Chapter 21

Nick POV.

The second I got into class Dylan was unquestionably the topic of conversation.

"… And she had such a huge go at us for giving in to our mates, she was loving all that attention." Ericas statement made me feel appalled, yes, Dylan may have been a bit to harsh on us mated humans, but she did have reason.

"Are you blind." I yelled as I stormed up to her. "Dylan hated every moment of that. Look how much she has changed in just a few days. She was exhausted and clearly in pain. She looked almost ill." I ranted, how can she say that about her. I can't believe how awful Dylan looked. "She had clearly taken a beating if not worse."

"Alright class, settle down. I know you all must be worried about Dylan, I am as well but there isn't anything we can do. You know the rules and weather we like it or not she is the alpha kings mate. She is to be the next queen so we shouldn't let our mouths wander." Mr Foley was right, Dylan was trapped, no matter what we try to do, she wont be getting away. That is her life now.

I knew that no matter what happened i needed to see my father and Dylans mother. I hadn't spoken or seen them both since i was claimed. I do however know that Dylans mom and her brother freddie are staying with my dad. After Dylan was taken, Tina (her mom) broke down. She wasn't fit to live with freddie alone and my dad was there to help.

I suppose hearing your daughter yelling at the top of her lungs that she hated you and would kill herself, would definetly get to you. Hell even I could still hear her screamng, while being dragged away. I felt awful, no one could help her due to fear, and there was no way she was getting away without help, she did put up one hell of a fight though.

Class went on like expected, and when the days end came I knew I had to suck up some courage and ask Arya what I needed too.

"Arya, can I please go and see my dad today?" I knew if I asked about Dylan's mom she would instantly say no. Not that asking about my dad actually helped much.

"But, you have a new family now." She stated before flicking her hair and walking away from me, expecting me to follow her.

"Please, it's been over a week, you get to see your family all time, why can't I see mine?!" SLAP.

I felt her palm connect with my face and gasped, the force made my head snap to the side and everyone in the hall turned to look at the commotion.

"Arya..." Adrian quickly grabbed his sisters wrist and made her face him. "You should never hurt your mate. Ever!" She looked down at the floor in shame at raising her hand to me.

“I’m so sorry my love. I’m still learning how to show my affection.” Until I became mates with Arya I had no idea how bad the young lycans were educated. “I promise I will do better to show you that I am yours, just as much as you are mine.”

Arya was trying, everyone could see that, but she and many others have been raised on the notion that humans are beneath them, so now that she was fighting between what her head was saying and what her heart was saying she was slightly erratic around me.

“I know, I’m fine, but please allow me to visit my dad?” She placed a small peck on my slapped cheek and sighed at the sight, I guarantee that my cheek was becoming more and more red by the second.

“Go and see your dad, but be back at the pack house for 7:00pm. I’ll allow one visit a week! Those are the conditions."

I nodded quickly before making a b-line to the human district. My legs were pumping in excitement as I realised I'd finally see my dad again. Once I got to my old house, I gasped.

Dylan lived next door to me and my dad, so I had a full view of her house, it looked so dull. The front door wasn't on its hinges and the grass was turned up showing a struggle that happened on it.

I shook my head and wasted no time in knocking on my own front door, a bit of rustling caught my ears before it opened revealing my now bearded (stubble) father.

"Hi dad." He took one look at me and instantly pulled me into a hug, his eyes were welling up and his grip was tight.

"My boy!" I could feel his shoulders start to shake as he hugged me, it may have only been a week but given the circumstances and the fact neither of us were able to say goodbye, our meeting was long overdue. “You look so strong!”

"I'm doing good dad. I promise." I patted him so he would let me go. He was overjoyed to see me, and seeing him was pretty good too to be honest. "Dad, hows Tina, have you seen the news?"

The look on my dads face said it all, she wasn't doing well. It made me wonder how little Freddie was doing. At least with me and my dad we were still in the same area, unlike Dylan and her mom, plus I wasn’t plastered all over the news.

My dad quickly lead me into the living room where Tina was sat, her eyes remained on the radio as the news anchor spoke. She had a scrunched up tissue in her hand and permanent water stains dripping down her cheeks. It was a sight.

