THE HOSPITAL
(Beth, Elijah, Elliot, and Gwen)

Beth, Elijah, Elliot, and Gwen drive back to the hospital. When they got there, we were greeted by Alpha Samson and his mate Greta and three more of Theron's siblings: Brenna (9), Celina (7), and Serena (7), who were in Theron's room. When they walked in, Greta gave them all hugs. "Thank you so much for contacting us. When my brother gets released, he will get an earful about wearing a silver bracelet. We had been told with him still being a pup; he would not have the linking capabilities for distance. We did not think anything of it when we lost the link."

Beth looked around, "where is he?"

"They are doing some more tests. They are talking about removing the piece of the bracelet embedded by the blast. They only removed the surface pieces from the earlier surgery."

Elijah looked at them, "I think I will go check on him. I did tell them I was his doctor for when he broke his arm. I was able to give medical history."

Alpha Samson asked, "How did you get into SNAP? I would have thought just warriors and trackers."

Elijah said, "Beth is my mate, and Gwen is my brother's mate."

"Congratulations on finding each other. Thank you in advance for looking after him." He then turned to Gwen and Beth as Elijah left the room. "I was sorry to hear about your mom's passing. She and her fairy friends kept me on my toes when Zane and I guarded her.  We could not make the funeral since my pack added extra security patrols around the counseling center and our pack. In Jocelyn's memory, figured she wanted it secured."

He gave both girls hugs. This made Elliot growl and pull Gwen and Beth behind him. My brother and my mates."

Greta laughed, "Stop it. You know he is mated to me. It has been a while since you saw my younger siblings. This is Breena, who is 9. The twins Celina and Serena, who are 7. No, Samson and I haven't been blessed with pups yet."

Alpha Samson asked, "Theron told us you were here talking to him yesterday. Why are you back today?"

Beth replied, "wanted to talk to him again and see if we could gather more information. He was able to give us four descriptions, and I drew them."

"Let me look at them. I need to make sure if they come after Theron, I know what they look like."

Beth replies, "Let me air-drop them to you." She pulls out her phone and taps. Samson pulls out his phone and accepts.

"No, it can't be. Number three, that looks like Mitchell Branson. He looks older, filled out, and has scars on the face, but he died at the gauntlet in an avalanche." He started tapping on his phone. He brought up a photo. "Though none of the bodies were recovered." He tapped a few more times. "Eureka found an article." He turns the phone toward them, "Just when I saw your drawing, I thought of him.

Beth studies it, "they do look similar and could be possible. I will text Peter and ask him."

"Whose Peter?"

"He is our sperm donor. When he was released, he went to a counseling center and now lives peacefully in the rouge village by Juniper. Mom forgave him years ago. She said she would not have two fantastic daughters without him. So we met him when we were ten while he was still in prison. We decided to forgive him, too," Gwen replied. "We have only talked to him a couple of times when pups, but after his release, we would go see him. We helped him set up his new house," said Beth

"I had no idea. Goliath never told me. I knew you guys stayed in contact with Goliath, and he spent much time with you."

"Mom and Aunt Tianna became best friends in college. Uncle Goliath and Aunt Tianna's halflings are cousins without blood."

"I remember being told Tianna sucker punched him after he sent me away when I was so mad at them." He then laughs at that memory.  "Before Theron gets back, can you contact Peter?"

Gwen replied, "I already did. I texted him with the photos to ask if he knew any of them. I did not say who he might be. Now we wait for a reply."

Elliot adds, "When we talk to Theron again, it might be better not to have the younger pups here. What if I take them to the cafeteria for ice cream and maybe go to the park until my lovely mates message me to come back."

Beth adds, "Greta, it might be easier if you go too."

She shakes her head no, "I dealt with hard stuff before. This cannot be easy on you investigating your own family's murder. I will handle it now." She looks at her younger siblings, "Beta Elliot wants to take you to get ice cream. Then afterward, to play at the park while Theron is getting tested and talked to. Would you like to go?"

They all jumped up and started moving to the door and talking about the type of ice cream they wanted.

Greta laughed, "Guess there is your answer." She calls out, "Behave and listen to Beta Elliot."

All three answer, "We will."

"Elijah just linked me. He said the test they are doing will take about two hours. Why don't you two go for a run? This will help relax you."

Greta looked unsure, "I don't know what if he needs me."

Samson looked at her, "she's right. Our wolves are restless. This will give us a little release."

Beth lifts her arms and starts swishing her hands, "Now shoe. I got a book in my bag and can sit here and read it while you're gone."

They turn and leave. Gwen asked her sister, "Why do you push them out!"

"They were agitated, and I did not want that alpha wolf to bust out. I figured a run would do them good."

