Filed To Story: Their Bullied and Broken Mate by Teri Petry
Guilt ridden, I stood up and carried Jack to the pack hospital so that the coroner, Dr. Hall, could prepare his body for his send-off. I stayed with him the whole time. It was Henry who finally approached me and put his arm around my shoulders. “Maddix, this isn’t your fault brother. Jack chose to fight, and with the size of the wolves attacking us, he was no match. He died with honor, protecting his pack. Let’s not forget that. Mom and Dad can’t get here until Tuesday due to weather in Switzerland. Dr. Hall is going to have to place his body in the cooler until his send-off,” he said.
I just kept staring at Jack’s body. He may not have held a high-ranked position, but it didn’t change the way I saw and felt about him. This must have been what it felt like when my dads, and uncle Rico lost uncle Nick. I nodded my head to Henry, and I placed a kiss on Jack’s forehead. George and Henry did the same.
I needed to be alone for a few hours and get my head together before heading back to Spirit Mountain. Mom and Alette decided to postpone the BBQ until tomorrow, and then straight after we would return home. I had to find a way to explain to my sister that I couldn’t just come running at the drop of a hat anymore. I wanted to help her and be there for her, but my pack needed me more right now.
I filled up the bathtub in our room, and filled it with eucalyptus oil. I once again allowed the tears to flow, and I called out to Franz. “Franz? Is there such a power to help heal broken hearts? Broken souls? Things would be so much easier if there were,” I said. He sighed and replied, “Maddix, you take too much on as your own burden. Sometimes, you have to let people handle things on their own. Like Lette. You helped save her from the situation she was in. However, you cannot be the one to save her from herself. That is what her mate is for, and her mate is a good man. Trust him to do the job, even if she gets mad.”
I knew he was right, and Franz always spoke the truth. It didn’t make me feel any better, but I knew I had to let go a little.
I needed to call Riley, and after I finished my bath and dressed, I did just that. “Hey babe, I just wanted to let you know we are alright. Well, most of us. We lost quite a few people. I haven’t gotten full count yet. Um, there is something I need to tell you. We lost Jack. We also lost your helper, Allison. I’m sorry, my love.” I explained to her.
I heard her gasp at the other end, and then she asked me to give love to George and Henry for her. I told her I would, and that we would be heading back in a few hours. I just wanted to check over things a little more. A knock on my door caused me to end the call.
“Come in,” I yelled. The door opened and it was George. “Maddix? Is it OK to come in please?” he asked. I nodded my head, and he sat with me on the sofa. “I’m exhausted, Mads. I work nonstop, and I need a break. My loyalty will always be to you and Blood Moon. You, your parents and siblings are my family. I just don’t know If I can carry out my duties as Beta anymore, Maddix,” he said somberly.
“Listen to me, George. There is nothing in this world that would cause me to look at you any differently. If you feel in your heart that you need to step down, then I will respect it. How does Henry feel?” I asked. He shook his head and told me he wasn’t sure. He hadn’t talked to him. I asked him to stay on until after Jack’s send off, and I would try to find someone else to take over. I asked him to walk the grounds with me one last time, and he happily agreed.
Our walk was beneficial to us both. Not only were we making sure out pack was safe after the attack, but we were able to talk more. He explained more about how he was feeling, and we came to an agreement that he wouldn’t step down, but would step back from duties for a while. Henry agreed to step into his role temporarily on the condition George got a full medical evaluation to make sure the fatigue wasn’t caused by something else.
George agreed, especially since he remembered that his mother had always been sickly. I knew the stress didn’t help whatever was wrong, but I promised him that things were going to change.
Everyone was ready to head back, and I made sure Henry understood that George was to rest. My grandma will be in Blood Moon tomorrow, and I asked her to check on him as well. If anyone could figure it out, it would be gran.
The trip back to Spirit Mountain was quiet. The guys were either passed out or in thought. About an hour into the ride, Damian spoke to me. “Maddix, I’m about 100% sure who attacked your pack,” he said. It definitely caught my attention, and I asked him to continue. “I think it was my uncle. Josh was killed because of not being able to fully deliver all of your sisters. I’m sure he blames them. I will do my best to find out. If he doesn’t know Alette is my mate yet, I can get out more information. She isn’t going to like being held as a secret very much, but if it helps, it’s what we will have to do,” he says.
I had never thought about that scenario, but it made perfect sense. “Let’s deal with this after this weekend. I just need a break with my family. Our family,” I told him. He agreed and we finished our drive in silence.
*Damian POV*
While Maddix was dealing with the situation with his Beta and pack, I made a few phone calls. I called to check on my mate, then I called my friend from school to ask him if he would check into something for me.
I had a feeling my Uncle Norman had a hand in the attack on Blood Moon. He wasn’t going to let Josh’s death go unpunished. Josh was killed by my dad because of Alette. He couldn’t avenge his death by challenged my father, so the next thing would be my mate.
I’m pretty sure Norman doesn’t know she is my mate, so it would only make sense to go after her pack. My friend is from Norman’s pack, and I need to know what he knows about the situation. He said he was at school, so he wasn’t sure if it was them, but he would surely look into it for me.
New Book: Returned To Make Them Pay
On her wedding anniversary, Alicia is drugged and stumbles into the wrong room—straight into the arms of the powerful Caden Ward, a man rumored never to touch women. Their night of passion shocks even him, especially when he discovers she’s still a virgin after two years of marriage to Joshua Yates.