Chapter 39

The first thing Ella felt before she opened her eyes was the soreness in her back. Her muscles itched to stretch but she was too afraid that if she moved too quickly, she might pull something. She tried to move her arm up to scratch her nose, but her ams felt as if they weighed a ton. She wasn't even sure if her arm was doing anything when she pushed with all her might to lift it.

"Careful," Maksim's low voice broke through a vibrating hum in Ella's ears. She turned her head towards the sound and regretted her decision immediately. Something sparked to life and she was overcome with a pounding headache.

Ella tried to open her mouth to call out to her mate, but her throat was so dry. Her lips were sealed and as she opened her mouth, she felt them peel separate from one another like stickers.

"Max," she said, her voice groggy.

"I'm here, baby," Maksim took her hand and Ella felt the soft ground dip beside her. "Open your eyes, love."

Carefully, Ella willed her eyelids to open. She was greeted by the harsh lights before her blurry vision focused on Maksim sitting in front of her.

"Hi," he smiled as he rubbed circles on her wrist.

"H...hi," Ella said, a bit confused. She tried to sit up but her headache got worse. Maksim watched as she shut her eyes tightly and looked away.

"I called Mimzy, she should be here any second," Maksim reached out and rubbed the back of his hand against her face.

"Where are we?" Ella asked.

"The hospital, babe," Maksim said. "What do you remember?"

Ella slowly opened her eyes. Her heart began to pound as she saw flashes of Roman's face in her mind. The monitors picked up her elevated heart beat and started to beep.

"I'm here," Maksim said quickly. He leaned forward and placed a kiss on her forehead. "Don't worry, you're safe."

"You.....you were shot," Ella's eyes began to burn with tears as she turned her head to look at her mate. "How...how did..."

"It wasn't too mad," Maksim lied.

In reality, it was bad. It was very bad. The silver bullet has grazed his heart, tearing apart everything in its path. By the time Owen and Alec had found the couple at the stairwell, Maksim had lost a lot of blood. He was rushed into surgery with Gemma on standby. Mavi stood right beside her as she let the nurses take as much blood as they needed from her.

After four long hours in surgery, Rye and the other surgeons were finally able to remove the bullet. And then afterwards, it was all Mavi's blood and healing clay that sped up his recovery.

Ella on the other hand took much longer to recover. Her human body would not accept anything beside small doses of healing clay. Maksim had taken only a week to recover, but Elal took almost three. She faded in and out of consciousness for days. Her body took it's time to heal as her mind soothed itself somewhere deep in her head.

"Are you okay?" The tears in Ella's eyes spilled as she tried to raise her right hand. Maksim stopped her and told her to keep her hands still.

"Your fingers are still healing," he said to her. "Don't move them."

"Give her some space, Mackey," Rye's voice came from the doorway.

Maksim looked over his shoulder as Rye entered the room. She wore blue scrubs and her dark hair hung behind her in a ponytail.

"How are we feeling, sweet pea?" She asked as she leaned over Ella and checked her eyes.

"Thirsty," Ella said. "May I have some water?"

"In a bit," Rye held up a finger. "Follow my finger please."

Maksim watched as Ella's eyes slowly moved with Rye's finger. He reached out and poured her a cup of water as Rye checked her broken fingers and the bandage on her head.

"Does this hurt?" She asked.

"Yes," Ella winched. "My head feels like it's going to explode."

"That will go away in a bit," Rye said. "Do you feel nauseous or dizzy?"

"No," Ella said.

"Okay, that's good," Rye patted her shoulder. "You can have some water. I'll be back in five minutes to take you to scan your head."

"Thank you," Maksim said.

Rye helped Maksim position Ella so that she sat up on her bed. She positioned the pillows behind the girl's head to make sure she was comfortable and safe. Maksim held the water cup to her lips and helped her drink slowly.

"What happened?" Ella asked when she had enough water.

"How much do you remember?" Maksim asked.

"Everything," Ella frowned. "My dad, Roman, you getting shot..."

Maksim slowly nodded as he took a seat in front of her, "What else do you remember?"

"Just that...." Ella said. "How did we get out?"

Maksim took in a deep breath and sighed. He hung his head as he ran a hand through his hair, "I don't know."

"What do you mean?"

"I remember as much as you do," Maksim said. "I remember getting shot and then everything else after that is blank. I remember looking at you on that chair and then the next thing that comes to my mind is waking up on the hospital bed."

"How...how long has it been?" Ella asked. "How long was I unconscious?"

"Almost three weeks," Maksim said. Ella watched the pain flash across his eyes as she reached out for him with her left hand. "I can't breathe without you. These past weeks felt as if I had been buried alive."

"Max...." Ella urged him to come closer. She was still feeling the anxiety run through her system like poison. Every time she linked, she would see Roman's face.

