CHAPTER 21: ORTIZ'S DECEPTION

Beta Marcus frowned as we walked up to me. “Why did you just drag Councilman Ortiz’s daughter in there?”

“Councilman? Shit.” I exhaled sharply. “I’ll explain everything on the way to her father.”

Marcus nodded. “He’s usually at his second house this time of day. Claims it’s his ‘sacred nap time’—doesn’t like being disturbed.” He chuckled lightly.

“Well, he’s about to be very disturbed,” I muttered. “And he won’t like why.”

As we walked, I filled Marcus in. His reaction mirrored my Alphas’—“I shouldn’t have been so gentle,” he growled.

Once his anger settled, I shifted the conversation. “Tell me about yourself.”

Marcus shared that he had a younger sister, Silvia, ten years his junior. His mother had passed after Silvia’s birth, and now his sister was at Harvard, studying law to work under Luke. His father, a retired Beta, was his closest friend besides my mates. When the new Alphas took over, his father stepped aside, and Marcus assumed the role.

“If it’s not too personal,” I ventured carefully, “why didn’t your father challenge the old Alpha?”

Marcus’s jaw tightened. “He tried. Nearly died for it. Neo threatened to orphan us if he ever tried again. After that, he and Ortiz worked in secret to protect the pack. They were the only ones who cared.” His tone held a bitter edge.

“I didn’t mean to—”

“Not at you, Luna,” he cut in. “My anger’s for Neo and the Council who stood by.” I offered a small, understanding smile.

Ortiz’s cabin sat on the town’s edge—odd for a councilman. Marcus explained he kept a main house closer to town; this was his retreat.

Sounds like he needs to retire, I mused to Cece. She agreed.

We were thirty yards away when we heard the screaming. Crying.

We sprinted the remaining distance, not slowing at the front door. One kick sent it flying open. The sound led us down the right hallway—until an older man yanked the door open, fury in his voice.

“What the hell are you doing in my house?”

Marcus froze at the sight of the man in the doorway—then a desperate cry shattered his hesitation. His voice was pure fury. “Ortiz, what the hell are you doing?”

I didn’t stop to process. Shoving past the councilman, I found a naked young woman curled on the bed, her body mottled with bruises, her face streaked with tears. Rage burned through me. One sharp turn, one brutal punch—Ortiz crumpled to the floor, unconscious.

I mind-linked Luke immediately. Get to Ortiz’s second house. Now. He was raping a girl.

“Mi alma, are you sure it’s him? He’s a councilman,” Luke replied, skepticism thick in his voice.

Oh, I don’t know, I fired back, sarcasm dripping. Maybe the fact that Marcus yelled ‘Ortiz, what the hell are you doing?’ while standing in front of a sobbing, beaten woman in his bed was a clue.

“No, it can’t be. He’s always protected the pack—he wouldn’t do this. There has to be another explanation. Maybe he just found her…” Luke’s disbelief turned to outright defense.

So Marcus and I are both lying? My temper flared. People hide behind good reputations all the time, Luke. I’ve seen it before. I severed the link, furious. How dare he dismiss us—how dare he defend that monster?

Marcus paused mid-action and stepped out of the room. Luke must have been talking to him now.

I turned back to the girl, holding my hands up in what I hoped was a non-threatening gesture. My voice was soft, steady. “You’re safe now. I won’t let anyone hurt you again. Let me help you, okay?” I inched closer, repeating the words like a mantra, until I could finally drape a sheet over her trembling body.

The moment she was covered, she lunged into my arms, her sobs muffled against my shoulder. I held her tightly, rubbing slow circles on her back, careful of the bruises I couldn’t yet see.

As her cries began to quiet, Marcus murmured from the doorway, “Her name’s Tisha.” He stepped further back, giving her space.

Tisha pulled away, wiping her face with shaking hands. “Thank you… but how did you even know?” she whispered.

“We didn’t,” I admitted. “We came for Ortiz—but we heard you.” My gaze flicked over her bare shoulders. “Do you have clothes nearby?”

She shook her head. Without a word, Marcus vanished and returned moments later with a shirt and shorts. “These should fit,” he said, placing them on the bed before retreating again.

