In The Beginning, Chapter 49
Our evening remained uneventful, Daniel ordered pizza and we cuddled on the couch until I fell asleep on him again. The next day I tried to sneak out for a run, but Daniel insisted I stay in bed, I was only allowed to move to the couch after we received visitors, but Daniel kept up his grim attitude. The bruises on my arms were barely visible, and the one on my ribs had faded to a green tinge, my movements were almost back to normal, my ribs only occasionally reminding me of the beating they had taken. Daniel insisted on carrying me everywhere though, and I saw a flicker of concern and mistrust flash across the face of the woman sat on the couch, as he placed me next to her.
“Oh, don’t mind him, he’s crazy overprotective. I tried hand to hand combat with a goddess and the fact that I lived, albeit bruised like a peach I count as a win, but it has him on edge.” I reassured her as he placed me on the couch. Robert, who was stood beside her, tried to hide his chuckle behind a cough, but I saw the corners of his lips lift before his hand could cover them. She kept glancing from me to Daniel with her mouth open, unsure of how to respond. “How are you, Robert?” I asked him, giving her a moment to recover.
“I am very well Luna, better than I have been in years.” He said respectfully, his eyes glancing to the woman, who blushed adorably under his loving gaze.
“I’m not Luna yet, just Charlie.” I said in mock disapproval, my face dropping at the woman’s sudden terrified expression, her body shivering uncontrollably.
“She is only teasing; we aren’t in trouble.” Robert gently reassured her, as he took a seat beside her, wrapping an arm protectively around her shoulders.
“I’m sorry, I have a strange sense of humour, you’ll get use to me.” I smiled and she seemed to relax a little, but she kept making furtive glances at Daniel, and baring her neck. “It is lovely to meet you, I’m Charlie, and I think you met Daniel yesterday?” I prompted, she nodded her head and looked at Robert her eyes betraying her fear, he nodded and placed a hand on her leg in comfort.
“This is Laura, my mate, her first mate was Delta to Harvest Moon.” Robert explained softly. “Laura was telling me about what happened to her mate, and I thought it was important to tell you both. It tangentially involves the man from yesterday.” Robert proceeded slowly as she trembled beside him.
“I promise you; no one will hurt you here.” I tried to reassure her, but she refused to raise her head. I looked to Daniel for an explanation, only to realise he was furious that a female could be this terrified of her Alpha. I grabbed his hand and brought him closer to me, knowing my scent would calm him, and maybe she would be less frightened if he didn’t look like he was going to rip someone’s head off.
“When Eric took over, he started getting rid of people who were close to his uncle and cousin. Claiming they had failed to protect their former Alphas, that they were traitors. Before anyone realised what he was doing, he had insulated himself behind the wolves he replaced. Laura’s first mate, Clay, was safe for a while, because of his strength, but Eric tried to use that strength against the pack. Initially he refused, so Eric took Laura, kept her in the pack house.” He paused to steady himself and I saw Laura grab his hand. “He tortured Laura, whenever Clay tried to refuse his orders, he started taking in rogues, claiming they were good wolves who needed a second chance. The little girl you saw yesterday-?”
“Emily.” Laura interrupted, her voice barely a whisper.
“Emily was to be a gift to one of these rogues, for his...” Robert swallowed loudly, he looked like he was fighting back a wave of nausea. “For his sexual desires...” This time he covered his mouth with a shaking hand, Laura leaned into him, all colour gone from her face. Robert looked at Daniel with pleading eyes, but what he was asking I had no clue as I sat fighting off my own wave of repulsion. Something inside of me snapped to attention as I turned to Daniel.
“We need to get her checked out, if she..., she will need therapy, and someone she trusts to stay with her at all times. We need to help her feel safe her.” I insisted, tears blurring my vision.
“I was with her in the pack house, I looked after her, and the children Alph- he took, to control their parents. When I wasn’t ordered to... please the men...” Laura started strong, but her voice died the longer she had to talk, her body caving in on itself slowly, trying to make herself smaller. Robert pulled her closer to him, but I could see his hands shaking in anger.
“Are you saying you want to help Emily?” I asked softly, looking at them both. They shared a look, and Robert nodded.
“We want to adopt her.” Laura admitted softly.
“Are you certain? I don’t want this little girl passed around when people realise how hard it is to raise a pup with such a horrific history?” Daniel asked, and I saw Laura’s strength for the first time as she stared her new Alpha in the eye.
