Chapter 129
“A week later, as we laid together in bed, she told me to pack the three of us for the trip to Crimson Dawn. She wanted to leave Friday, which was only two days away. She was tired of her dad and alpha holding her back from the care she needed. Something was wrong and everyone was calling her crazy instead of trying to figure out the issue.
That night she woke up screaming in pain covered in blood. I ran her down to the wing but they didn’t know what was going on so they transferred her to the main hospital. They knew immediately that she had a complete placental abruption and rushed her into emergency surgery. They both passed away before they could get our pup out.”
I pause to regroup my emotions. Even ten years later it’s difficult to talk about. I’m surprised to feel how relaxed Cole is listening to me so I carry on as I do have a point to make.
“They say when your fated mate dies that you physically feel as if half of you were ripped away. Unlike the rumor that you feel pain every time you disobey a higher rank, that one is real. The moment she died I collapsed to the floor in pain. I was so delirious that they admitted me to the hospital. Kept me on painkillers and sedatives for three days. When I was finally allowed to leave the hospital, coming home to Parker was heartbreaking without his mother. Even worse was finding out that my nearly nine year old son had been abandoned by his pack.
Mandy’s father refused to go to our apartment and stay with Parker when I called and told him that she was being transferred to the general hospital. When she died Alpha Mathias went to our apartment, stopped Parker as he was walking out the door to the bus and told him ‘Your mom died this morning. So did her pup. You’re out of school until your dad gets out of the hospital. Go to the dining hall for your meals otherwise I trust you know how to take care of yourself.’
Even though we had talked at length about who would stay with him when Mandy went into labor I never imagined coming home to him being all alone. No one told me that when you lose your fated mate you’re automatically placed on a 72 hour psychiatric hold. Needless to say I was lit and everyone figured out quickly to leave me alone.
I started talking to Demetri about a month later. I found out that the transition of power for his pack was in shambles and he believed it was because him and Beta Conner didn’t get along. Conner had largely abandoned the pack when Alpha Brian died and he wanted nothing to do with Demetri. So two weeks before Parker’s ninth birthday we went through the severance. I packed my car with clothes and memories and I headed home to Crimson Dawn.
It was a rough ride and even though it only took fifteen hours by bus to get there as a prospect, it took three days with Parker to make the same trip. It was hard listening to him cry inconsolably for hours during the ride so I broke it up into five hours before finding a hotel for the night, taking him to the park to play before getting something to eat. It was still hard and I truly questioned if this was the best move for us.
Although I had lost the love of my life and the pack I had been in for ten years turned their back on me, I was returning to the pack I had always known. Parker, however, had truly lost everything. His mom, his sister, the only alpha he had ever known, the pack he was raised in, his friends, his school. I was born a beta but I wasn’t the beta while we were there so that was another transition he was having to go through. I couldn’t predict how busy I was going to be when I became Demetri’s beta. He was truly scared and I couldn’t fault him for it.
When we arrived at the pack house Sunday night I ended up carrying him inside. It was pouring rain and we were drenched by the time we got to the front door. Demetri was there to greet us and for reasons I will never understand, my heart was pounding from the nervousness I felt. I was filled with such doubt that I could barely speak while in front of my best friend turned alpha.
First thing he did was ask for Parker. Reached for him as if he was a two year old tot not the nine year old he was mere days away from turning. I allowed him to take Parker from me. We grew up together at the end of a war time era and more than once Demetri had saved my life. I trusted him with my life and undoubtedly the life of my son but Parker’s only interactions were with Alpha Mathias who always expected more than pups could give and more than once getting held by Mathias meant a spanking. It didn’t matter if you did something wrong before he picked you up if you showed fear he gave you something to fear.
As soon as he realized what was going on Parker screamed and kicked trying to get away but Demetri became the gentlest alpha I had ever seen. With the calmest, kindest voice he reassured him as he brought him to his chest. He laid his hand gently across his neck and encouraged, not forced, him to lay his head upon his shoulder as he spoke to him. I will never forget the kindness Demetri showered upon my son. He said ‘I know you have suffered a great loss but I promise you son, you are safe and you are home. Now is the time to grieve, there is no shame in the tears you shed for all that you have lost. I am here for you and your father. You will have everything you need to get through this trying time and everything you need to start new. My door is always open, my ear is always listening. You will never be lost as long as you're a part of my family. Welcome home, Parker.’
I tried to hide my own tears, keep them from falling but when Parker broke down and bawled on Demetri’s shoulder I did the same. He held us both for the longest time before taking us to the storage closet. I picked out pajamas for Parker and I before following him to our room for the night. He held Parker the entire time. Helped him out of his clothes, drying him off before helping him into his pajamas. Parker fell asleep quickly once we were in bed together but I stayed awake listening to everything that had changed since I had left and his plans for helping Parker and I get back on our feet. He supported us more than any alpha I’ve ever met and in the prospect program I met quite a few.”
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