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Friday, August 30th Pt. 3
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The Return to Crimson Dawn Friday, August 30th Pt. 4
His left hand tightens hard around the fabric of my shirt. I can tell he’s holding his breath as Maverick sprays down his wrist. Something about the lack of fight shows a level of trust that I didn’t expect. “Cole protected my twin sister.” Maverick speaks suddenly. “What?” “You asked before I warned Cole of the spray how did I find him. I didn’t. My sister Melissa went to a neighboring town about two hours away. The Gremlin pack had been on the move and she found herself being followed by them, a pack of six males I believe. She stumbled upon Cole wandering the streets. Even though his scent was off she could still tell he was a werewolf. She ran up to him, wrapped him in a hug and asked for his help. He didn’t hesitate and agreed to have dinner with her before she ultimately brought him home. He’s lived with us for the last two weeks or more.” Cole is holding his breath as his left wrist gets the same treatment as his right. “Is that why you called the council?” Alister jumps
The Return to Crimson Dawn September 3rd
(Cassius’s POV)It’s been two days since Alpha Martin O’Malley contacted me about locating Cole and retrieving him from that heinous Purple Mountain pack. It was a relief to discover that he had been found by the benevolent social worker Melissa Ashlock. I was amazed at the story Martin repeated from her. How she literally ran into Cole’s arms when she was being chased and how he became her protector when that dangerous gang hadn’t given up despite the time that had gone by. Her twin Maverick took him in, cared for him after he was injured. It was a shock to hear he tried to stop the rape of a child and was going to be punished harshly when the rapist blamed him for it. What kind of pack does that? Although it was a relief to find him, Martin’s admittance to his medical team being unable to take on such a traumatized wolf put us on high alert. I’m grateful it only took two days to arrange everything we needed to make the trip. It’s taken us five hours to get to the Bluetail pack and
The Return to Crimson Dawn September 3rd Pt. 2
“Hi Colton, do you remember me?” She starts cautiously. He stops his pacing and looks up from the ground. “Luna Arianna.” His whisper is barely captured by the microphones in the room. “Yes sir. It seems that you’re struggling. Will you let me come close to you?” He nods slowly as if he’s uncertain about her involvement with him. “I won’t hurt you. Can you tell me what’s going on?” He shakes his head. “Stay where you are. I’ll come to you.” He shakes his head again. “Please don’t. I’m dangerous.” “Who told you that nonsense?” Just as Cole tries to answer, several people burst into the room followed by Deven holding a phone. I quickly switch off the two way speaker. “What are you doing here? Why is she in there? Don’t you know how dangerous he is? Get her out now!” A female in a white lab coat spits quickly as she moves towards the door. “No ma’am. You will leave them be.” My aura is furious as I now know who’s convinced him so easily that he is what he’s never been. “
The Return to Crimson Dawn September 3rd Pt. 3
“Can you still feel them?” Arianna asks as we walk into the room. “No Luna, they have stopped.” His answer is barely a whisper. The sudden slamming of the door results in several frightened yelps from Cole, followed briefly by Arianna. The door slams against the wall before slamming shut again and the entire room has suddenly spiraled into the chaos I was trying to avoid. “Freeze!” I command with all of my alpha aura out. I can hear Cole whimper as the power hits him even though it’s not angry. “I told you he was unstable. He’s hurt your pregnant wife.” Dr. Harsher spouts off before anyone can say anything. “She shouldn’t be in here. He needs to be sedated so he doesn’t…” “You can stop that garbage. He didn’t hurt me.” Ari speaks boldly against the doctor’s harshness. “Don’t lie to protect me. I deserve to be punished. My reaction to the door hurt you.” Cole whimpers softly. “No Cole, you didn’t hurt me.” “You yelped. I know I did.” I can tell by his voice the struggle he’s
The Return to Crimson Dawn September 3rd Pt. 4