They sat down to read their book until Theron and Elijah got back. They got back one and a half hours later. Beth looked at him, "Do you want to rest or feel like answering some more questions?

"I will answer questions."

Gwen asked, "Do you remember where the guys were standing?"

Theron thought, "The first row was more like a letter 'V.'  The second row was a straight line. That row was carrying burritos."

Gwen asked, "They were eating?"

He laughed, "No, like Samson sometimes does to us. He rolls my sister and me in a blanket like a burrito. Then he tosses us over his shoulder. We squirmed and yelled to get out, but their burritos were still and not moving."

He thought for a few moments. "The third row had two people in it. The last row must have had a small man in the back. I could not see him, but he moved his arms, and it had a black painting on it."

He thought for a minute. He looked startled. "That wasn't painting. It was a tattoo of a wolf gripping a ring with an owl flying and holding it. I saw it up close when he wrapped his arm around me. He put something over my mouth. Then everything went black."

Samson and Greta walked in then. They heard Theron ask, "we're they trying to kill me? We're they carrying dead bodies?" He started having tears run down his cheek.

Greta ran to her brother and wrapped her arms around him. Samson said, "Don't worry, little buddy. I will make sure you stay safe."

Beth finished her notes and laid down the photo of a shoe placement that the trackers made. When Theron calmed down, "Was this how it looked?"

"Yes." He said in a small voice. Gwen leaned down and hugged him, "You did great, and this has helped us tremendously. Why don't you take a nap? We can ask the nurse if you could eat dinner at one of the tables in the garden with your family.

"Ok. You going to stay here while I sleep, Samson?"

"I will be here, buddy, and when I am not, I will have a couple of my best warriors with you."

"Warrior Travis and Warrior Jamison?"

"If that is who you want, then they will come. Now go to sleep. I have to contact them."

Samson said after he contacted his warriors, "I also did call Goliath. He is looking into Elder Vincent's family. He said he thought there was a pup. Once verified, he will contact you."

Elijah said, "Now that he is sleeping. I want to talk about the silver bracelet embedded in his arm. It will be a tricky surgery. I contacted a colleague of mine from college. He is flying down and will be here tomorrow late afternoon. He will evaluate if it can be removed from his arm."

"What will happen if he says it cannot?"

"If it stays in, he will lose his wolf or have a weak wolf when it is time to shift. The choice might mean to amputate the wrist and hand off to save him and the wolf."

Samson put his arms around his mate to comfort her. It was about forty minutes later Theron stirred awake. Samson helped him to the restroom. He had just returned to bed when  Brenna, Celina, and Serena returned with Elliot, who looked tired. They were all carrying bags. Elliot was taking food from a local restaurant.

Greta looked at them surprised, "How did you pay for all this stuff?"

Brenna replied, "Uncle Elliot bought it. We realized we would be staying here, and none had clean clothes. We now all have pajamas and three new outfits, including socks and underwear." She leaned over and whispered, "And bras for you." Then in a regular voice, "Plus, got us a swimsuit."

Celina said, "he let us pick out our toothbrushes, hair brushes, toothpaste, shampoos, conditioners, barrettes, hair bands, and razors for Samson.

Serena added, "We got Theron three pair of pajamas and a clean outfit when he comes home. We got him Percy Jackson and the Olympians 5 Book Paperback Boxed Book Set and a video game he could play on his switch."

Greta crossed her arms, "you bought all this and got him a switch?"

Celina looked at her, "No, Greta, he got us a switch and let us pick our game colors. Since Theron likes green, we got him green. He said that way; we would not argue over it. Plus could keep us entertained between all the hospital things."

Greta looked at Elliot, "You did not have to do that. We planned to have a pack member bring us stuff."

Elliot replied, "I know I did not have to, but I wanted to. I figured you guys would have a rough few days as Theron has his surgery. I also talked to the hospital administrator, who arranged for you to stay in a two-bedroom suite at the hotel next door. Just say thank you.  Otherwise, you would of all been crowded in one room. Plus, I arranged a second suite. One for the guards and one for the nannies. This way, they can do shifts."

Greta said, "Thank you." She dabbed her eyes.

Gwen leaned over and said to her mate, "I have a kind and thoughtful mate. She turned toward the family, "We are going to go. Enjoy your meal with your family. I gave you my phone number; please call to tell me when and how the operation went."

Beth added, "or if he remembers anything else. He did a great job today." She gives them all hugs. The others follow suit and walk out.

Gwen looks at the others, "Let's go to the woods behind the hospital for a run and catch our dinner. I need to relax some, and my wolf needs to get out. Then go back to our home away from home."