by Belle Harper
I tilted my head to see my uncles; they were all that was left of pack Russet. Uncle T just glared at me. I took a step forward towards him, my wolf wanting to rip his throat out. Galen tried to stop me, but I pushed past him, until I was standing a foot away from all my uncles. I growled at them and bared my teeth at him. They all just sat there frozen, unable to touch me. Ever again. I stood above Uncle T, as he had done so many times to me.
“Where did you bury my mother? My father?” I knew he had killed him too, but I wanted to know where my mother was buried, I never got that answer as a child and I needed to know it now. Uncle T growled loudly, baring his teeth. He tried to stand up, but whatever Tobias was doing kept him on the grass.
“Where. Is. She?” I growled back, I had no time for his games anymore. I was vibrating, so close to shifting. How would he feel if I bit him? I injected him with my venom over and over. Rip through his skin, over and over until it was scarred. My wolf wanted nothing more than to tear through his flesh. Kill him. But he deserved a slow, painful death. Anything quicker would be too good for him.
“Your mother was a whore.” He spat at my bare feet. I started to shake. My wolf coming to the surface. They took the one thing that was important to me as a child. They tried to break me, over and over. Then they came back and tried again to break me again.
But now... now I will break them all.
Chapter Six
Maverick
I had never seen Rafferty this angry. He was struggling to hold it together, and his asshole of an uncle wouldn’t tell him. Would answer the question that had us all wanting to know the answer too. Where did he bury his mother?
I know the pain and loss of losing your mother. But I had never asked Rafferty, never even thought about the fact his mother was dead and that was why he was in the system. I never spoke to him about it.
My father walked over and stood beside Rafferty. He held his shoulder as he looked down at the pathetic pack in front of him.
“Where did you bury his mother?” his voice calm yet demanding. There was silence as we all waited to see if this piece of shit would do one thing right in his life. But when he spat at my father's feet, I knew Rafferty wouldn’t get the answer he was looking for, and that hurt me. He was my packmate. He was my family and to see him hurting this bad... fuck.
“Rose bushes.” Everyone turned to Tobias. What? Rose bushes?
“You fucking asshole,” the alpha of Russet spat out.
“You buried my mom under the rose bushes?” Rafferty asked, he was more in control now. As his uncle seethed.
When his uncle didn’t say anything more Tobias spoke up.
“Your mother was... cremated. Her ashes were spread over her rose garden.” I let out a shuddering breath. He was reading his thoughts. Tobias knew what he was thinking. Holy crap, that was so... oh fuck. When Galen looked to me I knew what he was thinking. That this whole time Tobias was reading all our thoughts. He could read my thoughts anytime.
“Your father, he didn’t get the same burial. I am sorry.” Tobias seemed upset by this as much as I was. Mother fucking assholes. If I had a vote, I vote to kill them all. Kill them now so I could go back to my life before all this, but the one with Lexi in it. Where she kisses me. And understands me in ways I didn’t understand myself.
I wish I was the one that was holding her when father dismissed Ranger. I could see the look on his face when he wasn’t asked to stay. I wanted to show father that Ranger wasn’t a screw-up; he was always treating him like he was. It upset me. Yeah, Ranger was a bit more reckless than the rest of us, but since Lexi came along, he had really grown up. He wasn’t acting up and messing around. It was like having a mate grounded him.
Father led Rafferty back over to where I was. Fuck, he looked like shit. I met him halfway and wrapped my arms around him. Raff needed us, and I wanted him to know we were here for him. Whatever he chose for his uncles. I had a feeling whichever way Rafferty voted my father would agree, even if he was outvoted by the other alphas. I pulled back and gave him a bit of breathing room.
“You don’t have to vote, son. You can walk inside now and we will take care of all of this. Or you can stay if you want.” I could see the wheels turning over in Raff’s head. This was huge, and I didn’t even know if I wanted to stay for it.
“But I would prefer you go and be with Alexis. Make sure she is safe. That is very important to me.” My father knew how to speak to Raff, he was the alpha. But he was also compassionate and caring. That was why he was so good at what he did. That was the type of leader you needed in a pack. Raff turned his head back to where his uncle sat among the others. He let out a shaky breath. You could see his body almost sag as he said to my father, “I vote yes.” And with that he hung his head, his hair falling into his face as he started to walk towards the house. I watched him, his feet almost dragging him there like at any moment he would fall down in exhaustion. I felt the same way.