“Can you stay?” Tisha’s voice was small.

I nodded, turning my back as she dressed. When she told me it was safe to look, I asked, “Will you let Beta Marcus carry you to the hospital?”

Her breath hitched, panic flaring in her eyes. I rushed to reassure her. “I’ll be right beside you the entire time. Holding your hand if you need it. Doc just needs to make sure you’re okay.”

“Promise you won’t leave?” she begged.

“I promise. Even if I step away, you’ll always see me.” I gestured to Marcus, who waited in the doorway like a statue—calm, but ready.

“Only him,” Tisha finally agreed.

Marcus moved slowly, crouching slightly to meet her eye level. “I’ll need to lift you—one arm under your knees, one supporting your back. Is that alright?” At her nod, he scooped her up with unbearable gentleness, but she still whimpered in pain.

“Easy,” I warned. “She’s hurt everywhere.” His jaw clenched, but he kept his composure, cradling her as if she might shatter.

We hurried to the hospital, my mates catching up silently along the way. I relayed everything through the mind-link—no need to force Tisha to voice her horrors. Not yet.

When we got to the hospital, they took her into a room, and I stayed with her. Doc and one other male nurse entered, and Tisha started to get hysterical and cry.

I instructed all the males to follow me to the hall. While staying in her line of sight, I quietly told them she was attacked by a male, and Doc immediately called for female nurses and a doctor.

When Doc introduced me to Doctor Mila, I said, “Thank you for coming, Doctor. May I ask to stay in the room? She feels comfortable around me, and I promised I would stay in her line of sight. I promise to stay out of the way in the corner to not disturb you from doing your job.”

“Yes, it is better to have a person she trusts in the room after going through what she went through,” replied Doctor Mila in understanding.

Doctor Mila did an exam and went to take blood. The moment the needle glinted in the light, Tisha’s breath turned ragged. She jerked back, her wide eyes locked on the syringe in Doctor Mila’s hand.

“No—no, no, NO!” Her voice cracked as she shoved the nurse hard, scrambling out of the bed with a panicked sob.

I lunged between her and the door, catching her before she could bolt. She thrashed in my arms, fists slamming against my shoulders, nails raking deep gashes down my forearms.

Blood welled instantly, dripping in splatters onto the sterile floor.

I held tighter.

Her strikes weakened as exhaustion took over, her cries turning hoarse. I pressed my lips to her hair, murmuring against her temple, “Shhh, I’m right here. Just like I promised.” My voice stayed low, steady. “I know you’re scared. But Doc’s on your side—I’m on your side. Do you trust me?”

Beneath my hands, her trembling slowed. A ragged inhale. Then—ever so slightly—a nod.

Tisha met my gaze, and I softened my expression—the same gentle one I use with frightened children. Slowly, she began to relax, and after a moment, she gave a small nod.

“Thank you for trusting me,” I said. “I know this isn’t easy, and I don’t take that lightly. But I need to ask you for one more thing—let Doc run one more test. She just wants to check for infections or anything else that might slow your healing.” I kept my voice steady, careful not to alarm her further.

“She needs my blood,” Tisha whispered, a tear slipping down her cheek.

“Yes,” I admitted. “But I’ll be right here with you. I can hold your hand, talk to you—whatever helps.”

“Can we stay like this?” she asked quietly. “And… can you keep talking to me?”

“If that is what makes you most comfortable,” I said as she held her arm out. As Doc touched her, I felt her body tighten, and she was about to pull away.

I said the first thing that came to mind that would distract her.

“I had a daughter and a son,” I said, watching her eyes lock onto mine. The doctor and the needle no longer mattered—her body eased, so I kept going.

