Filed To Story: Their Bullied and Broken Mate by Teri Petry
Dr. Flores came in and did his examination on Nick’s body. He brought over a bowl of hot soapy water and a few washclothes. He and Roxy finish cleaning Nick’s body. They finished preparing him for his send off and dressed him in a white mourning gown. Because it wouldn’t be until the next day, Dr. Flores wheeled his gurney into a cooling freezer so that he wouldn’t start to rot. We walked a now calm Roxy to her room, and she said she was going to go stay with Grace tonight. We gave her hugs and told her we would see her in the morning. We turned to walk towards the stairs to go find our mate when we saw her walking up the stairs towards us.
She stopped in front of us and lowered her gaze. She whispered that she was sorry and walked around us towards our room. “Should we follow her?” Loki asked. I nodded my head and we turned to follow her. By the time we got into the room, she had locked herself in the bathroom. We heard the shower running, but also could hear her sobbing. I knocked on the door, but she didn’t answer. I told Loki I was going to go get us food for dinner, and that it would be best if we all just stayed in our room the rest of the night. He agreed, and I left to take care of the task at hand. The cook was in the process of putting the leftovers from dinner away and I asked her if she could make up a bunch of sandwiches from the left over chicken and roast beef. I also asked for a veggie tray to dress the sandwiches, and a few bags of chips. As she gathered the ingredients, I took out a chocolate cake that was intended for dinner tomorrow, but she said she could make another. It took myself and the cook to carry everything up to our room. I had the food, she had the drinks. Hopefully, this will cheer our mate up. We walked in to see Mel sitting on Loki’s lap, they were just holding one another. “Food anyone?” I called out. I managed to get a smile from both of them, and Mel started to apologize again. I put my hand up and said, “No more apologies. You aren’t to blame, and Loki knows that. Tomorrow we mourn Nick, and then we move on. We remember and honor him daily, and that is how he will live on. Agreed?” They both nodded and we climbed further onto the bed. We each made our sandwiches and Mel turned on the TV. “No true crime or murder shows tonight, deal?” Loki said. She nodded her head and turned on Roseanne reruns. We silently ate our dinner, and watched the cheesy sitcom. That’s what we needed, because tomorrow was going to be a whole different story.
Settling In The Dark
*Lisa POV*
Dark Star was a huge contrast to Mystic Shadows and Blood Moon. It was a large pack, but you rarely saw anyone at the pack house. Usually the pack house was the hub of the pack. Everyone came to eat and socialize in the common rooms, but here that wasn’t a thing. Callum had been busy since we got back last night, and I had done a little exploring. I think I will like it here, but I’m still on edge. I’m not sure why he felt it was smart to come here knowing that the twins would be coming after us. This is the first place they will come to look for us. I’m not going to question him though. He may be my mate, but in my opinion, he seems more ruthless than the Carters.
Listening to him speak to his Gamma on the phone earlier sent chills down my spine. Describing what he wanted to do to the twins and Blood Moon was brutal. I know I have a sick mind, but what he described, I wouldn’t have thought of in a million years. I hated the twin’s mate, but even after all they did to me, I still had a soft spot for Loki. I can’t help but wonder what that little bitch would think if she knew the things we did to and with each other. I have to laugh at the thought of her reaction. Maybe I will tell her, that is if I ever get the chance. I decided to go into the common room and watch some TV when I heard Callum call my name.
I turned to see him on the stairs and he motioned for me to come join him. I followed him back upstairs, and we went into his office. The smell of his scent was super strong in here, so I knew he had been there awhile. His office walls were painted a dark green with dark cherry wood moulding. The walls were adorned with pictures of his family, shelves with lots of candles and various wolf art. His furniture matched the decor and color scheme of the room. It felt homey, but intimidating at the same time. I plopped down on one of the chairs by his desk and he sat in his chair behind it.
“Lisa, I wanted to speak with you about some things, and I need you to be honest. Like more than honest. Before we speak about it though, I want to assure you that I could give two shits about your past misgivings. I don’t care what you did to whoever you did it to, and whatever the reason the twins felt the need to imprison you for, it doesn’t matter to me. What does matter is where you and I go forward. I do not and will not tolerate lies and sneakiness. Nor will I tolerate manipulation. I am a fair but strict Alpha, and I am also a loving and caring man. If I love you, then you will know it and feel it. I believe whole heartedly in the mate bond, but I am also not ignorant enough to know that the mate bond is all there is to a lasting relationship. My point is this, I have no reason not to accept you as my mate. We are on a clean slate. Let’s keep it clean. No matter what happens or what you do, always be honest with me, because I literally have no issues ripping you apart. Mate or not, marked or not. Do we have an understanding?” He stated.
