The Beta's Justice

Chapter 4

Leon's POV

There is nothing I can do. I need to save her. Rose had done well. Nova was now at the hospital in her glass case. Her wounds had healed and now she looked as though she were only sleeping. I wish she were only sleeping. “Son, you need to eat,” I heard my mother say as she came into the room.

“I know, but I've lost my appetite,” I told her. My heart was empty, making it hard to think of food or even the pack. Her. I need her.

I felt my mother's hand on my shoulder. “I'm sure they will be back soon. However, when she wakes she will need you at full strength to help her get better,” she began to rub my back as she used to when I was upset as a child. It was indeed soothing.

“Please, for her, you need to eat,” she urged, gently taking hold of my arm and trying to pull me off the chair next to Nova's glass box.

Giving in, I let her pull me up. “Go and I will stay to watch over her in your absence,” she promised as she slid onto the chair.

She shooed me away from the room. “Oh and while you are out, please take a shower,” she smiled at me. “I would think Nova would like to wake to a pleasant smell,” I could hear the joke in her words, but she was also right. I hadn't showered since the battle two days ago. I still had blood in places it didn't belong.

“Fine,” I grumbled as I left the room and headed down the hallway.

Just as I was exiting the hospital, I heard Nurse June. “Future Alpha, is everything alright?” her voice was worried.

I nodded. “Yes, I am simply going to eat and clean up,” I responded. I couldn't look her in the eyes. This was my fault. I didn't protect her. Because I didn't protect her, she ended up in this state. If I had only been faster, none of this would have happened. She would be safe and healthy right now.

Before I could leave, I felt her hand on my arm. “Please don't be ashamed,” I heard her tell me.

Her words stopped my heart from beating for a moment. “I...” I couldn't speak. My words left me. I needed to remain strong. Tears were not for a future Alpha. They were only for others, not me.

“Leon, everything will work out all according to the Moon Goddess' will,” she told me. Her voice was calm and caring.

“Thank you for your kind words,” I whispered to her as I gently removed her hand from my arm and then left the hospital.

I could hear her say something as the doors closed, but I couldn't let myself hear her. I didn't deserve her kind words. Exiting the hospital, I was met by Doctor Richard. His expression was hard as he looked at me. This is the look I felt I deserved. “Leaving,” he grunted.

I nodded. “Was sent to clean up,” I muttered with my gaze downcast.

“You haven't left her side since...” his voice trailed off. He was in pain, but his attitude changed. He was still angry, but it had somewhat lessened.

“No, I've stayed with her this whole time,” I confirmed.

He nodded. “Then you best eat and wash up. My daughter would prefer to see you taking care of yourself.”

“My mother thought as much,” I responded. Our conversation was going nowhere. We both knew it and yet he didn't pass by me.

“Is there something you wish to discuss?” I decided to ask him straightforwardly. I needed to get back to the packhouse, eat, and clean up so I could go back and continue to watch over my mate. I've had most of the pack work brought to me while Hunter has taken over the day-to-day operations.

He was silent for a long while. “No, nothing more,” he finally responded as he passed me by. He was different. He wasn't angered by my presence any longer, instead, he almost felt broken.

I let him go. A conversation was pointless at this point. Neither one of us had the energy to speak or to feel. Slowly, I made my way to the packhouse. Entering inside, I went straight to the kitchen, hunger finally setting in. On the island sat a plate full of food and a class of green liquid. The chef had her back to me as she prepared another dish. She was my father's final act as Alpha. He hired her once we realized how much work Nova had been doing in the packhouse. We didn't know she had been doing most of the cooking. We had thought it was the other Omegas in the packhouse, but we were misled by Ryker.

“Eat up, young Alpha,” she grinned as she motioned for me to take a seat at the island. “The Luna linked me to tell me you were coming. The food is all nutritional and the drink is designed to give you a little boost of energy,” she grinned from ear to ear at me.

I shovelled the food into my mouth as fast as possible. Hunger took over. I couldn't help myself anymore. Even the green drink somehow tasted good. “Oh, before you go, I've prepared a few snacks and mini-meals for you to take back with you,” she motioned toward the bag on the island.

Finishing up the food, I then grabbed the bag and dropped it by the front door, making sure to thank the chef before I went up to the Alpha floor to clean up. I would ask for the chef's name later. Going into my room, I left a trail of my clothes behind me as I made my way to the bathroom. Turning, I saw myself in the mirror. Blood and dirt splattered across my face and other parts of my body that had not been covered with clothing. I was a sight to see. Mom was right, Nova would have been shocked to see me like this.

Turning on the shower, I stepped in and quickly washed up. It felt as though I had been here too long already. Leaving the shower, I dried off and then went to the closet to grab some new clothes to wear. Slipping on my clothes, I left my room and headed down the stairs. Grabbing the bag of food, I left the packhouse and went back to the hospital. Blaze was whimpering to get back to Ski and I was already missing Nova.

Walking into the hospital, I made a beeline for her room, trying my best to avoid anyone wandering the hallways. Reaching her room, I peeked in to see my mother was still sitting on the chair but she had been joined by Nurse June and Doctor Richard. They were all chatting, and the conversation sounded cheerful. My mother had a way of lifting others' spirits in the darkest of moments.

