Making amends

Joel P.O.V. 

Leaving my parents and sister behind was a bigger relief than I had imagined. Josie is a piece of work, and our parents enable her craziness by telling her she can do nothing wrong and everyone else is always to blame for her faults. I seriously have no idea what they get out of it, or if they just are that stupid, but I knew from the beginning who was good in that home and who wasn’t. I tried to protect Hazel in the shadows. I know I should have done more, but I tried to bide our time so we could leave together. It hurt the night she vanished. I knew what had happened as it was pretty clear from the bragging of our parents and Josie. They had driven the only good person in my life away, and they expected me to be thrilled about it. 

I never willingly participated in any of their schemes or bullying, but I had to be a silent bystander for some things that haunted me for a long time afterwards. 

The packhouse comes into view and River is waiting outside for me. He sees the duffle bag and nods, turning on his heel and walking inside.

“You did it then.” He says over his shoulder. River may be the Gamma, but we have been friends for years. He is one of the head trainers, and quickly learned that I was vastly different from my entire, not including gran and Hazel, family. 

“I can’t stay there. Especially not with my sister back.” River stops, turns and raises an eyebrow. 

“She seems to be under the impression that Alpha is in league with Josie.” He says. His face is perfectly blank, but I can see the turmoil in his eyes. River is a guard dog to any of his friends, and if Hazel has spoken ill of Alpha Grady with him present, he will not have taken it lightly. 

“Can you seriously blame her, Gamma? She saw Josie all over Alpha, naked might I add, on her 18th birthday, in the very spot where the same man had asked her to come meet him. Josie has done nothing to correct that mistake. Even you ranked people in this packhouse must know the rumors about Josie being close to being chosen as Luna?” A growl from behind me makes me freeze.

“She is not ever going to be my Luna!” Alpha states, coming around to glare at me. “What are you doing at the packhouse Mr Dalton?” River jumps in before I can get a word out. 

“He is seeking a place to stay, Alpha. Joel is different from the rest of them, and has no intention to harm your mate or her friend. He has been working against Josie all this time.” 

“You trust him?” Alpha asks, his eyes never leaving mine. I swallow as River’s eyes sweep over me quickly. 

“Yes I do. He would never put Hazel in danger, Grady. He could be of help.” Alpha nods, turning and walking away without acknowledging me any further. River lets out a breath and leads me to a room on the first floor. 

After I’ve unpacked my bag, I’m contemplating what to do now. I really want to speak to my sister, but I’m not sure she would want to see me? 

‘You don’t know if you don’t try. Her wolf recognizes us as an ally if it helps.’ Bailey my wolf says. He has been quiet through all of this. He has never liked Josie or our parents, loathing the fact they forced us to become a warrior for the pack, when what we really wanted to do was work with tech. I’m quite good, and they don’t know I’m taking my degree in coding and computer science as a remote student. It’s one of the things River has been helping me with - extra training lessons on the days I have class. I shrug to myself and leave the room, heading out of the packhouse and on the familiar trail to the old mansion. 

Packmembers greet me cautiously or over enthusiastically depending on their nature. I mostly just wave with a smile, trying to calm my nerves. If Hazel is not ready to see me that is alright, but it would be nice to talk to her. Maybe she will even allow me to meet my niece? She looked absolutely radiant when they walked past us earlier. Mom and dad were pissed when we got home, but I secretly gloated. Hazel was different, but not in a bad way, and her friend is clearly a good one! 

Suddenly I have to jump into the bushes as Rebecca and Josie walk towards where I was just as second ago. They have their heads together, which is never a good sign. I can’t figure out if they are really friends or if they are using one another for their benefits. They walk past my hiding, whispering about Hazel and something about getting rid of her. I can’t hear clearly, but I know I have to warn her nonetheless.

Knock knock 

I dry my sweaty palms on my jeans, and roll my neck. The door opens and Mina gives me a small smile. She’s a pretty woman with dimples when she smiles and gorgeous blue eyes. 

“Mr Dalton. How can I be of help?” She asks, clearly not surprised to see me. I guess Ethel already told them she told me what happened earlier. Ethel is my friend and has been for years as well. She is the Head Omega or Head Maid of the household and my gran’s ears and eyes when she got too sick to go out. We got very close over the years, and even more so when Hazel ran away. I sincerely tried to find her, and when I finally did I asked Ethel what to do with the information - that was the day I learned they already knew where she was and had kept it a secret from everyone. Myself included. My respect for the old women in that house rose tenfold. 

“Would you kindly ask Miss Dalton if she would grant me a visit?” I ask, clasping my hands on my back. Mina turns around, but she doesn’t move from the door. I frown slightly, opening my mouth to ask what’s the matter when my sister appears besides the woman. 

“What are you doing here Joel?” She asks, and I can hear the uncertainty in her voice. The slight quivering, the undertone of a hope she almost does not allow herself to have. 

“I really hoped we could talk.” I look around her and see her friend hovering in the background. “Your friend can be there as well. Maybe I could even meet my niece?” Hazel frowns. 

“Why?” 

“Because we need to talk, sister. And I need to explain a whole lot of things. If you are not ready I will of course respect that and come again some other time, but knowing Josie, time is something that’s limited.” I sigh. “I never felt like them! Never hated you, never wanted you gone. I want to apologize and ask forgiveness. You don’t deserve their treatment. Never have. I’m sorry I didn’t, couldn’t, do more.” Hazel hesitates, but then she moves aside and gestures me inside. My heart is pounding wildly in my chest as I walk over the threshold and she closes the door.

“Kaia stays at all times, and you do not interact with Lily unless she initiates it.” Hazel says, leading the way into the living room where the girl is clearly enjoying her play time on the floor. 

“Of course! Nice to officially meet you Kaia, my name is Joel and I am Hazel’s little brother.” I introduce myself as we sit down opposite each other. Kaia gives me a curt nod, but keeps her eyes guarded and cold as she takes me in. I sigh. This is going to take some serious admissions on my part.