"Don't leave me," Ella's voice cracked as she looked up at her mate.

"Never again," Maksim said, kissing her forehead. "I will never leave your side ever again. I love you so much."

"I love you so much," Ella's tears ran down her face. "Is he....is Roman...."

"He's dead," Maksim said. "Bullet to the heart. He can't hurt you any more. No one can."

"What about....."

Maksim's eyes darkened. He put his arm around Ella's shoulder and rested her head gently on his chest.

"Dean is being charged with attempted murder," he said after a while.

A few seconds passed by as Maksim waited for Ella to speak. He didn't think it would be easy news to digest. He knew she loved her family and their betrayal would haunt her forever. Maksim just wanted to make sure Ella knew she was safe with him.

After a long pause, Ella carefully nodded her head, "What about the others?"

"There are members of Tovio all over the world. But now with their leader gone, they all went into hiding. The queen's guard is tracing them one cell at a time."

"I meant the others....." Ella's voice shook. "M-Mia and my......"

Maksim slowly turned his head and placed another kiss on her forehead. She was so strong and she would never even fully know it.

"Liam won custody of Leo," Maksim informed her slowly. "Piper has been staying with Clare and Cleo."

"And...."

Maksim let out the breath he had been holding, "Mia and Ruby have been charged with obstruction of justice. They found emails and phone records between Roman and Mia."

Silent tears rolled down Ella's face as she listened to Maksim's words. She couldn't understand their hate. How was it possible to live with so much darkness in their hearts.

"I'm sorry," Ella choked up as she lifted her gaze to Maksim.

"For what?"

"For my family...." Ella cried. "I....look at what they have done."

Maksim quickly pulled her into his chest. He held her as closely as he could without hurting her. He kissed her cheeks over and over and pushed her hair away from her tear stained face.

"Baby, none of this was your fault...." Maksim said. "You never have to be sorry. They hurt you way more then they could ever hurt me. If he wasn't your father then I would have personally bit off Dean's head from his shoulder."

"How...how could he do that to me?" Ella began to sob loudly like a child. "I....I..I'm his daughter...and he....he...he just stood there watching Roman...."

As Maksim listened to Ella's words, his body chilled. He slowly looked down at her as he tried to control his anger.

"Did Roman touch you?" Maksim asked, his tone serious.

Ella's bottom lips trembled, "He....he tried to...."

"Was Dean there?" Maksim's wolf growled.

"No," Ella shook her head. "After...after we got to New York, Roman had Dean stay with me until he moved me upstairs for the video...."

Maksim's arms tightened around his mate. Ella buried her face in his chest and sobbed. She gripped his shirt with her good hand and held him tightly to herself.

A moment later, the glass doors to the room slid open and Rye came back in. she paused at the doorway as she observed Ella crying in Maksim's arms.

Everything okay? She linked Maksim.

Yes, Maksim sighed.

"Ella," Rye called to the girl in her soothing voice. She walked up beside the bed and placed a gentle hand on her head. "You'll tire yourself out my love."

Ella slowly turned her face. She gave a few short hiccups and sniffles before she pulled herself back together. Maksim still held her tightly as Rye explained what they would be doing.

"Is....is that safe?" Ella asked about the scans as she wiped her eyes.

"The test is completely painless," Rye said. "We will just be taking some images of your head to make sure there are no clots."

Ella nodded nervously. She turned her eyes towards Maksim as if asking him something silently.

"Don't worry," Rye followed Ella's eyes and the worry behind them. "Maksim told me about your missed period."

"Oh," Ella turned to look at Rye.

"You're not pregnant," Rye assured her. "We tested you as soon as they bought you in. You probably missed your period because of stress or because you had gotten that cold."

"Okay," Ella said as she felt a fraction of the pressure in her chest rise up. There was a huge part of her that was glad she wasn't carrying a baby. She would have hated to have her unborn child suffer through Roman's cruelty. As if sensing her thoughts, Maksim kissed the top of her ear.

"I would have killed him a thousand times," he whispered.

Soon after, Rye took Ella away to get her head scanned. Maksim followed along for as long as he could before he was not allowed to anymore. He stood behind his grandmother as she looked at the images of Ella's brain on the screen and consulted with the other doctors. The whole time, Maksim's eyes stayed on Ella. Then as soon as the test was gone, Rye brought her back to her room.

"When can I go home?" Ella asked as Rye checked her fingers again.

"In a few days," Rye said. "The human body doesn't heal as fast as a werewolf. I want to make sure you are in top condition before I discharge you."

"Keep her here as long as you need to," Maksim said. "Bubble wrap her."

"Ugh," Rye rolled her eyes. "He's just like Xavier. Caveman."

Ella smiled as she leaned back against the pillows. She looked over at Maksim and held out her hand. He was too far away for her liking.

