Lottie POV"Thank you!" I nodded to Selene."Charlotte." She called to me, her voice soft and angelic. I paused mid-way to pull the door open, turning to look at her sitting elegantly by the fountain. I made a mental note of how breathtakingly beautiful she was so I could tell the twins about her later. Her pink, rosy lips twitched at the sides, and I knew she was reading my mind, coursing a blush to dance across my cheeks."I know the offer I have given you might not seem fair right now, but it is better than the alternative." She warned, her image fading along with my question on what she meant because I got the distinct feeling she was not referring to Alpha Leigh or Sebastian dying. "With the door swinging open, I was not sure what I expected but not to walk straight through the door like I thought I would when I left the office earlier. Pushing the door open again only to be met with the panicked face of my father as Adam pulled him from the floor, just like he was seconds ago.
Lottie POV"I mean, your mates are broken." This fucker tailing me announced, like he knew anything about me or my mates. "And I have just left Luna Laura!" My feet slowly stalled until I was no longer walking away but stood staring at him, my eyes filled with a mixture of confusion and concern. Wanting to ask questions, but Sage's need to punch him in the face felt compelling, too. "You were with Luna?" I asked, deciding violence was a last resort, but I was ready to open a link up to my mates to rush to my side and check on her if necessary."Yes, but I guess she is just Laura now that her mate is dead. You are Luna! But yeah, she is inconsolable; I mean, I had to give her something to help her sleep." The coldness of the way he announced Leigh's death had my back straightening and teeth clenching."You what?" I snapped my eyes wide with disbelief. "Yeah, I had to! She was just crazed.. saying things that had me worried for your mate's safety, if I am honest. I was trying to help!
Kane POV Walking into my room, I felt the full force of the day crash down on me as the door closed behind me, my legs buckled, and I slid down the door to my ass, knees tucked up against me as I surrendered, allowing the emotions I had been holding at bay wipe out any barriers I had up. The tears came quick and fast in heart-wrenching sobs that made me feel like a child. But fuck, the idea of not having my father around any more crippled me; I had lost so much time travelling when I could have been here with him. he didn't even know half of what I had accomplished; Knox had wanted to call with every joyful detail but me being the control freak I wanted to tell him and watch the pride wash over his face! Yet when I got home for Lilly's bug day, I hadn't had the time to tell him; I had returned and fell into bed with Charlotte, not that I blamed her, of course, but fuck, this sucked! I had hoped to feel my dad's arms around me as he told me he was proud of me and the things I had do
Kane POV I was still pulling the shirt over my head when I pushed open the door to Charlotte's room, knowing instantly the scent hit my nose that Knox had been in here."The room stinks of him," Rolo grunted, and I couldn't help but smile at his jealousy. "It will smell of her in a minute!" I reassured my wolf, knowing Charlotte was on her way; I could sense her getting closer. "Knox?" I called out, stepping into the room, frowning when I didn't get a reply. I glanced around, but I couldn't see him. Strolling around the room, I checked behind the bed in case, like me, he had given into the day's stress and slipped down the side of the bed for a moment of peace. When I couldn't see him or any signs of him, I rushed into the bathroom, only to find it empty. Not like the feeling of panic that was already creeping into my bones. "Knox?" I asked through our brotherly bond as I sat on Charlotte's bed, fighting the urge to throw myself back on it and let sleep consume me. Waiting for him
Knox POV "Are you sure you want to do this?" The stranger beside me asked, but I kept silent, looking down at the blood-red stain on the floor. I could sense him growing irritable. "Do you think having your brother and mate come to you is wise? You're not in the right frame of mind, sport!" He added with a sigh. "My father is a good man!" I confessed, unsure why it was important that this man heard me acknowledge that. "Was, he WAS a good man, Knox. He is dead." The stranger corrected me bluntly. I should be upset, and perhaps I was, but he was right. And I understood why he was angry; he had come here to see my father and catch up with a beer after a few years, and instead of getting that beer together, he would be attending my father's funeral, instead. "Yeah, I know." I uttered sadly. "And you know why he is dead?" He questioned me like I was a damn child! "Because of me!" I repeated bluntly, my eyes trying to make heads or tails of the blood on the floor. He and I had been c
Lottie POV"Knox, I am coming! Stay there, ok, Stud?" I asked my mate through the mate bond I shared with them both."I won't be leaving this room until we have spoken." Knox cut through the bond, his tone lighter than it had been seconds ago, like he had come to his senses after hearing Kane and me. Maybe he just needed us! I knew rushing off to try and save the pack was a risk. A part of me wanted to say fuck them and stay with my mates, help them get through what I knew would be the most challenging moments of their lives.I just thought that they had supported each other for years before I popped into their lives again; I knew I was trying to rationalise the guilt I had for leaving them to help Sebastian. But honestly, nothing about this day was rational!"Day?? Let's try week!" Sage disputed with a huff that made me sigh because this shit was insane. When were we going to catch a break? It felt like we would sort one problem only for another to pop up. I just wanted to get my boy
Lottie POV"When I left my father and Mike with..." I started to explain, but I paused, feeling him stiffen at the mention of the men I once loved, and sighed, knowing this wasn't the point; I was just so nervous. "Well, when I left the room to come find you, I don't know what happened, but I was not here, I was there... and Kane, I met Selene. I prayed to her, and she answered." I expressed. Glimpsing his eyes narrow, I knew I wasn't making any sense. So I sighed and did the only thing I could think of. "Sage.. show him," I asked my wolf aloud. She had already preempted my next move and had pushed closer to the surface to help me. "Show me what?" He asked, his brows knitting as he gripped me tighter. "You are exhausted; you aren't making any sense, Charlotte. Fuck I knew this was going to be too much!" "You sure?" Sage asked, ignoring Kane, but I could feel how annoyed she was at him doubting us. I could feel her edging closer to the forefront of my mind; we both knew this was th
Knox POV"What is taking them so long!" I barked, growing irritated. Running my free hand down my face, I sighed, knowing I would lose my nerve if they took much longer. "I don't know, but I would guess they are trying to think of something to say to you." The stranger offered from the corner of the room; he had suggested he hide so that I had a witness and support in case they tried to have me overpowered and silenced. He just wanted to help me, and I was grateful."What do you mean?"I asked, spinning to look into the darkness, but I couldn't see him any more. "I mean, you sounded upset; they know you are suffering after what you did. I imagine they are trying to find ways to calm you down and lies they can tell you to ensure you stay subdued." He expressed into the empty ballroom, his voice bouncing off the high ceilings. "Oh." I whispered. I wanted to take responsibility for my actions; I needed to. I got that, or they would spend the rest of their lives trying to live down my m