Part Twenty Six

Nathan's P.O.V

Alpha John looked pissed as he told me and Leo to find Ricky and go to the hospital. I didn't

Dare ask why in fear of getting my head ripped clean off my shoulders.

'Whats going on?' Ricky asked when he saw me and Leo approach him.

'Alpha says we need to go to the hospital now.' I said and Ricky thankfully just nodded and stood,

Following us to the hospital, a weary Axel gripping his mates hand.

We entered the hospital and I saw Nova sitting on one of the beds with his child tugging playfully

At his hair. I gulped. Despite his efforts Nova's expression was deadly, not that he was directing it

At his son. Something huge has happened which made a knot form in my stomach.

'Whats wrong Nova?' Leo spoke up as we made our way to the soon-to-be-alpha.

'Derek is what's fucking happened.' He growled making us all flinch. Axel whimpered and hid

Behind Ricky's back in fright. 'Im going to hunt the bastard down and end him. I need you four

To keep guard and watch Zak and Kasper while I'm gone.'

It was then that I noticed Zak's tiny form curled tightly into Nova's side. His face looked deathly

Pale and I could tell that he was given something to calm him. Poor kid.

'Don't worry. We'll look after them. Go find the son of a bitch and make him pay.' Ricky growled.

He was close to Zak, and, like the rest of us, felt a strong need to protect the little guy, and not just

Because he was our future alphas mate. Zak was just far too innocent for his own good and we

Admired how strong he was despite everything he's had to deal with.

'Yeah, he'll be fine with us. We won't let nothing touch him you have our word.' Leo bowed his

Head and the rest of us followed his example.

'Thank you.' Nova smiled. He made to move off the bed but stopped when his little mate tightened

His grip on Nova's shirt. 'Don't worry baby, I'll be back soon.' He whispered as he gently unhooked

Zak's fingers from his shirt and tucked the covers round his small frame. He planted a small kiss

On the boys head before walking to us. 'Don't leave him alone. Not even for a second, am I clear.'

We nodded.

He handed Kasper to Axel before leaving to go search for the scumbag who had caused more than

Enough trouble for this pack. I hope they find him and rip his throat out for what he's done.

Zak whimpered from the bed and I sighed. I sat next to the small boy and watched as he wrapped

His small fist in my shirt. He needed to feel safe right now and he knew our scents, which was

Probably why Nova had chosen us to guard his mate. I placed a hand on his back and traced circles

With my thumb, letting him know we were here with him. His breathing evened out a little and I

Knew he was asleep for now.

Suddenly the door slapped open and a very flustered Amanda came racing in. 'I heard what

Happened. How is he? How's Kasper?' She began to ramble on but Leo put a finger to his lips,

Nodding to Zak's sleeping form curled next to my side. 'My poor baby.' She whispered and a sob

Followed as she pulled up a chair, sitting at the bedside, crying silently into the sheets.

'I'll go and grab a couple bottles and some food for the little tyke.' Ricky said as he tickled Kasper.

The baby's giggles seemed to be soothing his father as I felt his grip on my shirt relax a little.

I nodded, 'be quick.'

He nodded and left.

'Axel, are you alright with him?' I smirked as I saw Axel's nervous expression.

'Y-yea, I erm, i don't want to hurt him.' He mumbled a little embarrassed. 'I've never held him

Before.'

I smiled at the young wolf. 'Don't worry, with the way Nova throws him around, Kasper is a tough

Lil fella.' I chuckled at his shocked expression. 'He doesn't literally throw him round. I just mean

That Nova isn't as gentle with him as Zak.'

Axel smiled and sat on the empty bed next to Zak, bouncing an unsettled Kasper on his

Knee. 'I-I think he might be getting hungry.' He grimaced as the baby began to cry.

At the sound of his baby's cries, Zak stirred, his emerald eyes blinking up at me in confusion. Once

The sleep had left him his eyes grew wide in panic as he flew off the bed and ran towards a startled

Axel, grabbing Kasper from him.

'Zak, buddy, calm down. No ones going to hurt you.' I sat down on the floor next to where Zak had

Collapsed, clutching his baby to his chest, his small frame trembling.

'Zak, baby, what's wrong?' Amanda sat and gathered her son in her arms while he sobbed into her

Shoulder. 'Sshh, baby, it's okay. It's okay.' She soothed.

Zak hiccuped and gasped, 'I-I-I'm s-scared.'

I knew all our hearts broke a little at his words. 'Zak, we promise nothing is going to hurt you or

Kasper. We would die before we let that happen.'

'N-no, I-I don't want a-anyone to d-die.' He sobbed even more.