"Get some rest now," Rye said as she pulled the blinds closed on the window. "Mackey, I'm putting you in charge. Make sure she eats and then gets some sleep."

"Yes, Ma'am," Maksim nodded.

________________________________

The next morning, Alec was the first of many visitors to come see Ella at the hospital. He recorded her statement before wishing her speedy recovery. Owen and Mavi were next, followed by Xavier.

"Thank you," Xavier said to Ella as Maksim had gone outside to get her some extra blankets.

"For what?" Ella wondered.

"Maksim," Xavier smiled. "For dealing with him. I see a change in him. He's trying to be better and it's all because of you."

"That's all his doing,"

"Maybe, but you motivate him," Xavier said. "Behind every strong man is an even stronger woman."

A small smile appeared on Ella's face as she thanked Xavier for his kind words. He too wished her a speedy recovery and rose to his feet just as Maksim entered the room.

"Leaving already?" Maksim asked.

"Yes," Xavier nodded. "Adeline needs my help with something."

"How are things going with her. Man, I haven't even had a chance to go see her,"

"Don't worry about that" Xavier patted his shoulder. "You have too much going on. Adeline is tough. She has everything under control."

"Call me if you need anything,"

"Of course,"

Once Xavier left, Maksim opened up the spare blanket and placed it over Ella's shivering legs. She thanked him as he settled himself next to her and she leaned her head against him.

"Paws brought you something," Maksim said after a short pause.

"What is it?" Ella looked up. She watched him reach over to the small table beside the bed and hand her a tan folder.

"He did some digging into Dean's past,"

"Oh?" Ella raised a brown curiously.

"Were you aware that he grew up in the orphanage Mimzy and Paws ran?"

"What?" Ella looked up in confusion. "No, he grew up with his aunt and uncle after his parents died in a car accident."

"No," Maksim shook his head. "That's the same thing Lily said. But look at this."

Ella followed Maksim's hands as he pulled out a photograph from the folder. She spotted Rye amongst some children and behind her was indeed her father.

"Why am I not surprised that he lied to us?" Ella mumbled as she took a closer look at the picture.

"There's more," Maksim sighed. "His parents didn't die in a car accident. They were civilian casualties during the battle between Azazel and Gemma."

Ella gasped, "What?"

"You dad was about six or seven," Maksim frowned. "He had no other family and was sent to live at the orphanage. Then at the age of ten, he was adopted by a local family."

Ella felt as if she was falling from the sky. She hardly knew the man in the pictures anymore. Everything she thought she knew about him was a lie? Why would he do such a thing....

"The kids that lived with him at the orphanage said he was oftentimes violent and cruel towards the werewolf children."

"Why?" Ella's voice was barely a whisper as she stared at the photograph.

"He thought they got adopted faster than human children," Maksim explained as he went through the file and pulled out another picture. It was of a young woman in her early teen years. From her clothing and hair style, Ella could tell she was probably much older now.

"Who is this?" She asked.

"Mia Harlow," Maksim said. "She used to live in this town many years ago. Daughter of a rich business man."

Maksim paused as he allowed Ella a few seconds to see everything in front of her. When he was sure she wasn't overwhelmed, he continued softly.

"She.....she was Dean's mate."

"What?" Ella almost dropped the photography. "How is that possible.....why would he be so against us if he......what about my mom?"

"Slowly baby," Maksim said as he patted her head and relaxed her. "Take a deep breath. I love you."

"Where is she now?" Ella asked looking back at the photo.

"She lives somewhere in South America,"

"What happened between her and my father?"

Maksim took in a deep breath as he reached for the same photograph in Ella's hand. He felt a bitterness rise in his heart as he spilled the family secrets to his mate.

"Mia.....rejected your father," Maksim said as he frowned. "They were 14 when they met. Dean used to work at their family stable and she was too arrogant to accept a stable boy as her mate."

Ella's eyes began to water as her heart shrank in her chest. She went back to the photo of young Dean and pressed her hand over her trembling lips. Maksim pulled her to his chest and kissed the side of her head. He rubbed her shoulder and told her it was all over now.

"He.....he kept all this bottled in...." Ella looked up at her mate with glossy eyes.

"Yes," Maksim nodded. "And when Liam fucked up with Mia..... it all just set Dean off."

"Does....does my mother know about this?"

Maksim nodded.

Ella couldn't stop the tears from falling down her face. She bit down on her lip to try and stop herself but she couldn't. She cried as Maksim held her face and told her over and over it was all over. Ella knew her family couldn't hurt her anymore. But another sad and bitterness had settled over her heart.

Did she know her family at all? The people she had spent so long with suddenly felt like strangers to her. Who were they? Why did they hide so much?

Maksim knew there wasn't much he could do to help Ella process the news. She needed to do that all on her own. The only thing he could do was not have her feel so lonely. He held her patiently as she cried. And once she couldn't cry no more he quietly asked if she wanted to see Lily and Piper.

