Chapter 35
Chapter Thirty-Five
Two days after learning of her disappearance, we got a call from Donovan letting us know Bea was found.
A breeding ring connected to the Eternals gang here had taken her from Maine and transported her to a remote location in Alabama.
Foster bawls when he learns she is safe, his tears flowing harder when he learns she found one of her Fate-matched mates there.
Recovering from something like this won’t be easy, but at least she won’t have to face it alone.
During the same phone call, we learn that Doctor Harrison has been arrested. I nearly wept with relief hearing that madman can no longer conduct his science experiments. Hearing his name still gives me chills, even after years without witnessing his work.
The worst news is that they’ve lost track of Colin, which makes little sense since he was arrested after breaking into the apartment and attacking me. He should be in jail awaiting trial, right?
Before Donovan has a chance to explain, he rushes off the line.
I want to be angry at the lack of answers, but he’s helping with a joint FCDA-DAU operation taking down another anti-designation cult in the south.
Having grown up in one, I know the potential horrors they will uncover there.
A little patience on my part is worth it if it means they can rescue the people trapped in that awful place.
“Let’s call Lilah,” Shepherd suggests, already dialing her office. She’s in a meeting, but her assistant promises to have her return our call as soon as she is free.
Standing at the wall of windows looking out over the lake, I worry my lip between my teeth.
My mother is still missing, but I know she will never come after us herself.
She will work from the shadows, influencing others so that she can never face direct blame for the outcome, just as she’s always done within my father’s cult.
My ex-husband, however, won’t hesitate to track us down.
Twice now, he’s shown up at the apartment to threaten me.
What’s stopping him from finding us here?
“Angel, want to give us a hand?” Foster calls from the kitchen.
He and Manny had gone into town earlier to pick a few things up.
Returning an hour later with a trunk overflowing with grocery bags.
Turning to look at them over my shoulder, I giggle when I see the table is completely hidden beneath their haul.
Perhaps focusing on something else will help me stay calm until we hear from Lilah. “What would you like me to do?”
Looking closer, I realize they bought stuff to make treat bags for Halloween. When Foster had invited Manny to join us at the community center, we learned that the label is also having a trick-or-treat event on Saturday. They are making something to bring to both, which is adorably sweet of them.
“We’re making three types of treats,” Manny explains, pointing to the themed bags in front of him. “A traditional sugar-overload, an allergen-free, and a sensory-friendly. If we each take a theme, we could knock them out faster.”
It’s a little overwhelming, but they take the lead in sorting everything out.
I end up with the traditional bags, which go into black paper bags covered in tiny sunglass-wearing ghosts.
Filling them with sticker sheets, full-size candies, and small Halloween-themed toys shifts to a mindless rhythm.
Even when Shepherd brings Everett over to feed, I move on instinct, my head clear of thoughts.
When the last bag is finished, the guys pack them into empty totes and take them to the garage to be delivered on Friday.
The dining room table is a mess of wrappers and leftover fillers, but for the first time in my life, I don’t feel the need to tidy it.
No one is going to yell at me for the mess or beat me for not living up to an impossible standard. I can leave it be.
Everett unlatches, eyes sleepy now that he has his belly full. I burp him, sniffing his tiny head to get a whiff of his sweet baby scent. It’s just soap and skin, because he isn’t old enough to have a real scent yet, but it’s familiar enough that my body relaxes.
“Wildfire.” Shepherd has his phone pressed to his ear when I turn around. Foster gives me a quick peck, stealing the baby from my arms so I can join our Alpha. We sit on the steps leading to the pack suite, and he places the call on speaker. “Go ahead, Lilah.”
“I apologize for your not hearing this news from me first, but what the DAU told you is correct. Colin was released on bail this morning.”
My body shakes, fear crawling through my veins.
They let him go? After he proved he is a threat to my children?
Shepherd pulls me onto his lap, pressing my head against his shoulder.
I cling to him, fighting back tears. “Didn’t they set his bail at half a million dollars?
How did he access that kind of money when the FCDA still has his assets frozen? ”
I’d forgotten that Colin couldn’t access his accounts. No one high in the cult could until the investigators cleared them.