Pain erupted from the back of my head as Leo slapped me. 'Zak, nobody is going to die, it's just an

Expression.' Leo glared at me. 'A stupid expression.'

I mumbled a sorry while rubbing the back of my head. 'Zak, let me take Kas from you and get him

Settled down.' I edged towards Zak, who was bundled in Amanda's arms, still sobbing.

'N-no. H-he'll take m-my b-baby.' He hiccuped.

A growl rippled through the room as each of us failed to hold the sudden rise of anger. Zak

Whimpered at the sound.

How dare that rotten, low life threaten to take a child! I stood and turned my back to Zak, he didn't

Need to see my expression. I didn't want to scare him, he needed to relax. Taking a deep breath,

Steadying myself, I turned to Leo. He looked as pissed as me.

'Alright Zak, we won't touch Kasper, but can we at least get you back into bed? You need to rest.'

Leo crouched and gently placed a hand on the boys knee. 'Ricky should be back in a minute with

Stuff for Kasper, so why don't we get you both comfy until he gets here.'

Zak's little emerald eyes looked at Leo. 'O-okay.' He whispered.

Leo smiled and held out a hand for him, which he took after a moments hesitation.

Zak knew we would never hurt him and he wasn't afraid of us, it was just the situation that was

Making him extra wary.

'There we go,' Leo smiled as he pulled the covers over Zak's legs as he sat on the bed.

'S-sorry.' He buried his head in his baby's chest, a small sob echoing round the room. Kasper

Seemed to feel his dad's uneasiness because the child began to softly pat his dad's hair, making

Funny little sounds.

'What are you sorry for dear?' Amanda asked softly.

'F-for causing t-trouble again.' He whispered.

'Zak you listen to me now. What is happening is not your fault. You are the one being stalked by a

Freak. The scum will be dealt with and none of this will happen again.' Leo growled, making Zak

Flinch. 'Now for gods sake smile. We Hate seeing you upset.' Leo chuckled and tapped Zak's chin

Gently, making him look up at him. Leo raised an eyebrow and smirked.

We all chuckled as Zak's face lit up with a smile.

'Thats more like it.' Ricky boomed as he entered the room. His arms were full of toys and such for

Little Kas. 'Here you go.' He smiled handing Zak some food for Kasper.

'Thank you.' He smiled and pulled the bib, that Ricky handed him, over the baby's head.

Kasper giggled and gurgled as Zak tried to feed him some strange pasty looking food. The boy took

Three spoons before deciding it was more fun to flick he food everywhere else.

Zak sighed in frustration and put the lid back onto the food, keeping it for later, before wiping

Kasper clean. 'There, all clean.' He nuzzled his nose against his baby's, earning another round of

Giggles from he little boy.

'Is he alright to crawl around?' Zak looked over at me, waiting for an answer.

I was confused. 'He can crawl already?' I'm sure the little tyke was only four months.

Zak nodded, 'Micky said he develops quicker because of the wolf side.' He shrugged.

'Yeah, I guess he can crawl around. There's nothin he can hurt himself on so it's fine.' I smiled.

Zak climbed out of bed and sat the little boy on the floor. Rick put the toys beside him so he could

Play. I chuckled as he picked one up and threw it at Ricky. He wasn't expecting it so it hit him

Square in the nose. Kasper's cute little giggle echoed round the room as he clapped his tiny hands

Together, highly amused. Ricky growled playfully and tickled the little monster making him squeal

In delight and crawl away being chased by Ricky.

Zak smiled at the scene in front of us but it soon disappeared as the door came flying open. I've

Never moved so fast in my life. Zak had grabbed Kasper and I had grabbed Zak, pulling him into

My side protectively while Ricky stood in front of us.

'Chill, it's only me.' Micky said peeping over the top of a huge pile of paper that he struggled to

carry. 'Sorry, I couldn't open the door so I kicked it open. Didn't mean to scare you Zak.'

'Its okay, let me help you with those.' Leo sighed in relief and helped Micky with the pile of papers.

I felt Zak's body fall from my grasp. Thankfully I caught him before he hit the floor. His little body

Trembled and tears filled his eyes.

Amanda scurried round and took Kasper from Zak's hold, making him whimper. I picked him up

And sat us on the bed. He curled into my chest, clutching my shirt tight as he sobbed.

'Sshh buddy. It's okay.' I tried to soothe him by stroking his tangled hair, but he didn't calm down.

'Its okay, I promise. Nothing will hurt you or Kasper. I promise.' I kept talking to him gently,

Constantly letting him know he was and will be safe. He slipped into an uncomfortable sleep as we

Watched over him.