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Monday, October 21st
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Related chapters
The Return to Crimson Dawn Monday, October 21st Pt. 2
“His abdomen was so discolored with bruises that we had to run an ultrasound on him to verify he didn’t have internal bleeding. The bruising on his back also resulted in taking X-rays which came back positive for fractures to his ribs. We discovered several hours later that those same linear bruises were present on his genitalia, the front of his right thigh, both his forearms, both his shins, and he had a fluid filled blister that went completely around the circumference of his left thigh. Testing on the fluid and a debridement surgery revealed a nasty second degree chemical burn that was heavily infected. The next evening Lilly and I woke him from a night terror to find that he had a three inch laceration to the right side of his head caused by his brother slamming him into the counter before the rest of the beating happened. It was that night terror that reminded him that he had been stabbed multiple times with a hypodermic needle and injected with multiple medications with no k
The Return to Crimson Dawn Monday, October 21st Pt. 3
My jaw must be sitting on the desk, in complete shock by the time she’s finished handing the first stapled packet to Deven who then passes it to me. “The difficulty most alpha’s have with this paperwork is this second one. It’s a much larger number of pages to look through and most don’t like the restrictions placed on an individual who’s PTSD is severe enough to warrant these kinds of restrictions but considering what happened at Purple Mountain I do feel this is the best thing we can do to protect Cole.” She slides a second much larger stack of papers my way. “I understand having a lack of trust in me so if you desire to read through these documents on your own I can give you two days time to read, sign and get back with me. The short version of what is in there is a recognition that Cole suffers from debilitating PTSD that renders him, at times, unable to make appropriate adult decisions. He is listed as a special needs, high maintenance individual with a permanent mental disabi
The Return to Crimson Dawn Monday, October 21st Pt. 4
“Well done Cole. First thing I want to establish is what it is you understand about what’s going on.” He nods slowly. “Dr. Nelson explained what he was here for and the procedure for placing the epidural. It wasn’t until he started the shots that I got a bad feeling about it. It’s going to hurt me. No matter how many shots he gives. It’s going to hurt badly.” He pleads with a light whine. “I know you’re in a terrifying situation right now. I’m here. Promise I will help you.” “I can’t do this. Not again.” He whispers quietly as he attempts to bury his face into my arm. I adjust my left arm so I’m still holding his hand but he has access to my wrist as Dr. Nelson begins to speak. “That’s the part that’s confusing me.” He admits. “Can you go through your interactions with him leading up to this?” I ask him. “I was paged to a meeting three hours ago in Dr. Hamilton’s office. He explained the history that he had on Cole as well as what recently happened. He ended his conversation wi
The Return to Crimson Dawn Monday, October 21st Pt. 5
Deven explains as Margo sets the feeder up. She leaves his room shortly after. “I used the link to explain what was going on and why I needed her to skip taking all his vitals.” “She wasn’t happy about it.” I comment. “No good nurse is but I assured her that everything will be recorded before he’s transferred.” I nod as I resume my gentle pets to Cole’s head. He’s calmed down a lot quicker than I expected. “Are you doing okay?” I ask quietly. “I’ve taken on about half the pain that the spasms created. They have loosened up I’m just waiting for the medication to start taking effect.” “I thought he was on a muscle relaxer.” “It was causing too many issues for what little benefit it was providing. We stopped giving it last night as he started vomiting half an hour after receiving it.” I nod quietly as I take his hand. He has finally reduced the grip he has on the bed and started a more rhythmic one in its place. “Is everything okay here?” Cassius asks as he walks back in. “Mov
The Return to Crimson Dawn Friday, December 20th
(Cole’s POV)It’s been nearly two months since I was reunited with my mate and everything crashed from around us. While there was no way to know that my back was injured in such a way to leave me paralyzed at least it wasn’t permanent. While it took nearly a week to get me mentally well enough to take me off the sedatives, I am grateful for the intervention Deven and Demetri put together. The epidural was a success and having it placed while asleep was the least traumatic experience I’ve had in the hospital wing. It feels weird to say it that way considering my lack of memory but something tells me that most of my hospital stays are hellacious at best. They ran several tests on me including sedating me for both a CAT scan and a MRI. It was frustrating that the radiologist didn’t speak to me directly about what was found but Alpha Demetri did sit down with the two of us to explain the results. He apologized to begin with as he felt that the doctor jargon would overwhelm me. Simply pu
The Return to Crimson Dawn Friday, December 20th Pt. 2
I wake to the sounds of footsteps outside my door. While this is a common occurrence that I’ve gotten used to, something about Jessa has me on high alert as I’ve never been awakened by them. I have no idea when the two of us fell asleep but looking at the clock I can tell it’s been a while. I slowly pry myself away from Jessa. I don’t wish to wake her but I know I need some advice and I decided while lying with her that I would seek out Deven or Cassius. One of them should know something and I trust them not to hurt her even if she doesn’t. I reach between the nightstand and bed for my forearm crutches. I actively choose between the two of them and right now I feel I don’t have the time for putting on the braces that assist me in walking without them. I slip my hands through the cuffs at the top and move swiftly towards the door. I open it wide enough to get through without causing it to hit the wall just as Deven walks by. “Dr. Leroux.” I call in the hopes that he will stop. “Are
The Return to Crimson Dawn Friday, December 20th Pt. 3
“What’s happening?” Deven and Cassius both ask loudly in the hopes that I’ll answer. “Why am I biting her?” I scream as I try to flee. Deven keeps his hold firm as he pulls me back into a sitting position. I vaguely feel the bucket get placed back into my lap as I wretch from the taste of blood in my mouth again. It’s only after a full minute of vomiting bile that I can concentrate on the flash back long enough to realize a difference. “She smells different.” I speak softly as the memory has sent me into shock. “Can you tell what the difference is?” Cassius asks, returning to his gentler voice. “When she climbed in my lap, Buddy told me she was in heat and needed to be marked. I don’t know the difference. The only thing I can tell is that I didn’t want her near me when she got in my lap but I didn’t push her away or tell her to leave. I did the opposite. I welcomed her despite her scent being very negative to me. After I bit her it changed to something I could handle. I wanted he
The Return to Crimson Dawn Friday, December 20th Pt. 4
Heading back to my room is a lot harder than joining Deven in his office. It’s a struggle to focus on the present which has led to me tripping several times, this last time has me picking myself up off the floor. “This has you very shaken up. Are you certain you don’t need to sit and talk with us a little longer?” Deven asks as he helps me to stand. I look around me quickly. We are only halfway between Cassius’s office and my room but Cassius has disappeared. The confusion must be written on my face as Deven hasn’t let go of my hands. “He’s gone to your room. He’s looking for your crutches.” “No, she’s in there.” I nearly yell as I struggle to escape his grasp. “Cole, it’s okay.” He tries to calm me but I can do nothing but fight harder as his grip increases on my hands. I finally break free only to lose my balance with the first step I take. To my fortune Deven is still in front of me and catches me before I hit. “Focus, Cole. Grab a hold of me, get your balance. Now breathe.”
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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
