(Cole’s POV)I awaken slowly to the rudeness of immeasurable pain. I can’t help but yelp just to find that the sound of my own painful cry causes me even more discomfort. It takes a concerted effort to settle into a quiet whimper yet somehow I do manage it. “Try to relax, Cole. I hit the call button to see if I can get you some pain killers.” I cringe at the sound of his kind, yet familiar voice. “Good afternoon, Dr. Moore. How may I help you?” I yelp harshly as I cover my ears in an attempt to dull the sound of the voice coming over the speaker. “Cole has woken up and seems to be in a lot of pain. Can you check his chart for the next dose of Vicodin?”“Yes sir.” I’m curled into the fetal position by the time the short conversation concludes. It’s only when I feel hands gently rubbing the tops of mine that I react again, rather over react to the simple stimulation. Yelping and screaming I fight back. It doesn’t matter that my head is already screaming in pain, I’m weak and that’
(Cole’s POV)I sit upon the cold, hard, unforgiving tile floor as I struggle to recover. My stomach flips violently as I lean my back against the coolness of the tub. I pull my knees to my chest, knowing that my need to hurl is done, I lay my head upon my arms. The flood gates I was desperately trying to keep at bay finally break loose of their confinement and I can’t help but bawl. For the first time ever I regret the decision not to talk, to not take Alpha Black’s offer of sanctuary from the impending doom. How could I have dismissed so easily the help Jamie could have provided me? How could I have been so careless to forget the help he has provided me over the last two years? Just because I’m not conscious enough to remember him being there doesn’t mean I haven’t been told. Olivia has repeatedly told me stories about Jamie bringing me back to my room. How he and his father have used glue to seal the worst of my wounds. She has even heard her father brag about the beatings he’s giv
(Jamison’s POV)I knew today would be hard, I just didn’t anticipate how hard it would be. Last night was the first time Cole has slept since returning to Dr. Moore’s house two days ago. As soon as I get into a decent slumber I’m awakened by his screams as he begs out loud to be left alone. These very real nightmares often trigger his asthma resulting in me having to fight him to get the nebulizer mask on him. I’ve gotten more sleep than him but we’re both running on fumes and it pains me to wake him this morning. He finally found some peace and managed to fall asleep sometime after I did, which for me, was two this morning. I managed to get up around eight giving me plenty of time to grab breakfast and start packing my bags. Considering all the extra supplies Alpha Black is sending home with me, I’ve got a large amount to get out to the boarding area. I move quietly around the room pulling all the items I unpacked from the closet and dresser, folding them before placing them in my
“Dad took the belt, hit me with my clothes on until I collapsed from the pain before picking me up and tying me to his chair. He talked while he worked which is how I found out that Kris’s belting would be his age four times. Dad wanted him to feel this one. I begged for him not to as I had known for a long time what that meant. Kris took fifteen more with his clothes on before receiving thirty without. First round was with clothes from me. Second round was the loop end from dad. He was whimpering by the time dad stopped but he didn’t fight until dad pulled his pants down. He then received his age first with the loop end then with the buckle end. He stopped abusing me. Started acting as if I didn’t exist until I turned fifteen. It was three years later when dad started consulting him on punishments and scheduling time to give me to him.”“What has he done to you?” I whisper in complete shock as to what he’s shared with me. He has never gone in depth like that before. “I’ve already t
(10 year old Cole’s POV)“Will you shut the hell up? I’m trying to sleep and your pathetic crying is keeping me from doing that.” Kristoph growls at me callously. “It hurts just to breathe.” I whisper through my tears. While I’ve had several fractured wrists this is the first time my chest and back have hurt this badly. “Then stop breathing or I will give you something to cry about.” I duck my head in my arms, crying silently as his words are a crushing blow to the sympathy I was hoping to receive a little of. The older I get the more obvious it is that dad treats me differently from my siblings. “I said shut up.” Kristoph’s frustration with me grows as I silently ask why I sleep in the same room as him. A sudden crack of leather against my bare skin lights up the cuts and bruises already there as I scream from the pain it produces. “I told you to shut up. I can’t sleep with your pathetic crying in the room.” He’s wailing on me repeatedly as he screams expletives no child shou
“Can you handle me talking to you?” He asks quietly. “Yes sir.” I respond just as quiet. His scent is calming despite not having any pups of his own but surprisingly, there’s not a single hint of his aura present. “It was heartbreaking to do but we had to force Jamie to leave. It was difficult enough for us to alert your father to the fact that you were unconscious in the hospital again without the added fight that would come from Jamie not returning as well.” I nod my head, understanding the circumstances that they are under. “You have received no sedatives while you’ve been here. Honestly, I don’t think you’ve had any medication at all but I’d have to verify that the next time Emily comes in.” He pets the side of my head with a predictable rhythm that is slowly putting me to sleep. “They did another CAT scan and MRI. They were concerned that they had missed an aneurysm while you were here the first time. They occasionally occur with head trauma.” “Was there?” His confession
I sit back again with a sigh. “Jamie woke me up around eleven. He knew if I didn’t get started I wouldn’t be done on time. I was completely exhausted as dad had taken to using the link at night to tell me how he’s given Kristoph permission to keep me for three days. I accidentally told him too much which put me in a really bad state of mind. I wanted Jessa and the thought of being with Kristoph caused me to throw up. When I finished I leaned against the tub, the coolness often helps with the pain as long as it doesn’t trigger the spasms.” I take a break, closing my eyes as the tears involuntarily start. “Cole?” Alpha sounds concerned. “Jessa started working with me on how to get to the astral plane during the two months between the brawl and my leaving.” I start back slowly trying to hide my desire to cry. “She was shocked to discover how easily I could get there. It was difficult for her to hear how I’ve been able to visit with my wolf like that since I was a child. It’s a saf
“A choice in what?” I whisper, uncertain what to do with this new information. “I’ve sent Jessa with my delta, Anthony, to retrieve you from White Ridge. I spoke with Dr. Boyter and he felt that as long as you take it easy and report when your migraines start and stop, he has no issues with releasing you from Ridge General. They will come to the hospital in the morning. Jessa brought some of your clothes with her so she can help you get dressed and they will be staying until you are released. You will stay the night with Jessa at the Ridgeline Grand Hotel before making the trip back to Crimson Dawn.” “Why are you saying I don’t have a choice when I want to return?” “I’m glad you feel that way as it will make getting you out of the hospital easier with your cooperation.” “Alpha?” I speak nervously. “It’s okay to speak your mind, Cole?” “I want to come back to you but your plan. Something feels very wrong with your plan. Why can’t Alpha Moore take me to the hotel? I can’t explain