***Chastity*** When Aurora moved to the center of the courtyard, I began to tremble, badly. Everything could change in an instant because of her. She was Beta Dimitri’s mate, and Beta Jax’s mother. They could change their minds about everything that happened today, and my circumstances, with one word from her. I was very scared. If they changed everything she would kill me, no questions asked, and get away with it. I was shocked to see Beta Dimitri take over “Aurora Goldrind, you are charged with abuse, degradation, neglect, starvation, humiliation, false imprisonment, and attempted murder of a minor, as well as a female pack member. How do you plead?” Beta Dimitri asked. “Like you care.” Aurora snapped. “It is not a matter of caring or not caring. It is a matter of the law. Now I ask you again, how do you plead.” “Not guilty. I did nothing that trash didn’t deserve, and had coming to her.” “Even as a pup?” “She wouldn’t have been abused if she had never been born. She deserved
***Chastity*** I watched as Alpha Rowen stepped up to the microphone. You could hear him clear his throat, and you could tell he was uncomfortable with whatever was about to happen next. After a minute of looking at the crowd, he spoke. “Good afternoon. I know it has been a long, and trying afternoon. With everything we have heard and seen, it has been highly emotional. I truly wish that this was the end of these proceedings, but sadly it is not. Unfortunately there are more parties involved in this situation, and for that reason we are not at our end yet. As we all know abuse, and neglect is illegal, as thoroughly established here today, but what of those who are complacent to abuse happening right under their noses. What of those who suspected abuse or maybe even saw signs of it, but ignored it, and turned a blind eye. Are they not just as guilty as the abusers for saying and doing nothing? Are they not as guilty for allowing it to happen, and not stopping it?” Alpha Rowen question
***Jax*** I quietly closed the door to Chastity’s room, and hung my head. I slowly shuffled toward my living room. Today had been harder than I ever expected. The things we learned were beyond anything I could have imagined. I still couldn’t process all of it. I knew most of what my mother had done, but what she did to Brinna. I just couldn’t wrap my head around it. How could she look any of us, especially my dad, in the face all these years knowing what she had done? It made me sick. She made me sick. She murdered someone, and gloated about it. My heart broke for Braxton. At least a little bit. He had been badly manipulated by a sick woman. He was also about to lose his mother. At the same time, his behavior, the things he said, I worried he suffered from what ever was wrong with Aurora. I guess time would tell what happened with him. What I did know is I could not stomach being anywhere near him at this point. I smelled my unwanted guests before I reached the living room. I wasn’
***Chastity*** My eyes popped open just as the sun started to peek through the curtains in my room. At first I was confused as to where I was, just like every morning recently. It took me a minute or two to realize I was in the bedroom Beta Jax set up for me. I stretched, and felt a little less pain than I had the day before. “Good morning Chastity.” Leila said as she stretched out in my mind. “Good morning Leila.” I responded. “Did you sleep well?” “I…yes I did.” “I hope so. I spent a lot of time working on healing you more last night. Your ribs are finally completely healed.” “Leila, you didn’t have to do that. You’ll wear yourself out.” “With all of the good food, and rest you’ve been getting, I have more energy to heal you. A few more days, and you’ll be good as new.” “Thank you Leila.” “You’re welcome. Now I’m going to get some rest. Maybe we’ll see mate today, and I want to make sure I’m all rested up for that.” “You silly wolf. I doubt we’ll see him today. The trial i
***Chastity*** We stood outside Braxton’s cell, and I looked him over. He was leaning against the wall behind his cot, knees bent, arms crossed over his knees, and head down on his arms. I could also smell his tears. My heart broke for him even more. I moved closer to the bars. “Br…Braxton.” I called softly, and his head snapped up. “Om….Chastity. What you doing here?” He snapped. “I…I came to talk to you.” I answered gently. “Why? Did you come here to gloat that your abusers have all been punished?” He growled. “Actually, not at all. I came because I was worried about you.” I responded. “Worried about me? Why?” He asked sounding confused. “Because for the last six years I have felt the way you’re probably feeling right now. Lost, confused, hurt, and alone.” “I don’t understand.” “How much do you know, and remember about me?” “Only than you’re an Omega, you’re older than me, your mom was Brinna, da…Beta Dimitri’s mate’s daughter.” “Can I tell you a bit of my story so maybe
***Chastity*** When we reached the pack hospital, Beta Jax led me to a room, and opened the door for me. He didn’t follow me in. Just closed the door behind me. I turned to see Beta Dimitri laying on his stomach on the hospital bed. He looked to be sleeping. I didn’t want to disturb him, so I turned to leave. I froze when I heard him speak. “Chastity? Chastity