Chapter 12 - Trials
Alyssa's POV:
I tried to stay focused on the book I was reading, but the thought of seeing my daughter tonight, along with racing thoughts of unsuccessfully (thank Goddess) ending my life and constantly reminiscing over the last several hours, was making that difficult, to say the least. I also could not take my eyes off the clock. Checking it every few minutes, sometimes several times in one minute. I was so anxious and it had only been just over half an hour. I had an hour and a half until the Beta arrived, and at most until dinner time to await Brent's return. My hand brushed along my mark at the thought of my mate, the act causing me to shiver with delight.
'I felt that, little Luna..'
I jumped at the sudden mindlink, melting at the sound of his rich, baritone voice.
'How are you doing?' He pressed through again.
I paused, trying to decide what to say, settling on the truth, 'Just trying to keep myself busy. The anxiety I am feeling is getting worse by the minute.' I shakily responded, my chest getting tighter and tighter with worry.
'I wondered if that's what was wrong,' he sighed softly.
' Have I upset you?' I carefully asked.
'Of course, you haven't, all I meant is that you are my mate and I can feel all of your emotions through the open bond,' he sweetly explained.
I bit down on my lip before responding. I was slightly embarrassed that he had felt everything I had been feeling for the last several minutes. He was so busy and here I was making his day worse by making him feel my anxiety.
'My love? Are you okay?'
'I'm fine, I was just wondering if maybe I should close the bond on my end, I don't want to bother you during your meeting... I would hate to mess something up for you...' I meekly responded.
'You could never mess anything up. And don't you ever close your side of the bond. Ever. Not unless you absolutely want to, but never close it on mine or anyone else's account, do you understand me?' He commanded.
I took a shaky breath, was I really getting turned on by him bossing me around? What the hell is happening...
'Yes, I understand,' I breathed out.
'Good. I have to head back in. I just needed to be sure you were alright.' His voice was full of love and protection for me. I felt as if my heart would explode. He truly cared for me.
'Ok... I love you.' I rushed out for the second time today. And I meant it. He was my destiny. He treated me the way the Moon Goddess intended. The way I'd seen my dad treat my mom. He had sat beside my bed for weeks and loved and cared for my daughter in the meantime. I didn't need any more signs to know I could trust this man with my heart.
I love you too, my sweet Luna,' he growled out before I felt the mindlink end .
Just then the most heaven filled warmth began to spread over my chest and it made me feel so at peace I was afraid I would begin to float. Making me realize I had been so wrapped up in my anxiety, I hadn't been able to feel the calming effects of the bond. Even from afar he was caring for my wellbeing. The thought, along with this beautiful feeling, made a smile spread easily across my face as I pulled my tray table closer to me.
The nurse had brought in breakfast a little bit ago, and I was thankful everything was covered by metal lids and that the coffee was still in the kettle, figuring everything should still be a decent temperature. I was so excited for a hot cup of coffee. I busied myself for the next few moments getting my breakfast situated; sugar in the oatmeal, jelly on the toast, and I was just pouring my coffee into the mug when I heard a knock at the door.
I looked up from pouring my coffee into the mug, and just like that the joyous feeling was gone, and all of my anxiety returned.
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Brent's POV:
I re-entered the meeting with fresh vigor as I basked in the swift mood change of my mate. I needed this over quickly and I truly felt we were getting somewhere; maybe I could even get back to Alyssa before Anderson arrived. I quickly sat down in my chair where my twin brother sat on my right, as he was a part of the council. I was glad to see his face in all the chaos. He would be meeting my mate today and I couldn't wait to introduce them. I had just settled into my chair when a councilman cleared his throat,
"Alpha O'Connor, we will entertain your previous request to push the interrogations out by three days, but Gamma Pembrook cannot be held in the cells in the meantime unless charged, and so far we have nothing to go on for said charge." The man nervously glanced around the room awaiting my response.
I took a deep breath and leaned forward, placing my elbows and forearms on the table; tightly clasping my hands together, "you mean to tell me that a wolf can commit betrayal, and not have consequences?" I growled out.
"No, we just do not have hard evidence as of yet," he weakly responded.
"My mate's letter is about as good as it gets," I returned, staring him down, my wolf's black eyes daring him to disagree.
"Yes, Alpha O'Connor, but when you stepped out, Alpha Jacobs reminded us that without Caitlin to coo-berate that letter, or a confession from the Gamma himself, he cannot hold him in his cells. He is worried about a pack uproar, and we can't deny that going against rules and regulations could potentially cause that," he took a breath and continued, "a letter just simply would not hold up as the only means for charges to be filed to be able to hold Gamma Pembrook. This is nothing against you or your mate." I could smell his fear as he explained the situation.