Ella agreed immediately. It was a beautiful summer day and she had been in the hospital for way too long. Maksim placed Ella in the wheelchair and took her out to the garden to see LIly and Piper.

It was a bittersweet reunion. Ella surprised herself by crying some more. But unlike before, her tears were from heartbreak. They were tears of relief. She had lost everything....but in return she had gained the most true and sold bonds her heart could ever make. Over Lily's shoulder she looked at Maksim as he gazed at her with so much love she feared she might never be worthy of it.

But this was all she had now. She had him and he had become the center of her universe. He was her sun, the wind in her sail and the flash light for her darkest days. No matter where she went, she knew Maksim would be right beside her. Her heart swelled up with so much love for him that she began to sob once more. Lily pulled back as Maksim kneeled in front of his mate and picked up her face.

"I will be here for as long as you want me," Maksim said as he kissed the tip of Ella's nose.

"Don't ever leave me," Ella cried as she pulled him closer and kissed him through her tears.

"Never," Maksim promised.

From across the lawn, hidden in the shadows of the large willow trees, Clare watched the emotional union. The book she had been reading remained open on her lap as she gazed at her brother and his mate. The love between them flew around their body like wild winds of a strong storm. They were madly and hopelessly meant for one another.

They will be happy, Clare suddenly thought. She smiled as her mind conjured up pictures of her brother wearing a crown, little children running around and a very swollen Ella walking around bare feet in the same garden.

With a big sigh, Clare rose from the bench and gathered her books. She closed her eyes and when she opened them back up, she was standing inside the palace.

"Oh," Vivian gasped as she looked up suddenly. "Your grace.....I....I apologize, I didn't see you there."

"I just came up the stairs," Clare smiled. "You must have missed it."

"I apologize," the woman looked confused and startled.

"No worries," Clare patted her arm. She gave the kind lady one last smile before she headed for her room. On her way she passed the family room and heard her parents voice. Curiously, Clare took a step forward to listen.

"It's the bullet hole," Mavi was saying. "What else could it be?"

"A bullet hole is not that big, princess," Owen chuckled. "Are you seeing the measurements? There's no way a bullet hole would have left that wide of a gaping hole. And look at the torn tissues around it. Bullets do not do that."

Clare took a deep breath and stepped inside. Her parents looked over their shoulder and quietly shut the files in front of them.

"Hello, baby," Owen said as he held his arm out for his daughter. Clare walked up to him and settled down beside him on the sofa. She tucked herself under his arms and pulled her legs up.

"What have you been up to?" Owen asked.

"Just reading," Clare said as she chewed on her bottom lip.

"Baby, did you get fitted for the wedding yet?" Mavi asked as she leaned her head onto Owen's other shoulder.

"Yes," Clare nodded. "I don't know about Cleo. She didn't show up for measurements."

"Oh that girl will be the death of me," Mavi sighed.

"What are you guys up to?" Clare asked as she looked up through her thick lashes.

"Hmm?" Owen hummed. "Oh just some work. Nothing interesting I'm afraid."

"The hole was created by a bullet,"

"What?" Mavi suddenly said as she sat up. Owen blinked in surprise as he pulled back and looked down at Clare.

Clare slowly sat up straight and took in a deep breath. She looked into her father's eyes as a light wave of red mist started to come off her body.

"The hole was created by a bullet," she said again. "Nothing else. The measurements and everything is just unexplainable and nothing of importance. Roman does not deserve a second of our attention."

"You're right," Mavi smiled as Owen nodded. "The hole was created by a bullet."

"I will tell Alec to close the case," Owen said. "It was created by a bullet."

"Good," Clare gave a small nod. "Good talk, guys."

As Clare blinked she quickly pushed the idea of a tropical vacation into her parent's heads.

"So what do you think?" Owen asked with a bright smile.

"About Mexico?" Clare laughed.

"Yes," Mavi nodded. "Won't it be so fun? And once Ella is better she will need some down time."

"I think it's a wonderful idea," Clare smiled. "I'll go tell Mackey to pack their bags."

"Thank you, baby," Owen kissed her head as she jumped up and ran out the room. He turned to his wife and pulled her in for a long slow kiss.

"I have to go back to work," he sighed as he pulled away.

"Don't go," Mavi frowned.

"My boss is kind of a crazy ass," Owen teased. "She'll burn me to ashes."

"Hmm," Mavi smiled. "Sounds like my kind of woman."

Owen laughed before he picked up the file in front of him and got up, "I don't know why we were so confused over this."

"I don't get it either," Mavi said shaking her head. She rose from her seat and fixed her dress. "We overthink so much. All that analyzing and testing over a bullet hole."

"I will go tell Alec to shut the case," Owen said. "We have everything we need for Dean's trial."   

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