“Maverick,” my father nudged me with his shoulder and tilted his head to Raff. Galen nodded at me to go. He couldn’t leave here; he had minds to compel. I jogged after Raff, unsure if he wanted to talk to me. Or if we were just going straight to Lexi. So I didn’t say anything, I just made sure he knew I was there for him.
When we got inside the house it was filled with so many shifters. Raff froze and looked around. A few of them stopped and looked to us. Even that made my wolf rise. I didn’t like being the center of attention; I preferred to be on the sidelines, and I think Raff did too. I grabbed his shoulder and led him to the stairs.
“Let’s go to Lexi. She needs us.” I wasn’t sure she did need us, but it made his footsteps faster as we made it down the hall. I could smell her; she was in her room. I opened the door and found her room empty.
“Lexi?” I could hear the fear in Raff’s voice. Shit, where was Ranger?
“Shh, in here.” Both our heads turned to the closet. She was in the closet? Like she was when she first moved in? This wasn’t good.
We entered and saw a huge pile of blankets and pillows and... “Josh?”
Ranger put his finger to his lips to tell us to be quiet. I didn’t mean to be loud; it was just. I guess I didn’t expect to find him in here. But it made sense. They might not be blood related, but that was her little brother and she was very protective of him. That made him my little brother. Ranger threw some boxershorts at us both, so we could be covered. I was still covered in blood, mud and dirt, but I didn’t want to shower. I was just too tired and didn’t want to spend another minute away from Lexi.
“She asked for Josh when we got up here, she made me go down and get him. She was in a panic that he wasn’t safe. Grayson said Josh was scared and kept calling out for her. So, I told him I would take care of Josh, that he could stay with us while him and Jack helped out downstairs. But when I got back, she had made her little blanket fort in here... again.” I could tell by the way he said “again,” it worried him just as much as it worried me when I came in here. He still blamed himself for the first time she built one, when he told father that she was his mate and he moved her here by force.
“It’s okay, it will be okay, Ranger.” I hugged my brother. Something we didn’t normally do, but after last night I wanted to hug him. Hug all my brothers. I wanted to make sure he knew that this was fine, it was just a little step back, maybe Lexi felt safer in here. It was small and cozy. And others had been staying in her room. Maybe he should have taken her back to Galen’s house. We had spent more time there than in here. But then this house was full of our pack, I felt safer here.
Raff had made himself small and placed himself against Lexi’s back, holding her gently so not to wake her. I moved in, I placed myself closer to her legs and held her. She made a sweet sound as Ranger placed himself back against the wall beside Josh. He stroked Lexi’s hair and when Josh started to stir he rubbed his back and made shushing sounds until he stopped.
Ranger looked exhausted, Raff had fallen asleep as his head hit the pillow. I could h
ear him softly snoring. My eyes felt gritty, and my mind was starting to shut down. I didn’t want to fall asleep. I wanted to wait for Galen. I needed him here, we all needed to be together right now.
“Ranger, you can sleep.” He looked down at Lexi. Her sweet lips were parted as she breathed softly. She looked so peaceful as she slept. Not the sassy mouthed beauty she was when awake.
“I will wait for Galen. You sleep. I want to make sure Josh is okay. I am worried about him. He saw so much, and he keeps waking.” I nodded. Galen would know what to do. He will help Josh, Lexi... all of us.
Chapter Seven
Lexi
I felt rested, like I had slept a hundred hours and I was feeling myself again. I rolled over and something touched my face. A hand? Fingers. “Ugh.” It poked my eye. I rolled as much as I could away into a hard body, I felt a hand come over my hip and hold me tightly. I opened my eyes. One was slightly unfocused where it had been poked. But I looked down and saw a beautiful sight. In front of me laid my dark-haired Joshy. His mouth slightly parted as he made the softest sounds. A large hand was on his shoulder. I followed it up and saw it was Ranger. His back against the wall, but his head was lolled to the side as his chest rose and fell.
