Merrick POVI was having a wonderful heart-warming, air-clearing, loving moment with my daughter and what I now consider my family. Confusion from Tori thinking that I was disappointed in her as my daughter was heart-wrenching. I had no idea that she thought I was disappointed and embarrassed by her. It was not my intent on hiding her away from the rest of the world, but I had to keep her safe. I spent so long without her; I wasn’t ready to share her with anyone. Other than those already in her life, and Goddess forbid I keep her away from Victor, he’d have my head. Alpha or not.Right now, I need to make things right. After I was stabbed, I could only think about what would happen to Tori. My mind kept playing different scenarios on who would take care of her, or who could hurt her and take her away. I couldn’t let that happen. I needed everyone to know who she was and her place in my life. She tried to ask if I was sure that I wanted this, I knew now was the time, she needed to know
Tori POVI was still in shock when we all filed out of Rick’s hospital room so he could get dressed. He was serious, he really wanted to announce me as his daughter! My mind and heart were tingling with giddiness and excitement. I couldn’t wait to stand beside him and accept the family bond in front of his pack. I wore a smile on my face as Victor wrapped me up in his arms.“I’m so happy for you, baby!” He leaned down and kissed me gently. We stared into each other’s eyes as he rubbed circles on my back. I giggled and squeezed him tighter.“Thank you, Victor! I’ve waited a long time to hear those words from my father. I’m finally going to be acknowledged as his daughter!” Victor kissed the top of my head once more. Just as he was about to say something, the front doors slammed open, and we noticed Jeremy carrying a young lady who seemed to be unconscious and bleeding into the waiting room.“Help! I need some help here!” I let go of Victor and ran over to him.“Jeremy! What happened?”
Merrick POVVictor stepped away to escort Luna Daria to my office. I turned to see Tori gone from the waiting room.“Eric” My Gamma stepped up to me and bowed.“Yes, Alpha?”“Where did my daughter go?”“Tammy took her to her room to lie down. She said she wasn’t feeling well.” I hummed in response.“I heard she healed Corinne. That was probably quite traumatic for her as well.”“Yes Alpha. She was having a hard time processing what she saw.”“I know Corinne had a troubled background and I’m sure Tori was having a hard time with it. I will talk with her after we talk to the Luna.” Eric nodded.“Yes, Alpha. She has been taken to your office by Victor. I just received a link that Captain Rivers and Liam have been taken to the conference room and are under guard awaiting further orders.”“Very good. I want them in separate rooms and guarded until I get there. Nobody is to talk to them or see them until I arrive. I will talk with the Luna first and then head to the conference rooms.”“Yes
Victor POVI left the hospital with a heavy heart and a sense of urgency. I wanted to run straight to Tori and hold her and comfort her. I saw the look in her eyes at what we both had seen from Corinne’s memories. A tragic past of physical and sexual abuse. Her own mother wouldn’t even protect her. I knew some of her past, but nothing like this. It did explain a lot of things about her. Not that it excused any of her torrent behavior, but I understood where it came from. I sensed a need to nurture and to guide from Tori. They might not be the best of friends, but I know Tori would do everything she could to help her deal with her mental anguish and lead a better life and of course, I would support her all the way.Right now, I need to take Luna Daria to the Alpha’s office so they can speak about the Luna’s concerns. As I quickly walked to the packhouse to get the Luna, I noticed that the warriors were wondering about the yard looking lost and concerned. Usually, they are at training n
Tori POV I laid down on my bed and let the visions of what I saw flash through my mind. It overwhelms me and the tears fall repeatedly no matter how many times I wipe them away. Corinne had such a tragic childhood; I had no idea how anyone could come back from all that. She was raised in an environment where she was only showed anger, abuse, and resentment. Love to her, was a heavy hand and harsh insulting words. How ever she came to be a member of Mystic Moon, my dad showed her love and care as he should for all his members but took a liking to her and she was finally able to see how life should be. That love and care meant soft words and a loving caress instead of abuse. It became addicting to her. Where she was the center of attention, people wanted to be her friend and help her on a path to healing. Men would gift her whatever she asked for just so they could get what they wanted from her. Where she needed it all the time and didn’t care who she got it from. I not
Victor POVI was scared to death as I looked down on her pained stricken face. Her eyes, as well as mine, were full of sorrow and tears. I held my breath waiting for her to reply. I knew exactly what she was talking about because I saw the same thing. Corinne’s memories were her own and ones I did not share with her. What really happened was very different from what we saw in Corinne’s mind, and it was going to be very difficult to explain it to Tori in a way that she understands, and more importantly, so she believes me.My tears were falling freely as I held her tightly against my chest. I could feel her pulling away from me and Ivan was whimpering in my head. I don’t know how to make her understand. My heart was beating so hard I thought it would beat right out of my chest. Ivan was running circles in my mind growling and whimpering, demanding that I say something, anything to ease our mate. I heard Mystic whimper and cry in my head. She turned in my arms and looked straight into m
Merrick POVI sat wide-eyed staring at Luna Daria wondering if I heard what she just said. Teaghan and I glanced at each other and then back at the stoic Luna sitting across from us as if she hadn’t just dropped a bomb.“I’m sorry, can you…what?!” I asked shaking my head. Teaghan stayed silent looking back and forth between the two of us.“I need your help with killing my brother-in-law.” She sat with her chin held high and a look of question on her face, eyebrows raised, only give away of her nervousness was that I could hear her heart racing a mile a minute. The fact that she just stated out loud to me that she is actively threatening the life of an Alpha, is grounds for punishment by execution. I can only think that she has some absolute evidence of some maltreatment to the pack or a heinous crime against the elders to warrant her request of such an act, especially from an Alpha who is not only not an ally, but one who has a history of evil and ugly treatment of non-pack members wh
Tori POV“I am going to kill Ronin myself!” My father declared and before we knew it, Luna Daria had hit the floor, out cold.“Luna!” I ran over and knelt beside her holding her hand. I lightly tapped her face to get her to wake up, but there was no movement. “Way to go, dad!” I grumbled as Rick came over next to me.“Sorry, I didn’t mean to make her pass out. I’m not really going to kill him!”“Obviously, she doesn’t know that. When she wakes up, apologize, and explain what you mean. She’s had enough trauma in her life.” He nodded sadly.“Help me get her on the couch please.” He knelt and picked her up gently and placed her comfortably on the couch. I sat next to her and grabbed hold of both her hands.“Luna? Can you hear me? Daria?” I said softly so not to startle her. Mystic released some of her healing aura and we created the bond with her to bring her gently out of her sleep.The images I saw brought tears to my eyes. I saw her husband, Alpha Damon, and Daria through different st