Running in Fear: Abandoned

by Trinity Blacio

  “Remi, hand me that blanket. We need to keep her covered. The baby's fine. She knew to protect the baby and moved just as the knife sank in.” Marsha looked up at Remi. “She had to do what she did. She knew she could lose you or the baby. That's why she protected the three of you.” Marsha got up off the bed, cleaning the rags of blood and instruments she'd used to sew Jaycee up.

  “What do you mean she knew?” Remi asked.

  “I told her it would come down to choosing you or the baby. I saw it in a dream, but it wasn't supposed to be here. It was supposed to be at your home. This is another reason all has survived. She wouldn't give up on you or the baby. She practiced hard, learning all she could to protect you.” Marsha said, walking to the stairs.

  “I'll check on her tomorrow. She'll sleep for the next couple of hours. Don't move her or let her get upset.” She turned to go downstairs.

  “‘Don't get her upset.’ I'm furious with her. How dare she leave me out of this? She could have gotten our child killed,” Remi roared. Then he noticed Jaycee shiver, and looked up at Dane.

  “You're going to have to control this. She did what she thought was right. You can't blame her for wanting to protect you and the child,” Dane said.

  “But if she would have stayed up here protecting herself and the baby, everything would have been okay, and she wouldn't be lying here, hurt.” Remi walked towards the stairs. “But no, she didn't think I could protect myself or them.” He snarled as his beast burst free. He ran towards the front door, throwing it open. Then he stopped and looked up at Dane.

  “How can I forgive her?” He took off out the door, slamming it shut.

  * * * *

  Jaycee had heard the last part and her heart cringed at the anger from her mate. Tears slipped down her face as she gently placed her hand on her stomach. “I did what I had to, little one. I couldn't lose him, and we couldn't lose you,” she whispered down at her stomach.

  Dane and Mark walked over to the bed, gently climbing into it next to her. Dane wiped the tears from her face. “He'll understand, baby. It might take some time, but he will. Right now his pride is standing in the way, and he's hurt that you didn't trust us,” Dane whispered.

  “But I did trust you. I didn't trust them. I couldn't lose you guys. I've lost too much.” Jaycee whispered, listening to Remi howl in the distance. She turned her head towards the howling, wanting so bad to go to him, but knowing she needed to sleep and gather her strength.

  “I'm tired, Dane. I love you all.” She closed her eyes.

  * * * *

  Jaycee opened her eyes to see Marsha sitting beside her, wrapping a new bandage on her stomach.

  “You're already healing. Tomorrow you'll be able to get up and walk around a little, but if you want to go downstairs, have one of your mates carry you. The baby is doing great. He's a strong one, but he's mad right now. He feels your hurt,” Marsha said, brushing Jaycee's hair out of her face.

  “He hates me, momma Marsha. Remi hates me.” Jaycee cried, staring out the window, knowing he was still out there and had been since last night.

  “He doesn't hate you, baby. He's angry and hurt. You know how men are, thinking we can't protect ourselves. Remi is very … well, he's major alpha and when you did that to him, he thinks you don't respect his abilities to protect you,” Marsha said, sighing. “But he's going to have to learn that you're not helpless. Now, eat. Your baby needs food to grow.”

  Jaycee turned her head towards Marsha, seeing all the food before her. She smiled. All her favorites were on the plate. Bacon, sausages, hash browns, a cheese omelet, toast, and orange juice were laid out before her.

  “You're going to spoil me, and then what are my mates going to do?” Jaycee laughed and sucked in a breath. “Shit, that hurt.”

  “Well, then, they're going to have to spoil you at home, aren't they? You've been through enough, and you need it.” Marsha said, getting up to go downstairs.

  “Marsha, will he come back soon?”

  “He'll be back in tonight, but don't expect a lot, Jaycee. It's going to take time.”

  Jaycee picked up the laptop that Marsha had handed to her before she left. She might as well get some writing done since she was all cooped up. Jaycee sighed. She had always wanted to get one of her stories published. She had sent in three of them just a month ago to different publishers, but hadn't heard anything yet. It would be the perfect job. She could write and be at home.