I turned and glared at the old man to my left, "Alpha Jacobs, didn't I tell you not to interfere?"
The Alpha stuttered, "P-p-please, Dalton is very knowledgeable about the laws as a Gamma! I didn't want to, but he was right! We couldn't hold him."
My eyes darkened, causing the Alpha to shutter, "what do you mean, couldn't?" I let out a dangerous growl at his use of the past tense word. Hair began to grow on my arms as my claws began to press forward along with the growth of my canines.
"He was released approximately an hour ago," Alpha Jacobs stammered out.
“And you didn’t think this was information that I should know?” I stood slowly, fighting every urge not to shift on the spot.
Then, as if by magic, dread filled me. I couldn't catch my breath. I soon realized these feelings were not all mine. The once cozy bond turned sour with the sinking feeling of anxiety and nausea returning from my mate.
'Alyssa?'
No response. I gave her a few moments and tried once more.
'My love?'
'Alyssa, answer me!' I became desperate for my mate to respond.
Still nothing. The need to lay eyes on her was now driving me toward the door where I stopped in my tracks. Pain erupted through the bond and I saw red.
That fucker was going to die, I thought before shifting and leaving my suit in shreds on the floor.
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Alyssa's POV:
Tears instantly poured down my cheeks, scared to death at what was about to happen. How did he get in here? Brent said I was protected. Was he in on this? I shook my head at the ridiculous thought there was no way...
"Oh, you reject me," he said pointing at me and then smashing his finger against his chest, "but you think you deserve to cry. After what you put me through, what I am still going through," he sneered with disgust as he paced my room.
"You betrayed me!" I screamed, covering my mouth with my hand in realization of what I had just done. I could feel Brent pushing into the mindlink, begging me to answer, but I was scared to death for the monster in front of me to see my eyes glaze over with the link and take a chance on attacking me.
Dalton slowly walked forward, drawing out each step as if to scare me even more with intimidation. It was unfortunately working. By the time he had reached the bed, I was pressed up against the head of the bed as far as I could go. He grabbed the cup of coffee silently. He turned back around, taking a few steps away from me before turning back around to face me once again. He carefully took a sip of the coffee. He was incredibly calm. Too calm. The last time he was this calm I almost ended up in the hospital. Dread hit me like a ton of bricks. I wish he would look away long enough for me to mindlink Brent. I just couldn't risk it. I hoped my open bond would help him get to me in time. At least I was already in a hospital, I would hopefully be given aid quickly. I just prayed silently that I wouldn't have to miss seeing my precious daughter or my mate's handsome face for another long period of time. A tear escaped me as the fear and sadness over what was about to happen coursed through my veins. And as I expected, his calm face suddenly turned into a scowl and before I could react I was covered in hot burning liquid. I screamed trying to wipe the scalding contents off of me.
Distracted with the coffee, I never saw him raise the mug back to launch it at me, and just as I looked up at him the cup collided with my eye and cheekbone with enough force that it shattered, cutting my forehead, the blood dripping down my face. He crossed the room, quickly snatching my jaw again, pressing his thumb purposely where my cheek began to swell. Pain seared like a hot iron over my face. I knew that even with wolf healing this would take days to properly heal... if I made it out alive...
With his hand still gripping my jaw, he painfully yanked me to look at him. He spat in my face, the disgusting liquid dripping down my skin along with the mixture of coffee, blood, and tears, "you have the audacity to say I cheated when your room reeks of another man that you allowed to take you on your hospital bed of all places." My eyes widened, had he really no idea I was marked by the Alpha? Did he simply think I had just slept with him? He really thought he'd get away with this.
He mistook my look of confusion for fear, "oh yes, I know, you little whore," he mocked. "You opened your legs for the first man you saw, but I always had to force it from you," he sneered again.
"You know what?" He tapped his chin, " I like the sound of that. Maybe I should get some right now since you're handing it out so easily..." he said as he lunged toward me.
Before I realized what was happening, I was flat on my back and he was looming over me trying to get between my legs, my thin nightgown riding up my thighs. I cursed myself for deciding on comfort over getting fully dressed today. I fought him with every bit of strength I could muster, which unfortunately wasn't much due to being bedridden for so long.
He suddenly struck me across the face, giving me a matching bruise on the other side of my face. I fell flaccid with the force of the blow, clinging to consciousness as he settled between my legs.