I gave him a smile, and told him I understood and that we would have no problems. I asked him what else he wanted to speak to me about and he sat forward in his seat so that we were eye to eye, and then said, “I want to know what you know about the twins. I also need some background from you about yourself. I just need details about some things. Nothing too harsh. Let’s just say it’s getting to know more about each other.” A smile spread across his face and my heart started to race. He is gorgeous. His long, curly, dark brown hair was pulled up into a manbun, which allowed me to see his stormy grey eyes better.
His chiseled features and big perfect smile made my insides stir with butterflies. Even without the mate bond, I could easily fall in love with this man. I sat up in my seat and gave him a lustful stare, and started answering his questions. Everything from what I knew about the twins to everything I had ever done wrong in my life. I told him about my family, and that I had no idea where my parents were after they were banished from Mytic Shadows during its fall. I told him about the few times I had been with Loki, and even told him about my plot to kill Melian when we were in high school. I even told him the one thing I never wanted anyone to know, but he needed to know. I thought I would die with this secret, but then he found me.
“So, what’s the big secret? You can tell me anything, Lisa. We will deal with whatever it is, and move on from it.” he asked. It was now or never, so I guess I had to choose now. “I’m pregnant with my first mate’s baby. I’m not that far along, but before she left me after being given wolfsbane, she told me about the child. I don’t want to keep it. It wasn’t conceived in love, but something more sinister that I can’t bring myself to say the words about.” I explained. I could see the anger in his eyes, and his body stiffen. He stared at me blankly for what felt like forever, but when he went to reply his body relaxed. Closing his eyes, he asked, “Is this all? No other surprises? You are sure you want to terminate the pregnancy?” I started to cry and promised there was nothing else, and there wasn’t. I also assured him that I did not want the baby, and that I definitely wanted to terminate the pregnancy.
He thanked me for being honest, and asked me if Thomas had raped me. I nodded my head and asked him not to make me talk about it. He agreed, and leaned in towards me. His lips gently met mine. He leaned his forehead against mine, and whispered, “Mine!” and I repeated those words to him. Together, we were going to be a force to be reckoned with.
Saying Goodbye
*Loki POV*
Today we will send off a great man. I’m not ready to say goodbye, but unfortunately, it’s in the moon goddess’ hands now. I was straightening my tie in the mirror when I heard a soft knock on our door. I yelled for whoever it was to come in and the door opened. “Loki?” Grace said. “I’m sorry to bother you beforehand, and I know its inappropriate to come to your bedroom, but I don’t want to walk out there alone. Can I go with you, Liam and Melian? Please?” she asked. I waved her in further, and I placed my hands on her shoulders. Her eyes were swollen from crying, and her nose was red.
“Grace, you are family, of course you can. We are here to support you in all of this. He was your mate, and he loved you very much. You won’t go through any of this alone,” I told her. She thanked me and told me she would wait in the hall for us. As she walked out, Liam and Mel came out of the closet from getting dressed. “What was that all about?” Liam asked. I explained how Grace was feeling, and they both agreed with me that it was best if she stayed with us today. I got a text from Timmy saying the pyre was ready, and the pack was already gathering. I told Liam and Mel and we left our room to head outside. Grace stood up as we walked out and Mel went to her to show comfort. She wrapped her arm around Grace’s shoulders and walked with her outside. We followed behind, so as not to intrude on their conversation. I’ve always known that Mel would make a great Luna, but she’s also a great friend.
We approached the pyre that already had Nick’s body laid upon it. Elder Iris was already in place to perform the sending off ceremony, and Liam, Mel, Grace, Roxy and I took our places beside her. The only person missing was Rico, and he was still in the hospital unconscious. We couldn’t wait for him to wake up, and I hoped he wouldn’t be too angry at us. I knew he would understand though. Liam and I held on to Mel’s hands, and when Iris started to speak, I gave hers a little squeeze. She squeezed back and flashed me a small reassuring smile.
“Nicolas Frederic Martinez, Gamma of Blood Moon pack. Son, cousin, brother and mate. Lost his life defending his Luna and his pack in an attack yesterday afternoon. Nick was loved beyond measure, and he was respected and honored by all who knew him. The job of a Gamma is one of a protector, and he took that job and title seriously. I had the pleasure of spending time with Nick during our investigation recently, and he was kind, professional and most of all loyal. He was funny in his own dry way, and when he spoke of the pack and his Alpha cousins, he beamed with pride.
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.