The tears were finally falling as Jamie remembered that night with his friend. “His manhood was purple with red cuts. Painfully swollen unlike anything I had ever seen. I saw tears in his eyes when he turned to show dad. For the first time he was fully exposed to us and he was breaking down because of it. He didn’t want us to know. I heard his voice crack as he apologized. Over and over he was sorry for disrupting our peaceful home. He felt like he had brought his hell to us. That we didn’t deserve to be exposed to the brutality that’s part of his life. He thanked us for our hospitality but he wasn’t going to complete the apprenticeship. He had exposed us to too much of his problems and he had to go. He couldn’t expose us to anything more and his father will only get worse. He started trying to get around dad. He was determined to leave but his movements were slow and easily blocked by my dad. It was only when he saw mom and I in the doorway that he completely gave up. He collapsed
“It was two years after he moved out when mom found him in really bad shape in the bed they left in Jeramy’s room. Both his eyes were bruised and swollen shut. There was a lot of swelling and blood all over his face and hands. Goddess he screamed as soon as my dad touched him. Dad took me from the room because I started falling apart seeing him like that. Dad explained that with his eyes swollen like they are he’s blind so he’s going to have an exaggerated fear response. If I felt I could handle it he really needed my help getting Cole into a salt bath. I pulled it together and went back to the room. Mom had managed to calm him down, got him talking to her. She explained that Alpha had been beating him daily for the last six weeks. Alpha had done it before so he knew he just had to hang in there until whatever was angering the Alpha subsided. Unfortunately, that day was one where Cole got called to the office four times and by the last one that evening he didn’t have the stamina to av
“That’s still a significant amount of injuries.”Jamie nods as he adds in more. “Dr. Carter said his ribs were in various stages of healing just like all the bruises we see on his body. Although Cole wasn’t happy about it, arrangements were made between the three of them for Cole to stay with us while he healed. Even though he still couldn’t see Cole signed his name agreeing to stay two weeks under dad’s care. I’m certain he only agreed so he could get out of the hospital.” “The level of anxiety I’ve seen from him just today would lead me to believe the same. Was there ever a time that he stopped coming to your dad?” “Yes. Him and dad got into a major argument at the end of the two weeks with us. Once Cole left the hospital, every day for the two weeks he was with us dad would disappear and not even mom knew what he was doing. On the last day Cole had to be with us dad disappeared for several hours. When he came back he walked very stiffly and was in a lot of pain when he sat down.
“It’s okay to let go, Jamison.” My voice is gentle as I encourage the emotional release I know the young man needs as I hold him close to me. It doesn’t take long before I feel his body shake with silent tears, his hands balling into fists around the fabric of my shirt. Giving him permission to talk to me was more about giving Jamie the emotional release he needed than a cry for help from Cole, but in encouraging it, I’m closer to knowing the truth about Cole. I rub Jamie’s back until his body relaxes before heading him over to the couch. “I want to thank you for your willingness to be open with me on what your experience with Cole has been even though Cole is hesitant to be the same. It seems like he’s been burned by other packs for sharing the truth of his situation which only makes it harder for me.” Jamie takes a moment to wipe his face before looking at me. “Please don’t let the nasty rumors about him cloud your judgment of him. He really is a good person. Never once has he e
“Stay with him Jamie. This is just a bad fear response.” “He’s shaking alpha.” “I know. Cole, I’m going to use a pair of scissors to cut through your boxers. Are there any bruises or cuts on the sides of your legs that I should be aware of?” “No sir” I can hear the anxiety building in his voice as I try again. I can feel him trying to shift away from me but Jamie’s hold is strong and I can hear him trying to figure out why Cole is so afraid after consenting. “Were you this nervous when you exposed your secret to dad?” “Yes.” “Why are you afraid of anyone finding out?” They’re both quiet as I move to the opposite side. He yelps again as I get started using my hand to protect his skin from any accidental cuts. “Are you ready to try and walk?” I watch as he slowly lifts his head from Jamie’s shoulder. His position tells me he was using Jamie’s scent to help him keep calm. “What I would like to do is get you to the bathroom, get you seated so you can take care of your needs and
“I need to know everything that’s associated with this beating. Dallas mentioned that your dad kicked you in the abdomen a dozen or more times before taking you to the training room. That it took you a long time to start screaming. This leads me to believe that the bruising to your abdomen and the cuts I have found all over your body happened at the same time. Are there any other cuts or bruises that I don’t know about?” He finally nods yes before looking back at me. The fear I see in his eyes is immeasurable as he begins to speak. “The back…. of my neck..... where he…. grabbed me.... My wrists….. my forearms.... and shins..... I broke…. the chain...... I couldn’t take...... all the hits..... without yelping..... I did..... what I could.... to protect myself.” “So I’m looking for defensive wounds as well.” He nods slowly as I stand back up. “I’ll help you get the gown back on once I finish with the pictures of your body. I can get pictures of your neck and other areas of bruising
“Cole, I need you to get your legs up on the bed.” He responds slowly, turning his body and lifting his legs at the same time. He manages to get his feet on the bed when Angela knocks and opens the door causing one of the severest fear responses I have seen in a long time. It takes everything I have to keep Cole from leaping off the bed, his arms flailing erratically as he yelps in terror from my hold on him. Angela and I are in shock at such a terrifying response when he had been doing so well with us. I had nearly forgotten Jamie was even there until I hear his voice in a way I could have never imagined. “Alpha Cole, look at me!” His voice is loud, sharp and commanding attention as his hands are upon Cole’s wrists, crossed and gently held against Cole’s chest. Light, persistent whimpers intertwine with the sound of his wheezing as he struggles to recover from his fight. “Cole please. I love you and trust you without hesitation. You are as much my brother as Jeremy. I know you’r
She reaches out to him slowly, touching his cheek as he pushes his back into my chest. “That’s okay, Cole. The black out is likely a form of shock from the physical and emotional trauma that this would cause. Unfortunately, this does mean that Demetri will have to do a more extensive hands-on physical with you to verify that we have found all your injuries.” I nod in agreement when she looks directly at me. “It’s also important that if you remember any injuries at all about the fight you need to tell us about it.” “I’ve had….. a headache….. since Saturday.” “Thank you, Cole. It’s possible that you have a concussion that we will need to keep track of. Now back to the issue of your leg. Did this happen with the rest of the injuries we’ve found today?” “Yes….. ma’am.” “I feared as much. If this silver is of high enough concentration there is a possibility that we’re looking at a third degree chemical burn simply from the lack of medical care. The deeper it burns the higher the po
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