I brushed some of Josh’s hair back, and his lips turned up in a small smile. He looked peaceful, so cute with him sleeping here beside me. I pulled him in closer. He made a funny sound but stopped when I hugged him. Ranger’s hand had slid from Josh and I watched it as it tapped around on the ground until it landed back on Josh’s back. My heart felt like it was going to explode as I watched a sleeping Ranger rubbing josh and comforting him. Even while sleeping.
I felt a tug around my waist. It was Raff was sleeping behind me, I knew that body anywhere. My big spoon, Raff. I looked down and saw Maverick had his head on Galen’s lap, and he was draped over my legs, pinning me down. The weight was welcoming. Like a comforting blanket.
The only one not sleeping was Galen. He stroked Maverick’s hair like I had just done for Josh. I felt a flutter deep in my belly. This scene before me, after everything that had happened. This was my family. My mates, my little brother. I felt so loved in this moment. More than I ever had with them all. The events from last night will changed us forever. But I hope it didn’t change what we all had.
I loved how Josh was so trusting of them all, sleeping so softly. He was always so afraid of them all. I think Maverick scared him the most. But as I looked down, Maverick was actually holding onto Josh’s ankle. I wonder if he had bad dreams, I hoped not. I didn’t think I’d dreamt at all while I slept.
I reached down and stroked Raff’s hand on my waist, I could hear him murmur something, it made me smile. I wiggled my toes and Galen reached out and held them in his fingers.
“Good morning,” he whispered as he smiled, his curls falling into his eyes. I grinned back. God, he was beautiful. My throat felt dry, and I was suddenly thirsty. Morning? It was still so early, but I felt like I slept so well.
“Do you want me to help you get up?” Galen asked, shifting Maverick’s head in his lap slightly, which only had Maverick holding onto my legs tighter. He didn’t want to be moved, obviously.
“Water?” It was hot in the closet with everyone in here. When I made the blanket fort I just needed to feel secure. It was small and safe in here, and after the night we had, it just felt right to be in here. I felt like I could breathe better in a small space. Protected from the outside world.
I watched as Galen tried to move Maverick again, but when his eyes opened and looked up at Galen, his hand shot out and held onto his sweater. Galen licked his lips as he gazed down at Maverick. They held each other’s gaze for a moment before Maverick blinked and looked around the room. He sat up and scratched the back of his head. So much love between them. But the confusion in Maverick’s face was still there. I wish I could help him. But there was only so much I could do. The rest would fall into place over time. Maverick smirked as he sat up and moved closer to me.
Galen must have showered and changed, I only noticed now that he was dressed in fresh clothes. Sweater and dark jeans.
“It’s okay, don’t leave. I will be fine.” I didn’t want Galen to leave. I think it was best we all stayed together for now. Galen looked over to me as he tilted his head.
“Someone will get us some water. I think Jack is here to pick up Josh.” I pulled Josh a little too tightly to my chest, and he made a sound as I accidentaly woke him up.
“I’m sorry, shhh you can go back to sleep. I got you.” I rocked him in my arms as I kissed the top of his head. He closed his eyes and wrapped his arms around me.
“Lexi, I love you.” My heart just about exploded right there. My little Josh.
“I love you, Joshy.”
I could see now everyone had woken up, I peered back at Raff behind me, down to Maverick, over to Ranger and finally settling on Galen as I held Josh close. Now that we all were awake, I could feel the tension in the air. We hadn’t talked about what I did. What had all happened and now I could feel it... like the elephant in the room. And this was a small room.
There was a knock at the bedroom door and I heard it open before anyone said to come in. There was a chuckle, then a loud banging sound and someone groaned like they were hurt. We all looked to the closet door.
“Cupcake!” Jett appeared with his arms full of bottled water, a huge grin on his face as he stopped and took us all in. Ranger growled lowly. I rolled my eyes. Really? Of all the days. Jett winked at me as he came in and handed the bottles out. Mekhi was right behind him. He shook his head and smiled at me. Saint appeared next, a funny grin on his face. I guess they were all in a good mood.
