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Friday, May 3rd
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Related chapters
The Return to Crimson Dawn Tuesday, May 7th
(Cole’s POV)It’s been several days since I woke from my three week coma. Dr. Moore keeps telling me to slow down, that I’m moving too fast for the injuries that I sustained. Despite the constant pain the many broken bones creates I’ve been refusing half my medication. It makes me tired and right now I simply want to leave. I’m struggling to understand why I have such a need to leave, to run from this place but it’s there. I can’t make sense of a lot of things right now. I have no memory of my past and the explanations that my brother and doctor are giving me are hesitant and don’t paint a full picture. I woke up to the two of them arguing yesterday. Andre kept asking why he couldn’t tell me what little he knew about what happened and Dr. Moore kept insisting that it was better for me to simply know the alias being given to me until I reached the safety of the Crimson Dawn pack. He feels that triggering my memory without the proper support in place would be devastating to my mental h
The Return to Crimson Dawn Wednesday, May 8th
(Demetri’s POV)I’m quickly losing my mind as several things stack up in the negative. It feels like the last six months have been nothing but bad things happening. Cole being abducted from the hospital, Charles and Kristoph attacking Jeremy, Lucas sharing his encounter with Kristoph, Cole’s multiple failed attempts to escape from Red Fang and now this. He finally woke up but he has amnesia yet his intense fear remains. I told them he would be a flight risk in this situation but they weren’t familiar with the laws that would allow them to place a GPS tracking device on his wrist or ankle without his permission. I’m scolding hot and ready to rampage with the news that when the nurse did her rounds at 2am he wasn’t there. She had just received instructions to place the tracker on him but he slipped away. How on earth is he going to survive out in the world when he doesn’t understand who or what he is?I’m pacing my office fast. I have been all day. Nothing is getting done as I have no
The Return to Crimson Dawn Wednesday, May 8th Pt. 2
I stop at the bottom of the three steps that lead into the huge multi car garage, looking around briefly. I have to take several deep, slow breaths as containing my anger has made for a challenging day. I’m running late and I’m hoping that this rage room isn’t an appointment based thing. ‘Parker is driving, we’re in his Expedition. I’m in the back seat. You know how nervous I am with vehicles.’ He links with me. I start immediately to the end of the garage when I see the fourth bay door opening. He starts the car as I approach. I grab the handle on the back passenger side when I get there, cautious to ensure there’s enough room that I’m not going to hit Patrick’s truck sitting beside it. “When did you get this? It looks and even smells new.” “Dad bought it for me when I turned eighteen. I know it’s just a car but it means a lot to me so I keep it clean.” “I guess I know where to find you when I can’t find you.” I manage to chuckle as he starts pulling out of the garage. How he d
The Return to Crimson Dawn Wednesday, May 8th Pt. 3
“Did they tell you when this was?” “Early February when most small game animals are still hibernating. They established a meeting area and spread out. They each killed two hares and met her back at the designated place. She led them to a large shack. It was in a stage of disrepair that warranted destroying it but she showed them a hole at the backside. She used it to duck inside. The most senior of the group followed and instructed the others to wait outside until they were told to enter. He felt that all of them coming in would be overwhelming.” “Did he finish the story?” “You know what happened?” I nod. “He contacted me when they tracked her down. I guided them on the best way to interact with her. Encouraged them to help her hunt. I know winter is the hardest time to find food and based on what she told me, her and the other orphans are not being properly cared for. Allowing her to hunt and encouraging our guardsmen to assist her is in an effort to convince her that our pack w
The Return to Crimson Dawn Sunday May 12th
(Cole’s POV)I’ve been wandering the streets for several days and I’m sorely regretting my decision to run. My entire body aches in ways that I didn’t anticipate when I left the bottle of Vicodin in my hospital room. Dr. Moore never did explain the extent of my injuries, only that they were numerous and quite severe. Being on the street with little in the way of food and shelter has made my decision a living hell. My only saving grace is the mild weather of May. My movements are slow as I steadily work my way southwest. I have no understanding as to why I’m drawn in that direction but my instincts are my only guide. Just like in the hospital, my nightmares are a great source of anxiety. Each one waking me from my sleep, producing the adrenaline I need to get up and start walking again. I’ve been lucky enough that several people have taken pity on me and have given me small chunks of money, just enough to get a small sandwich when I pass by a fast food restaurant. Oddly, I seem to ha
The Return to Crimson Dawn Sunday May 12th Pt. 2
“Is everything okay?” The server has come to our table. “I’m sorry. He’s going to be okay. I just need to help settle some of his anxiety. This is part of his therapy for social anxiety disorder.” “Oh, I’m sorry to hear he’s struggling. Can I help in any way?” “What would you like to drink, Cole?” “Water.” I somehow manage to put together. “Something sweet will help soothe the anxiety. They have lemonade, sweet tea…” “Sweet tea.” I interrupt as it’s finally something that sounds familiar. “Put on an order of cheese fries as well.” “Yes sir.” I’m grateful when she walks away only to be overwhelmed again. Even with a gentle touch I can feel Deven moving my hair around, looking for something I don’t understand. Whatever it is he brushes over it again causing a sharp wave a pain to hit my head. “Please don’t hurt me. I’m sorry I interrupted.” “Easy, Cole. There’s no trouble here. It felt like you may have had stitches. That’s all I was looking for. I’m sorry it’s still sore. Le
The Return to Crimson Dawn Sunday May 12th Pt. 3
After about an hour in the restaurant I’ve managed to eat enough to calm my churning stomach. Between my arm aching from my struggles to cut the meat and my head pounding, I managed to eat without triggering the nausea that I get afterwards. Everything gets packed into foam containers before Deven pays the bill, a process unfamiliar to me. We exit the restaurant and he points me in the direction he wishes to go. I can’t help but silently hope that we’re not walking to this hotel he claims he manages. “I feel like I might be taking a risk but, are you a werewolf?” Deven inquires with great hesitation. I can’t help but stop in my tracks. “You’re telling me they’re real?” He turns and watches me intently. “You’re serious?” He’s breathless with one eyebrow raised. I simply nod. “When I woke up in the hospital I was told that I was a werewolf. That my injuries would have killed me if I were human but I’ve been having a hard time believing it.” I try to explain simply what I was to
The Return to Crimson Dawn Sunday May 12th Pt. 4
“Please, talk to Cassius. We truly want to help you.” He states calmly as he hands me the phone. “Hello?” I loathe the nervousness I hear in my voice. “I guess he’s right to be concerned. You sound very nervous.” His voice is respectful, patient and kind making it easier for me to talk. “I’m sorry.” Oddly is the only thing I can think of to say. “My name is Cassius but most just call me Cass. I am the leader of the Shadowlands pack. What’s your name?” “I was told my name is Colton Allen Zander.” “Told?” I knew that would come up. “When I woke from the coma, I told Dr. Moore that I didn’t know who I was or why I was afraid. He said I had dissociative amnesia and that it was best if my memory wasn’t triggered until I got to my mate’s pack.” I explain cautiously. “I see. Can you tell me about right now? Your injuries perhaps.” I take several deep breaths before attempting to speak. “I had a brace on my left forearm and wrist when I ran. I chucked when I found a garbage can b
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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
