A Wolf's Truth

Chapter 3 - Abused

They were all sitting around the table, silent, looking at each other. Things were not too great, but who could blame any of them. Lachlan was fuming and while they understood, Shay-Lee and Zakari had done all they could to settle him down. It was meant to be their dinner, a friendly relaxed dinner, once a fortnight, they all came together for this. Yet, due to recent events, of course, things this time started to head south in their conversations. The only reason why they were even remotely silent right now, was because their mother, the current Alpha had put her foot down and told them all to stop arguing.

It was not just them though. Corrie was there too, who was the wife of Koby. Along with Adam who was a cousins to the siblings. Jake was there too, always spending time with the family. This is what they always did though and so it was not strange to have him there considering. Yet, because they were all there, they had left Tilly to watch over that girl at the Hospital, and Zakari was sure that Jaden was there as well. She was not as good of a defence as those there at dinner, but she was the next best they had. They all knew Lachlan was not too keen to just let anyone stand guard, and he made it quite clear when appointing Tilly, that she was there, not to guard the girl, but to make sure she did not do anything to cause any trouble.

That was what their argument had just been about. Shay-Lee and Lachlan bickering about the girl, the fact that she was still around and has not been punished for trespassing onto their territory. Shay-Lee was defending the girl, claiming she was not a threat, but he would not listen, he did not believe them, because he was worried, as to why she was even on their lands. That was why their mother spoke up, telling them both to stop and as she was the true current Alpha, they had to listen, but also because she was their mother.

“May I say something?” the voice of Jake suddenly spoke.

“Go ahead.” Alpha Georgia spoke with a nod, permitting him.

“I do not think she is a threat.” He stated calmly. “You have asked me to see if I can figure anything out. I have some information.”

“You found out who she is?” Shay-Lee asked a little excited.

“No. Not that.” Jake answered. “It is more, I saw something.”

“So… does that mean… she is a wolf?” Zakari asked a bit surprised.

He was not silly, he knew what Jake could do. The wolf in their Clan has a skill not many had, maybe it was because of his bloodline. Jake’s father was a wolf, but his mother had been a witch, and that meant he had a little talent for both. Everyone was silent now, even Lachlan, eyes upon Jake, waiting for him to explain. Zakari could sense that his older brother was not very keen at all, on this detail, that the girl was a wolf. The girl that Shay-Lee just a week ago had given the name Winter, due to her not remembering anything.

“I did not sense it.” Koby said mildly.

“That is because the wolf is very hard to find.” Jake stated. “Like it is hiding.”

“Hiding because it is here to cause problems.” Lachlan said with a light growl.

“Quite opposite.” Jake stated. “Hiding… because of fear.”

“Fear?” Shay-Lee asked surprised.

“Jake… what else have you seen?” Zakari asked.

He knew that what ever had been going on, it had not been anything good. It may have almost been a month since that night, but he had not forgotten it. Zakari could easily state, that he saw the worst of it, compared to anyone else. He was first on scene, after Lachlan had given the order for him and his team to find the intruders and kill them. Yet, when he arrived, his only idea of killing was the one attacking the girl. He did not understand what changed his mind at that moment, but he was compelled to help her, to protect her.

There had been a lot of growling, a fight and then the attacker ran. Other wolves of the Clan who had arrived after, like Adam, had chased the attacker, following them, to hunt them down. Zakari was ordered to follow and Tilly was ordered to finish off the girl. Zakari did not like the idea, not after what he witnessed and so, taking control, he let the others hunt down the attacker and he took the girl straight to the Hospital, to his brother for help. Other than that though, he had no clue, nothing as to what happened before their arrival, yet it seemed, that Jake may now have some details for them.

“The girl… Winter, did not intently enter our territory. I saw a flash, of running through woods in fear. From something I saw. I’d say she came from the East.” Jake explained.

“She was… running from the person that attacked her?” Shay-Lee asked sadly.

“It may seem so. It just happens that she crossed the boarder, without knowing and ended up here. She is no threat to us…. But somebody…. Is a threat to her.” Jake explained.

“I still do not see why we should let her stay.” Lachlan stated harshly. “She was not welcomed here and if you are saying somebody is a threat to her, then how do we know they wont come looking again, cause issues here. She should go back to the East.”

“Ease up!” Shay-Lee stated. “We do not even know if she is from the East or not. We know nothing about her, we cannot just send her back to a place without knowing anything.”

“And why should we keep her here?” Lachlan asked getting annoyed.

“Lachlan…. Did you actually see the state she was in… when Zakari bought her in?” Koby asked softly, shaking his head. “I agree, we cannot just send her away.”

“I care not for the state she was in; she should not have been here.” He snapped back.

Zakari was not too happy with his older brother right now, he knew he was to soon be the new Alpha, but he did not understand why his brother had to be so stubborn about this whole thing. He stood up, shaking his head and sighing, knowing that everyone there was now looking up at him, wondering. Zakari was the youngest of his siblings, and yet, he was the best of them when it came to hunting and knowing signs. Koby was the doctor in the family, good with the medical, and Shay-Lee was smart and wise about tactics and strategies. While, as the oldest, Lachlan was a naturally born leader, he was firm and strong, he was fast and crafty and he was a force not to mess with. As family, they all respected each other well. Yes, they had their bickering, but when one needed it, they were always there to help, their bond was strong.

“I will tell you Lachlan, something you may not want to hear, something…. I did not say that night….” Zakari said, his stomach tightening.

