Friday July 20th, 2018; 9pm
(Cole’s POV)
I wake suddenly with a gasp, nearly falling from my seat as the smooth black top road turns into the crunchy vibrations of a graveled roadway. I blink several times, clearing my eyes enough to see the sign, ‘Welcome to White Ridge, A Gated Community’.
“Wait,” I suddenly gasp in a panic. “We’re supposed to be going to the Black Moon pack.”
“Easy there, Cole. Everything is okay.” Jamie’s voice is calm but assertive as he tries to break through my increasing panic.
“No it’s not okay. We’re not supposed to be here.” I try to convince him.
“No Cole. Delta Ashman explained that the council changed the arrangements. Members of our pack are here so your father asked that they pick us up and the council agreed.”
“That means he’s not going to pick us up until the rest get sent home. He won’t pick up just two wolves.”
I’m really starting to panic as the Ativan has worn off and I fully realize what is happening.
“This was discussed before you left Crimson Dawn. The only details I was given was to transport you to our pack.”
The delta in the front seat of the van comments. I quiet my comments as my unease with the situation grows. I remember the conversation between alpha and this delta from a different pack than what was planned and I’m struggling to place my sudden unease about the situation.
While I was fine with the arrangements on Alpha Black’s territory now that I’m here my instincts are screaming that everything is wrong about this transfer. Delta Ashman slowly comes to a stop in front of a large apartment complex consisting of three buildings, each four stories high but the lack of outdoor lighting and the darkness of night completely swallows all details of the territory. Delta exits the van quickly, opening the back before making his way over to the passenger doors. He throws them open in a display of aggressiveness much harsher than what he had shown while on Alpha Black’s territory causing me even more unease. Jamie wraps his arms around me as the classic wheeze of an asthma attack starts and I know I’m going to be in for a bad ride with it being panic induced.
“I trust the ride here was uneventful?”
Another voice speaks just outside the door.
“There was a little delay in getting started but once in the van they seemed to settle nicely. With the one’s reaction to being here there might be some difficulties getting them out of the van.”
“Why do you think that?”
The new voice has become gruff and impatient.
“Come on boys, I don’t have all night.” He yells impatiently making it that much harder for me to move.
“I’ve never seen so much stuff packed for two men.”
He growls as he starts pulling our things from the back and tossing them onto the pavement in front of the apartment building.
“Get out!” He yells as he passes by the door.
I can’t hold back and yelp in response to his growing impatience.
“Come on Cole, we need to get out.”
Jamie states firmly with a hint of nervousness.
“What’s going on with them?” The second voice speaks again.
“The one that has anxiety issues is claiming they shouldn’t be here. The situation was explained to them before they got in.”
“Were they told that they were last minute additions to the run?”
“No Alpha Whiteman, that information was not given to me.”
Even though his response towards his alpha is calmer it’s the last piece for my already crumbling mind.
“No!” I can’t help but choke on my shout as everything starts getting worse.
I fight Jamie’s hold on me as my mind starts swimming with negativity. I have never been out of the territory longer than six months and there’s no telling how long I’ll be away if what I heard from Alpha Whiteman is correct.
“Let me handle this alpha. We both know that you don’t deal with health issues easily.”
A much kinder voice breaks through the massive haze I’ve gone into.
“You’re right about that. I’m turning in for the night. I’ll call Alpha Redmen in the morning to get some clarity on the situation.”
“They seem close. Do we have any two bed apartments left?”
“Yes Beta Greene, 12B on the first floor is available.”
A female’s voice becomes apparent.
“Start taking their stuff to the apartment. It sounds like one of them is having an asthma attack. When I get them out of the van, I need you to show the one that’s doing okay to the room while I have the other checked by the doctor.”
“Yes sir.” She speaks as I hear a set of footsteps approaching the door.
I’m shocked but don’t move from Jamie’s hold as I feel someone climb into the van, sitting in the seat behind us.
“The two of you seem quite close but you’re a little young to be on your second chance mate.”
“We’re not fated mates, sir.” Jamie starts to explain quietly. “I am his fated beta.”
“That explains a lot more than my assumption. I need the two of you to exit the van and I need the young alpha here, to follow me to the clinic. We need to get this asthma attack under control before we meet with the council. This level of fear over being in the wrong place isn’t normal.”