I had just accepted my fate when I heard a growl and felt the weight of my attacker being lifted from my body.
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Brent's POV:
I arrived at the hospital in a fury, having turned back to human form to confront this son of a bitch. I could see a crowd had formed outside of Alyssa's door. "Alpha! we can't get in!" The nurse frantically ran toward me. I ignored her and pressed my way through the small gathering and tested the door handle, and with one tug I pulled the door right off the hinges and threw it behind me, I was not feared without reason. Just as I entered the room I saw Dalton punch my mate across the face.
Roaring loudly, I grabbed him by the back of his neck and threw him into the wall, effectively cracking it from floor to ceiling. I stalked toward the man and took him by the throat and lifted him from the ground.
"Did I not tell you to stay away from what is mine?" I sneered as I punched him across the face, hearing the satisfying crunch of his nose. I squeezed harder around his neck, my claws growing and slipping beneath the skin, blood beginning to drip down as he struggled against my grip.
"It's not very fun to have your body beaten like a punching bag, is it Gamma Pembrook?" I continued.
I was just getting started on what I had in mind for him when I felt a hand on my shoulder, "brother, go to your mate, she is not well. We will lock him up. The interrogation request will be granted without issue."
My twin brother had pulled me from my fog, essentially saving the Gamma's worthless life, for now at least. At the mention of my mate, I dropped the man with a thud and ran to her, gathering her up in my arms while she sobbed into my chest. I pulled back and assessed her injuries, furious with myself for leaving her. This never would've happened had I been with her. I kissed each and every wound several times over. Trying to pour my guilt out into healing for her.
She screamed in-between sobs, "I can't stay here! Please, I can't be here any longer. Take me to your pack where I can be safe." My heart broke. She should've been safe here with me, but I failed her. However, I would not fail her again.
"We will leave as soon as the doctor releases you, and I will not leave your side again, okay?
"No!" She forcefully growled.
"I will not stay in this hell any longer, he has been beating me and raping me for years." Her confession shattered my heart and rage filled me once more. She continued, "I have got to get out of here. Please!"
Her screaming pleas ricocheted off the walls. She wrapped her arms tightly around her middle, clearly in the middle of a panic attack.
I fought every fiber of my being not to charge out of the room and rip the Gamma's head off as the words my mate screamed sank into my core. He was being escorted to a high-security wing of the cells. He was now under arrest by the council and no matter what version of the betrayal was true, Alpha Jacobs had no authority to let him out. He had attacked a Luna, my Luna. He would never see the light of day again.
A nurse entered the room and asked for permission to wheel her down to get an MRI and stitches for the head wound. My mate screamed at her and told her no. I was devastated to see her this way and I waved the nurse out of the room to talk with my mate. She needed medical attention, but first I needed to help her calm down .
"Alyssa," I quietly spoke, her head snapping up to make eye contact with me, her eyes wild with adrenaline and fear.
I stroked her hair, hoping the bond was enough to calm her wildly beating heart, "go and get the tests done." Her eyes narrowed as she was about to protest, but I continued. "Our Beta has just let me know he has arrived and we will leave as soon as the doctor completes your tests. She can call the hospital at our pack, where your care will be transferred, with the results. I am going to send for the jet. It's a solid six-hour drive, but barely over an hour by plane and I want you to be monitored again as soon as possible. I am going to have your parents pack themselves a couple of bags as I am sure they will want to be with you and Tenley, at least for a while. You get the tests, and we go home. Does that sound like we have a deal?"
She opened her mouth to respond, "and before you ask, yes we have to do these tests here. There are some injuries that even a wolf can't heal if not caught soon enough. I'm sure you know that."
Her bloodshot green eyes looked at me, puffy from tears and injuries. Anger and regret coursed through me as the bruises seemed to darken before my eyes. I would eventually tear him limb from limb for this, and I couldn't wait. She slowly nodded, accepting my offer, "you forgot one thing, Tenley and I will need to pack a few things."
I shook my head, "I will send some pack members to pack whatever you wish at a later date, but you are both fully covered at home. Clothes and personal care items have already been purchased for you both, and a bedroom has been completely furnished for Tenley."
Her eyes widened in surprise, "you assumed I would go?”
I rubbed my thumb over her swollen cheek, "no, but I hoped you would."
She smiled softly in response, "are we still able to have dinner tonight?" She asked, sniffling back the remaining tears as I handed her a tissue.
I chuckled, feeling blessed that she was still thinking of the three of us spending the evening together, regardless of the circumstances, "of course, my love."