"Hi Mrs Riley." She let her gaze slowly come away from the radio as she looked at me. Her gaze fell upon my normal clothes and she quickly burst into tears again. My dad was quick to hug her though.

"Shh, it's alright, I'm sure Dylan is ok." Her head rested in my dads shoulder as she cried, it must be so hard for her. I didn't really know what to say, I just stood awkwardly looking at the scene in front of me, when the door knocked again. My dad turned round to me and spoke before going straight back to comforting Tina. "That'll be Freddie."

I nodded and opened the door letting little Freddie walk in. He took one look at his mom and ran up to her to hug her. She immediately let my dad go and picked her son up, cuddling him tightly as she cried.

"Did you see the news today?" My dad asked as he went to hug me again. I just nodded unsure about what to say, nothing will make Tina feel better. Nothing at all. "That poor girl looked horrendous."

"She looked so scared. My poor baby girl never gets scared! We weren’t as close as I’d have liked, and sometimes I couldn't cope with her rebellious attitude and I really couldn't understand her need to cause trouble, but she's my daughter. She needs me." Even Freddie had began crying by this point, this situation was awful.

"Dylan doesn't need anyone." I sadly chuckled as I looked at her mom. "She's so strong." I knew she was, but damn she did look awful, only god knows what she's been through since she left.

"How is alpha Arya?" My dad suddenly asked as he looked at her mark on my neck. I sighed in frustration then smiled.

"It's alright but... I don't love her." I finally admitted to my dad and he just smiled.

"That's because you love Dylan." He wasn't wrong, I didn't realize anyone knew, from the outside I thought we just looked like best friends. "Why did you let that girl mark you?"

I didn't really, a werewolf needs consent to mark their mate or the actual mark can kill them. She basically told me that she knew I didn't love her but the mark would turn my feelings around. It was kind of manipulation in a weird way.

"She sort of manipulated me. I didn't really have a choice." I was thinking bout the day I was claimed and how Dylan stood up for me. She got scarred for life with words written on her arm just for trying to help me. I just felt disgusting knowing I didn't return her help.

Just as my thoughts were beginning to wander the radio began to blast out, the news anchor quickly read an update that had everyone in the room going pale.

"It has been confirmed that after the announcement of the new royal couple aired this afternoon, our new queen, the young girl named Dylan Riley was taken into care in the palace medical centre. The cause of this is yet to be confirmed, however the report says it to be most likely self harm. It has been confirmed that upon her claim she was seen yelling that she would indeed kill herself, before she mated with our king. Let's hope the couple can sort their differences out. In other news..."

We all switched off. The second she was finished a wailing noise came from Tina, she was rocking Freddie continuously while sobbing. Even my dad looked perturbed.

"She wouldn't do that though! She wouldn't." I couldn't believe what I heard. Dylan was always so stubborn, so strong. No matter what the lycans did to her, she never gave up. So what the fuck could the King have done to make her try and commit suicide?

"She would! She was promising me she would harm herself if I let him take her. She promised, and I just stood while he dragged her away." Tears streamed down her face as she clung to her son. My dad quickly shot to her and held her tight, I felt like a spare part, I didn't have a clue what I should do in that situation.

"It's not your fault, if you had tried to help her, then you would have taken punishment, or worse. Dylan is strong, whatever happened to her to make her do something so drastic, she'll get through it, I have all hope in her." I wasn't so sure. Me and Dylan spoke about everything, we were close, and she always said if one of the lycans claimed her she would kill herself. She hated their kind and would rather die than be close to one.

I just hope she knows how much she means to people. The school feels drastically different without her there. Morale is low, and punishments have been few.

I spent a few hours with my dad and Tina, I didn't eat with them as I know their rations are low and I get to eat whatever I like in the pack house. I left at about 6:40 so I could get home in time to not be in trouble. I was only allowed to stay out till 7:00 after all.

I needed to try and forget about Dylan. It wasn’t like I was going to see her again, she was a prisoner to the palace now. I would continue to listen ever time an announcement is made about her.