You&Me: Book 4

Chapter 66: Panic Scars (Archer)

Karen hurried about with Quint closing all of the blinds.

"They shot you?" said my dad.

"Not now." I nodded toward Saigon. "Let's calm him down first."

"You can't go outside like this," said Aden. "Darius and Titus will be back in a bit. You can talk to them then."

"I need to talk to them now." Saigon shifted form.

I groaned. Great, now a naked man was going to be running down the street. Saigon was slightly lighter in this form, and I managed to wrestle him to the ground.

"Don't fight me," I said. "I might get hurt."

His mouth fell open. "I would never hurt you," he snapped. "They hurt you."

Climbing onto his lap, I cupped his face. "Stop, Saigon. Please, stop, and let's talk about it."

The garage door opened. The situation was getting even worse as the men filed into the house.

"What the hell is going on?" Darius eyed his nephew. "You have a bedroom."

"They shot him!" Saigon searched my leg from one of the bullet holes. "They're fucking marks all over his legs."

"You're exaggerating." I forced a smile.

"They did what?" My father stepped forward. "You left that detail out, Archer."

"For good reason," I breathed. "Can we please calm down? I'm alive. My legs work fine. The bullets went straight through. I will let you check for yourself if everyone will stop freaking out."

My father marched over and grabbed my arm. He took me to the couch and threw a blanket on my lap. "Shift, now."

I did so and let my head roll back. This was way more dramatic than it needed to be.

"See!" Saigon pointed.

Karen gave her grandson another blanket while looking at the ceiling.

"Look at this." Saigon knelt by my father as they scoured my legs for any marks.

"We should have a doctor check him," said my father.

I simply shook my head. "They went through."

"A piece of the bullet could be lodged in your leg," stated Saigon.

I turned to Darius. "I'm fine. Please, tell them I'm fine."

"Karen," said the alpha.

She perked up.

"You have the pack doctor's number?"

She smiled. "Of course I do."

"Could you call him and make an appointment for tomorrow? Archer is going to need a few x-rays."

"This is so stupid." I rubbed my face. "Fine. Whatever, if it makes everyone happy."

"It does," stated my father.

Saigon nodded. "I think he needs bloodwork done, too."

"What the hell?" I replied. "It's a few scars. I had worse ones before we mated."

"The bullet could have poisoned you."

"Then mate me, and all that will be taken care of," I said, annoyed.

"Can't," said my father. "The doctor needed to know where to look." He lifted my leg. "Afterwards, you probably should, mate, so we can't be on the safe side."

Saigon nodded in agreement. This was getting weird, and I was over it.

"Alright, alright, we're done." I kicked them away. "I'm tired, so I'm going to bed." Tossing the blanket at my father's face, I marched from the living room and slammed the bedroom door behind me.

This was why I wanted to get rid of the marks before Saigon saw them. I was a fucking dominant. Scars were normal and I was going to be fused over for something that healed days ago.

I climbed across the bed and faced the wall as I yanked the covers over top of me. Saigon had better think twice about touching me tonight because I was pissed. I get he was worried, but a simple mating was all I needed to be good as new.

They were talking about me in the living room. Footsteps were coming down the hall. I prepared myself to ignore Saigon.

"It's a werewolf thing, Mom," said Aden, down the hall. "They're born without shame."

The door opened.

"Archer?"

I didn't move.

"They're worried," said Aden. "Amuse them for a bit and they'll calm down. It is kind of mandatory for dominants to freak out when their mates get hurt."

"I'm a dominant," I muttered.

"I know. And if Saigon got shot, you'd be fretting over him. I do it with Titus but he's stronger and very bullheaded, so it's not like I can force him to go to the doctor. Saigon and Rupert will team up and carry you there if they had to," he chuckled.

"I'm fine."

"I know," said Aden. "Just let the doctor prove it to them. It's annoying, but it's better than the alternative of having a mate that doesn't care at all."

With a sigh, I turned around. "I said, I'd go."

"But can Saigon come to bed?" He flashed me a grin. "He's freaking out for another reason right now."

Groaning, I flopped back. "Tell the man to get his ass in here. I'm tired, and I want to go to sleep."

"It's clear, Saigon. He's not mad."

My mate shuffled into the room with a pillow covering his lower half. "Sorry. I panicked."

I patted the spot next to me. "Get over here before you fall over."

He did so as Aden closed the door.

I snuggled up in his arms and closed my eyes. "I think your grandma saw a bit too much."

Saigon tightened his hold on me. "She reminded me that clothes are mandatory in her house."

I laughed. "Once the doctor clears me, it's done with, okay?"

"'kay."

"No more ganging up on me with my father. I never thought I'd see you two plotting against me."

He shrugged. "We agree on a few things, and your safety is a big one."