Monday, August 26th

(Cole’s POV)

It’s been just over two weeks since Melissa Ashlock and her brother Maverick brought me into their home. While it was a challenge, Maverick did manage to come up with a plan to examine me after the fight without requiring me to be completely nude in front of him. It was still difficult but his plan of examining an area then adding clothing was different and workable. As much as I hate the hospital, he found enough evidence of possible broken bones that he convinced me to go with the reassurance that he wouldn’t leave my side. He wasn’t able to get the appointments he wanted for Sunday so we ultimately traveled the two hours to the human’s hospital, Stonebrook Memorial, on Monday. X-rays revealed several bruised ribs on my left side and all the knuckles on both hands had the same issue. While bone contusions are painful there isn’t anything they can do to treat them outside of pain management.
We talked a lot while waiting between the X-rays and the doctor’s diagnosis. He gave me the options of returning to Shadowlands where they potentially know who I am or submit to a DNA test. When he explained the process of collecting the DNA I agreed. I don’t feel like I’m far from where I need to be and I’d like to avoid heading back north. Once I made my decision Maverick spoke to the doctor that was caring for me. It only took a few minutes before the doctor came back with a kit. They swabbed my cheeks with a soft but bristled brush that reminded me of a large cotton swab. While it was difficult for me to allow them to put it in my mouth but Mav had the presence of mind to get a kit I could examine. I wasn’t allowed to touch the one going in my mouth but it helped to be able to open the completely sealed one and touch what was inside. Everything was dry and sterilized. I watched as he opened the second and pulled out the swab. Mav helped me stay still as the foreign feeling made me gag but I managed to get through it.
Maverick told me this morning that the DNA profile arrived on his desk. He explained how he used the copier to send it to his email where he then forwarded it to the council on Friday. Now, I just have to wait for the results to tell me who I am. I’m hoping that Jessa is wrong.
As incredible as that seems, for my mate to not know who I am, I pray that she is wrong. The subject only came up once. The third or fourth time she connected with me while I slept at Dr. Leroux’s house. She asked if I knew my name; where I came from. I explained what I was told and gave her the name they gave me. She told me no, that wasn’t it. She explained that I was the son of the alpha of a New England pack called Red Fang. That the council was looking for me as I am now considered a high profile witness and a high priority to be found. Her voice shook as she stated my name: Alpha Cole Jonathan Redmen.
I screamed myself awake when she said it. How can it be possible? How can that be my name when it strikes terror into my very soul? How can it be my name when my mate is afraid to even speak it? Unfortunately that’s all I’ve been able to think about while staying with Missy and Maverick. Who am I and why am I afraid of my name? Why is she afraid? Am I some monster deserving of the near death experience I encountered in April? My eyes are closed as I ponder the haunting questions, pushing myself slowly on the glider they have sitting beneath a huge oak tree. I’ve been sitting out here a lot as I became stir crazy after the first week here.
It’s a constant internal fight not to leave. After two attempts to get to the pack I’m destined to be at on my own I’m not foolish enough to try again. Maverick has already warned me that Alpha Draven is abusive and to stay clear of his territory making it that much more difficult to stay. While I have everything I need; a roof over my head, a soft bed, a hot shower and all the food and water I desire, the pull to continue traveling south has made sleep difficult to come by.
I’ve tried several times to pay them something but they have refused outside a few dinner deliveries I treated everyone to. I was grateful, when they mentioned Chinese take out, that they did a family meal with common dishes most people like. I quite enjoyed the chicken and broccoli.
I must have fallen asleep as I pushed the glider as I wake suddenly to the sounds of screaming. I jump to my feet just to fall back onto the glider, apparently I’m prone to vertigo as that’s not the first time that has happened. I hold my breath, straining my ears to hear the faint sounds. It’s difficult to say the least but I do manage to confirm the screams of a young girl coming from inside the woods.
I stand slower than the first time and walk towards the sound. I pause for a minute, knowing that this is Alpha Draven’s land and harsh penalties will be given if he finds me within his borders. I wait at the edge with my eyes closed, praying that the sounds I heard were from my imagination.
“Daddy please. I don’t want to go to the shacks. I don’t understand. What have I done? Please. It hurts me to play house.”
Her cries bounce off the trees as if she’s not that far away. What I know I hear stirs something primal that I simply cannot ignore. It’s the same instincts I had when Clayton was being dragged through the Shadowlands pack house to the alpha’s office and when I defended Missy against the Gremlins.
I enter the woods cautiously, listening carefully for clues to where this child and her father are at. Her cries have been stifled by their entrance into the cabin she spoke of but I have no way of knowing where that’s at. It feels like it’s been an hour picking my way through the thick foliage, trying my best to head straight compared to Maverick’s home. Last thing I need is to get lost.
I nearly fall on my face as I enter a clearing. It somehow feels very familiar despite my lack of memory. Once I regain my balance I slowly make my way into the huge patch of land that has been cleared out. There are about a dozen small shacks situated in a circle. As I stand beside the first one I’ve come to I can see into the center of the grounds, a well used fire pit sits in the middle.
“Daddy please!”
I hear her cry from nearly beside me. I look around and quickly discover a small window a few feet in front of me. The sound of a slap infuriates me as the young girl starts to cry.
“I told you when your mother died that you are taking her place until I find a woman willing to take care of you and your insolent brothers. I’ve been bringing you out here for two years, Elizabeth. Twice a month for two years and you still think running your mouth is going to stop me. A man has needs. You are the woman of the house and it’s your job to fulfill those needs. Now, turn around, lay your chest on those pillows and spread those legs. Otherwise I will take the medication that causes me to tie to you without you being my fated mate.”
“Daddy please. I don’t want to do this anymore. It hurts me.”
She is bawling as I struggle with the conversation that I’m hearing. Why does this situation feel so familiar?
“If you would just be good and stay still it wouldn’t hurt. You’re a woman. Your body is built to have sex.”
“No daddy. I’m only twelve. It hurts me. Why isn’t twice at home enough?” “You know the deal, Elizabeth. Three hours, I do as I wish. You take three days from school. Now turn yourself around or I will tie you to the bed.”
I’m in shock and unable to move. The blinds are drawn so I can’t see anything. A sudden yelp turns into a scream with the only thing that could be understood is the little girl crying ‘you’re hurting me.’ It’s with an inhuman growl that the screaming stops but somehow I know it’s not done.
“It’s going to hurt a lot more once I take this belt to your backside.”
Before she can respond I can hear the classic slaps of the belt against her skin. Her cries are muffled as the strikes rain down upon her.
“Stop it!” I finally find my voice as I bang on the window. “You are her father. You shouldn’t be doing this to her.”
I can’t tell if he responds as I’ve gone into a fight mode far more intense than with the previous two people that needed me. I find the door quickly and try the knob. It’s locked. Not that I expected it to be open but I didn’t want to body slam the door if it just happened to be. I pause. The place is eerily silent until she screams again. One that’s filled with pain and fear.