  Jaycee hoped the Internet was working since the storm had let up. She looked out the window and no snow was falling. Soon her mates would want to go back to Dane's house. She hated the thought of leaving. There was so much she wanted to show to her mates but hadn't had the time. She turned back to the laptop and scanned the e-mails when she noticed two of the publishers had sent her something back. She prayed as she opened the first email.

  “Yes!” Jaycee screamed, finishing reading the e-mail. The publisher loved her story and sent it back for her to do some revisions. They wanted it within three weeks so they could send it to the printers.

  “What are you doing?” Dane demanded, coming into the room carrying some lunch.

  “Reading my e-mails. I have a job, Dane!” She screamed her excitement to him as he sat the food down near the bed. He turned to her and she could see he was angry.

  “I told you, you don't need a job. We don't want you to work and you have a baby to think about,” he said, grabbing the laptop off her lap and closing it down.

  “You don't understand. This is something I've wanted to do since I was small and I did it.” Jaycee reached for the laptop, but he walked over to the dresser where she couldn't reach it.

  “You just don't get it, do you? You have a mate out there furious with you, and not to mention so are we, but you still put your own needs ahead of everyone else's. Even the baby you carry. Don't you think he will want his mother at home with him?” Dane yelled.

  Jaycee sat there, stunned. She didn't see this coming. They all were furious with her. Dane placed her food in front of her.

  “Eat. Since you won't take care of your baby, I'll make sure you do.”

  Jaycee had enough. She picked up the hot soup and threw it at his head, missing by inches, but spraying him. The bowl broke on impact when it hit the ground. “You stupid jackass, I did this all for the baby and you guys. If you would have listened to me about the job, you'd know it's a stay-at-home job, but no, you had to start this shit.” Jaycee picked up her milk, throwing it at him as he ducked it. He glared at her.

  “All my life I've written stories,” Well, two of them are going to be published and I don't care what you say. I'll write if I want to.”

  “What the hell is going on up here? I thought I told you to keep her quiet,” Marsha demanded, storming up the stairs.

  “This is your entire fault if you would have just kept your big mouth shut she wouldn't be where she is right now!” Dane growled into Marsha's face.

  Jaycee had enough. Words flowed out of her mouth even before Marsha could stop her. The next thing she knew, a frog sat in Dane's place. Jaycee smiled at Marsha. Waving her hands a jar flew up the stairs and scooped up Dane before sitting on the dresser.

  “You're really proud of yourself, aren't you?” Marsha laughed, shaking her head. “You know this is going to make him even angrier.” Marsha clapped her hands and all the mess was gone when Mark came storming up the stairs. Jaycee rolled her eyes at Marsha.

  “What the hell is going on up here? It sounded like World War Three and where's Dane?” Mark asked.

  Jaycee pointed to the container. “Do you think he needs something to eat? How about some flies?” Jaycee waved her hands and four flies appeared in the jar. The frog jumped at them, eating them.

  “Oh, now I know he's going to beat your ass when you get healed.” Marsha laughed.

  “You mean to tell me that's Dane? In the jar?” Mark asked.

  Jaycee glared at him. “Yes it is. Do you want to join him? He told me I couldn't wo
rk when I found the perfect job, the one I've been wanting for years.” Jaycee waited. She could see anger cloud his eyes.

  “Jaycee, you have already been talked to about this. Your job is take care of the little ones and the pack house. That's it!”

  Jaycee put him in the same jar as Dane. They both glared at her through the jar. She waved her hand, sending it downstairs to the kitchen table.

  “Hey Bo, make sure Dane and Mark don't get hurt, would you?” Marsha called downstairs.

  Jaycee could hear him laughing up a storm with his brothers. She smiled, watching another bowl of soup and a glass of milk come floating up the stairs.

  “Now eat. You had your fun.” Marsha said.

  Jaycee smiled and shoveled the food in like a good little girl. Marsha shook her head at her, sitting down on the bed.

  “You know, maybe we should have told them what I saw. Boy, was my mate pissed at me when I told him last night. He still hasn't talked to me today.”

