25. Chapter Twenty Five
Chapter Twenty Five
I t’s something to behold seeing an Alpha like Ledger on his knees in front of me. Not only have I brought him to his knees physically, but it also feels like I have done so emotionally as well.
My heart clenches in my chest as devotion and love pulse through the bond. It just helps to solidify my confidence in myself to know that I have these Alphas standing behind me.
Jax and Theo come to stand on either side of Ledger. I feel the same strong emotions coming from them that they share with Ledger.
“We are so honored to stand by your side, Kennedy. Not only as your scent matched Alphas but as your true partners in this life.” Jax draws my attention to him.
“From moment one, you have utterly captivated me, love. It’s not only this bond that hums in our chest. I would want you no matter what. You are so fucking beautiful and strong. I am in absolute awe of you. You have gone through hell, yet here you are still with so much determination and fight. When other people would have cowered and hidden, you have stayed strong. ”
I can’t stop myself from the tears that fall, instantly blurring my vision. I’m brought into someone's arms. Judging by the smell of the t-shirt that is drying my tears, it's Jax. I feel my other two Alphas as they surround me from the other sides.
“I don’t feel very strong right now.” I half laugh, half sob. I feel Theo pull away from me for a moment. I gasp as he turns me around amongst our huddle.
“Kennedy, your tears don’t mean that you are weak. It just means that you have been strong for so long. Now that you feel safe, you are able to let it out and actually work through your emotions.”
“You think?” I wipe the tears away from my face.
“I know, my love. You are strong. Stronger than any of us.”
Words are lost to me so instead of speaking, I wrap my arms around Theo’s waist. He chuckles and kisses me on the top of the head.
I pull away from him after I have settled myself down enough that I know I will be able to function again.
“I was thinking of going and hunting down our other father, Conall. I’d dare say he will be in his office.”
I smile, suddenly eager to meet the final piece of the parent pack. For someone that grew up with a Beta father, it's a bit of a culture shock. It also breaks my heart to know that Jax and Theo’s mother passed away and that I won’t ever have the chance to meet her.
As we walk back through the hallways and up to the warehouse I can’t help but think of what this moment would have been like if their mother was still here.
Would she be accepting of me? Would she be sad that her sons have found their mate ?
Or would she be celebrating me? Bringing me into her arms like I wish my mother was still able to.
It feels cruel that any of our moms could be here. I know that Ledger would have no interest in introducing me to his, even if they were still alive but still. It feels like we are all missing such a vital part of each other's lives.
I let myself shed a single tear and not another more for our cruel fates. We have already had so much taken from us that now it is time for us to take.
I’m glad that I have a tour guide in Jax, Ledger and Theo with me for this walk. We have already taken so many turns that I know I would get lost in here without them.
Eventually we pull up at a door in one of the many hallways we have walked down. Ledger knocks before opening the door.
Similar to Victor’s office, their last father’s office is organised very similarly. Although, it seems this one has much better organisation. There is hardly anything on his desk other than a desktop, a laptop pushed off to the side, a pen holder and his phone.
Victor is already sitting at one of the couches at the front of the desk. He smiles up at us as we walk through the door.
“How did you go, Kennedy?” I see the general interest on his face which feels strange.
My own father has never taken an interest in anything I have ever done.
“I...um...” I pause, not actually sure how I went at all. All I know is what I felt and I don’t really know if he will care about that.
“She was a natural, Dad. I’ve never seen someone so honed in on a target before. She was spectacular!” Theo exclaims as he pulls me along with him. Dropping down into the couch beside Victor he pulls me along with him, making me squeal as I fall into his lap.
“That's great! We will have to get you your own gun now that you know how to shoot!”
I nod, smiling at the thought of being able to have my own gun. Will the guys be able to bring me here more often so I can shoot targets?
“Kennedy, this is my pack mate and brother, Conall. Conall, this is Kennedy, the boy's scent match mate.”
My eyes widen as I meet the gaze of Conall. Even if Victor didn’t tell me that they were brothers, it would have been blatantly obvious to me. The two men are clearly twins.
The only thing that tells them apart is the fact that Victor wears glasses. Conall has a different demeanor as well. Just from appearances alone, he and Theo seem more alike in that sense. A bit more playful and not too serious about life, yet, have the ability to get serious and dominant when the time calls for it.
Conall scoots forward so he is now sitting on the edge of his chair, “It’s so great to meet you, Kennedy. Victor has been filling me in on some details.”
I sigh and nod solemnly. I’m about to speak but the door opening interrupts me.
Olis steps through the door, smiling at us, “Hey, sorry. I got a bit caught up with some of the soldiers.”
“That’s okay. The kids just came in. We were just speaking about Kennedy’s past. I wanted to work out some potential options for her so that when she is ready, all she has to do is pull the trigger. Metaphorically of course, if that's her choice. ”
I bite my lip and frown for a moment. Could I be the one to end the person that sired me? I know that nothing he has done warrants him the honor of even being given the label of father but, could I still do it even after all he has done?
I mull it over in my brain for a moment, undecided.
“Kennedy?” Theo taps my hip, knocking me out of my thoughts.
“Oh, yes?”
“Dad was just wondering if it was alright that he explains the situation to Papa?”