“Kelly, my daughter, was the kindest soul. Just being near her could mend your heart. She never put herself first—not once. One day, on our way to the store, she asked for a cheeseburger and fries, not for herself, but for the homeless man at the stoplight. She sat there for hours talking to him, telling him about school, her hobbies, anything to make him smile. Another time, a woman in front of us at the grocery store was having a breakdown—lost her debit card, toddler screaming. Kelly begged me for her allowance early just to help pay. It wasn’t enough, but she didn’t care. She just wanted to ease that woman’s burden.” My voice cracked as tears spilled over. “At the zoo, we always let them pick one toy to take home. That day, she chose a balloon. Her brother teased her, but then a little boy lost his, and before I could blink, she handed hers over. When I offered to buy another, she just smiled and said, ‘I already got a toy. I can wait for next time’ That was Kelly—always giving without a second thought.”

“And your son?” Tisha asked softly.

“Asher?” I smiled through my tears. “He was her shield. Fiercely loyal, with a heart just as big as hers. When Kelly got a new bike for her birthday, she didn’t want me or her dad to teach her—only Asher. Ten years older, and he never once acted like she was a burden. I’d watch from the window as he picked her up after every fall, murmuring encouragement. ‘You’re strong, you’re brave, you’ve got this.’ He was her rock.”

I swallowed hard. “He was like that with everyone. Once, at the park, I saw him stand up to older kids bullying a boy with disabilities. Asher didn’t hesitate—he left his friends to play with him instead, pushing him on the swings, making him laugh. That’s when I realized—Kelly got her selflessness and heart of gold from her brother.”

The pride swelled in my chest, sharp and aching.

“You used has, was and were. You’re talking about them in the past tense,” she whispered, tears glistening. “What happened? Where are they now?”

The truth was a blade I’d learned to carry. “A car accident,” I said, voice hollow. “Five years ago. My husband, too.”

A tear traced her cheek. “God, I’m so sorry. They sounded… incredible.”

“They were.” My throat tightened. “They made me want to be kinder, braver—better. But now?” A bitter laugh escaped me. “If they saw me today? They would be so disappointed in me. I haven’t been a good person since I lost them.”

Then, quickly, before anyone could say anything, I added, “But hey, Doc is done. Why don’t you go lay down while the lab staff does their thing? I am going to step outside to see about getting you some food, but don’t worry, I won’t leave your sight.”

“I got it, Luna. You can help Tisha get into bed to rest,” said Doctor Mila.

“Thank you,” Tisha said shyly to Doc. She was embarrassed by how she reacted, but honestly, I’ve seen worse.

I helped her back into bed and covered her up, and turned on the TV. After a few minutes, she started to doze off.

“Mi alma, we need to talk to her. Can we come in?” asked Luke.

She’s getting tired. Can it wait until she wakes up? I asked. I was still pissed at him, but we would discuss that later.

“It won’t take much time; then she can get some rest,” replied Luke. I knew they wanted answers, so I woke her up.

“The Alphas need to talk to you. Is it okay if they come in? I won’t leave your side,” I reassured her.

“Yes, but can only one come in? All four…” she started to tear up.

“Hey, if you only feel comfortable with one, then only one will come in. Do you feel more comfortable with one Alpha in particular?” She seemed to calm down the more I talked.

“Alpha Luke, he is always so kind to me when I see him around,” she said shyly.

She only feels comfortable talking to Luke. We will keep the link open so you can hear through us. I linked to all of them.

There was a knock on the open door frame. “May I come in?” asked Luke softly. I am the only person I have heard him be that soft with. I found it sweet that he didn’t want to scare her.

I looked at Tisha and told her to take her time. After a couple of minutes, she told him to come in.

He walked slowly towards us, and when she started to squirm, he stopped. He then asked her to share what she was comfortable sharing. It pulled at my heartstrings how gentle and understanding he was towards her. My anger started to melt away, just a little bit.

Tisha looked at me, and I nodded my head, telling her it was okay.

“I was out for a run with my wolf when we saw Councilman Ortiz walking, and he waved me over. I changed into a set of clothes that was stashed in a nearby tree and walked to him. He invited me inside and offered me something to drink. He asked how my family was and how my brother was doing in college. He was so nice, and then I started to feel dizzy. He asked if I was okay and if I needed to lay down. I said yes, then –” she stopped.

“It’s okay, Tisha, if you need to stop, we understand,” said Luke softly, like he was talking to a frightened child.

