Wolf Bound

4 - I won't allow it!

So, I messed up with the chapters! I missed one out, so I've reuploaded. If you've read this chapter already, go back to chapter 3 because that is the missed one. Sorry about that! :D

Damian

I smile at River while piling sausage and bacon onto her plate. I know that she’s nervous sitting at the breakfast table with my family, but she needs to eat to build her strength. She’s lost weight, and I know she’s self-conscious about it. Not that she needs to be, but most women are self-conscious about their bodies, so my mother told me.

River gives me a smile of thanks and slowly tucks into her food.

Sleep wasn’t easy for River last night, but I was there to chase away the nightmares. I held my mate close to me, and I told her a thousand times that I loved her and that she’s safe now. It wasn’t easy for me to hear her screaming in fear or see her cry the way she did. River kept apologizing for waking me and for being weak, but I shook my head and pulled her into my arms. Only a fool would expect someone not to be traumatized by the things River went through, and I am not a fool.

This morning, I found some of my sister’s old clothes for River. Stella brought new underwear with her, telling me that they still had tags on because she always buys too much. River could take her pick of anything she wanted, and there were even new bras for River to choose from. Stella said the ballet flat black shoes would probably fit River or possibly be a size too big because River’s feet seemed to be a little smaller than Stella’s, but to make it work. I took her word for it, then shoved her out of my room.

River was shocked at how kind Stella was, and with a smile on her face, she thanked me. Then, she opted to wear dark blue jeans with a long, white blouse. She French braided her hair, and she looks beautiful.

When we entered the dining room, I could feel how nervous River was. She was shaking beside me. But my mate had nothing to be anxious about; everyone smiled and welcomed her, which seemed to calm her down.

I squeeze River’s thigh under the table, and she takes my hand and entwines our fingers. I don’t let go because I just don’t want to; I like touching my mate in any way I can.

“So, did you two really meet in your dreams a few years ago?”

“Yes, Stella, we did.”

Stella is a year younger than I am, and she’s also named after our mother. Mom goes by the name Sara, after she was abducted as a child. The woman who took my mother changed her name from Stella to Sara.

After living with those my mother believed were her parents for sixteen years, it was hard for her to go by anything other than Sara. When my sister came along, the first daughter for my parents, they named her Stella. Mom’s mother was over the moon!

Stella, however, can be a tactless bitc.h, and it drives me crazy. I love her, though. Stella and I are quite close. Actually, we’re best friends, there’s only ten months between us, and we’d do anything for each other. I know she isn’t trying to be rude right now, Stella just hasn’t learned the art of tactfulness.

“But how is that possible?”

“Stella, that’s enough.” Dad shoots Stella a look that tells her to shut up, which she does with a huff.

“River,” My mate looks at my mother, who smiles kindly. “Would you tell us where you’re from?”

River hesitates. “Aqua Rain pack,” She mumbles quietly. Thank the Goddess for Werewolf hearing.

“Will you be returning there any time soon?”

River stares at my mother, then slowly shakes her head.

“Why ever not? Don’t you have family there?”

River bites her lower lip while looking down.

I know River has family at Aqua Rain; she spoke about them often in our dreams. But I know she’s worried about contacting them right now for fear they could be hurt by Doctor Dickhead. I won’t let that happen, and I won’t let River go too long without speaking to her parents if no one else.

Mom opens her mouth to say something else when Dad cuts her off.

“If you’re going to be staying here with Damian, you’ll let Richie perform some tests.”

“Tests?” I narrow my eyes while asking.

What the fuc.k is my father talking about?

As if on cue, the door opens and Richie walks in wearing his white doctor’s coat and carrying a clipboard.

We're in the middle of breakfast, what the hell is this?

River growls, her Wolf showing his presence. I know Saltan is trying to protect River. She’s terrified of what these tests could be. Her hand is sweating in mine, and she’s shaking cold.

“Dad, what the hell?”

