Page 33 of Mates: Posy

"Not only have pack members physically hurt her, but they also robbed her of all self-confidence. They have hurt and humiliated her so often, she cringes and cowers at every sound and fast movement, and I can do nothing. It’s breaking me as much as it is her."

Silver flickered in his eyes before they returned to their normal light brown.

"Our mate had a similar experience with her alpha," I murmured. "We only found and rescued her a few days ago, so we’re dealing with the same thing. We’ve hardly been able to hug her, never mind finish the mating process."

Maybe his sister and our girl could comfort each other,Quartz suggested, which surprised me. He generally didn’t care about others.

Then I realized that all his concern was for Posy, not the abused girl.

"I cannot go against Alpha Halder’s commands," Luke said, "but I work around him whenever I can. It’s a good pack, and I hate to see it being driven into the ground. He spends the pack’s money like it’s his own personal wealth. Everyone lives in fear. He kills for the slightest offense, often without a hearing. If anyone stands up to him, he banishes them."

That’s a troubled pack, all right. I wonder how this all stayed under the king’s radar.

"I’ve been gathering supporters to challenge him for the alphaship, but ran out of time yesterday morning. I was coming home from night patrol when I heard Lilah screaming. I ran inside and he— He had her down on the living room floor, ripping her pajamas off and hitting her."

Again, his eyes glittered with his wolf, but only for a second.

His control is very good,I noted.That’s a plus. We don’t need any more hotheads around here.

"My wolf, Rain, took over," he continued, "and was holding his own until Alpha Halder started to draw power from the pack."

"Which he could do since it was an impromptu fight and not a formal challenge," I said with a nod.

"Yes. Knowing he wouldn’t be able to take him down like that, Rain threw Alpha Halder through a wall. While he was dazed, Rain got Lilah to her feet and out to my truck, and she drove us out of there. After a half hour or so, Rain calmed down enough for me to shift back. Lilah was shaking like a leaf, I was exhausted from coming off night patrol, and we were both covered in bruises and cuts. We drove about a hundred miles past Tall Pines’ border and found a hotel. It’s a good thing I keep a duffel bag of essentials in my truck, or the clerk would have gotten an eyeful."

He chuckled darkly, and I smirked.

"Anyway, while Lilah was in the shower, I called your pack. One of the betas - his name may have been Matthew? - set up this meeting and that’s where we are now."

"Does Lilah need medical attention?"

"Her wolf took care of the worst injuries, but Kestrel is exhausted from day after day of healing her." Luke scrubbed one hand over his face. "I don’t think a pack doctor could do much for the remaining bruises, and Lilah would be too scared to go to your clinic, anyway."

"How old is she?"

"Only nineteen. She’s just a kid. She’s so traumatized, she hasn’t said a word since it happened. She just sits and stares and shakes."

Poor kid.

"May I ask why Alpha Halder dislikes her so much?" I asked next. "His behavior is not acceptable in any way, shape, or form, but is she disobedient or disrespectful or rebellious? Has she caused trouble for the pack?"

"No. None of that. She is sweet and innocent and shy." Luke blew a heavy breath out of his nose. "The truth is, he wanted her for his chosen mate, and she said no. She wants her Goddess-given mate, as we all do. I also believe he found out I was going to challenge him and abused her to punish me for it."

I narrowed my eyes as I studied his face. He was no mere warrior. A pack warrior wouldn’t have the balls to challenge his alpha.

"I can smell your beta blood," I said. "Is that your rank in the pack?"

"It is."

Then he took a deep breath, and I could tell he was debating whether or not to share something with me. He stared at his hands for a long moment before resolve formed on his face.

"But I can no longer stand with such a cruel alpha," he said slowly, "nor will I serve one who plots treason against his king."

Instantly alert, Quartz pushed for control, and pushedhard. For whatever reason, he considered King Julian and his wolf, Onyx, to be his brothers. In his mind, a threat against them was a statement of war.

"Explain," I demanded, a burr of Quartz’s aggression slipping into my voice despite the restraint I put on him.

Settle down, wolf,I grumbled.It does no good to grow angry before we know all the details.

---