The ride to the hospital was tense, the air thick with Fane's fear and anger. Being in the small enclosed area without much room to move if he needed to defend his mate was making the wolf restless. The EMT who was riding in the back with Jacquelyn and Fane kept shooting Fane nervous glances. Humans often knew they were in the presence of predators when around werewolves, even though they didn’t know werewolves existed. When they finally arrived at the hospital, Fane was more than ready to get his mate out of the enclosed box and into a more defendable place.

The EMTs lowered the gurney to the ground and began rolling Jacquelyn quickly into the ER. They had a mask over her face, providing her life-giving oxygen to her deprived lungs. Her face, despite the burns on the side that had been closest to the flames, was ashen. Her arms hung limp at her sides and were covered in blisters from the flames that had raked over them. Fane felt a growl rising in his throat again and only kept it in check when he felt a hand come down on his shoulder and his Alpha’s power roll over him. His wolf submitted immediately. Fane continued to follow the gurney that carried its precious cargo and even continued on when they rolled her into the operating room. Just as he stepped into the room a hand came up on his chest, pushing him back. His response was swift. He snarled at the one who would dare come between him and his mate. Fane’s father was there in an instant. “I apologize for my son’s behavior. That is his fiancé’ and he is really worried,” Vasile told the doctor who was still brave, or stupid enough to have his hand on Fane’s chest.

“I understand he is worried but he cannot be in here, it’s a sterile environment. As soon as we have information you will be the first to know.”

“Thank you,” Vasile told him as he grabbed Fane by the arm, pulling him out of the operating room. Vasile let out a low growl, pushing his power into Fane to force his obedience. Fane reluctantly backed out of the room, never taking his eyes off Jacquelyn’s still form until the doors closed and he could see her no more. Just then they heard a loud crash and a ferocious growl down the hall. Vasile backed Fane against the wall and glared at him, using his Alpha power he told him, “Stay.” Fane’s wolf met Vasile eyes for three counts before they finally dropped in submission. With that, Vasile turned and took off, moving towards the vicious snarls. He came around the corner into another operating room to find Decebel crouched in front of Jen’s body which lay still on the gurney. “What the hell?” Vasile growled. Decebel was snarling uncontrollably, his eyes glowing gold. Several humans in blue scrubs stood in front of him in defensive postures trying to explain to him that they were trying to help her and had to touch her in order to do that. Decebel wouldn’t budge. His wolf was in control. Vasile stepped forward, gently pushing one of the blue dressed humans out of his way. He growled at Decebel and just as with Fane pushed his Alpha power forward. “Stand down Decebel, they have to help Jen.” Decebel didn’t move, he turned his head slightly giving a small view of his neck but it wasn’t total submission. “DECEBEL,MOVE. NOW!” Vasile snarled, throwing power at his Beta. Finally, with the Alpha order given, Decebel had no choice but to move out of the way. It was almost as if an invisible force was pushing him aside to allow the medical staff access to Jen. As soon as he was out of the way the humans moved into action quickly and efficiently, like a well oiled machine. Decebel watched, shaking with suppressed rage as they stuck Jennifer with needles and put a mask over her face that he assumed would give her oxygen. As soon as they started cutting off her clothing he snarled and turned, pushing Vasile out of the room, pulling the doors closed behind him.

“Decebel, what was that about?” Vasile calmly asked his Beta.

Decebel averted his eyes in submission as he answered his Alpha. “I was just watching out for her. You were with Fane, Alina was with Sally and Lilly. There was no one but myself to make sure the humans didn’t harm her.” Decebels words sounded true to Vasile, but he picked up an underlying emotion that he didn’t think Decebel was even aware of.

“Her family will be here soon, Alina has called them. When they get here you can let them take over her care. Until then I would ask that you stand outside this door and if the doctor comes out before her parents are here, get any information he has so you can pass it along. Are we clear?”

“I will deal with her family when they get here. We are clear,” Decebel responded, his voice emotionless, his expression hard.

“One more thing, Beta. Keep your wolf under control,” Vasile warned.

“Yes, Alpha,” Decebel answered as he backed up against the wall, folding his arms across his chest. He stood as a sentinel to the operating room where Jen was being cared for.

Vasile turned to walk away. Decebel watch him go, seeing him shake his head in confusion. Decebel was confused as well but he wasn’t in any shape to look too closely at why. Just leave it alone Dec, he told himself.

“What was that all about?” Fane asked his father as Vasile walked up to him. Fane was still standing exactly where Vasile had left him, in front of the operating room where Jacquelyn was being treated.

“Decebel was protecting Jen. He felt responsible for her since all the rest of us were elsewhere.” Vasile noticed his own voice didn’t sound like he believed what he was saying.

“Really? That’s what he said?” Fane asked skeptically

“I don’t know what to make of it either, but when I came around that corner into the room Decebel was guarding her, not letting any of the staff near her. When they began undressing her he shoved me out of the room,” Vasile explained, his brow furrowed, his voice heavy with disbelief even though he had seen it all with his own eyes. Fane didn’t know how to respond to that, but he knew he couldn’t worry about it right now because all he could think about was his mate. He just kept seeing her limp form, the only sign of life her breathing and pulse. No spunky attitude, no gentle touch. He closed his eyes, shutting off his emotions so he could keep his wolf in check.