***Chastity*** As soon as the door closed behind Alpha Rowen I breathed a sigh of relief. I don’t know why I had been so nervous around him this evening. Well maybe I did. He had been more affectionate, and sweet to me than he has ever been. Leila loved it, and it made her purr, but it scared me. I didn’t know what to make of it. “So Chastity, are you ok with Rowen staying with you?” Molly asked as she pulled stuff out of the cabinet to make dinner. “I…I don’t know.” I answered. “What is in your heart?” “I don’t know. I know I’m scared. He’s already hurt me once.” “That is true, but I’ve never seen Rowen like this. In the past if he was interested in a female, and she wasn’t he let it go.” “He…he’s been with other females?” I wasn’t sure how I felt about that. Isn’t that like cheating or something? I thought everyone waited for their mates. Although I did know that while Fiona claimed to know Alpha Rowen was her mate, she didn’t wait for him. The more I thought about it, the mo
***Rowen*** Her screams had ripped me instantly from sleep. I had quickly moved to the side of her bed, took hold of her hand, ran my fingers through her hair. She was sweat covered, and trembling, but the screams stopped as soon as I touched her. “Chastity. Chastity. Come on beautiful, wake up for me.” I called gently. Finally her fear clouded green eyes opened, and stared back at me. No sooner had the fear cleared that her eyes filled with tears, and a sob escaped her lips. Without thinking, I picked her up, sat against her pillow, and settled her in my lap, wrapping one arm around her waist, the other cradled her head against my chest. She curled into a ball, and wept. I glanced up to see Jax, and Molly standing at the door. Molly was curled into Jax, crying. This was killing them, as much as it was me. I put my chin on the top of Chastity’s head, and held her tight. “Shh. Chastity. It’s ok. You’re safe now.” I whispered, as she continued to sob, gripping the shirt I put on ear
***Chastity*** I couldn’t believe I was doing this. I had thought Alpha Rowen had only been joking when he suggested I burn the whip used to hurt me. I hadn’t told him there were really three, one for Aurora, one for Naomi, and one for Fiona. I had also not told anyone about the handcuffs. I hadn’t been able to. When Alpha Rowen told me to take all of it from the hidden compartment I almost ran. I was so afraid he was going to make me carry them to the dungeon so they could be used on me. I was surprised when he told me what I would be doing with them. I still didn’t quite believe it, and I didn’t until I was standing in front of the fire. At first I was crying fear. Now I was crying in anticipation. Maybe they would let me destroy these things. These haunted me more than anything else. I finally set everything on the ground, and looked to the group on the other side of the fire from me. The only ones missing from the group that had been in my nightmares were Aurora, Fiona, and Naom
***Chastity*** I hadn’t realized how long Lucy, Beth, Gina, and I had spent talking in the kitchen until Braxton walked in, carrying his book bag. The cookies had long since been finished, and the kitchen cleaned up compliments of Lucy. She had actually scolded me when I tried to help. The four of us had spent the rest of the time just enjoying conversation. “Do…do I smell Chastity’s snickerdoodles?” Braxton asked excitedly after taking a big whiff of the air in the kitchen. “Actually is it Luna Jane’s recipe, but yes you do smell them. No you cannot have any until you go into the dining room, and pull out the work you need help with.” I told him, his shoulder slumped, but he nodded, and moved to the dining room. I smiled, grabbed a glass of milk, and a plate of cookies. I was surprised to see Gina grab her school stuff, and follow me. I only shrugged, and moved to the table. I almost laughed when Gina set everything up right next to Braxton. I wondered if she had a little crush, b
***Dimitri*** I couldn’t believe what Colby had said about Braxton’s father, and his home. I had not expected that. The Greg I had known a young man had been put together, hard working, and definitely not a drinker. I needed to have a talk with him, and find out was going on. I should have done that prior to sending Braxton there. Another failure of mine. It seemed I was due to fail no matter what I did. Listening to Chastity speak today drove that home for me. To hear her talk about the things she survived. The things she went through almost brought me to my knees. It would have if not for Joe, and Colby. They kept me on my feet, and together. I just couldn’t understand how anyone could do that to another, much less a pup. That fact that Chastity is the person she is speaks to her character, and strength. I was truly amazed by her. It had taken all I had not to strangle Naomi. She had known, and did nothing to stop it. That was made worse with knowing Naomi had been involved, and e
***Chastity*** My day had gone a lot better than any day had ever gone for me. I got a full night’s sleep without a single nightmare. Alpha Rowen hadn’t teased me this morning while I was trying to get ready for my day. He was kind, and respectful. I ended up spending the rest of my day helping Lucy, Beth, and Tina around the pack house. Being around those three, seeing how they interacted, and how they were treated just reminded me more and more about how poorly I had been treated. In some ways it made me resentful, but mostly it made me hopefully for better treatment moving forward. My day also had moments of Alpha Rowen mind linking me to just check in, see what I was doing, and let me know he was thinking about me. It was weird for me, and half the time I didn’t know how to take it. I blocked him out a few times because I really didn’t know what to say. Yes I was thinking of him a bit too, but I was also very overwhelmed by it all. Tutoring with Braxton, and Gina also went well.
***Chastity*** The next few days flew by. Every morning started the same. Breakfast with Beta Dimitri, Alpha Rowen, Beta Jax, Colby, Molly, and Braxton. After breakfast everyone went off to begin their day. I joined Lucy, Beth, and Tina working around the house. I also started making lunch for the house, in the pack house kitchen. After Braxton finished school I would spend two hours helping him, and Gina with homework. It all rounded out with dinner in Beta Jax’s quarters. Braxton’s father joined us for dinner once as well. I thought he looked very sick. His skin was yellow, and waxy. His hair was limp, and brittle. He looked unusually bloated. The worst was that the whites of his eyes were yellow. I was very concerned, but something told me if I asked questions, he wouldn’t answer. I was sure something was really wrong though. For Braxton’s sake I hoped what ever was going on wouldn’t last long. Alpha Rowen still slept on the cot in my room, and I hadn’t had a single nightmare. It
***Rowen*** I can’t believe Chastity leaves in just two days. I’ve spent every chance I could get with her over the last two weeks. After a lot of debate with myself I had asked her out on a date. I was surprised when she agreed. I was not happy when our date turned into a triple date with Jax and Molly, as well as Ross, and Melissa. I had wanted some one on one time with my mate before she left for three years, but that wasn’t going to happen. I had to just suck it up. Jax, Ross, and I decided to let the females get ready at Jax’s place, while we got dressed in mine. Not like it took up long, but here we were. After showering I threw on a dark green, short sleeved polo, and khaki cargo pants. “You know, this was a good idea Rowen. Mel, and I tend to just stick to ourselves.” Ross said as he sat on my couch. “Yeah.” I grumbled. “Mol is excited about the bunch of us going out together, just us. It’s a nice change.” Jax added. “Uh huh.” Was all I could muster. “What’s gotten into y
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