  Jaycee shrugged her shoulders. “We can only do what we think is right. Maybe we should have, but we can't change what has happened, only learn from what we did. Remi's on his way back. I can hear Dane talking to him and he's pissed. You might want to leave,” Jaycee said as her bowl and glass went floating downstairs and the front door slammed open.

  “I'm not going to leave you. I have told them not to make you angry. It will hinder your healing. This they will listen.”

  Remi came up the stairs mumbling. “What have you done now?” He asked Jaycee. He stood with his arms crossed against his chest, leaning on the dresser.

  “You know what I did, so why should I repeat it? They'll be fine. As a matter of fact, they should be turning back now.” She smiled as she heard the roar downstairs, then the stomps as they flew upstairs. She laughed, holding her stomach; she couldn't keep it in. She looked and sure enough, Marsha was grinning also.

  “This is not funny. You turned us into toads! You feed me flies!” Dane growled as he spit on the floor. Remi looked at him, then at Jaycee.

  “You feed him flies?” Remi asked.

  She could see a grin forming on his face, but he held it back. “Well, he did deserve it. He wouldn't listen to my good news. He just flew off the handle,” Jaycee challenged.

  “And what is the good news?” Remi asked, glaring at her, but she didn't back down.

  “I've wanted to write and have my stories published. Well, a month ago I sent in three stories to three different publishers. One publisher wants my story. I have to finish the editing, then send it back to her. It's going to print in a month.” Jaycee waited. She could see his mind working.

  “You would be at home writing. You wouldn't have to leave?” Remi asked, looking down at her belly.

  “Yes, except when they have a book signing. I would like to go to one of the writers’ conventions next year, but that all depends on how well my book sells.” Jaycee looked at her laptop. “I'll do all the writing and correspondence on that. I'll even get to set up my own website,” Jaycee whispered, looking back up at him.

  “This won't be too much with the baby coming? You have the party to plan, plus pack business to do,” Remi pointed out.

  “I'd never put it before my family, Remi. I can do this,” Jaycee said. Trying to sit up further, she flinched when she turned the wrong way.

  “Don't move around, Jaycee. If you need help, ask,” Marsha said, helping her to sit up.

  Jaycee smiled up at her. “Thanks, I'm okay.”

  “I won't go into the fact that you did risk our baby already by what you did. That's for another day, but if I see you hurting our child, it will stop,” Remi ordered, moving closer to her.

  “Remi, I didn't do this on purpose. I did what I thought was right.” Jaycee tried to reach up to touch his face, but he pulled away from her touch.

  “Well, you thought wrong and endangered our son. I don't know if I can forgive you for that,” Remi stated, turning around and going to the stairs. “Mark, I need you outside.” Remi glanced over his shoulder at Jaycee. All three of her mates left her, going outside. She knew what they were going to do and it hurt that they wouldn't touch her.

  “Marsha, there's a small box under the bed. Would you pull it out and hand it to me?” Jaycee asked and pulled the blanket around her body, suddenly cold.

  Marsha handed her the box. “What's in this? I've never seen this,” Marsha asked and sat next to her.

  “It's some of my stories I wrote over the years, when I didn't have a computer. Some of them are from when I was about thirteen. There's one story I wrote in here after I saw Dane. It was a love story. I think I could revamp it later on, after I do the edits on the other story.” Jaycee pulled out stories and skimmed some of them.

  “Can I read one?” Marsha asked and picked up an old one.

  Jaycee nodded. “That one I wrote after I left here.” She pulled out a thick stack of papers and glanced over it. “This is it. I've always dreamed about having this story published,” Jaycee whispered and hugged the story to her chest.

  Marsha sat for a long while, reading in silence. Finally she looked up. “My God, Jaycee this story is great, and hot. You didn't tell me you wrote erotica…and with my mate all pissed at me. Now I'm going to have to take a cold shower or pull out the toys.” Marsha giggled and sat down in the chair near the bed.

  “You didn't ask, but yes, I like them hot.” Jaycee laughed as her laptop floated to her. She sat on the bed and edited for the next four hours without taking a break. None of her mates came near her. Marsha had slipped into the bathroom once to take a cold shower and fanned herself.