“No!” I choke on my yell as my lungs constrict even more. “No…. council…. Tests…. painful…. Just…. need…. neb…. neb….”
I’m panting hard as I spiral, there is something about being here that just isn’t right.
“Slow down Alpha Redmen, I’m struggling to understand you.”
“He fears the council getting involved. They only make things worse when he gets home. All he wants is a nebulizer treatment and to return to Crimson Dawn. He’s afraid that his father has lied to Alpha Whiteman as a means of abandoning us here until the rest of the pack is sent home.”
“I’m sorry to hear that you haven’t had the experience with the council that you should. I can honor your request not to involve them and most definitely get you to the clinic for a nebulizer treatment but returning you to Crimson Dawn may be difficult to do. What’s your name, beta?”
“I’m Jamison Williams but everyone calls me Jamie.”
“Okay Beta Jamie, can you help get your alpha friend out of the van?”
“Does everyone get called by their rank? Cole really hates being an alpha.” Jamie states sadly.
“Yes. Alpha Whiteman is a very formal alpha and expects the same from everyone else. The only choices visitors have are being called by either their first or last name. It’s important to get moving before Delta Ashman has an aneurysm. Now that he’s finished unloading the van he’ll be looking to move it to the garage.”
“Yes sir.”
Jamie confirms the command while all I can do is nod before putting all my effort into letting Jamie go. It takes everything I have to move my body across the seat, towards the door. I fall backwards in the door of the van, sitting on the floor as I wheeze heavily.
I can see Jamie waiting patiently for me to recover standing in front of me when I feel a pair of hands under my arms attempting to lift me. I yelp and scream from his touch as I attempt to run. Fortunately, I simply run into Jamie who immediately restrains me lightly, talking to me gently as I try to convince myself that nothing negative has happened. “Let’s get you moving towards the clinic. Jamie can come until we get you seated but Dr. Moore is a stickler for the rules. He’s not going to allow Jamie to stay. I’m sorry Alpha Cole, but that’s the best I can do.” I nod my head as Jamie changes position, wrapping his arm under mine and across my back. He syncs his speed to mine easily and we slowly make our way across the field to a small building positioned about ten feet away from a much larger and taller building. “Keep heading to the single story brick building. That’s the pack’s clinic for minor and sometimes moderate emergencies.” “Yes sir.” He calls back without knowing if
I whine briefly as Dr. Moore switches on the nebulizer at the same time that Jamie finishes his sentence. My eyes are closed as I lean forward in the chair. I can hear the wheels of another cart move in front of me. I tense slightly as the unexpected touch of Jamie’s hands holds me in place at my shoulders. “Just breathe as normally as you can without hurting yourself. I just need to listen.” I nod briefly as I link with Jamie again. “Dr. Moore, could he have a fleece blanket or flannel sheet to wrap around his shoulders? Taking his shirt off makes him feel really exposed and he tends to get cold easily.” I whisper a ‘Thank you’ through the link while waiting for Dr. Moore to respond. “Andrew, Beta Williams. I have a feeling that I may be working with the two of you a lot so when it’s just us, Andrew is fine. If you wish, I can give you the same courtesy. It already sounds like Cole would prefer that.” “Yes sir. If you don’t mind, it’s Jamie.” I feel the vibrations in the floor
“He’s in a lot of pain doc.” Jamie barely whispers loud enough to be heard. I know he can feel my guilt but he doesn’t say a word. “Cole, I need you to respond through your link with Jamie. Your lungs have freed up but are still constricted. Jamie said you’re in pain, where is it concentrated?” I place my hand in the center of my chest as I simultaneously think about the location. “Your chest?” He tries to confirm. “He says that it’s a constant ache that turns sharp when he breathes in. It’s hard for me to handle through the link. I don’t know if that helps any with the intensity he’s feeling.” He stands up straight, keeping one hand on my chest. The one holding the stethoscope to my back is now gently gliding along my arm towards my neck. I whine sharply and squirm with the discomfort of his touch to the side of it. “Doctor Andrew, while he fears touch he also craves it. Positive touch I think is what Alpha Black calls it. He relaxes with gentle pets on his head. He can
