Thursday, January 25th(Cole’s POV)I stir slowly awake, taking my time to orientate myself to my surroundings. I haven’t slept that well in a while and it’s quite refreshing. I stretch my entire body out and yelp as I’m quickly reminded of my injuries. I look down to see the alpha’s daughter stirring around in response to my dramatic awakening back to reality. She sits up in the bed, allowing the blanket to slide off her shoulders. My breathing tightens as she looks down at me. “Hi.” Her voice is happy and bubbly like nothing happened last night. “Hi.” I respond back with uncertainty. “How are you feeling?” “Better.” I nod my head but stop as I hear her stomach grumble. We both look at her stomach as she rubs it gently. “Dinner didn’t stay last night.” “I’m sorry.” I apologize remembering what the alpha said about her being an intuitive. She shakes her head. “Don’t be.” I give her a gentle smile as I push a lock of hair out of her face and behind her ear. I look around an
I follow Madilyn upstairs and call to her to stop in the med room her dad has me staying in. I grab a bottle of water from the fridge and pour her a drink of it in one of the small cups I find in the room before digging into the medication that’s sitting on the desk. I pull my new meds out of the bag, placing the Singulair on the desk with the antibiotic, steroid, silver binder and Vicodin that I’m on. I grab one of each before popping them all in my mouth and drinking them down. Next I pull out the Trelegy. I uncap it, place it in my mouth and inhale deeply, triggering the medication to release. I hold my breath ten seconds before exhaling and putting that on the desk as well. I pocket one of the rescue inhalers before slipping my feet into my worn out sneakers and following Madilyn back out into the hallway.“Where’s your room?” “At the end.” She replies while pointing. “Do you need help getting dressed?” I ask nervously, hoping that she didn’t. “I know how to dress. I'm just ba
“I’d like to lay down with you and feel your tummy, see if you have any knots that are bothering you.” She nods her head against my shoulder as I gently lower both of us to the bed. She settles down nicely until I start encouraging her to lay on her back starting a brand new line of tears. “I’m sorry. I can’t. I’m scared.” She wails as she clings to my shirt.“I don’t know. Daddy likes you. He never leaves me unless he trusts but Lucas is brother. I don’t know. I’m scared.” She hiccups through as she buries her wet face into my neck. “Oh, Lynnie. It’s okay sweet pea.” I try to soothe the frightened little girl as I hold her close. I gently play with her hair as she slowly calms her tears, waiting for her breathing to return to normal before talking with her again. Suddenly her grip tightens again around my shirt, confusing me as to what’s going on. “What’s wrong, Lyn?” “My tummy hurts. I feel sick.” “I know you’re scared but I can help if you let me touch. Do you remember what
It doesn’t take long after we leave the pack house for Madilyn to orientate herself to the land. I’m quite impressed really. We enter the banquet hall with more than a few stares towards me. I try my best to ignore them but it gives me the creeps as I collect two plates and head to the buffet. “So what’s your interest, little lady.” She giggles happily as she stands on her toes looking at the selection. “It’s always the same.” She pouts. “It looks good to me. It’s a decent variety. French toast, pancakes, waffles. I see biscuits, toast, sausage gravy, that’s a good combination. Sausage links, ham, bacon, scrambled eggs. You can’t tell me there isn’t something that you don’t want.” “Hi, you’re new here and looking more than a little lost. Perhaps I could help you.” I startle badly at the new voice addressing us. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you. I guess our assumption that Alpha and Luna Demetri were giving Erin a break today was correct.” “I thought it was Luna Lilly.
