Page 45 of The Chosen One Universe: Volume One

Sam

“S-Sam?”

Ollie’s scared voice pulled Sam out of his own worry for his dad. He climbed into the car and scrambled into the back where Ollie sat with the younger kids. Ben and their hellhound guard had the two center seats. “It’s okay, guys. Sorry we scared you.”

Vaughn got in the driver’s seat and closed the door. “Sam?”

“I’m fine. Gimme just a sec. Everybody squish together.”

Luckily the kids were all on the small side. He quickly adjusted seat belts so they would all be buckled. They had to share which was far from ideal, but at least they’d be a little safer than they would without. He squished into the middle and hooked an arm around Emily and Ollie. “Ready.”

Vaughn met his gaze in the rearview mirror then got the vehicle backed up, turned around, and on the road back to the house. No one in the car spoke as they sped back through town.

It only took ten minutes, but Sam barely breathed the entire time. He kept his attention focused on his dad, wincing at each pain-filled whimper that came from the front seat.

When they finally pulled into the driveway, Sam let out a sigh of relief. Vaughn parked the SUV by the clinic doors before climbing out and rushing around to William’s door. “Hang on a minute, okay? I’m going to get a chair and wheel you in. It’ll be easier on both of us.”

Sam pushed back through to the center and opened Ben’s door. “Ben, will you go up to the house and get Nana for me, please?”

Ben nodded and took off running.

The hellhound guard climbed out as well and stood next to Sam. “Is there anything I can do?”

“Not unless you can magically repair ruptured discs.”

“I wish I could,” he said.

“Then just keep us safe like you’re doing. We appreciate it even if… God, I don’t even know your name. I’m so sorry.”

“I’m Teague,” the hellhound said. “And you’ve had a lot going on. Solomon was here last night. He’ll be back later to relieve me.”

Vaughn came back out of the clinic pushing a wheelchair, and William grunted at the sight.

“I can walk,” William griped.

“Sure you can,” Vaughn said. “And it’ll be excruciatingly painful and will aggravate the nerves even more than they are already. But if you want to be a tough guy, feel free to walk.”

William scowled. “You taking sassing lessons from my Sam?”

Sam snickered. “No, Dad, he gets it honest. Didn’t you say you knew Nana Jean?”

“Right,” William grumbled. “Well, don’t just stand there, son. Help me into that contraption before I start collecting dust.”

Vaughn helped him maneuver his dad into the wheelchair just as Ben returned with Nana.

“What on earth is going on?” Nana huffed.

“I’m taking him inside,” Vaughn said as he pushed William toward the clinic.

“My dad’s back is out. Vaughn’s going to take a look at it. I hoped you would take the kids—”

“That’s not how it works, sweetie. Come on, everybody.”

Sam blinked, stunned that she’d actually ignored him, but the rest of the kids climbed out of the truck and they surrounded Sam, leaning against him from every angle.

“Nana?” Sam asked, needing an explanation on the situation because he had no idea what he’d missed.

“Packs stay together when one of them is hurting. That’s why we have all those guest rooms in the house. They’ll rotate out to sleep, but someone always stays with the injured pack member. And that’s only once they know they’ll be okay. If it’s acute like your dad’s situation is, then we stick together until the situation is under control.”