Chapter 81-Pack Traditions

We walk down the short hallway to the next room, and Doctor Andrews stops at the window, looking into Philip’s room.
“He’s been under light sedation since he’s been here,” he explains, folding his arms with a sigh. “From what I can tell from the few sessions I’ve been able to have with him, he and Jack seemed to have been in captivity the longest. Their bodies tell a gruesome story of their torture, and I’m not sure they will ever fully recover,” he says sadly.
I place my hand on the window, my heart breaking for what these young men have gone through. As if sensing our presence, Philip’s eyes open, and he slowly looks towards the window. His complexion is pale, and the pain in his eyes breaks my heart even further.
“Do you think we’re equipped to handle their recovery, Doctor Andrews? I don’t want their progress hindered because we’re unprepared.”
“I had considered sending them to one of our facilities. But under the circumstances, I felt they’d be safer here,” he explains.
I sigh. “I’m not sure they’re any safer here,” I say sadly, thinking about today’s events.
“I will do everything I can to help them through this, Alpha,” Doctor Andrews says with a small smile. “If needed, we will call in reinforcements for help.”
I nod and look back at Philip. “I’d like to speak to him,” I say.
Doctor Andrews walks over to the door and unlocks it for me, and opens it for me to enter. I walk slowly over to Philip, his eyes never leaving mine. I crouch down next to him, giving him a small smile.
“You’re the Alpha,” he says with a croaky voice.
“I am,” I say, bringing Enyo forward so our eyes change.
“You finally found us,” he says, giving me a small smile.
“I’m sorry it took so long,” I say sadly, placing my hand on his cheek.
He leans his face into my hand with a sigh. “I knew you would come. I knew you wouldn’t let us down,” he says, tears falling as he speaks.
“Is there anything I can do for you?” I ask, holding back my own tears.
“Accept me into your pack, Alpha. I need to belong somewhere after all these years.”
“It would be my pleasure,” I say with a smile. “I will speak to Doctor Andrews, and as soon as he thinks you’re strong enough, I will accept you into our pack.”
He nods and turns his head, his eyes closing, and soon he is asleep.
I leave the room and advise Doctor Andrews of Philips’s request.
“If that’s what you think is best, Alpha. It may help him to at least recover his physical wounds faster if he’s no longer a rogue.”
“Then we should do it as soon as possible.”
“Of course,” Doctor Andrews says, holding his arm out to escort me from the ward.
When we get back to my room, Doctor Andrews takes his leave, and I find Tony waiting for me.
“Where’s Andreas?” I ask him, closing the door behind me.
“Alpha needed to calm down. He said he’ll be back soon.”
I nod and fiddle with my fingers awkwardly, not sure what to say.
“I’ll heal, Alpha,” he says with a smirk. “It’s going to take more than being thrown across the room to break me.”
“No words could ever express how sorry I am,” I say sadly.
“With all due respect, Alpha, I don’t want any apologies. We’ll figure this out. None of what you did today was you.”
“It was, though,” I sigh. “It was my hands that hurt you. That killed Leon. I brought him into my territory and promised to protect his family. Instead, I destroyed it. I tried to kill my best friend…”
“Hey,” he says, standing up and coming over to stand in front of me. “It may have been your hands, but it wasn’t you. You can’t blame yourself.”
“Then who do I blame?” I ask sadly. “There’s no one else.”
There’s a knock on the door, and Andreas comes in. He walks straight to me, takes me into his arms, and hugs me tightly.
“They’re ready for us,” he says, placing his head into the crook of my neck and inhaling deeply.
“Who’s ready for us?” I ask, taking comfort from his closeness.
“You’ll see,” Tony says, excitedly.
“It’s been a long day. I’m not sure I can take much more,” I say with a yawn, leaning further into Andreas.
“You can take this,” Tony says and opens the door.
“Come, my love,” Andreas says, and he drags me from the hospital room.
“Can I at least get changed first?” I ask.
“Nope, no time,” Tony says, looking at his watch. “It’s dark already.”
“Was I really out that long?” I ask, surprised.
They don’t respond as we walk out into the cool air and walk up the road, past the pack house. It’s then that I hear squeals and laughter carrying on the wind, and I pick up the pace as we walk towards the pack playground.
“The lights!” I squeal, remembering Tony had said he’d organize the lighting of the tree.
“I told you we could get it done,” Tony says with a proud grin.
“How did you even find the time?” I ask.
“I’m magic,” he says with a smirk and a shrug.
I laugh, feeling lighter than I have in days. I see some of the pack kids running towards us, their faces lit with joy. I crouch down and open my arms wide for them, and they all come running into my arms.
“Alpha!”
“Look at the tree! Do you like it?”
“We did a good job, didn’t we?”
“It’s beautiful!” I tell them. “You all did an amazing job!” I can’t help the massive smile on my face as two of the kids take my hands and drag me closer to the tree eagerly.
As we get closer to the pack members surrounding the tree, people begin to bow their heads, but I can feel the undercurrent of nervousness in the air.
Andreas seems to pick up on it as well and comes to stand behind me. ‘Maybe you should say something.’ He mind links.
I nod in agreement and clear my throat. “I appreciate you all being here. The tree lighting has been a tradition for our pack for as long as I can remember, and I couldn’t be prouder to be standing here with you all as we celebrate this holiday together. I know we have been through so much in recent years, and especially lately. But us being here all together tonight is a testament to our strength as a pack to persevere.”
I walk over to the metal box housing the power for the lights and place my hand on the switch. “Here’s to you all, and to the future of our pack,” I say, and pull the switch.
The pack cheers and claps as the lights covering the tree spring to life, the children squealing with glee as they look up at the giant tree.
Andreas wraps his arms around my waist, and I lean back into him, my head resting on his chest, and I sigh with happiness.
“It’s beautiful.” I smile.
“Not as beautiful as you,” Andreas whispers as he kisses the top of my head.
I giggle and place my hands over his. “Can we stay here for a while?”
“We can stay for as long as you wish.”
As we stare up at the twinkling lights, I can’t help but think of the people who should be here with us. My heart aches as I think of all times as a child when I would decorate the tree with Ryna and the other children, my father, and Alex watching us as we did, laughing at our antics, and helping us to reach the higher spots.
I breathe deeply, the cool air filling my lungs and calming me as I reminisce about happier times.
A small hand tugging on my scrubs brings my mind back to the present. I look down and see one of the younger pups, Jordan, looking up at me with wide eyes.
Andreas releases me and I crouch down so that I’m at eye level with him. “What’s wrong, Jordan? Aren’t you having fun?” I ask him.
“I saw something scary in the trees, Alpha,” he says, pointing toward the thick trees surrounding our pack lands.
I look where he’s pointing, but I can’t see anything. I turn back to him and scruff his hair. “Don’t you worry, Jordan. Alpha Andreas and I are here to protect you, okay?” I say with a reassuring smile.
He looks up at Andreas, and takes a small step back, studying him. After a few moments, he nods and looks back at me. “Okay,” he smiles and turns and runs towards the other children.
“I shouldn’t be offended, right?”
I laugh. “What could you possibly be offended by?”
“That I was just sized up by a 5-year-old!” He says, gobsmacked.
I laugh again. “Don’t worry, Alpha. Your pride can stay intact. I’m sure he was just studying you because you’re new to the pack,” I say, patting his chest.
“Uh-huh. I’m going to choose to believe you,” he says with a grin and pulls me in for a kiss.
“MURDERER!”