what are you doing here?” Beta Dimitri whispered. I turned back to face him. I studied his face for several minutes. Why did I come here? This male ignored me my whole life. Why was I even acknowledging him? I didn’t understand either, but something made me come here. “I…I don’t know.” I said quietly. “Did you want to come?” he questioned. “I…I think so, but I….I thought I would check on you. Now I’m not so sure. You never checked on me.” “I know. I failed you. I failed you horribly.” “You…you failed Braxton too.” “Braxton?” “He may not be yours, but you claimed him anyway. You were a father to him, and she hurt him. Ma
***Chastity*** I hadn’t thought I was ready for this, but I now knew I was. I didn’t believe in death like this, but she had done so many things. The biggest being murdering my mom. She needed to be punished for that. I also knew that if I was asked if I had anything to say, I knew that I did. I just needed to get up the courage to do so. The courtyard was very noisy. Everyone seemed to be talking amongst themselves. The whole time, Aurora stood there looking very smug. She looked like she thought she was getting out of paying the price for what she had done. It started to worry me that maybe Beta Dimitri had lied to me about them not changing their mind on her being punished. If they did, I would have to run away. I couldn’t keep living as I had been. The courtyard quieted down as soon as Alpha Joseph stepped onto the stage, and moved to the microphone. He didn’t say anything at first. He just seemed to look around at the crowd. He then turned back to all of us, and looked us each
***Chastity*** Over the next few days I have fallen into a bit of a routine. Each morning I got up, and made a large breakfast. Alpha Rowen, and Colby usually joined Molly, Beta Jax, and myself for breakfast. Of course they didn’t allow me to do the clean up. I spent the next several hours reading, or enjoying the quiet. Leila had done well to heal the rest of my wounds. I would have a quiet lunch by myself. In the afternoon I spent time at the pack hospital, sitting with those that are there, or talking to the nurses and doctors., as well as visiting Braxton a few times. Dinner was spent with at least Molly then I was off to bed. It’s during the hours alone in my bed that I remember. I remember my past. I remember the last 18 years of my life. I have started having nightmares. In those nightmares Aurora came to drag me out of bed, and into the dungeon. There I am beaten, and whipped by everyone in my life. I am screamed at. I am told how worthless I am. That I am a stain on everyone
Thank you all of my fans, and readers. Thank you for you time, patience, and support as I worked to write, as well as publish my first book. I really do appreciate your patience when I struggled to move the story forward. I also appreciate your continued support. Thank you for walking this journey with Chastity, Rowen, and me. I don't know if I'll ever write another story, but I did enjoy this one. Again, thank you. I can't tell you how much it means to me that you stuck by me through this, and that even though I wasn't sure anyone would like my story, you all did.
20 years later ***Rowen*** Some times it’s hard to believe it’s been 20 years since I almost lost my mate, my sweet girl, my Chastity. First because of my own stupidity. Second because of a horrible, manipulative female. I can’t even imagine what life would have been like if things had gone differently in any way that day, or any day after that. Sometimes I still kick myself for my own foolishness, and then I am thankful that I got the chance to make it right in every way. Life since then has been as close to perfect as one can get. Dad, Dimitri, and Uncle Peter retired when Jax, Ross, and I stepped into our roles. To say they loved it would be an understatement. They stepped into the grandparent role like no body’s business. Dad, and Dimitri never did look for second chance mates. Dad didn’t want to feel like he was replacing mom. Dimitri never completely trusted his own judgement again so they filled their lives with their grand pups, babysitting all of them everyday, and there ar
***Rowen***I woke up early the day after Chastity’s graduation. I know the reason was because I was beyond excited. Chastity was coming home, permanently. Today was the last time we would leave here together. She was coming home. She had gotten her degree, and was one step closer to living her dream. I was so proud of her. Thinking back to the day I found out she was my mate, to today, my sweet girl has come so far.There were times when I wish I could forget that day. Just erase it all from my memory. To erase the fact that I rejected her, and she almost died from my memory, and our past. I sometimes wished that had never been her life. That she never experienced the things she did, that she had never had to struggle as she did, but at the same time…She wouldn’t be where she is right now. She may not be the person she is if those things hadn’t happened. If I had accepted her immediately instead of being an idiot, the abuse she suffered may not have stopped. It may have
***Chastity*** The next morning I woke up to Rowen’s fingers buried inside me. I did enjoy the mornings he woke me up that way. It always started my day