Dad looks at me but says nothing.

“Good morning, Alpha, Luna. Good morning, everyone.” Richie smiles.

I can feel the tension and anger flowing through River, who hasn’t taken her eyes off Richie yet. Richie’s a good guy, but his judgment can be misguided. My mate has been through an ordeal, and she needs therapy. But instead of that help, the pack doctor is here wanting to test my mate. She’s not an animal!

“I'm sorry to interrupt during breakfast, but time is ticking. It would be best if we got to it.”

My eyes wander to River’s fist. We’re still holding hands, but her right hand is now clenched so tight it looks as though her fingers will break. She’s both scared and angry, and I can’t let this happen to her.

I grit my teeth and ask my father. “Why are you doing this?”

“Damian,” Drew shakes his head at me. “Richie just wants to see if he can find out why your mate becomes Wolf Bound for months after being human for mere days.”

“What? Are all fuckin.g mental? Don’t you think River has been through enough?”

“This is to help River, Damian.”

“Help,” I laugh. “You have got to be fuckin.g kidding me! River just ran from a place where doctors did nothing but perform tests on her! Don’t you think that’s trauma enough without putting her through even more? No one is doing anything to my mate,” I get out of my seat, dragging River with me.

“Damian, I am not going to hurt your mate.”

My eyes widen, and I grit my teeth at Richie. I don’t give a fuc.k what he wants to do, I won’t allow it!

“You will allow it, Damian,” Dad says. Bastard read my mind! “If you want me to allow your mate to stay here with you, then she’ll go with Richie and do what’s necessary. I will not have her Wolf taking over and killing at will. I will not put this family at risk should your mates Wolf decide to cause damage.”

“He won't,”

“You don't know that, Damian. You saw River when she was in the infirmary; she was almost feral. Anything could have happened, and I won’t risk it! After the tests have concluded, your mate will meet with a therapist.”

I open my mouth to speak, but River squeezes my hand. “It’s okay, Damian, I’ll go with him.”

My mate sounds so defeated, and I can see how sad and scared she is.

Why does no one understand this?

River was tortured beyond compare by others who swore to help her. Of course, she would believe there is more to come.

How could she think anything else?

No, I don’t believe Richie wants to hurt River, but how is my mate to know that?

I watch wide-eyed as River walks out of the dining room with Richie, and I’m stuck to the spot like a damn lemon!

I don’t care what Richie plans to do, nor what my father says; I won’t allow it!

I turn to my dad with a sneer. “I don’t know why you’re doing this, but I have never been more disappointed. Yes, River was out of her mind when she woke up, but she’d been through hell! How the hell do you think anyone would have reacted if they believed they were to receive more pain?

“My Goddess! I can’t believe you’re doing this to her. I promised that I wouldn’t let anyone else hurt River, yet you’ve put me in an impossible position.”

“Damian, I am doing this to help the girl, no matter what you think right now.”

I shake my head. Nothing Dad says will convince me that this is what’s best.

“I don’t wanna hear it, Dad.”

“Tough!” He slams his fist down on the table, making my young sisters jump. “That girl is a danger to my pack and my family. What happens if she wolfs out and kills someone? Your sisters? Your mother?”

I scrub my hands over my tired face. “You won’t even try to understand, will you? I can’t let this happen.”

“Then your mate cannot stay here, Damian.”

“That’s fine,” I smile while nodding my head. “Then I guess we’re leaving.”

“What?” Almost everyone around the table gasps, then looks at Dad, whose eyes are locked on me.

“I am not putting River through any more torture. No matter what you say, even if it’s not physical, mental torture is too much. That’s what those tests mean to River: mental torture. So, we’ll leave.”

“Damian, please don’t do this.”

I hug my mother. “I’m sorry, Mom. We’ll be back once we’ve found a way to free River.”

“But that could take years!” Jai snaps.

I pull away from Mom. “Then so be it,”

With that, I walk away from my family. I need to pack.