“What is it Zak?” his mother asked, concerned.

“While you all understand Winter was attacked, beaten…. It was more then that. I knew where to go, because I could sense it, something was telling me that this was not just a normal attack. I hate to say it, as much as it makes my stomach turn… but that person attacking… was trying to do more.” Zakari spoke shaking his head.

“WHAT!” Lachlan stormed anger filling his eyes.

“Now… maybe you will understand… why I had to help her.” Zakari told him in a low tone.

Everything in the room was still and silent, nobody spoke. Lachlan was furious while everyone else was in shock. Zakari had not wanted to say anything, because it was a horrible thing to happen, and because when she woke, she was confused, she did not even remember anything. Zakari had not wanted to bring things up unnecessarily, but knowing Lachlan was about ready to send that girl away, Zakari had to do something, say something, admit it.

Lachlan was a tough leader and sometimes hard to deal with. Zakari understood and he knew that Lachlan was just trying to protect his people by not allowing any unwanted guests onto their lands. He was a tough leader, and does well for them all, but there was more to him then just being strong and cold at times. He also was a very gentle, caring wolf and if there was one thing he was against, one rule he had for all of his Clan, was that no one, not a single person was to lay a finger on another in such a way when that other was not theirs to have. Zakari knew this detail would make Lachlan furious and had been one reason why he had kept it silent for now. Yet now knowing that the girl had come from the East, running in fear, being chased, Zakari felt that so had the attacker, that they were not from the High Moon Clan, but from another.

“Did you know this!” Lachlan snapped, shifting his attention to Koby.

“I could not… distinguish if so at first, for there were too many injuries.” Koby advised lowering his head. “We did… Check however in case… it seems…. Zakari got there in time.”

Lachlan slammed a fist down on the table. He was not happy at all, he stood up, his chair scrapping along the wooden floors. He was in a mood and they all knew when he was in a mood he needed time to cool down.

The problem was, with wolves, or at least with the High Moon Clan, no wolf was to touch another unless they were in an official relationship… or if they find their true other half. Most called them a ‘Mate’. Generally though when one was lucky enough to find their true other half, they start being a part of an official relationship anyway. It was the law for their Clan, because it meant, nobody could dispute and fight over another.

There were some issues in that, because sometimes, a wolf might be in a relationship and then suddenly meet their true other half. It made it difficult, but with the way their mother ran things, and the way Lachlan followed suit, this was better then what they had seen in travels with other Clans. Those Clans, cared not for true other halves, or relationships. Other Clans thought it was ok to do as they pleased and Lachlan was not a fan of that. This was the biggest difference between their Clan and others, because while Lachlan was formidable and dangerous, he also held that side of things in the highest respect, which set him apart from many others.

If anyone from the High Moon Clan, though not many even tried to attempt it, did do anything of such, they would be hunted and killed, no questions asked. It was not tolerated here and the Clan accepted that, it was stealing, it was cruel, because no wolf should have that choice taken away from them.

“Maybe… it is a good thing then… that she does not remember.” Shay-Lee said depressed. “That poor sweetheart. How horrible to go through that.”

“Koby… tell them what you told me.” Corrie spoke up softly.

“No. I don’t think it is needed.” Koby replied shaking his head.

“What?” Zakari and Shay-Lee asked at the same time.

“It does not matter right now.” Koby insisted.

“SPEAK.” Lachlan said in a dangerous tone, it was clear he knew his brother was avoiding something. “Before I loose my patience.”

“You did not want to know when she first arrived, so I did not say anything….” Koby said with a sigh, looking down at his hands and then back up at his brother, a worried look on his face. “I think… this is not the first time.”

“First time for what?” Lachlan asked trying not to loose it.

“I noticed old injuries, old scars… this is not the first time Winter has been injured in such ways… not as bad, but not from battle injuries either.” Koby explained.

“You can determine that?” Adam asked surprised.

“These injuries…. Yes.” Koby said. “I am sorry to be morbid here, but that girl… Winter… what ever it is she does not remember, has not been anything good.”

All their eyes were shifting from Koby back to Lachlan, who was still standing. He had his back to everyone, so none of them could work out what he was thinking. Sometimes, it was easy for the siblings to tell by looking at his face into his eyes, but he was hiding that. Knowing that Lachlan had shut them out, Zakari looked back to their mother, the official Alpha for their clan. While she allowed her eldest son to take charge on most things, he still did have to follow her direction, and so Zakari wondered, how she viewed this current situation.

“She will stay.” Their mother stated calmly. “If what you are saying is an indication of previous abuse, then we shall let her stay and find out what is going on. If she is in danger or if there is another reason for it all. Jake, I want you to keep detail on her.”

“We are not police Mother.” Lachlan said with an unimpressed tone. “This is not our business, we need to send her back and they can sort it out. If there is danger there, we do not need to bring it here.”

“I understand your concerns my son, but I like to believe we are an understanding Clan, and to be that, we need to be more open and help this girl. Until we know what is going on, until we know who she is.”

“Yes Mother.” He said with a nod.

Zakari could not help but to quickly look around at Shay-Lee. They locked eyes and both smiled a little. Their mothers word ruled over Lachlan and he had no further say in the matter. Zakari was happy, glad they were going to let Winter stay, to make sure she will be kept safe. He wondered if she would even like that, they had not yet quite worked out the type of person she was, or the type of wolf she was.