into clothes. Before her boots were laced, Emily sat up.

  “You okay?” Emily croaked.

  Liz wound her arms around Emily. “Perfect. You? Shit, you scared me.”

  “Wanted to be sure you were fertile. Maybe overdid it.”

  Liz giggled. “Think I could wind up with quintuplets?”

  Emily shook her head. “Magic doesn’t work like those wonky drugs mortals use. Maybe twins if you’re—” Emily shuddered, looking away. “Nevermind. I don’t wish that on anyone.”

  “Hey, stop. Look at Tomahawk and Dakota. Jess and Jamie. Or Fallon’s babies. Twins don’t always equal an evil and a good one.”

  “True.” She looked at her clothes, and moved to wash blood off in the small sink. She could summon enough heat to dry the fabric before leading Liz from the room. “Glad I’m not driving. I may nap on the way back.”

  “You do what you need. And I have a feeling Clint will perk you up.”

  “I’m sure he will.”

  * * * *

  Clint parked out front and walked to Slater’s shed. The buzz of power tools surrounded the building. He slipped inside. His head tipped to take in Slater’s current project. A majestic hawk.

  Slater looked up and set the chainsaw aside. “Hi, Clint. Thanks for coming.”

  “Don’t mention it. Hey, before we go in, Emily and I mated last night. Robert seems okay with it, though his initial reaction was shock.”

  Slater laughed. “He’s fine, and congratulations.”

  “Thanks.”

  “We were already keeping an eye on her. Was more than obvious where you two were headed.”

  Clint smiled. “You always do watch over all of us, making sure we have what we need.”

  “Because this town is a community. We look out for each other. Speaking of which, you ready to meet Elias? Talk to him for a bit?”

  Clint nodded, unsure what to say. He was never particularly great with kids. Probably his fear of what he’d done to adults. The anxiety had faded since Tomahawk shoved his baby girl into Clint’s hands. She was a doll, and had a way of relaxing him.

  “Nervous?”

  “Kind of. They sent the kid to spy on me, right? It stands to reason I’m not the best guy to put in front of him, but if that’s what you want, that’s what I’ll do.”

  “Look, they’re searching hard for you. We have two of their scouts in cells at the police station. It’s time we make sure the kid sticks around. Show him it’s possible to escape those asswipes.”

  “You got it. How is he?”

  “He’s coming around. Needs someone to look up to.”

  Clint snorted. “That would be you, old man.”

  Slater shook his head. “You. You were there. You came out of the mess stronger. No one else can show him there’s hope for something better.”

  Maybe. Slater generally knew what he was talking about though. Clint followed him to the house.

  Elias sat at the kitchen counter eating cookies Jess had baked, recently by the wonderful smell.

  Jess looked over her
shoulder and nodded in greeting before returning her attention to the pot on the stove.

  Slater walked to her, hugged her from behind, and kissed her cheek.

  Clint had to smile. The scene now seemed complete with the boy at the counter. A gift as female werewolves could not get pregnant.

  Slater nodded at Elias, who had turned his big brown eyes to Clint. “Elias, meet Clint Armstrong. Clint, Elias has been through hell, thanks to your old pack.”

  Clint offered his hand, instantly warming toward the kid.

  Elias’ frown was quickly replaced by a smile as he shook firmly. “You’re not what they said.”

  Clint took a seat beside him, eyeing the tray of cookies before addressing the young man. “Axel and Ava prefer to maintain control by tearing down their wolves. It’s a flawed system, because eventually someone grows strong enough to resist. That’s when they try to put us down for good.”

  “How did you escape?”

  Clint winced. He looked to Jess with concern. “Not sure Slater ever told you this story, so please don’t judge too harshly.”

  She gave him a shrug. “He mentioned you’d been through hell, and had to find yourself after you escaped.”

  “Understatement.” Took months to let go of the guilt, and at least a year to trust himself around people. Several years passed before he could even attempt being with a woman. Thanks to a suggestion from a friend, he learned submission worked well for him.

  Jess smiled. “You’re welcome to some cookies. Want a glass of milk to wash them down?”

  “Yes, please.”

  She filled a glass and brought it to him as he grabbed a cookie.

  Clint took a bite of melty chocolate chip in soft dough before turning to the kid. “Ava attacked me when she didn’t get her way. They weren’t used to my disobedience. Because I was smaller than most of the other wolves, they used me to dole out beatings.”

  “Why did size matter?” Jess asked

  Clint snorted. “More humiliating for the one being punished.”