“Well done. Accept my embrace.” I step into him, trying to close him into a hug but this time he’s too quick for me. He steps back quickly, falling backwards into the bed with a yelp. “Perhaps doing your test while he’s seated on the bed would be better, Demetri.” I suggest as I sit next to him. “What’s this test you’re talking about? I don’t want any tests.” “Hello Cole. I can’t begin to explain what a relief it is to hear you talk to me. I’ve been very worried about you.” “I’m sorry.” He responds almost automatically. “It’s not something you could control.” Demetri addresses him calmly. “The test I want to do is testing your memory. Maverick mentioned that your wolf might have woken up and coming out of Dormant Wolf Syndrome has the potential to stir up memories, even if they are subconscious. What I would like to do is speak names that you are familiar with. You have interacted with these wolves regularly and subconsciously, you should know who they are.” “I don’t like this
The Return to Crimson Dawn September 3rd Pt. 5
“Cole, my son. I need you to listen closely.” I speak slowly and soothingly. “I know what’s going on. You’re not crazy.“ “Yes I am. I shouldn’t be hearing voices.” “When did you first hear it?” “When Elizabeth was being attacked. He gave me the strength and courage to break down the door.” “Very good, Cole.” I praise as I pet his head. “What you just told me and allowing me to scent you confirms what Maverick smelled when you woke up in the jail cell. Your wolf has awakened from his coma. What’s concerning is that you are the first wolf, to the best of my research, that had both dormant wolf syndrome and dissociative amnesia who is unable to immediately remember being a werewolf.” “Are you certain?” Demetri questions. “Yes sir.” My voice is quiet as I continue petting Cole’s head. “I can help calm him if you need me to.” I quietly offer knowing that Demetri will strongly disagree with submitting him. “He feels the need to run. Kristoph and Charles are dangerous. I’m naked a
The Return to Crimson Dawn September 3rd Pt. 6
“Yes, I think so.” “The day they found you had left I received a call from Alpha Julius Redding….” “Sounds familiar.” I’m surprised when he interrupts. “He does?” Demetri questions. Cole nods despite not being seen. “Can you tell me how he’s familiar?” Demetri asks slowly. “I can’t but Buddy can.” He sighs hard as we remain silent. I watch as he closes his eyes and hangs his head. It takes a minute before he speaks. “Before the final battle I tried to run away. I got trapped in a shack with Kristoph for several days before I could get away. I crossed a footbridge in a blind panic where I ran into an alpha on the other side. He introduced himself as Alpha Julius Redding. We could smell Kristoph coming so we ran. We figured Alpha Redding would find us no matter where we hid so before I passed out from the asthma attack I made it into a cave. Only it wasn’t Redding that found us.” “Thank you Buddy.” “Alpha?” “Yes Cole.” Demetri responds before I can. “Why won’t he tell me what
The Return to Crimson Dawn Friday, October 18th
(Cole’s POV)It’s been a little over six weeks since I moved back to Shadowlands. We ended up staying in Alpha O’Malley’s apartment four nights instead of one. Luna Arianna started cramping overnight the first night in a pattern that felt like labor and she’s not due until January so it gave all of us quite the scare. Dr. Leroux insisted on caring for my wrists while Luna was at the hospital. It was difficult to do without the familiar comfort of Alpha Cassius but somehow Alpha O’Malley managed to fill in. I guess it’s part of the training Alpha Black said he needs. It was finally safe to travel Saturday morning and despite my wolf’s sadness increasing as we got farther away from our mate I can honestly say I was excited to return to the small group of friends I had made. Alpha Cassius told me before we arrived at the pack house that I would be living with him. I guess he felt the need to warn me considering the hesitation and bad experience I had with it the first time. I simply n
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The Return to Crimson Dawn Friday January 10th, Pt. 2