“They never touched her; I didn’t let them. They could do with me what they wanted, but she remained clean.” She snarled with such a deep conviction I threw myself at her, needing to somehow heal her pain. I wrapped my arms around her and held her tightly until I felt the first of her tears fall on my shoulder. We both shuddered and wept, holding each other up, until she gasped, and tried to pull away.
“You will be wonderful parents to her. And I want you to see a therapist, you need to deal with the anger and pain you rightly have.” I said as our eyes met, I don’t know why but something inside me told me to kiss her brow, so I did. Her body shuddered violently, and she let out a loud sob, falling into my lap, and wailing. I stroked her hair softly as she let her pain escape. After a long time, she quieted, and tried to sit up, but weakened from her emotional outpouring. Robert gently lifted her up, neither man had moved while she broke down, unable to look, they averted their eyes and separately tried to reign in their own anger at the torment, she had withstood. She wiped her face and took a deep breath, and glowed, there was no other word for it, she looked ten years younger, her cheeks were rosy and full, and she seemed healthier. Robert just stared at her in wonder, while she blushed furiously under his gaze. I heard Daniel take a deep satisfied breath, and almost choke on it, before covering it by clearing his throat. I looked at him concerned, but his eyes were wide, and he shook his head slightly, his eyes trained on Robert. I looked back at the couple, who hadn’t noticed our exchange, as they stared into each other’s eyes.
“Is, ahem, is that all? You want permission to adopt the girl, Emily?” Daniel gruffly asked, clearing his throat repeatedly.
“No Alpha, I mean we want to adopt her, but that’s not all. We have no proof, but Laura believes Eric sent Clay into a trap that got him killed, and then the man from yesterday...” Robert replied, tearing his eyes away from his mate only momentarily, only for them to be dragged back like a magnetic pull.
“Tanner.” She interjected. “He disappeared, when he came back, he was different. All the wolves that Alph- Eric...” Laura straightened her back and closed her eyes for a moment. “Eric,” she spat, “he did something to all the wolves he promoted from the pack. They changed once they were in his inner circle. They became mean, and liked hurting people after, but they weren’t like that before. When we heard Eric was dead, those wolves and the rogues he brought in ran off with everything they could. Only Tanner stayed, I’m not sure why, but I think there was another, that went to the other pack, Jarred, Jarred Lewis is his name, and we need to warn the other Alpha about him.” Laura finished, looking a little surprised by her own daring.
“You have our permission to adopt Emily, and I will let Alpha Kasa know immediately.” Daniel said with a nod, pulling out his phone and typing a message quickly, while the couple stood to leave.
“Are you okay?” I heard Robert ask her as they left the room.
“Yes, I feel lighter, happier, and hopeful.” Laura replied, and I could hear the smile in her voice.
“You look...” Robert floundered momentarily.
“Radiant.” Daniel prompted, and I heard Laura giggle bashfully. “Congratulations on finding each other, I wish you a lifetime of happiness.” Daniel said as he saw them to the front door, and I heard him sigh in relief when they were gone. He came back into the living room, eyes wide and a sheepish look on his face.
“What was that?” I asked, too curious to let it slide.
“Let’s just say Emily won’t be the only addition to their household.” He said pointedly, and I looked at him baffled. “In about nine months there will be another kid to call Robert Daddy.” He laughed, but I was horrified.
“Hey! I asked if you could tell if a woman was ovulating and you laughed like it was ridiculous!” I cried, throwing a pillow at him.
“I thought it was! I don’t know how to explain it, I just know her scent changed, in the room, and my wolf is telling me she’s pregnant!” He laughed, dodging the volley of throw pillows I was hurling at him.
“Wait, you mean it happened here... what?” I asked, completely thrown, pausing my attack momentarily.
“I don’t know, she smelled normal one minute, the same as she did yesterday, then she cried on you, and she changed. You must have seen it; she was practically glowing!” Daniel argued as he took the seat beside me.
“So, that’s when, it happened? After she released all that anger, she had been bottling up?” I asked softly.
“Well, they both had fresh mate marks, so I’m guessing they mated last night, but... yeah, I think we witnessed the moment of conception.” Daniel laughed as he plopped onto the seat next to me, his arm wrapping around my shoulders as he pulled me onto his chest.
“Do you think Robert knows?” I asked, and Daniel chuckled softly.
“I don’t think so, they’ll work it out soon enough.” He sighed, kissing my hair.
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