Monday, July 23; 3pmIt’s been two days since our arrival at White Ridge and the only comfort I have in being here is that Dr. Moore is patient and kind. I don’t remember them moving me to his house. The last thing I do remember is his conversation with the beta and making plans to get in contact with my father and with Alpha Black. I have no idea if that has happened as I’ve refused to come out of the room he put me in. I was barely able to move from the medical observation room I woke up in, to the efficiency bedroom that Jamie and I will stay in for however long we’re here. Beta Greene helped Jamie and Dr. Moore’s personal omega, Sara, gather our things from the prospect’s apartments and bring them to Dr. Moore’s house. Despite having free access to my medication my fear is overwhelming and now that dad has stranded us at White Ridge even my wolf has his doubts about returning. He’s gone unusually quiet after apologizing for being so adamant that we leave when I really wanted to s
Jamie coaches me quietly over to the couch, waiting patiently for me to let him go and take a seat. It takes me several minutes before I’m able to pry my eyes from the floor enough to look around the room. I’m surprised to discover that the doctor and the beta have yet to join us. The room is indeed a library but it’s unlike any I’ve been in before. The room is longer than his office is wide, making me believe that it extends all the way to the other side of the wing. Bookshelves completely filled with books line the north wall from floor to ceiling separated into four equal sections. Windows with long beige curtains separate the ends from the center and a fireplace separates the center. A large eight by ten foot area rug sits beneath my feet donning a simple motif of beige, black, and magenta squares. I move my toes slowly across the fibers. They are short but soft, giving me something simple yet pleasing to concentrate on. The loveseat we sit on is comfortably plush with a magenta
“Good afternoon, Alpha Demetri. How are you doing?” “I’m doing well. How’s Cole fairing?” “He’s unfortunately on quite the roller coaster but I’m hoping this conference call will help him.” I stand just in front of the couch not certain what to make of the situation. “Cole, before we start talking too deeply I need to know if we need to cut the crap.” “Wh…. What?” I barely stammer, unable to comprehend what he’s asking me. “Do you remember the first time, the only time you have ever said that to me?” “Ye… yes sir.” “So I need you to slow down, think about the situation you were in then and tell me if we need to cut the crap.” His voice is stern, making me wonder if I’ve done something wrong. “No sir.” Hearing his voice has made it even more difficult to function. “Can you hand Cole the phone? I have an important question to ask him.” “You’re on speaker phone so he can hear you but yes, I can give him the phone for a little bit.” Alpha Andrew walks up to me with his hand
“I really didn’t want to talk about all this.” “I know it’s hard but the more we know the easier it will be to help you.” He encourages gently. I sigh hard before I start explaining. “Growing up everyone in class talked about the link and how it worked. It was quite embarrassing to admit that I had no idea what they were talking about.” “I’m certain that was especially difficult considering you’re the alpha’s son.” “Yes sir, it was. On top of what he was already doing to me, the bullying that came from not knowing my wolf at six years old was quite devastating. Chloe discovered me crying, hiding on the floor at the back of the bus. She told me that the school had called dad and he linked with her asking her to find me. I paid dearly for running away from class but on top of my punishment that evening he grabbed the back of my neck and growled at me; ‘you want to know about the link?’ It felt like my head exploded. I could hear him, feel him in my head. It felt like it took foreve
“Good. If at any time you feel overwhelmed let me know and feel free to ask questions. You as well, Demetri.” “Yes sir. Thank you, Andrew.” “Forty years ago Alpha Winston Whiteman was the only child out of five to survive a devastating rogue attack on the White Ridge pack. The council believes that it was only because he was the youngest child and the rogues didn’t know who he was that they allowed him to live. Members of the pack naturally knew who he was and while all alpha, beta and delta wolves were either killed or run off from the pack, the gamma and omega ranks were forced to assimilate into the pack the rogues created. Alpha Whiteman was three years old when the attack happened and it was fated mates Bruce and Emily Deeds who worked very closely with the Whiteman’s who ultimately saved his life. Emily was Winston’s personal nanny which made it so that when the rogues broke into the pack house Emily was able to grab Winston and run him to her house. The rogues left him belie