“It was during his return that things became more active in his case. Alpha Demetri made the trip with his mate to the Shadowlands pack. Turns out she’s an empath and was very sick with silver poisoning. They were able to save her and to the best of my knowledge he returned to Crimson Dawn around the beginning of the year.”“He did it? He made it home?”His face lights up like a child on Christmas day.“Yes, he is with his mate in the protections of Alpha Demetri Black. Unfortunately, his amnesia has not yet resolved and as a precaution, in order to obtain custody of Cole, Alpha Black had to agree to restrict his movements until his mental health improves.”“He’s a prisoner there?”I had a feeling he would take this part hard.“Not necessarily. Considering what little I know about the hell he lived through next door and his encounter with the alpha of Purple Mountain, I don’t see where he’ll have the desire to leave that territory any time soon.”He nods his head a little more relaxed
The Return to Crimson Dawn Epilogue, Friday January 10th, 2020; 2pm
(Julius’s POV) I smile as the tall frame of my son in law stops and knocks on my open door. “You wanted to see me?” “Yes sir. Please come in.” He steps inside the room but only manages to close the door halfway before the demons of his past creep back upon him. “I would prefer this to be a private conversation but if closing the door makes it feel like you’re going to be punished then I encourage you to keep it open.” I speak my true feelings as he slowly turns around. The look of disbelief on his face. While it takes him several deep breaths he does manage to shut the door by the time I’ve stood from my desk. “Where would you like to sit?” Once again he’s in disbelief. “I need you as relaxed and level headed as possible. Where would you be the most comfortable?” I try again. “The recliner?” He manages to speak after a hard swallow. I nod and allow him to lead. He chooses the rocking recliner allowing him to rock subtlety as Hayden stirs gently. I smile as he console
The Return to Crimson Dawn Tuesday, December 31st Pt. 10
“I threw a fit. Charles waited until I was outside the courtroom to start punishing me for embarrassing him. He punched me in the face several times before I fell to the ground, then he started kicking me. He kept me on the ground until he was certain Heather and Marcus had left. Even though I had driven my own car to court he dragged me to his. He drove me home, only he didn’t go to the garage. No, he went to the back of the west wing where the room he modified for Cole is. I’ve only been in that room a handful of times when participating in my brother’s torture.” I stop as the memories of wrapping the silver belt around his leg and the condition he was in when I rescued him eight months ago blend together in a confusing mess. Murmurs float around the room, commenting on my unprompted confession. “Breathe, Andre. That was a very difficult truth to admit to. No comments will be made.” I know he’s addressing the pack as I continue to struggle. “You knew what was going to happen to
The Return to Crimson Dawn Tuesday, December 31st Pt. 9
“I’m concerned about you Andre.” Julius now has my attention only he has crouched down to my level. “While your statement seems to have helped Hayden it gave me the clue I was looking for.” “A clue to what?” “The true reason behind the terror you have in gaining custody of your kids. While any other wolf in this pack saying such a thing would be passed off as simply being very serious about their statement, you stating that you nearly died once to fight for them is something I take very seriously. What happened the last time they were taken from you?” I shake my head hard, holding my breath as I fight against the flashbacks trying to invade my thoughts. “Andre?” He tries again but all I can do is shake my head slowly. “Papa Redmen hit him. He made him bleed.” The innocent voice of my daughter breaks through. “You saw it?” Abe seems shocked that it would be done in front of her. I watch as she nods her head. “Mommy spanked me for crying.” She whines hard before laying against h
The Return to Crimson Dawn Tuesday, December 31st Pt. 8
(Andre’s POV) Stepping into the pack house is surreal at best. My head is spinning out of control with thoughts I had desperately tried to put behind me. I had relinquished all hope of ever having my kids just for the full force of the unpredictably of my life to cripple me when I need to be my strongest. The house is silent as I pick my way through the crowd. Julius is carrying Harper and Abe is trailing behind the two of us. It seems Julius wants as much of a barrier as he can create between Hayden and any escape route he may manage to find. I’m more concerned about him getting lost inside the pack house than him getting outside it. This place has proven to be a maze to me despite living here full time for the last six months. The house is completely silent except for the television quietly counting down the seconds until the new year. I can only hope that this year is different. That the New Year will actually be the change I’ve needed for years. Shamefully, I feel the dread tha
