Chapter 256
It’s as we sit in silence that his frantic sobs finally quiet and are slowly replaced by the steady rhythm of his slightly wheezed snore. He hasn’t slept or ate right in the last two months and his condition shows it easily as he’s nearly back to the same weight he was when he got here despite our efforts to counteract his depression by upping his medication.
I close my eyes and lay my cheek against his head as I listen to everything around me. I reassigned everyone that normally helps in the pack house to other tasks, closed the med wing with the exception of emergencies and canceled all the meetings that were scheduled today. I knew today would be tough but nothing could have prepared me for the brutal reality of this young man choosing to leave.
The pack house is eerily quiet as if the house has been swallowed whole in preparation for the sadness, the sheer trauma of his departure. I have no idea how long I’ve been sitting with him when the shuffle of my mate’s feet starts down the hall. My eyes remain closed as I listen to her approach. It’s not long before the familiar creak of the door is heard and her feet approach the bed.
“I thought I’d find you with him.” Lilly speaks gently as she sits on the bed.
“He doesn’t look like he’s fairing very well.”
“He’s not.” I sigh as I speak. “I’ve never had someone so terrified of returning actually do so. It reminds me of the battered women I’ve encountered. It doesn’t matter what you do or say, they must be the one to leave. He’s an adult. My hands are tied. I can not legally force him to stay.”
“You haven’t heard anything else from Xavier?” I shake my head as Cole stirs in my arms.
“No. Last I heard from him was two weeks ago. It was quite distressing to hear from him after the council informed me of the transportation arrangements. Alpha Redmen won’t send a bus or van to pick up two pack members yet he won’t allow anyone from our pack to transport them home. The only option the council had was to find a pack with a driver that would be in the area to transport them eight of the twelve hours back north and Alpha Redmen is supposed to pick them up from there.”
“Who’s picking us up?” Cole asks meekly.
“Several new packs have joined the program and several packs have runs starting this week. I believe the Black Moon pack has a bus that dropped prospects off two hours away at Blackridge as well as some wayward teens at Wolfington academy yesterday. We’re on his way back north and Alpha Blackston has agreed to house the two of you over the weekend until Alpha Redmen sends his driver to pick you up Monday afternoon on his way back to the pack.”
I loosen my hold around him at the same speed that he pushes himself up off my chest.
“I don’t like it alpha. Too many things could go wrong.”
“I agree. It feels like a set up but there’s only so much I can do. When I talked to your delta, David, he told me that under no circumstances would me or anyone from my pack be allowed into Red Fang territory. If we were to enter uninvited then we would be arrested, beaten and reported to the council as rogues.”
“They can do that?” His voice is in awe at such a threat.
“Yes, unfortunately. While werewolf laws try to mimic human laws in many ways, territory is not one of them. Wolves will fight to the death to defend their border so that kind of statement isn’t taken lightly.”
He nods again but the tension in his body shows just how uncomfortable he is with the plan.
“What time is it?” He asks now that he’s a bit more awake from his nap.
“Almost noon.” Lilly responds to his question first as she walks over to the closet dresser and opens a drawer.
“All the new stuff is still in here.” She speaks with shock and confusion in her voice.
“Yes, ma’am. Dad tends to take most new stuff from me and I didn’t want to chance losing what you were kind enough to give.”
His voice is calm but sad with his confession. Lilly simply nods her head.
“How about the two of you take a little walk and talk for a bit before lunch. I’ll finish packing everything up.”
He nods silently as he heads towards the door, stopping briefly to slip his shoes on. I stop beside Lilly, placing my hand on her back, attracting her attention to me. I give her a chaste kiss before leaning my forehead upon hers.
“Talk to him, Dem. He needs to understand that he has a reason to run and a place to run to. Here with us has been more of a home than his own ever has.”
I kiss her again before joining Cole just outside his door.
“Let’s go on a little walk. I know you’re not going to eat but it is important that we talk a little.”
He nods but remains silent as he follows behind me. We walk slowly through the practically empty pack house. I watch as he gingerly runs his fingertips over the things he’s become familiar with.
I stop just outside my office door. In the hall, just outside the door are six backpacks, all labeled for Jamie but sealed with different colored zip ties. I watch patiently as they come into his view.
“They are for you and Jamie.” I explain with a soft voice.
“They’re all labeled for him.”
“Yes sir. Remember our meeting last month. Yours are sealed in black, his in white. I met with him last week to give him instructions on getting these back to you. I know you feel you’re putting him in danger. The quicker you get out of there and back to me the sooner that danger ends for him.”
“What do you mean?”
“He will not abandon you. To save both you and them you must temporarily abandon them.”
“Leaving my pack, pursuing protection orders, it will destroy my pack.”
“Your father destroyed your pack a long time ago and if he did indeed file for a ferality trial then he, and he alone is responsible for the council’s investigation.”
“What’s in the packs?” He asks as I hand Addison, one of my newest omega helpers, one of the bags.
“For you, clothes, medication and some other supplies.”
“You shouldn’t have. You know I won’t be able to run with it.”
“I’m not concerned with it coming back with you Cole. Crimson General is one of the most advanced hospitals in the area for both werewolves and humans alike. It has been owned by the Black family for generations and it allows me to provide for my pack without question. Your beta and family will have a fully furnished home when they come.
It may take me several months to plan it out but an extensive conversation with Jamie revealed that Molly and the pups are in no physical danger. They will likely need therapy for ptsd depending on how much they understand what's going on with Jon and Jamie but physically they are fine. Jon and Jamie are the ones taking the brunt of what your father is dishing out and I do believe that will stop once you disappear.”
He looks up from the floor into my eyes as he finally speaks.
“I don’t know how to do this.”
I reach my hand out towards him but he steps away, whining hard he covers his head and the only thing I can think of is to push him inside my office. I can tell he wants to panic and the best thing right now is to allow him to release the emotions he’s trying to hide. He’s not going to like what I think he needs but with his resolve to leave so high, breaking loose some of the anxiety surrounding it should help.
“Take your shirt off.”
I’m gentle but commanding with my statement. He freezes his movements, drawing a sharp breath as he does. I’ve spiked his anxiety, the effect I’m looking for.
“Sir?” He responds nervously.
“I’m not going to lie to you, your anxiety is too high and a release needs to be triggered. You’ve lost your trust in me so that should make it easier to set you off. I’m not going to hurt you or punish you but you’re teetering on an edge that needs support when you fall.”
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