with a smile. His smile was pretty great too. Together we went down to have breakfast with Lexi, Colby, Norm, Marcus, Jessie, and Ace. These last few meals with them were bittersweet as they really were the last few with all of us together. I was going to really miss seeing Norm, and Marcus every day. I was also going to miss Colby, and Lexi, but they would be home in a few months. As soon as Colby finished at Denu. “We’re all supposed to be at the pack house at 4:00 today guys. Don’t forget.” Lexi stated. “Why do we need to be there?” Ace asked. “To celebrate.” Lexi answered. “Party!” Norm squealed making us all laugh. “Yes it will be a small party.” Lexi agreed. The graduation was going to be pretty small with just 6 midwives, and 10 nurses. Due to that it would be held in the main auditorium of the school. The graduates had t
***Chastity*** Once I started working in the hospital the months seemed to fly by. I loved every second of it. I learned so much in such a short time. Being able to apply what I had learned in the classroom made me feel very accomplished. My instructors also said they were very impressed with me. That made me feel wonderful. I still had my weekends free, thankfully. Two weekends a month I would either go home, or Rowen would come to Cloverland. If he could get a week away he would come stay for the week. I loved those weeks, but also felt bad about them. I loved them because of the time we got to spend together. I also got to fall asleep in his arms, as well as wake up in his arms. I felt bad about them because of the amount of time he spent alone due to me being in class. He didn’t complain once though, and always talked about how proud he was of me for doing what I was doing. My emotional, and mental struggles had become almost a thing of the past. Yes I still had moments here, an
***Chastity*** Spending 4 days at home had been a nice little break between semesters. As soon as I got back to school orientation, and class prep began. Lexi, Jessie, and I hit the ground running as soon as classes started back up. Norm was lucky because this semester all of his classes were still in the classroom. The three of us only spent a few weeks in the classroom before we moved into being in the hospital. That was where the real work began. Our class schedule was less, but due to the nature of the classes that was necessary. We were now only taking 4 actually classes, but they were all equally important, and put us in different sections of the maternity ward during the class week. The 6 midwives in training were divided into 3 groups of 2 between the 3 midwives that were all instructors. Lexi, and I both got a laugh out of the fact that the midwife we would be working with was Beth’s midwife. We found that out our first week on the ward when Beth, and Robert came in a pre-na
***Chastity***Sunday morning Rowen had a lot of last minute things to do to prepare for Alpha Theo’s arrival so I decided to spend the morning with my dad, Braxton, and Jax. I missed having Colby there too, but I enjoyed spending time with my family. Dad ended up deciding to give Braxton, and I both a driving lesson. He also spent time helping us review the Driver’s handbook. Braxton was 16 now, and it was time for him to get his license as well.After we were done with our lesson, dad, Jax, Braxton, and I went to the deli in town for lunch. I was glad we decided to go there instead of the diner again. As much as I enjoyed the food there, I was not in the mood to deal with Rachel again. I also wanted a deli sandwich. Once we ordered our food we jumped right into conversation.“How do you think you did this semester Chas?” Braxton asked.“I think I did pretty well. I know I got good grades on all my assignments, and stuff. My final grades will be out by the time I get back.
I wanted to let everyone know ahead of time that I'm not sure if there will bd an update this weekend. I've been struggling a bit, and have been unable to write the next chapters. I'm still working on it, but if there is no update this week that would be why. I'm hoping I can get some thing I am happy with written this weekend. I'm really sorry to let you all down, and I'm hopeful I can get more chapters out next week. Thank you for your patience, and support through this journey. I've enjoyed reading your comments.
***Rowen***I was so glad Chastity found a way to come home this weekend otherwise it was going to be several weeks until I got to see her again. I did feel bad that I wouldn’t be able to spend her entire visit with her, but unfortunately I had responsibilities. I was really surprised when Chastity offered to join me while I did the final walk through with Alpha Theo. She said she wanted to see first hand what I was trying to accomplish. Saturday morning I didn’t let Chastity out of bed for several hours. We probably would have stayed there too, but we both wanted to let our wolves go for a run, and do whatever it is they felt like doing. It was nice to let them have their time as well. They deserved it as much as we did. This whole situation was much harder on them because while Chastity, and I some how managed to spend as much time as possible together, it wasn’t always easy to shift, and just let them go due to time constraints.After Duke, and Leila had their time toge