She took a few breaths, raised her head, and continued, “He took me to his room and began to undress me. He t-t-told me that h-h-he would take care of m-m-e. He also told me that if I told anyone, h-h-e would kill my brother and little sister. He… he…” she cried as she explained what happened, but she kept going.

I climbed onto the bed and sat next to her, then pulled her to me. My heart was breaking at her pain and tears. I had a few tears running down my own cheeks. This made me even more pissed at Luke for defending him.

“I was a virgin and waiting for my mate,” she said, “Who is going to want me now?” She started crying again.

“Your mate is a lucky man to have such a strong woman to love and cherish,” said Luke, “and if he says any different, then he is not a man; he is just a boy who doesn’t deserve you.” She gave him a small smile.

“What is going to happen to me?” she asked with a small voice.

“What do you mean?” I asked, confused.

“Well, am I in trouble?” she said, confused.

“Why would you be in trouble?” Luke asked, just as confused as I was.

“Councilman Ortiz said that no one should be out running after the attack and would be punished. I told him I didn’t know; otherwise, I would have asked Tashina, my wolf, to wait. It had been a while since we ran, and she was pushing to get out. That is one of the reasons I went inside with him. He said he wouldn’t tell anyone.”

“I think Ortiz said that to get you to come inside. Unless my mates forgot to share that with me, there was no such order,” I said, looking at Luke.

“No, my Luna,” calling me his Luna made my heart flutter. He continued without stopping, “We did not give such an order. Although that is a good idea that we will talk about it later.”

Then he looked at Tisha and talked to her. “You are not in trouble. I agree with my Luna. He used that as a way to trick you into coming inside.”

“I can’t believe Councilman Ortiz would do something like that. He was always nice and helped Beta Marcus’s dad take care of the pack behind Alpha Neo’s back. I knew Anastasia was cruel, but I thought she got that from her mom,” she mumbled.

“What do you mean by Anastasia?” I asked with a bit of a growl. She snapped her eyes to me and looked scared.

“I didn’t mean it, please –” she started to shake all over again.

I cut her off. “Tisha, I’m sorry, I am not angry with you. This is the second time I have heard about her… activities. Besides, how can we protect the pack if we don’t know what is going on?” I tried to use logic.

After a few seconds of looking between me and Luke, she said, “You’re right, Luna, you can’t. Okay, I will tell you what I know.” Tisha took a deep breath before continuing, “Anastasia walked around the pack, saying that she is going to be the future Luna. She bullies the Omegas in the pack house and some of us in the village. If we look at her, she will slap us, telling us we are not fit to look upon her beauty. If we mess up, she will beat us in areas that our clothes cover. I watched her pull a little boy around the back of a house. She was too rough, and it broke his arm. All because his ball splashed mud on her shoes. I honestly don’t think it was on purpose because she looked a little scared when she heard the break. She then told him that if he told anyone, she would come back and break the other arm.”

Luke quickly got up and left the room, which startled Tisha, and I reassured her that his anger was against Anastasia, not her.

I tried to take her mind off everything by talking about places she would like to visit. I told her that with my current job, I would travel a lot, and if I went to a place she would like to visit, I would tell her the dos and don’ts of each place until Tisha started to yawn. It was starting to get dark outside.

“Is it okay if I leave while you get some rest? I have a training session with a Cadet, but I can wait until you fall asleep. I will leave my phone number by the phone. If you need me, then give me a call, no matter what time it is, if you wake up.” She nodded her head.

I waited until she closed her eyes and fell asleep before I covered her up and went to leave.

Just as I reached the door, “Luna,” asked Tisha sleepily.

“Yes,” I replied, turning back to look at her.

“Your children would not be disappointed. You have done a lot of good things for people who owe you nothing… And you’re wrong. Kelly and Asher got their heart of gold and selflessness from you.” Then she fell into a deep sleep, and I left, closing the door on my way out.

It felt good to hear that, even though I didn’t believe it to be true.

It is time for Summers’s training again, and I really don’t want to go. I will be in the training yard with Summers if you need me. I linked my mates.

“We will always need you, mi alma. We can talk about Tisha and my wrongdoings when you are done. I will update my brothers in the meantime,” responded Luke.