  “Okay, I'm going to start supper, then I have to get going. Remember, you take it easy. I'll have one of your mates bring up dinner when it's done.” Marsha leaned down and kissed her on her cheek. “Your stories are great. I want a copy of every one.” She laughed and headed down the stairs. “I'll just have to make sure my mate's not mad at me before I read it.”

  Jaycee laughed and finished up editing her first story. She e-mailed it back to the publisher and thanked her. She supplied her new address and phone number. Jaycee opened the second publisher's letter and read it. She smiled. They were going to publish her story, too. They said it was perfect, that they were ready to send it to print. The contract was attached. She needed to print it out and sign it. It had to be at the publisher's in two weeks. Bo he could print it out for her. “Hey Bo, you down there?” Jaycee yelled and waited.

  “What's up, little sister?” he asked, bounding up the stairs and sitting down on the bed next to her.

  “Could you do me a favor? I can't get up, but I need this printed out so I can sign it and send it to the publisher. Can you do this for me?” Jaycee asked, showing him the contract. He smiled and grabbed the computer.

  “Sure, hold on. I'll go print it out now before we leave. You sign it and I'll have it sent out tomorrow.” He kissed her forehead and went down the stairs with the laptop. Jaycee pulled a story from the box into her lap, grabbed a pad of paper, and started working on the story longhand. She loved this story. It came from the heart, but she would add parts to it. She would make it a paranormal, ménage, and a shape shifter story. Human women loved them.

  Jaycee smelled the chicken dinner before she saw Dane come up the stairs, carrying her food and papers. He went to lay the food down on her lap, but Jaycee pushed her covers away.

  “I have to pee. Can you take me to the bathroom?”

  Dane frowned at her and set the food aside. He picked her up carefully and carried her to the bathroom. Dane waited for her to finish and helped her clean up. He wrapped his strong arms around her and carried her back to the bed. He set the food down on her lap, along with the papers. He turned to leave.

  “Would you stay up here with me? Keep me company? We can watch some TV,” Jaycee said.

  “I think it best I just go downstairs. I don't want to upset you. I promised Marsha,” He left.

  Jaycee pushed her food around and turne
d on the TV. She glanced at the paperwork and tried to forget about the hurt, but it didn't work. She signed the paperwork and put it aside. She forced herself to eat, but her stomach quickly rebelled. She was going to be sick.

  “Dane!” she yelled, but that was all she got out. Jaycee threw up all over the bed and she was afraid to move. Not one of her mates came up while she got sick. Finally, she stopped throwing up. Her stomach hurt, her food and her bed clothes were ruined. Tears fell from her face. She waved her hand and sent the tray of food with her vomit downstairs, and onto Dane's head.

  She heard him yell, but she didn't care. She stripped the bed sheet and blanket from her bed using her powers. Thank God her story didn't get ruined. She rolled the sheets into a ball and put them in the corner of the room. A new sheet and blanket flew in the air when her mates ran up the stairs mumbling, but she ignored them. Jaycee turned on the bathroom water, wet a washcloth, and brought it to herself. Jaycee grabbed it out of the air and washed her face. She laid her head back against the pillows. She needed her toothbrush; her mouth felt so nasty. Waving her hand, a glass of water, toothbrush, toothpaste, and an empty cup came into the room. She lifted her hand to grab them, but Remi plucked them out of the air.

  “What happened? Why didn't you call us?” he demanded. He held her stuff and refused to give it to her.

  “I did call you, but you ignored me,” she mumbled.

  “No, you didn't. We didn't hear anything!” Dane yelled and got close to the bed.

  Jaycee couldn't stand it anymore. “Get out now. You accuse me of lying. I've had enough,” Jaycee yelled. She pushed the covers out of her way and used her powers to pick herself up. She floated to the bathroom, slammed the door behind her, and locked it.

  “Jaycee, open this door right now!” Remi pounded on the door. “You shouldn't even be out of bed.”

  She stripped out of her nightgown and took the bandage off. The wound was healed on the outside, so she could take a bath. She started the tub, then using her powers, she poured the healing salts into the water and smelled them. It soothed her, while her mates growled behind the bathroom door.