“Sorry Lexi, Jett just can't help himself.” Mekhi lightly punched Jett in the arm and he let out a mock whine, “ouch.” I felt Josh tense up beside me at this, and I heard him gasp. Jett looked over to us, his eyebrow cocked slightly. He then proceeded to fall to the floor as if it was some huge hit Mekhi just gave him. He rolled over onto his back and grabbed his chest. “Why do you hurt me, all I want to do is...tickle you.” Jett jumped up with a funny grin on his face and Josh’s whole body pressed against me tightly.
Jett started to tickle a very surprised Mekhi. I watched as Mekhi’s eyebrows rose and he tried to dodge Jett. He was doing a great job at faking the whole thing. A huge grin on his face the whole time.
The giggles that came from Josh were infections and I started laughing. Jett knew how to break the ice as such. How to make people feel comfortable around him. I was happy to be here in this moment with Josh, ignoring everything that had happened. Like everything was okay, and we didn’t just go to hell and back.
“Jett is the tickle monster. I wonder if he can spot anyone else needing tickles?” Maverick said as he sat up on his knees and looked over to Josh. Josh froze up and held me tighter, his eyes widening like he was scared what Maverick just said. I knew he was still not comfortable with most of them. But he just slept in here with me and my mates, I really wanted him to feel comfortable with them. Maverick could sense his hesitation, and a sly grin formed on his face as he winked.
“I think Galen needs tickles... what do you think Josh.” I felt Josh move a little away from me. He was ready to see this. Galen gave Maverick a look like someone threw him under a bus, I wonder when the last time he was tickled. I laughed as Galen put his hands up to Jett. Shaking his head no. But I could see by the hint of a smile there that Galen was happy to play along and Jett dived in. I could now see Jack standing in the doorway. He had a smile on his face as he watched Josh’s face light up and squeal with laughter again.
“Help me, I need more tickle monsters. Vampires need lots of tickles.” Jett looked over to Josh. He stopped laughing for a moment before he looked up at me.
“Oh, you need to get him little tickle monster.” I tickled his sides, and he giggled. Josh crawled closer and Jett stopped for a moment. Galen smiled up at Josh.
“Oh, no... another tickle monster.” Galen p
ut on a funny voice and Josh dived in, tickling Galen under his chin, and he chuckled and laughed at the little attempts Josh made to tickle him. Which just had Josh laughing too...
“Oh no... I have turned into the tickle monster too.” I reached around Josh and started tickling Galen, then Josh. My chest felt lighter and the whole atmosphere in the small room felt better. Josh was so happy to have tickled Galen so good. He kept telling us he was the best at tickling vampires. All the boys were high fiving him and agreeing he was the best. The look on his little face was priceless. I got up and hugged Jack. I took a deep breath as he stroked my back.
“My little fighter. My girl. I love you so much.” And that’s all it took for the tears to start. Happy tears, not sad tears. Jack rubbed my back and told me everything would be good now. I didn’t know if it was going to be, but I knew I would do anything to keep my family happy... safe.
“Come on, Josh. Your sister here needs to get ready for the day. Let’s go home and see if Grayson has made us cupcakes?” Josh smiled and launched himself at me into a tight hug.
“You will come home soon?” His little eyes pleading with me. I cupped his cheek in my palm.
“I will come and watch cartoons with you very soon. I promise.” He nodded, and I waved as they both left. I turned to see Jett with a funny grin spread across his face, Mekhi pulling him away from the room. Saint shook his head and shoved Jett from the door just as I heard him call out.
“Have fun... cupcake.” I rolled my eyes. Jett was such a shit stirrer, but right now I was thankful that he was. I wasn’t overthinking everything, and I felt better. Lighter. Happier.
Chapter Eight
Lexi
I reached my arms above my head and stretched my back. Sleeping on the floor was uncomfortable. I noticed the guys were just wearing underwear, some still had dried mud on them. I looked down at my feet and they were still covered in dirt. The only one who had showered and dressed was Galen, I smiled at him as he watched me assessing myself. I loved that army-green knitted sweater he wore. Reminded me of the day, he knocked on the bathroom door and surprised me by handing me a bag of tampons and chocolate bars. That was so odd, at the time. But so sweet. My stomach rumbled at the thought of chocolate and I pressed my hand to stop the rumbling.