Chapter 113
“My beta, Patrick, was the one who delivered the ten strikes with the belt to Luke’s backside. He, like Lucas, has expressed a deep distrust towards you. Even though I believe today’s events may have lightened that up a little he is remaining unchanged.”
I can feel him tensing up again at the thought of another member of my pack hating him.
“Hey, bud. Everything is okay. I assumed the worst as well considering they held the same opinion when I talked with everyone Tuesday but Patrick assured me that he doesn’t hate you. The rumors make him nervous and we honestly have never had a wolf like you come through the program.”
“Everyone keeps telling me that you’ve rescued a bunch of wolves but now you’re telling me I’m one of a kind.”
“Both are true, Cole.”
He’s finally starting to truly relax as I tease the base of his head with my fingertips.
“Patrick isn’t my original beta. Although he returned ten years ago when I started into the prospect program he wasn’t a huge participant as a trainer in the program. It’s only as I started bringing in more wolves that I’ve had to get more people involved.
Over the first six years that I was involved I rescued two dozen wolves from over a dozen different packs. Most of them only stayed a year, maybe two before finding their mate and moving into the pack with them. I don’t know why it stopped but the last four years have been very quiet. It’s only been the last five years that Pat’s been heavily involved with the program. It was at that time that I felt that my inconsistency with trainers was hurting my program and Patrick volunteered to be the main trainer. Two years later, Dominic was old enough to be one and I discovered that the two of them made quite a team. My last run six months ago was Damian’s first time as a trainer and I was hoping to give Lucas a head start but with his willingness to form such a hard set opinion based on rumors not facts has me rethinking my options.”
“Why am I special compared to the others?” His voice quivers as if he’s uncertain he wants to know.
“You’re the first to have such a bad rumor blurted out so blatantly, especially on the first day. It feels, to me, as if you’re purposely sent with a wolf that has no shame in ruining any chance you might have at getting away from your pack. You’re also the first one to make it into my medical wing within the first twenty-four hours of arriving.”
“Oh.”
He’s the first in many areas but I kept it as simple as I could while still being honest.
“I hate moving you after you’ve finally allowed yourself to relax but I’d really like to get some food into you.”
“Okay alpha. Can you help me up? It’s gotten a lot more difficult.”
“I sure will.”
I don’t move immediately. I know he doesn’t get this type of attention at home and I just want to give him a bit more before heading out to the dinner table.
Everyone is seated at the table by the time Cole and I emerge from the medical wing. I stop at the table to realize that the only seat left open is the one directly across from Lucas. I scratch at the stubble forming on my chin thinking.
“Damian, can you move over one?” I attempt to rearrange the table.
“He’s already eating alpha. It’s fine. I prefer the end.”
He speaks quietly as he takes his seat. I can tell immediately that he’s uncomfortable but I don’t argue with him, one person making him feel bad is enough.
“So you’re not having to get up and walk around the table, would you like me to serve your plate?”
To my surprise and relief, he hands me his plate.
“Just keep it small.” He requests quietly.
“Is there anything that you don’t like or want?”
“What do you have tonight?”
“Why don’t you get your head out of your crotch and take a look around you?”
My youngest son snipes at him. I shoot him a glare and to my surprise, he gives me one back.
“Looks like someone didn’t learn much of a lesson.”
I comment as he slowly looks away. Cole’s movements bring me back to him as he struggles to leave his seat.
“No, Cole. I need you to try.”
“I can’t alpha.”
He whispers as Lucas snickers. I let out a low growl stopping them both. I step behind Cole’s chair, placing my hand on his shoulder.
“Lean your head back against me and look around the table. Tell me what you would like.”
It takes him a minute to comply, I can feel his hesitation with touching me. It doesn’t seem to matter that we were just laying together, his nervousness remains the same.
Once his head is against my chest I start naming off the dishes on the table.
“We’ve got pot roast with diced potatoes, carrots, onion and celery. Green beans sautéed with onions and bacon. Macaroni and cheese and dinner rolls. I know the spread isn’t as big as the dining hall or banquet hall but there’s got to be something you're interested in eating.”
He leans forward looking at the table before opening his mouth as if to say something. He sighs with a huff as he leans back against me. I patiently wait for his response as I run my fingertips along his shoulder.
“I guess I’ll have a little of the meat and vegetables that are with it. Just keep it small. I don’t like wasting and I really don’t think I’m going to be able to eat tonight.”
“I need you to try.” I emphasize gently, handing him a pack of Zofran. “This will help ease any queasiness you have.”
He nods his head in understanding as I give him the same serving I give to my girls and set it down in front of him before serving my own plate. He concentrates on his plate, staying out of the conversation going on around him as I take my seat.
I remain silent as well, simply observing the body language of everyone there while I eat. Patrick and his son have joined us, as they do most nights. Parker is actively talking about the Super Bowl coming up in a few weeks.
“Do you watch or play any sports, Cole?”
Patrick surprises me with a desire to include Cole in the conversation.
“No sir. I wasn’t allowed anything extra at school and just completing high school was a huge struggle after I turned fifteen.”
“What happened? You couldn’t handle the work? I mean you can’t be that stupid if you’ve yet to get caught diddling little girls.”
My stomach jolts at the sound of such viciousness.
“Lucas, you have been warned about your comments.”
“You’re mean, Luke.” Madilyn cries as she hits Luke in the head.
“Hey, don’t do that.” Lucas protests as she hits him again.
“Madilyn, stop!” His voice is clear and commanding. Everyone freezes as she stares at Cole. “Revenge is ugly. You must never seek it.”
“But he hurt you. It hurts me when he hurts you.”
She has tears in her eyes as he goes silent again, looking down at his plate chasing his meat around with his fork.
“I got sick.” Everyone but Cole looks up at the sound of his voice.
“When I was fifteen I ended up in the hospital for two months with septicemia. When I got out, I had no immune system so the doctor insisted that I switch to virtual learning for the rest of the year. My school gave my father the information on how to enroll me since I had a medical note he could start me at any time and they would allow me to make up the work.
He never enrolled me into the virtual academy which forced them to fail me instead. I wasn’t the same when I returned to repeat ninth grade in September. The principal and teachers didn’t like the situation they were seeing with me and wanted to help. So, they went behind dad’s back and purchased a laptop, modem and wifi setup so I could connect to the internet anytime I was unable to attend school.
Despite their efforts to accommodate my needs, by January of the next year my attendance was so spotty that it was proving difficult for me to keep up with my work. The principal ended up pulling me into his office and convinced me to participate in a series of tests. It was only after he had the results that he told me what they were for. I ended up in a meeting with the principal, counselor, social worker from the council and several of my teachers.
The results of my tests were impressive but my lack of attendance was creating issues despite their efforts to create a hybrid learning situation for me. It was only because I was sixteen and allowed to officially withdraw myself from school that the council was willing to leave my father out of the meeting. They allowed me to decide on my own and I agreed to their recommendations.
After midterms, they enrolled me into a virtual high school that was self-paced and ran all year. I finished my freshman year by the end of March. Started my sophomore year in April, worked through the summer and I was completely caught up and starting my junior year by September. I found myself starting my senior year near the end of January and ultimately finished my senior year by the end of June.”
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