Page 5 of Pack: Posy 3

Laying the letter on the counter, I wrapped my arms around her waist and cuddled her into me. She wiped her tears on my t-shirt and sniffed, then asked me to keep reading.

"Are you sure?" I whispered in her ear.

"I'm sure."

Against my better judgment, but knowing it was her right as Aiden had said, I picked up the letter and read, keeping her tucked into my side.

Unfortunately, Kendall destroyed everything. Before I was even sure that Posy slept under my heart, Kendall found us and killed Logan. He killed my mate in front of my eyes while James and Aiden were at school. He reported to King Magnus that he'd found the man who'd 'kidnapped' us, but was too late to save me from Logan's 'madness.' He faked my death so that my family wouldn't know to save me, then spun a tale for his pack to think I'd been taken by rogues.

In his ignorance of the truth, the king praised Kendall for his unrelenting dedication to finding us and offered him compensation for the 'atrocious crimes' committed by a member of the royal pack.

How ironic that Kendall was paid handsomely for killing my innocent mate and dragging us all back to Green River - or should I say, dragging us back to hell?

"What's atrocious mean?" Posy asked. "And ironic?”

"Atrocious means bad. Really bad. Like,superreally bad. Ironic means the opposite of what you expect would happen."

"My mom knew some big words," she mumbled, fiddling with her fingers. "Even if this wasn't written in cursive, I would have struggled to read it."

"I can help you with improving your vocabulary, if you want. It wouldn't be a problem," I told her gently. "We can read together."

"And visit the alpha library!" Her eyes lit up, which I was happy to see because they looked so sad and dim just a second before.

"Yep. Did Tyler tell you about it? He's the only other one who really goes there."

"Yeah. At the ice pop party. Will you keep reading the letter now, please?"

"Of course."

Call me right or wrong, I refused to read the next few sentences to our girl. I'd tell her eventually, but for now, she didn't need to know some of this. It would only hurt her more and give her nightmares, so I skipped to the next paragraph.

I don't know how much more my body can stand. I am only sorry to leave you behind, darlings. I'd stay and shield you until he beats the last breath from my body if I could, but I fear the sickness will end me before he can.

By now, I pray that you are free from the monster known as Kendall Briggs. If you are not, keep trying, my darlings. Try and try until you escape this wretched hell. If you cross the borders of his territory, head for my father's pack, Crystal Caverns. He and my family will protect you.

"Ah!" Posy interrupted. "Sothat'show James knew who her family was."

I nodded, then finished reading the last bit of the letter.

My loves, I am sorrier than words can say that I ruined your lives and caused you such suffering at the hands of that monster. I pray he meets an appropriate end forhisatrocious crimes. Learn from your mother's mistakes, children, and wait for your true mate no matter how long it takes. It may be painful or embarrassing at times, but trust in the Goddess and await her gift.

I hope that all three of you know how very much I love you. May your futures be as bright or brighter than the one I dreamed for each of you.

Your loving mother

"My brothers were right," Posy murmured. "This explains so much. I'm so sad for my mom. She didn't deserve what happened. What Father— No, I'm not going to call him that anymore. I'm going to just say Alpha Briggs. WhatAlpha Briggsdid is truly atrocious, just as my mom said."

At least Kendall Briggs met an appropriate end, Quartz rumbled.I find a lot of comfort in that.

An endyouhelped give him, I snorted.

Hence my comfort, he said smugly.

"Oh! Do you think I might use my dad's last name instead of Briggs? It's my real last name, isn't it?"

"It is," I told her. "Posy Anne Everleigh. Beautiful, just like you, sweetness. I see no reason why you can't use it if you'd like to."

"Do you think there are any of my dad's family left in the royal pack?" Posy pressed tighter against me and squeezed my waist in a tight hug, and I squeezed her back.

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