That night, my brave, gentle Marcus snuck downstairs with stolen medical supplies.
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“I’m okay, Mom,” he whispered, carefully cleaning the crescents my claws had carved into my palms. “See? I’m getting good at
this.”
I traced the purple bruises on his arms where Sarah had pinched him. Each mark felt like a dagger in my heart. Some were turning yellow, others were fresh and dark.
“Does it hurt badly?” I asked, my voice breaking.
Marcus shook his head. “Not anymore. I’m strong, like you.”
Ten endless days passed. The Pack Council meeting loomed closer.
Even with Marcus taking the blame, Sarah’s anxiety infected the house like a disease. She paced the halls at night, jumping at shadows, muttering about DNA tests and truth spells.
Finally, Ryan announced his solution over dinner: a vacation abroad with Sarah and Jamie until things “settled down.”
While Ryan packed upstairs, I held Marcus in our basement refuge, treating his newest bruises with trembling fingers.
“Is Father leaving forever?” Marcus asked, his young face confused by the commotion above.
“Yes, baby.”
–
A smile lit his face the first real one I’d seen in days. “Good. I don’t like him anymore. He only hurts you, Mom.” He puffed out his chest. “When he’s gone, I’ll protect you instead.”
I hugged him tight, breathing in his scent, memorizing every detail. “And Mom will always protect you. No matter what.‘
Ryan came down before leaving, his face twisted with reluctance. We sat on our narrow bed, neither looking at him.
11
“I’ll be back before…” he hesitated, “before Marcus’s sentence starts. I’ll arrange everything – private tutors, comfortable quarters, the best education Silver Prison offers.”
I nodded meekly, eyes downcast. “Whatever you think is best, mate.”
Surprise flickered across his face at my easy acceptance. After weeks of fighting, my submission seemed to both please and
unsettle him.
Ryan lingered in the basement, holding Marcus and me as if memorizing our scent.
“Hurry up!” Katherine’s voice cracked down the stairs. “You’ll miss the flight!”
Ryan pulled us closer. “I’ll bring you both gifts. When I return, we’ll have our marking ceremony, and I’ll announce Marcus as my heir. I promise.”
“Daddy…” Marcus’s voice cracked.
My heart shattered. Despite everything, my son still loved his father. These past weeks had only taught him to hide it.
2/3
I quickly pulled Marcus into my arms, muffling his words against my shoulder.
“Go,” I said softly. “Enjoy your trip with Sarah and Jamie. Make sure our sacrifice means something.”
Guilt darkened Ryan’s eyes. “I’m leaving Gregory here my strongest guard. Call me anytime, for anything.”
As they loaded the car, Gregory approached hesitantly.
“Beta Ryan, should Marcus continue his training with Jamie’s combat instructor while you’re gone?”
Sarah’s head snapped up. “No. The instructor comes with us. Jamie needs consistent training, even on vacation.”
I felt Marcus stiffen in my arms.
But my brave boy forced a smile. “It’s okay. I can practice alone.”
Ryan’s face twisted with fresh guilt. “I’ll find you an even better teacher when I return, Marcus. I promise.”
Empty words. Empty promises.
I watched the car disappear, taking Sarah, Jamie, and my mate away.
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