“We don’t know,” Lilah admits. Which means someone is backing my ex-husband.
Someone with money and influence. “Hannah, I know the protection orders haven’t been effective.
He’s violated them twice, which was part of my push for the higher bail amount.
Just know that a third violation will guarantee he receives no leniency in the system. ”
Wonderful. For the protection order to work, Colin either has to abide by it—something he won’t do—or we have to wait for him to violate it again. The system is much more broken than I imagined when I lived in Whitlan. I thought things would be different out here. Easier.
“I have more news, if you’re ready to hear it.”
Blowing out a breath, I tell her I am. Might as well see all the cards laid on the table now instead of waiting for bad news later.
“The trial of Grant Montgomery is slated to begin on November 10th. You will be required to testify, but I will reach out with confirmed dates for that once we have them. I’ve made sure the court is aware that you are a nursing mother to a newborn, so any time you spend on the stand will be limited. ”
My shaking returns, growing in intensity until I’m practically vibrating in Shepherd’s arms. I have to face him.
My father. The man who tortured my sister and me.
Speaking about the things he did to me, the things he’s forced me to witness…
It’s going to take a toll on my mental health.
I’ve avoided talking about those memories for good reason.
They deserve to be buried and never see the light of day.
But the only other option is to risk his going free. And there’s no chance I will ever allow that to happen.
“Thank you, Lilah.” I choke out the words between my clattering teeth. The rest of the conversation turns to white noise as I lose myself in the whirlwind of emotions slowly destroying me. Fear, anger, worry, loss. They crash inside me, a million tiny cuts burning me from the inside out.
Something soft presses into my hands. It takes several long blinks to bring the worn, purple giraffe into focus. Kaitlin leans against my side, head resting on my shoulder, and tiny hand patting my back. “It’s okay, Mommy. My papas promised they won’t let Daddy gets us no more. We’s safe.”
A purr rumbles behind me, the sound stuttering slightly at Kaitlin’s confidence. She sounds so sure, trusts them so much. I wrap my arm around her and hug her tight. “You’re right, Little Bug. We are safe here with our new pack.”
They can’t protect us from everything, but I know they’ll fight for us, and that’s enough. I can fight, too. To keep this darling little family we’ve built. I won’t let Colin take this from us.
Back-to-back doctor’s appointments the day before Halloween was a bad idea.
Not only is the city packed with people running last-minute errands to prepare for tomorrow, but my little man had to get shots this morning.
He was cranky and ready to be at home, not stuck sitting in the waiting room at my obstetrician’s office.
Thankfully, my postpartum appointment went much quicker than his pediatric checkup.
I’m officially cleared to return to all physical activity, no more limitations or taking it easy.
The timing is perfect because tonight, Manny is taking Foster out to a local club to go dancing.
So after Kaitlin goes to sleep, it’ll be only my Alpha and me.
A man whose fingers have traced circles on my thighs all morning, driving me crazy.
I can finally ask him the question that has been looping in my mind for the past few weeks.
When we get home, Kaitlin pulls me into another tea party, distracting me for a few hours. Still, time drags by. Even after Foster and Manny leave, both looking delicious in their tight slacks and form-fitting dress shirts, I find myself glancing at the clock every five minutes.
“You’re distracted today,” Shepherd comments as we work side-by-side in the kitchen, making burgers and fries for dinner at Kait’s request.
Heat crawls up my neck and face, and I stammer over my words. “J-just a lot to think about.” Technically true, but I can’t admit where my thoughts really are. That would be way too embarrassing. Eyeing me skeptically, he hums before focusing back on the burger patties.
How does Foster flirt with this man? He’s so intense I can barely keep my thoughts straight, let alone form a coherent sentence.
Maybe that’s my nerves talking. I’ve never been with an Alpha.
Even during the trip to Miami, where I snuck away to lose my virginity, I chose a Beta.
Knots scared me then, but the thought of taking this Alpha’s knot definitely doesn’t scare me now.
It makes me weak in the knees. To be so full, stretched to the point of pain…
I shouldn’t crave that sensation the way I do, should I?