“Leon, son, why do you remain outside the door?” she asked, without turning to look back at me.

She was always quick. Her senses were unparalleled. “Yes, I'm here,” I spoke up as I stepped into the room.

“Why do you linger at the door? Come further in,” she motioned for me to come to her side.

My nerves were on edge. Her parents were there, making the room feel small. Nurse June had always been more than welcoming to me, but Doctor Richard was not. I wasn't sure what more I could do to try and win him over. Every time I thought I had something else would happen. Something terrible. I felt defeated whenever I was around him. Now more than ever. Even though his eyes were not on me, I felt his anger.

“It feels a bit crowded,” I told her as I remained in the doorway.

She turned to look over her shoulder at me. She saw me clearly. I wish I could hide my emotions from her, but it was impossible. “Sweetheart,” she spoke as she gracefully stood to her feet. “Come in and sit,” she came and pulled me gently into the room, pushing me into the chair. “I believe she missed you,” she said as she patted me on the shoulder. Her words, I knew she meant them to be comforting. However, they were not.

“I did as well,” I muttered back words that felt as though they were expected of me to say.

“Nurse June, how is she?” I asked, trying to change the topic.

“I've told you before, call me June,” she smiled sweetly over at me. “Her vitals are looking good,” she smiled reassuringly at me.

“And her wound?”

“Healing, but far too slowly,” grunted Doctor Richard.

Silence filled the room. Uncomfortable silence. I wanted to sit here in peace with Nova as I have been for the better part of two days. “Is there anything you need?” I asked June and Doctor Richard. I wanted to build a bridge. Nova would need us all when she woke up and it would be better that we were on better terms.

“You have already done everything that can be done for our little girl,” June responded sweetly.

I looked over to Doctor Richard, but he said nothing. Instead, his gaze was completely focused on Nova lying in her glass box. “Doctor Richard, would you like for me to speak to the hospital to get you time off?” I knew he could get time off if he wanted it, but I wanted to offer it to him. It felt like I needed some kind of peace offering and this was all I could think to give.

“No, that's quite alright,” he responded simply, without so much as glancing my way. If I were acting as the Alpha right now, it would be considered treason. However, I wasn't acting as an Alpha at this moment.

“Ben, would you at least be polite,” scolded June. “Our little girl is his mate. He is hurting just as much as we are, if not more.”

He turned to face his wife. “I know,” his voice was filled with pain.

June reached out to him, taking his arm. “Sweetheart, I know how much you've wanted a child. Somehow, you desired a child even more than I ever have. Now, the Moon Goddess has blessed us with this pup, even though she is far older than we had anticipated.” I saw the tears glistening in her eyes, but what shocked me was when I glanced over to see Doctor Richard's eyes also with tears in them.

“She has only been our little girl for such a short time,” he stated. There was more he wanted to say, but it was clear to see if he continued he would break down.

“Yes, but she isn't dead. She is only resting right now. I'm sure Audrey's mission will be a success and the twins will be able to help bring her back,” she comforted her mate. I had never seen Doctor Richard so broken. I could understand the desire for pups, but still, he felt too cold towards me at times.

Taking in a deep breath, I decided to question him. It was better to ask now while Nova was resting. I didn't want her to hear whatever it was that kept her adoptive father from accepting me as her mate. “Doctor Richard, why do you dislike me?” I spoke bluntly. I felt the room cool at my words. My mother's hand tensed as it sat on my shoulder. I knew she felt it too. There was no way she could have missed his attitude toward me.

He turned to look at me. “You were her tormentor and now you wish to be her mate,” he glared at me as he spoke. He was acting as though he had seen her every tear. Then it occurred to me, June had seen the tears and wounds. Nova had been allowed to enter the hospital a few times, he must have been one of the doctors that had seen her. Many of the pack members had joined in on her torment, while I... I allowed them.

“I didn't know what I was doing,” I told him. Ever since Ryker died, memories have been coming back to be in my dreams. I struggled to know if they were real memories or false ones that I had made up. If they were real, then Ryker had done something. He had tricked me somehow into ostracising Nova. Before him, before he took me to his office when I was younger, I was kind to her. She drew my attention easily. Then, even after what Ryker had done, she still fascinated me but caused me to boil over with anger.

He peered at my gagging whether or not he believed me. “Honey, hear him out. Let him further explain. There may be more going on than what we know,” June stepped in to speak before Doctor Richard could. He let out a huff but remained silent.

I gathered my thoughts for a moment. “I'm not entirely sure what happened. However, since Ryker passed, I've been gaining back memories. Not full memories, more like snippets. One of which I saw myself going into Ryker's office. He gave me something that caused a shift in my personality. I was kind to her before, but after the drug he gave me, I wasn't. It was as though it took the small affections I felt towards her and turned them into anger,” I explained. My mother's hand shook ever so slightly as she listened, but she remained silent.

Watching, I saw June and Doctor Richard exchange looks before one spoke. “I see.” Those were the only words he would utter. I could see a glimmer of sadness in his gaze. There was also something else. Was it understanding? Did we finally come to some kind of understanding?