Chapter 109
“No, no, no.”
I change my position so I’m beside Lucas instead of in front as I hear Cole whine.
“I know you have your eyes closed in an effort to calm the panic but it’s really important that you listen to me. I know it’s only been a few days but can you tell who I am?”
“Luna.” He manages to gasp out between wheezes.
“Yes Cole, it’s Lilly. I’m going to try this again. You’re going to feel my hand and arm on yours. I’m not taking her. I can feel your aura starting to fade, the adrenaline that’s keeping you standing won’t be far behind and the last thing you need is to move suddenly to catch her if you drop her.”
He finally opens his eyes and looks into Lilly’s.
“I’m sorry Luna. I thought it was okay. I thought you left her with me.”
I watch as she slowly advances backwards gently pulling Cole with her.
“You have done nothing wrong, Cole. We did leave her with you. We knew you would take care of her. What Lucas has done is wrong. He’s the one that should apologize, not you.”
“Are you kidding me? Apologize to the pervert that was alone with my sister.”
His attitude is picking up again now that Cole’s aura is starting to falter.
“You will not move until he’s out of the room.” I growl as I squeeze the back of his neck until he whimpers.
“Damian, I want you to go with your mom. Cole will need support to get through the CAT scan and X-rays.”
“Are you sure? I don’t think I can calm him like you.”
“I’ve seen your instincts with him. Just follow them. My anger right now will only make him worse so yes, I need you to help him.”
“I’ll try.” He quietly walks around Lucas and I, joining his mother’s slow walk to the bed.
My hand remains hard on Lucas’s neck as I growl out my next directive.
“Stand up.”
I relieve the pressure but not my grip allowing him the freedom of movement he needs to stand. He stands slowly, glaring me in the eyes with hatred I’ve never seen.
“What’s going on with you? Two nights ago you and Pat both agreed to the terms I set forth. While Patrick has remained respectful and linked with me to confirm I knew what was going on. You took it upon yourself to attack him.”
“Me? What’s wrong with me? What the fuck is wrong with you? Two nights ago you were neutral. You had no opinion. Now your leaving my baby sister in the hands of a fucking pedophile and I’m wrong for protecting her? What the fuck is wrong with you?”
I’m seething in anger as we stare into each other’s eyes.
“Obviously I have run into some information that has tipped the scale from neutral to believing him. Trusting what he says as the truth. You need to be more open instead of setting yourself up for the hard sell.”
“What the fuck did he say that was so convincing, dad? That it started by accident and he doesn’t know what he’s doing?”
“Yes! He talked but the information he shared is extremely damaging to his pack. I’m sorry but I can not share what he told us.”
The room has gone silent with my admittance. The only thing that can be heard is Cole softly sobbing into the pillow of the bed.
“I’m sorry Cole.” I speak sincerely. “They are my upper ring and for them to understand my change of mind so quickly they need something. I promise my explanation will still keep your confidence. It will also give you an idea of what I plan to do with the information you gave.”
“What are you talking about?”
Patrick finally asks.
“Last night, Cole had a night terror. I intercepted it but in the process found another injury. After taking him to Angela, he told us of a second injury that was missed that his dream reminded him of. After taking care of those two additional injuries. Lilly and I were able to talk with him. He told us about the girls. It started by accident when he was sixteen. And yes I do believe him on how it started.”
I cut off my son and beta, my non-believers, leaving them with their mouths hanging open.
“The help the girls truly needed was discovered by accident as well. No matter how he tried to stop it, two separate rumors got started and snowballed out of control. By the time he was eighteen, he was branded a pedophile based on the untrue rumor that he was raping them. The second rumor spread underground between the girls that he was helping. Those who have visited him for help would, in turn, bring their friends when they needed the same help. They look for him while he’s away leaving notes behind after they have sought refuge in his room. I’m not certain if he said when it started but he did admit that there are five mothers that bring their daughters to him.”
“There are adults bringing pups to him? For what?”
Lucas is still spitting venom despite my effort to explain. I look sadly over at Cole, grateful that Angela didn’t rush him out of the room allowing him to hear what I tell my crew. He needs to understand that his information is safe with me.
“He protects them.” I finally speak softly.
“From what?” Patrick’s tone is much softer than I expected.
“I have an idea of what’s going on but if what I think is happening is in fact happening, then the information Cole gave me would put him in grave danger if it gets into the wrong hands. He doesn’t have a true understanding as to the significance of what he’s doing. All he and the girls he helps understand is that the benefits of what he’s doing, of what he’s giving them, outweighs the risks. At least any risks to the girls.
Unfortunately, the rumors that he’s a pedophile has led to a similar situation with pack members as he has with Luna Sasha. The condition that he arrived in on Monday is a direct result of false allegations from both Luna Sasha and the father of twin daughters that he has never seen.”
“Do you believe him, boss? That it’s possible for members of his pack to purposely claim he’s hurting their pups so he gets punished for it?”
“He’s from Red Fang, the most brutal and unforgiving pack out there. I forced Madilyn to accept his help last night and I left her with him even after she felt better. You know me as well as Lilly does. I don’t leave my pups with just anyone.”
Patrick is nodding his head at the end.
“You won’t tell us what he’s doing to the girls, will you?”
I hear Cole hold his breath. I know what he’s thinking I’m going to do but I’m not.
“No sir. Disclosing the exact nature of what he’s doing before I can get all the facts around it correct would put him in danger should he return to Red Fang. Even my own son has proven how the wrong information can put the young man in danger that he doesn’t deserve. Angela, I would like you to sedate him on the heavy side. Start with one and a half milligrams of Ativan, clean up his face and do a general exam of his upper body. I want a report on my desk of what you find as soon as possible so I know the severity of consequences Lucas is going to face for this.”
“But dad….” Lucas tries to interrupt but I keep going instead.
“Try to get him sedated enough for the scanner. I want X-rays of his head, face and ribs. Both his chest and back. I want a CAT scan of his head and liver. If you find it necessary you can add his abdomen to the list.”
“Yes sir. Will you be joining him?”
“I’m far too angry to benefit him right now. Plus I have other things I need to deal with first.”
“Demetri?” Lilly’s voice is soft and uncertain.
“You know better than to hesitate, Lilly.”
She sighs heavily. “He’s begging you not to hurt Lucas.”
“Who the fuck does he think he is? I know what’s coming to me and unlike your weak ass, I can handle it.”
“He’s not weak.” I growl at my son.
“I understand that you have a very different experience with physical punishment than most of us here have experienced. With that being said, I am a strict and unforgiving alpha and when it comes to assault, physical punishment will be implemented.”
I look at my son to see his cockiness has yet to fade.
“The severity of which will be determined by the severity of your injuries.”
I stare into Lucas’s eyes once again, pissed at his lack of remorse as I hear Angela start wheeling Cole back into the medical wing. I snatch the back of Lucas’s neck hard enough that he can’t hold back his whine, before pushing him towards the stairs.
“Patrick, Parker. I will meet you in my office in five.”
“Yes sir.” They chorus in unison as my son and I head up the stairs to his room.
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