***Chastity*** I watched as Alpha Rowen stepped up to the microphone. You could hear him clear his throat, and you could tell he was uncomfortable with whatever was about to happen next. After a minute of looking at the crowd, he spoke. “Good afternoon. I know it has been a long, and trying afternoon. With everything we have heard and seen, it has been highly emotional. I truly wish that this was the end of these proceedings, but sadly it is not. Unfortunately there are more parties involved in this situation, and for that reason we are not at our end yet. As we all know abuse, and neglect is illegal, as thoroughly established here today, but what of those who are complacent to abuse happening right under their noses. What of those who suspected abuse or maybe even saw signs of it, but ignored it, and turned a blind eye. Are they not just as guilty as the abusers for saying and doing nothing? Are they not as guilty for allowing it to happen, and not stopping it?” Alpha Rowen question
***Jax*** I quietly closed the door to Chastity’s room, and hung my head. I slowly shuffled toward my living room. Today had been harder than I ever expected. The things we learned were beyond anything I could have imagined. I still couldn’t process all of it. I knew most of what my mother had done, but what she did to Brinna. I just couldn’t wrap my head around it. How could she look any of us, especially my dad, in the face all these years knowing what she had done? It made me sick. She made me sick. She murdered someone, and gloated about it. My heart broke for Braxton. At least a little bit. He had been badly manipulated by a sick woman. He was also about to lose his mother. At the same time, his behavior, the things he said, I worried he suffered from what ever was wrong with Aurora. I guess time would tell what happened with him. What I did know is I could not stomach being anywhere near him at this point. I smelled my unwanted guests before I reached the living room. I wasn’
***Chastity*** My eyes popped open just as the sun started to peek through the curtains in my room. At first I was confused as to where I was, just like every morning recently. It took me a minute or two to realize I was in the bedroom Beta Jax set up for me. I stretched, and felt a little less pain than I had the day before. “Good morning Chastity.” Leila said as she stretched out in my mind. “Good morning Leila.” I responded. “Did you sleep well?” “I…yes I did.” “I hope so. I spent a lot of time working on healing you more last night. Your ribs are finally completely healed.” “Leila, you didn’t have to do that. You’ll wear yourself out.” “With all of the good food, and rest you’ve been getting, I have more energy to heal you. A few more days, and you’ll be good as new.” “Thank you Leila.” “You’re welcome. Now I’m going to get some rest. Maybe we’ll see mate today, and I want to make sure I’m all rested up for that.” “You silly wolf. I doubt we’ll see him today. The trial i
***Chastity*** We stood outside Braxton’s cell, and I looked him over. He was leaning against the wall behind his cot, knees bent, arms crossed over his knees, and head down on his arms. I could also smell his tears. My heart broke for him even more. I moved closer to the bars. “Br…Braxton.” I called softly, and his head snapped up. “Om….Chastity. What you doing here?” He snapped. “I…I came to talk to you.” I answered gently. “Why? Did you come here to gloat that your abusers have all been punished?” He growled. “Actually, not at all. I came because I was worried about you.” I responded. “Worried about me? Why?” He asked sounding confused. “Because for the last six years I have felt the way you’re probably feeling right now. Lost, confused, hurt, and alone.” “I don’t understand.” “How much do you know, and remember about me?” “Only than you’re an Omega, you’re older than me, your mom was Brinna, da…Beta Dimitri’s mate’s daughter.” “Can I tell you a bit of my story so maybe
***Chastity*** When we reached the pack hospital, Beta Jax led me to a room, and opened the door for me. He didn’t follow me in. Just closed the door behind me. I turned to see Beta Dimitri laying on his stomach on the hospital bed. He looked to be sleeping. I didn’t want to disturb him, so I turned to leave. I froze when I heard him speak. “Chastity? Chastity what are you doing here?” Beta Dimitri whispered. I turned back to face him. I studied his face for several minutes. Why did I come here? This male ignored me my whole life. Why was I even acknowledging him? I didn’t understand either, but something made me come here. “I…I don’t know.” I said quietly. “Did you want to come?” he questioned. “I…I think so, but I….I thought I would check on you. Now I’m not so sure. You never checked on me.” “I know. I failed you. I failed you horribly.” “You…you failed Braxton too.” “Braxton?” “He may not be yours, but you claimed him anyway. You were a father to him, and she hurt him. Ma
***Chastity*** I hadn’t thought I was ready for this, but I now knew I was. I didn’t believe in death like this, but she had done so many things. The biggest being murdering my mom. She needed to be punished for that. I also knew that if I was asked if I had anything to say, I knew that I did. I just needed to get up the courage to do so. The courtyard was very noisy. Everyone seemed to be talking amongst themselves. The whole time, Aurora stood there looking very smug. She looked like she thought she was getting out of paying the price for what she had done. It started to worry me that maybe Beta Dimitri had lied to me about them not changing their mind on her being punished. If they did, I would have to run away. I couldn’t keep living as I had been. The courtyard quieted down as soon as Alpha Joseph stepped onto the stage, and moved to the microphone. He didn’t say anything at first. He just seemed to look around at the crowd. He then turned back to all of us, and looked us each
***Chastity*** Over the next few days I have fallen into a bit of a routine. Each morning I got up, and made a large breakfast. Alpha Rowen, and Colby usually joined Molly, Beta Jax, and myself for breakfast. Of course they didn’t allow me to do the clean up. I spent the next several hours reading, or enjoying the quiet. Leila had done well to heal the rest of my wounds. I would have a quiet lunch by myself. In the afternoon I spent time at the pack hospital, sitting with those that are there, or talking to the nurses and doctors., as well as visiting Braxton a few times. Dinner was spent with at least Molly then I was off to bed. It’s during the hours alone in my bed that I remember. I remember my past. I remember the last 18 years of my life. I have started having nightmares. In those nightmares Aurora came to drag me out of bed, and into the dungeon. There I am beaten, and whipped by everyone in my life. I am screamed at. I am told how worthless I am. That I am a stain on everyone
***Chastity*** When I reached Braxton’s cell, the first thing I noticed was he looked terrible. His hair was greasy, he was pale, and he looked like he had lost weight. My heart went out to him. This had to be so hard for him. He was just a pup. He shouldn’t be stuck down here. At the same time, I understood why he was. “I’m not up for visitors.” I heard Braxton say from his position with his head in his lap. “I understand that, but I also brought you some things.” I called out quietly. “What?” he asked as he raised his head. “Blueberry filled croissants, bacon, clean clothes, and your school stuff. I thought I could help you, if you wanted.” “You…you didn’t have to do that.” “I know. I just….I just thought you might need this stuff. Well maybe not the food, but I thought you might like it.” “The blueberry are my favorite.” “I know. That’s why I always made extra.” “You did?” “Yup.” He moved toward the cell door as I slid the box of food through the opening in the door. He