One year Later
Pacing the floor of the surgery center, Ashley was rushed in for emergency C-sections during her routine appointment. The umbilical cord was wrapped around our son Javonte's neck. Javonte was our miracle baby. Ashley has been struggling to conceive; her thin uterus made it impossible to carry cubs to full term. It crushed mines and Ashley's hopes of having more children.The intense pain radiates throughout my body, making it hard to breathe. My body trembled. My hands were sweating; rubbing my palms down my jeans. I pulled my shirt over my face and wiped off the cold sweat that formed around my head. Why is it taking so long? My stomach twisted in knots the longer they were in the OR room."Something is wrong!" Majestic mumbled coming to the forefront.Peeking in the surgery windows, doctors scurrying around working on her. No sign that she delivered Javonte. There was a strong stench of blood. No, she cannot notJavonte POVThe triplets Levi Jr, Lillian, Latrell, and I were in the city shopping for our 18th birthday party. Lillian had a shopping addiction just like my aunty Libby. She made sure all our clothes coordinated with one another. We were primarily there to carry her bags while she shopped. After shopping for hours, we took a break at a nearby cafe to eat when we heard a female voice screaming."Help me, Help me. My house is on fire." This fine mocha chocolate girl ran up to us. Even in her distressed state, she was still beautiful. Taking action, Lillian called 9-1-1 and we followed her to her home. The house was engulfed in flames. The fire was worse than I expected. "My parents are still inside. Please help them." Shaking and screaming hysterically. Lillian held her back from running into that burning inferno.Finding an opening, I rushed in. I covered my mouth and stooped low to the floor; listening for any noise. Wandering around the first, I saw two bodies lying in the bathro
Louis POV "Mom, where are you? '' I searched the house for my mother. All I could hear were muffled screams. I knew it was my mother screaming and crying for help. As I walked downstairs, the screams became louder. I ran outside, only to witness my mother fighting for her life. Her wolf was injured so severely that she was forced to return to her human form. The rogues dragged my mother through the dirt, ripping off her arm; another grabbed her legs, slinging her into the car. She sat up against the car, blood coming from everywhere, when a rogue rammed into her body, biting into her neck and ripping out her throat. I was so scared that I stood there and watched my mother die.My father, Grey, rushed outside to see my mother lying lifeless on the ground. A terrifying howl left out his mouth, and the look on his face was scary. Failure was not an option within our territory. Being so young, I didn't know what a rogue was, but I knew that killing my mother was not a good thing.
Grey POV Seeing my wife's body torn to pieces in the yard, something inside me snapped along with the bond. I let the rage and adrenaline push me toward the rogue in wolf form. "I can smell them. They are straight ahead. Those assholes will pay for killing my wife," my wolf Derrick said. I push my body harder. Once I caught up to the rouges, they tried attacking me. The first rogue lunged for me, but I easily dodged the attack by kicking it in the stomach. The second rogue tore into my right side as the third awaited his chance to attack. While the second sank his teeth into my side. I forced myself to return to my human form for a better advantage in this fight. I snatched his head back, punching it in the chest and ripping its heart out as I watched his body fall limp to the ground. The first rogue jumped on my back, biting into my shoulder. I fell to the ground, rolling on my back to get him off me. While on the grass, I constantly punch it in the face. I snapped the rog
Louis POV I hated going home to my drunk father and his crazy wolf. You never knew which of them was in control until you saw his eyes. Derrick was ruthless and dangerous. I knew I had to beware of him. On a hot summer night, Libby went to Alexis' house for a sleepover; after returning home, I came face to face with my father, furious wolf Derrick, who punched me in the face. I already had mentally prepared myself for the attack, but it didn't hurt any less. I tried pleading with Derrick to stop hitting me; however, he was relentless. I prayed to my mother to send someone to rescue me, and Beta Anthony came running to the packhouse. He stepped in between us during the attack. By the time Anthony got him to calm down enough, Derrick had covered our bodies in gashes. Anthony's wolf Tony was healing his cut; however, I was bleeding profusely. My cut was down to the bone. Anthony had to rush me to the hospital for stitches.If it weren't for Beta Anthony stopping him, he pro
Louis POV It's been five years since my mother passed away. During that time frame, my father became the most feared Alpha. It wasn't my father they were scared of, but his wolf Derrick. Derrick was someone who would kill first and ask questions later. Derrick ran a strict community. My father's excessive drinking habit gave Derrick ultimate control, whereas my father struggled to contain him. Derrick kept his word to my father; Derrick would hit me regularly in places where my clothes would hide the bruises and scars; he continued emotionally and physically manipulating me to get his way. I've been living in fear, repeatedly taking the brute of Derrick's anger to protect Libby; even though he has never hit Libby, he has this look of resentment when he looks at her. Libby is a constant reminder of our mother. Beta Anthony became our second father. He took over my father's position in our school activities, and he treated us with the love and care we craved from
Grey POV I woke up this morning in a better mood than I have been in a long time. I decided to listen to my therapist and take some antidepressants. I needed to change my life and return to my children's lives. I was spending extra time on my appearance before my children arrived from home camp. I miss hanging out with my little girl. Well, she's not so little anymore. Where has the time gone? Just yesterday, she was ten years old, it seems like. I was sitting on my bed, trying to think about her birthday party, struggling to remember one party."You have been drunk the majority of the time. I'm surprised you still know you have children," Derrick laughed at me. "I'm not that bad of a father," I refuted his claim."If you say so," as he returned to the back of my mind. As I stood on Beta Anthony's porch, I could hear them talking about camp. The joy in their voice was infectious. Before knocking on the door, I heard Libby say she learned the meaning of being a Luna, a
Louis POV My father excused himself from the table and went to lie down. Once the coast was clear, we all started discussing what had happened."Someone pinch me. Did my father actually say something nice to me? I must be dreaming." Nobody could believe my father complimented me. My father must have a mental disorder and it was starting to freak me out. My mind was uneasy with my father behaving this way. I visited Beta Anthony to see what had happened with my father while I was at camp."Alpha went to therapy a few times, and the doctor prescribed some medicine. The medication is effective if it is taken at the same time every day. I don't know how long he's been on the medicine or how effective it is with his fits of rage. Just be careful, is all I ask Louis." Beta Anthony inform me."Ok, I understand. I'll try to keep an eye for his mood changes and get out of the way before Derrick takes control." After talking to Beta Anthony, I had a better understanding of wha
Louis POV"Son, are you awake? Our appointment is in twenty minutes." I rolled over to see it was after ten in the morning. I have never slept that late. I guess I was extremely exhausted last night. "Give me a few minutes to take care of my hygiene." I got out of bed and rummaged through my drawers to find a pair of basketball shorts and a tee shirt. It took me ten minutes to get ready. Running downstairs, snatching a piece of fruit off the table as we walked out the door. We arrived at the barbershop right on time. "Good morning, Alphas," the barber said as we entered. My father looked confused, as if another Alpha was on his territory without permission. "He's not an Alpha," my father corrected, glaring at me. The barber turned his neck in submission."My apologies, Alpha and Louis. What can I help you with this morning?" No one wanted to piss my father off. The pack members avoided confrontation at all costs."I just want a shape-up, and my curl turned into coils," I described