“How do you know about that?” “So the rumors are true? Are you part of that pack?” “Yes ma’am. Red Fang. Dallas, Richard and Andrew ganged up on my friend Jamie. They would have killed him if alpha hadn’t gone back and caught them in the act.” “Well that explains the harshness of their punishment.” “What do you mean?” “Alpha Demetri matches the severity of the punishment with the crime. If they assaulted him that badly then it’s no surprise they didn’t want to sit at lunch yesterday.” “You saw them?” “Yes sir. I supervise setting up meals in both halls. The dining hall for the warrior prospects starts and ends before the banquet hall for members. It’s rare to see anyone escorted by members of our security team. They looked pretty rough, quite submissive really. Then there was the young man that was brought here, yesterday and today by security. He was looking pretty rough too.” “You’ve seen Jamie?” I couldn’t help but get excited. “I’m guessing it was him. His face was bruise
She climbs off my bed, taking a sock with her. She opens up the cuff and holds it so I can slip my foot inside. I hiss my curse words as the fire ignites around my thigh from the simple motion making me wonder how it is I’m even walking. Somehow she manages to slip my other sock on as I’m struggling to recover from the pain. I feel her pushing my chest as she climbs into my lap, straddling my right leg. I’m damn near delirious from the pain and it’s taking everything I have not to put my forehead through the wall. “I’m sorry you hurt. Please don’t fight.” The softest most innocent voice breaks through as she pulls my head down to her shoulder. I wrap my arms gently around her, bunching the fabric of her dress into my fists, praying to Diana that I’m not hurting or scaring this precious little girl. She pets the back of my head slowly as I use her scent to gather myself back together, staying completely still until the excruciating burn settles back down.“I’m sorry, sweetpea. I sh
(Demetri’s POV)Patrick’s link was disturbing to say the least. All he had time to do was open the link and shout ‘Lucas is attacking Cole.’ I was in the middle of a phone call so I couldn’t confirm his message but I definitely hurried along the conversation that I was having with the alpha of an incoming pack. He discovered that a warrior he felt wasn’t ready for the program ended up on the bus and was headed my way. In the end I managed to convince the alpha that my program was different from the others and to let him stay until he was ready to head back or he screws up. That I understood his nervousness because a lot of packs in the program can be physically and mentally grueling to the point of abusing the prospects. Mine is challenging but not abusive making it a great first step for the younger warriors going out for the first time. I rise from my chair before I’m even off the phone. My stomach started doing flips twenty minutes ago and has simply gotten worse over time. The c
“No, no, no.” I change my position so I’m beside Lucas instead of in front as I hear Cole whine. “I know you have your eyes closed in an effort to calm the panic but it’s really important that you listen to me. I know it’s only been a few days but can you tell who I am?” “Luna.” He manages to gasp out between wheezes. “Yes Cole, it’s Lilly. I’m going to try this again. You’re going to feel my hand and arm on yours. I’m not taking her. I can feel your aura starting to fade, the adrenaline that’s keeping you standing won’t be far behind and the last thing you need is to move suddenly to catch her if you drop her.” He finally opens his eyes and looks into Lilly’s. “I’m sorry Luna. I thought it was okay. I thought you left her with me.” I watch as she slowly advances backwards gently pulling Cole with her. “You have done nothing wrong, Cole. We did leave her with you. We knew you would take care of her. What Lucas has done is wrong. He’s the one that should apologize, not you.” “
The very breath I breathe is knocked right out of me as he has never commanded me to do anything. Even his father has made a strangled growl in response to his statement. “Even though you are an alpha, I am commanding you to come back.” His tone has softened but the seriousness in his voice has not. “I will return or I will die trying.” I somehow manage to whisper. Luna steps up next as Alpha Damian steps back wrapping her arm around me as Madilyn grabs my neck. I can feel Madilyn trying to wrap herself around me. Luna loosens her hold as I timidly take the young pup into my arms. “No! Don’t leave!” She starts off yelling. “You don’t deserve your daddy. He hurts you when you’re a good wolf. Please stay. My daddy can be your daddy. I promise I’ll share him.” She barely makes it through the last two sentences before breaking down crying. I hold her tightly as I look at luna’s face, her cheeks wet with tears. “I’m sorry.” Is all I can manage to whisper as she takes the little one
(Cole’s POV)It’s a shock to say the least to see Lucas come out to the porch let alone to see what appears to be a forced apology from him. I have a hard time believing what he has to say. I have never heard of Wolfington Academy and the only hint he gave was that he would go away. Not something I would ever want to happen to a newly shifted teen but I certainly wouldn’t want him to continue being a danger to the preshifts either. It’s been easy enough the last few months for me to avoid interacting with him even though I have sincerely missed the twins. These last two months, while they have been terribly hard and mentally painful for me, have also been the best for showing me the support I will have when I’m not myself. Alpha and luna both have gone out of their way to help me through my own decision to return. Every night luna and the twins would come to my room after dinner with a plate of food wrapped in cling wrap and several drinks. They would put the food and drinks in the
He finally lifts his head and stands from the stairs, walking slowly towards me. Suddenly his pace picks up and has taken on a more aggressive look. I start moving to intercept him as he’s headed straight towards Cole. ‘Stop me. Please dad, I don’t want to hurt him.’ His call for help is real, he genuinely fears hurting Cole. I step quickly into his path, silently wrapping my arms around him. One around his waist, the other under his arm allowing me to curl around and place my hand on the back of his neck. He freezes in place and stifles a yelp as I hold him close. I’m struggling to put together what these new symptoms mean. “Lay your head. I need you to relax so I can submit your wolf without causing you pain.” I whisper in his ear as I guide his head down. He whimpers quietly as I massage his neck looking for the best pressure point. “I need you to talk, Luke. To anyone. I don’t care if you confide in your brother, your mother, any of the doctors or nurses in the wing, tell
I wrap my hands around his, sliding my fingers gently between his hands and hair. He surprises me with how easily he gives up his stimming. “Stand up son.” I keep my voice gentle and reassuring, waiting for him to respond. He fights me briefly as he stands, trying hard to get out of my hold. “No, Cole. Accept the contact.” I persist as I refuse to let him run from me. Surprisingly, it seems he wants to run towards the van picking him up, not back into the house. “Stay with me a moment son. Allow me to calm you.” He relents to my desire, slowly giving me the calm I know he needs to make a rational decision. “I know you heard the conversation. I need to know your thoughts.” “Dad sent him.” He whispers, his voice fearful. “I know. Your dad requested the change but the council honored it so the plan remains the same. You have pack members at White Ridge which gives your father no excuses for picking you up.” He nods against my shoulder before slowly pushing himself away.
