Free For Their Happiness by Jayton Young

looked at him and smiled best I could to thank him.
    Looking around, I saw that my main friends were there with the exception of Bolton.  Becca was sitting in a chair beside my bed and had Jazzy in her arms asleep.  Billy, Jerry, and Ryan were all situated around my bed, and I even saw Gary and Peyton on the sofa through the door in the sitting room.
    “What happened?”  I asked looking at Becca since I knew she had been there.
    “You went into shock from pain and blood loss.”  She said, tears welling in her eyes.  I knew my weakness bothered her even more than she’d say; and that’s a lot.  “The bone nicked an artery when it broke through your wrist.  You lost a good amount of blood, but not too overly much.  The pack doc said your healing would take a little longer than normal because of that,” She gave me a pointed look when she said that.  At least there would be an excuse for my slow healing.  “But he set the bones and put a splint on for you.  Otherwise, you’re just a little banged and bruised.”
    “What about the attack?  Was anyone hurt?”  I looked around for someone to answer, but they just looked at each other for a minute before Ryan spoke up.
    “A few minor injuries, but they are already healed.  We got all of the rogues, though.”  He said.  “We were going to keep one and try to interrogate him, but when Alpha Burgess forced him to change, he was crazy.  I mean he was beyond feral, no humanity left, so he had to be put down.  So we don’t have any answers for the attack.”
    Rogues were usually weres who had given complete control to their wolves and had gone insane as a result.  There were a few who would organize them into packs to try to take out packs and claim territory, but it wasn’t many.  Rogue packs were not usually that organized, it was just instinct for a wolf to try to find a pack, so they would band together attacking humans and weres alike in their travels.
    I noticed the glances everyone was still giving each other, and after drinking a little more water, I asked them about it.
    They seemed reluctant to tell me.  “Come on and just say what’s wrong please.”  I asked.
    “The Alpha in questioning Bolton.”  Jerry said gravely.
    “Why does it sound like he is doing more than just questioning him?”  I asked.  There was a knot forming in the pit of my stomach.  I had a bad feeling I knew what wasn’t being said.
    Jerry answered.  “The Alpha seems to believe that Bolton knew something of the attack.”
    “Why?  Did he not fight with you guys?”
    “Yes he did.”  Billy said in a tight voice.  It was good that they seemed to disagree with what Alpha Burgess was doing.  I didn’t think Bolton would do something like that. 
    “Actually, he took out three rogues himself.”  Jerry said, confirming my thoughts.
    “Can someone go get him and ask him to come and talk with me?” 
    Ryan nodded and left the room.
    “What time is it?”  I asked Billy as Gary and Peyton came in.  I had noticed it was dark outside.
    “It’s eleven thirty.  You’ve been out all day.”   Jerry said.  “Are you hungry?”
    “No I’m actually feeling a little queasy.”
    “We need to call Alpha Parker.  He wanted to know as soon as you were awake.”  Becca said.  “Your mom and dad should be here soon.  They called from the airport about half an hour ago.  They panicked when they heard what happened and came as soon as they could book a flight.”
    “But they shouldn’t be leaving the pack!  What if something happens to Daddy?”  I said.  With threat out there, I didn’t want Dad to get taken or hurt.
    “Alpha Parker sent eight Guards with him, so he’s not unprotected.”  Billy assured me.
    “Well, let’s wait for them to get here before calling the Alpha.”  I suggested and turned to the newly mated couple.  “So how’s it going for the two of you?”
    Peyton blushed and ducked her head as Gary spoke up.  “Outside