Chapter 69
Everyone is staring at me again, shock on their faces as to the treatment he receives at the hospital. Once again Patrick is the only one capable of keeping the conversation going. He starts rubbing the back of his neck nervously as he asks his next question.
“I need a little help understanding why we would need to remove Dr. Carter from the territory when Cole is getting really shitty care from the hospital as well. Is the abuse he’s getting from his father systemic through the pack? Why is he hiking miles to get to the general hospital when every pack house is mandated to have a hospital wing?”
“My understanding is that Dr. Carter is the only alpha doctor that is willing to defy Alpha Charles. He is the only one that can treat Cole when he’s in a crisis or so badly injured by his father that he has to be hospitalized. I also suspect that purposely giving Cole an insufficient amount of money for medical care is how Alpha Charles is keeping the council at bay when they’ve come to investigate after Cole visited the previous three packs. Dr. Carter pays for Cole’s medications and does everything he can to preserve what little money Cole receives for his medical care. Since Cole’s ability to get to the hospital is inconsistent they never put his medication back so when he does get there he has several months of medication he can pick up at one time. He’s on the classic trio of antidepressant, mood stabilizer and antipsychotic medication common in those with severe PTSD. He also takes a low dose of steroids which helps his ability to heal and his asthma. He’s on an oral asthma medication, an once daily inhaled asthma medication, daily nebulizer treatments and a rescue inhaler. All of Dr. Pierce’s calls to Dr. Carter have been recorded and six months worth of his medication is being sent to us. As long as he’s able to stomach the pills we will be slowly introducing his medication back to him.”
“You said Dr. Carter is the only doctor that can treat him. Does that mean he’s not allowed to use the wing? That the alpha has ordered the doctors not to treat Cole?”
Damian’s questions hit several people hard. I must admit I’m proud that my son has put it together so quickly.
“I’m not 100 percent certain why he can’t use the wing but I do know that he is denied access to it. It does sound like there’s an order in place but I’m not certain on that either. I do know that the reason they restrain Cole at Red General is a mix of factors including the rumors that he’s dangerous and unpredictable. Most of the nurses at Red General won’t take care of him unless he’s restrained.”
“So issues at his home pack are systemic. Pack members may not directly abuse him but they are part of the problem.”
I sigh as I think of how to address Patrick‘s statement.
“I feel the same way Pat. While Alpha Charles appears to be the main abuser and the one that is in control of his ability to access what he needs, it sounds like his oldest brother is allowed to punish him in some way as well. His future luna has managed to accuse Cole of rape six times, over six months, which results in him getting beaten without it ever being reported to the council. And yes, Patrick, I have checked for any record of rape, assault, theft, drugs, alcohol, anything that’s a reportable offense to the council.” I react to Patrick’s open mouth and raised hand. “Either Alpha Redmen is failing to catch him in the act and can’t prove to the council why he’s implementing physical punishment or Cole is completely clean. That he’s not engaging in unacceptable or even dangerous behavior. That his father is simply starting rumors and since the pack doesn’t know the truth of the treatment he’s receiving, you end up with wolves like Dallas, who believe that Cole is dangerous and needs to be beat down.”
“He believes it so strongly that he’s willing to harm his own pack mate for defending Cole.”
Damian speaks, quietly interrupting my thoughts on Cole.
“Do you have a plan, Demetri? How do you expect to tease out the truth about the pups? No pack is willing to take on a pedophile. No matter how abused he is, even you won’t take that chance. Not with your own two little girls in tow.”
“As much as I don’t want to admit it and as much as no one wants to hear it. I’m not going to push the pedophilia rap.”
“Are you crazy? What the hell are you thinking?”
Patrick shouts at me, reacting exactly the way I expected. I give him a minute to rant his expletives on the first part of my plan before holding my hand up, slowing his harshness down.
“I expected such a reaction from you and I will not attempt to change your mind about how you feel. I do, however, expect you to be professional and treat him like a normal prospect. You will remain neutral when you work with him and have an open mind towards who he shows you he is versus allowing the rumors that he’s a pedophile to cloud your opinion. Plenty of packs have ended up transferring pedophiles in without ever hearing about the possibility that they are one because they have never been caught or their alpha used the program to get rid of them. It’s extremely rare for such a dangerous rumor like this, that’s getting passed around so early, to be true. Especially when you take into consideration what we know.”
“And what exactly do we know about him?”
Patrick spouts with anger lacing his voice again.
“That the future luna of the pack can claim rape without proof and he gets beaten for it. What’s to keep anyone in that pack from making a claim such as ‘he raped my seven year old daughter’ without a shred of evidence?”
I’m stunned into silence at Parker’s sudden anger and defensiveness towards Cole.
“Why would you defend someone you don’t know?”
“For the same reason that you’re ready to condemn him, dad.”
I sit back in my chair as Patrick and Parker stare at one another briefly in silence.
“When Alpha explained that the rape accusations only started after the mate’s union ceremony was completed, even you agreed that there is something wrong with the claim. Alpha said he let Madilyn lay with him and he was afraid to touch her. I don’t know much about pedophile behavior but I have a hard time believing that a pedophile could easily fake being afraid of a child.”
Patrick sighs as he breaks eye contact with Parker. Rubbing the back of his neck, I know he’s forming his thoughts before he speaks and I know I’m not going to like it.
“If you’re going to insist that I ignore the pedophile rumors while working with him then I am formally requesting that I don’t work with him. I’m sorry. I know you have spent more time with him and likely have a clearer picture than I do, but I can not simply put rumors of him raping little girls aside.”
I nod my head silently, disappointed in my beta for his stance against Cole. His refusal to give him a chance, but I’m an alpha who believes in the freedom of choice and will honor his request, at least partially.
“Does anyone else who works with the prospects have an issue working with Cole? My expectations for training and testing towards him is complete neutrality. He is to be treated just like the other prospects whom we know nothing about.”
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