“Come.” I state as I gently pull him up and into me. He whimpers and fights briefly before taking hold of me tightly. We simply stand in silence, waiting for the trauma of leaving to subside. I wait for him to push away first, following his lead for when he’s ready to start out towards the front door. “Would you like some Ativan? It won’t take effect until you're well on your way north so it won’t alter your ability to decide to stay or go but it will make the trip easier to handle.” “Please.” Is all he manages to whisper against my neck before he pushes himself up to stand on his own. “Stay.” I whisper just as quietly as I step away from him into the attached bathroom, opening the cabinet and pulling out the low dose Ativan that I keep there. I return in front of him cupping his chin in my hands, lifting his head so he’s looking straight instead of the floor. He whimpers subtly as he pulls away but I don’t allow him to leave me. “Easy there, son.” I whisper as I use my thumbs
His eyes are wide with my explanation but he slowly removes his shirt as I’ve requested. “Put it on my desk.” I keep my calm helping him along when he appears lost. “Please.” He pleads helplessly. “It’s okay.” I try to comfort him. “No sir. It’s not okay. I’m not okay.” “I know. That’s why I’m doing this. Don’t step away.”I instruct as I close the distance between us. He accepts my embrace as I pull him into me again. There’s one test that I’ve never done with him as I’ve respected his sensitivity towards his back being touched but today I’m using that sensitivity to break him down in the hopes that he’ll be better able to handle leaving. It could also lead him into a complete breakdown requiring me to place him on a mental health hold but I’m taking my chances. “What are you going to do to me?” He asks as he struggles to lay his head on my shoulder.“I’m going to touch your back.” I explain as I guide his head down and pet the back of his head. “Please, sir. You don’t know h
It’s as we sit in silence that his frantic sobs finally quiet and are slowly replaced by the steady rhythm of his slightly wheezed snore. He hasn’t slept or ate right in the last two months and his condition shows it easily as he’s nearly back to the same weight he was when he got here despite our efforts to counteract his depression by upping his medication. I close my eyes and lay my cheek against his head as I listen to everything around me. I reassigned everyone that normally helps in the pack house to other tasks, closed the med wing with the exception of emergencies and canceled all the meetings that were scheduled today. I knew today would be tough but nothing could have prepared me for the brutal reality of this young man choosing to leave. The pack house is eerily quiet as if the house has been swallowed whole in preparation for the sadness, the sheer trauma of his departure. I have no idea how long I’ve been sitting with him when the shuffle of my mate’s feet starts down t
Friday July 20th; 8am(Cole’s POV) It’s been a month since my meeting with alpha discussing my options for getting out of the hell I call home. I was allowed to take the hard splint off for good two weeks ago but that hasn’t kept me out of the med wing. I’ve been in a steady slide into severe depression and I’ve had to seek the comfort of both alpha and Dr. Pierce when my feelings have become too extreme for me to handle alone. My mood swings have been so wild that I’ve gotten extremely nasty with Jessa. I so much as begged alpha to send her on a trip with Alpha Damian until today because I knew how badly I was hurting her. I didn’t mean to hurt her and I know I’m going to pay dearly for my lack of control when I return. Sleep is scarce at best and eating is nearly impossible. I can’t begin to describe how many times I have screamed myself awake, fighting alpha’s hold around me just to break down and cry in his arms. The anticipation of returning after six months of relative peace
“This is also the reason why we don’t want you to wait for the committee to remove you. The information that your father has access to without much digging on the process says if you make it to the final step in the investigation ten members of the council will move into your pack and you will be simultaneously moved out. The move is permanent no matter if you go to trial or not as the council members that move in are not simply investigating you.” I stop my gentle rub just under the hem of Jessa’s shirt and cock my head slightly as this was where Dr. Pierce had essentially stopped when breaking down the process.“So what are they doing when the committee starts their nine month investigation?” “What they’ve done for ten years now is remove the wolf being investigated to a temporary sanctuary pack within an hour’s drive of the regional committee’s headquarters. The pack has constant contact with the committee and as soon as any feral behaviors are seen the wolf is placed in the pack