I nod, grimacing slightly, “That would be good. I don’t think I am able to tell it all over again.”
“It’s okay to not want to keep diving back into it over and over again, Kennedy. What you have been through is a lot and that says something coming from me. You are a brave young woman and you should be proud of yourself.”
I smile at Victor but keep my mouth shut. I have cried too many times over the words of Duran Alphas today, I really don’t need to add another to the list.
At some point during the explanation, I think I begin to go numb. I feel raw and cut open as the words of the pain I have been through are spoken for the second time today. The only thing that tethers me to the earth is Theo’s touch on my skin and the overwhelming love all three of my Alphas are sending me down the bond.
It at least lets me breathe without a heavy feeling on my chest that I know would be there without them.
Olis shoots up out of his seat, startling me as he begins pacing behind the couch .
“That motherfucker! How dare he fucking hurt our sons’ mate! And the cunt has the audacity to think that he can just marry her off to some inadequate, limp-dicked fuckwit?”
He scoffs as he slaps the couch, “Not on my fucking watch he won’t.”
He turns his head to look at me, his features softening, “Kennedy, I hope you know that you do not have to do a single thing that he has said. You are free now, my dear. All six of us will ensure that he will never get his claws into you ever again.”
“You took the words straight out of my mouth, Papa,” Jax murmurs as he sits back in his seat.
Conall looks satisfied as he crosses his arms over his chest.
“Kennedy.” I turn my attention towards Olis, “I’m so sorry that your own father has put you through such atrocities. I want you to know that you are safe with our family. I know it may be intimidating being surrounded by so many Alphas but you are our daughter now,”
Olis reaches his hand over to mine, carefully taking mine in his. I’m proud that I don’t flinch, knowing that there is a risk of it when he made the move.
“You are safe with us. We will be there for you. Protect you when you need it. Be there for you if you need someone to talk to that isn’t your mates. And...” He pauses as he gives a pointed look to all three of my men, “if they ever put a toe out of line, beat their asses.”
I chuckle, pushing down the lump in my throat. Olis’ words instantly put me at ease. It’s another relief, a weight taken off my shoulders at knowing I have so many people ready to bat for me. Something I have never had before.
“I don’t think you will have to worry about that. They have been perfect so far,” I say, trying to reassure the dads.
Olis looks sceptical, “Hmm, I find that hard to believe. These boys may have pretty faces but they are down right pains in the asses. I hope you have all girls. These three were handfuls when they were younger. I swear all of my gray hairs are from them.”
I laugh even as all three of my Alphas protest, trying to plead their innocence to fathers, that seem to have a comeback to everything they say.
They begin to start telling me stories about things the boys used to get up to when they were younger. By the time they are done, it feels like hours have passed since we first walked in here. My face hurts from smiling and laughing so much.
But it's been good. So fucking good.
It makes me wish that I had this with my parents. This easy kind of relationship where you are just able to be you. Where you can laugh and smile freely.
All three fathers have made me feel more than welcome. A week ago, I didn’t think that I would be able to sit in a room completely surrounded by Alphas but here we are - and here I am.
There is a lingering anxiety in my chest which I think everyone can tell but their easy-going natures have put me at ease almost instantly. It feels strange but I allow myself to go with it, trusting that gut feeling inside of me. I refuse to keep walls up when I don’t need to anymore. I don’t want to live my life like that. Constantly worried about what people are doing and if they are going to hurt me or not.
I know that my Alpha’s parent pack would protect me if it came to it. They have said as much .
Being told that I am now a daughter to them, healed something inside of me. It's like every time I am treated just that little bit better, something inside of me connects back together.
I just wish the feeling that all of this is going to be ripped away from me would dissipate. The room goes silent for the first time since we walked into the room.
Victor turns towards me, leaning forward on his knees slightly as he catches my gaze.
“Have you given any thought into how you want us to deal with your father, Kennedy? I know you haven’t had any time to give it any proper thought but, is there anything that we can do right now to at least put some kind of action in place? I don’t know if I feel comfortable just leaving that man to walk around free without having consequences put on him.”
I mull over what I have been told. I don’t know if I am quite ready to pull the trigger and have him hurt. At the end of the day, he is still my father. I know that what he has done to me over the years doesn’t warrant him that name but I just can’t do it. Maybe it's the side of me that is ‘good’. The one that hasn’t been brought over to the darkside completely.
The one thing I do know is that I want to see him brought to justice one way or another. What better way to do that then upset everything he has been working so hard towards.
“I don’t know if this is really your forte, but I know he has been trying to dip his toes into some bigger projects as of late. Maybe we can make this even harder for him?”
Conall chuckles, “That is absolutely our forte, Kennedy. Especially mine.” A devious look comes over his face as he leans forward. “Why don’t we make things impossible for him? Get the companies he has been working with to dissolve their contracts. Get him completely shut out of as many inner circles as we can. Nothing pisses a man off quite like being told no.”
I consider it for a moment and eventually agree. He is right, after all. Calvin Hayes wants nothing more than to be the best of the best. Having everything ripped away from him will be like losing a limb.
With him distracted with his world falling apart, it will keep his attention away from me while I work up the courage for the grand finale. I can see the hunger on each of my Alpha’s faces as well as their fathers’. They want him brought to his knees and I can’t blame them.