The Return to Crimson Dawn Tuesday, December 31st Pt. 7
“To show him the effects that abuse has on others. To prove to him once and for all that what his father taught him is wrong. Besides, Charles has been extremely cruel to Andre as well.” “How so?” “Well, I just learned tonight that Alpha Redmen gave each of his sons permission to have sex, to even rape, at the age of sixteen but lied about the penalty for getting the lady pregnant. Andre has been beaten multiple times for pregnancies. The first two were not his, yet he was mercilessly beaten three times during both of those pregnancies. He was forgiven a fourth when the pups came back not his. The beatings got worse when he got three others pregnant just to be denied the ability to be their father. The two older ones with two different ladies are in better packs than Red Fang but the two with him now. Well, their mother isn’t much of a mother.” I state sadly as I pull into the garage, turning off the motor as the door closes behind me. “I need your help. These pups are terrified a
The Return to Crimson Dawn Tuesday, December 31st Pt. 6
(Julius’s POV)It’s an hour's drive to get from Red General to the Red Moon pack house. Since Charles has been removed, moving through the Red Fang territory has become easier as the borders are completely open while the council is here. The bad news is, it’s gotten a lot more dangerous. While open borders allows the pack members to come and go, even move out if they please, it also allows rogues to infiltrate the territory. I’ve had to up my own guards on the border to account for the vulnerability it’s created for my own pack. The council hasn’t been happy with me accompanying Andre to and from the territory. They felt that, as the coronated heir, he should be able to handle this himself. I took the opportunity of his consistent meltdowns to save the fallout from such visits showing the council exactly how severe his abuse has been. I cringe every time I hear him speak about his brother, Cole. How has Cole even survived if his analogy of the situation is true? That Cole’s suffering
The Return to Crimson Dawn Tuesday, December 31st Pt. 5
“It’s quite alright. We are used to this type of reaction from children who come in abused. I can tell by the way he’s calmed that you are his biological father. We’ve been waiting for you.” I’m stunned when a voice comes from behind me instead of the nurse in front of me. I turn to see an unfamiliar woman in the doorway in front of Julius and Alex. Something about her unnerves deeply and my immediate reaction is to step back. “Easy Andre, she’s here to help.” Julius tries to calm me. We study each other silently as I sway gently. “I understand that you have had a very rough time with the council’s family court. I promise it is different this time. Take a seat so we can talk. Are you okay with me sitting on Harper’s bed?” I nod slowly without moving. “Mr. Redmen, do you think you can get him to take this?” The nurse hands me a little cup of purple liquid. “What is it?” “Tylenol 3. It has a small amount of codeine in it. Humans won’t give it to children this young but it has be
The Return to Crimson Dawn Tuesday, December 31st Pt. 4
I wake up yelping, screaming and fighting from the fitful dream I fell into during the ride to Red General. I cling hard to the back of Alpha Julius’s shirt as he silently embraces me. I had no idea how hard dad had been on me until I went to Blister Ridge. I had to harden up while I was back at Red Fang which has not only delayed my ability to process what has happened but it has added to the trauma I’m already struggling with. Josh has diagnosed me with complex PTSD, he did shortly after I moved into this pack after Cole disappeared. He simplified the description as being multiple traumatic events instead of just one causing the post trauma anxiety. Julius waits patiently for me to get myself together as going into the hospital with my own PTSD on full display won’t help me with my kids. I lift myself from his shoulder slowly, taking several deep breaths with my eyes still closed. It’s only as I open them and look into his blue-green eyes that he speaks. “Are you ready?” His voic
