Second chance love

S e v e n

The atmosphere had dropped a few degrees, and Holly brought her arms around herself in a vain attempt to comfort herself just at the idea of the Black Hart pack. They all watched and waited for Caleb to tell his story. 

The Black Hart pack were notoriously viscous, they took in anyone who could prove themselves in a fight regardless of their morality, and were known for holding a grudge and taking no prisoners.

“My sister caught the eye of the Beta, but she wanted to hold out for her mate.” Caleb looked at his feet to hide the emotions on his face, but Holly could sense the sadness coming off him. She knew what was coming, and braved herself for the rest of the story. 

“She said no. The Beta declared her as his and claimed that my father was holding her to ransom, so he got their pack of dogs to destroy anyone who got in his way.” The venom dripped from his words as he continued. “They started with the men. Once the majority of them were killed, they gave the women and children the choice between death or servitude. Those who chose death were,” his breath hitched in his throat, “killed in front of us.”

Holly and Lisa both gasped, not just at the public execution, but at the idea of murdering children. A tear had escaped and was running down Caleb’s cheek now. 

“My sister, she begged for their lives, said she would go with them if they just left everyone else alone. He didn’t care. Said he didn’t want her anymore.” 

By this point the tears were rolling down Holly’s face at the heartbreaking story her mate was telling. She felt herself move towards him to comfort him, but stopped as he continued. 

“His name was Andy. He told my sister that this was all her fault and that she could have stopped all this. It broke her heart. So I broke his neck.” 

Now it was the boys’ turn to gasp. 

“How the hell did you manage to get away?” Darren asked, a mix of shock and awe on his face. 

“I don’t really know to be honest. It all happened so fast.” Caleb’s face was lined with grief as he continued. “The pack killed everyone I’ve ever known. After I snapped that bastards neck, Tony, the Alpha, he...” 

Caleb couldn’t finish that sentence but they all knew what had happened. Not once had he referred to his sister in the present tense, not even by name. She must have been killed as a result of his actions. Holly felt her heart break even more at the realisation of the huge amount of guilt Caleb would be carrying around with him for the rest of his life. She took another involuntary step closer to him. 

“I don’t know how I got out alive, but I did. I spent two weeks running, hiding, healing, and trying to form a plan for revenge. I had heard the rumours of the White Tide pack being a place of refuge to wolves who deserve a second chance so I decided I’d try my luck.” He looked up and made direct eye contact with Darren, who was studying him intently. “How am I doing so far?” He pulled one side of his face up in a sad smile, in a vain attempt to lighten the mood. 

Holly watched as Darren and Finn began to converse over mind-link. As she replayed the story in her mind, Lacey stifled a sob before pleading, “Holly, please can we go to him, he is hurting and we have to console him.”

Holly closed the gap between her and Caleb, and let out a small cough to get his attention. He tore his eyes away from Darren and looked at her, the desperation and sorrow etched into his face. Her heart sped up a little just at the eye contact, and her breathing became slightly faster too. Just as she was about to open her mouth to say something, Darren spoke. 

“If you want our help, then you will need to become a member of this pack. I won’t risk my pack for a revenge battle. I protect my pack, and only my pack.” Darren looked at Caleb solemnly before continuing. “You would have to pass the fitness test, and complete the two weeks training process that we put all our new members through. Once you have done this, we will initiate you into the pack and avenge your family’s lives.”

Caleb looked up with a sad smile, before quietly saying "I've got nothing else to lose."

Holly felt a little stung by that remark, but she knew he was focused purely on his family and his poor sister, so she shrugged it off for now. Finn was talking to Caleb about the rituals and the training he would now face to become a pack member, but Holly wanted nothing more than to leave the warehouse and get home. She needed to have a long hot shower, and cry and grieve over the loss of the lives of her mates family, those she would never get to know. As if sensing her sadness, Lisa put her arm around Holly and moved her towards the door. She was saying something but Holly couldn't focus on her words, instead looking at Caleb and expecting him to look at her. She needed to know that she didn't just imagine the connection she felt in the woods, that she didn't imagine their spoken claim. 

Just as they were going through the door of the warehouse and onto the dirt road that led out of this somewhat abandoned area of land and back to civilisation, Caleb looked into her eyes, and she could see a world of sorrow and pain in his eyes. It would take some time for him to open himself up to anyone again, but she was willing to give him the time. She prayed to the Moon Goddess that he would be worth the time, and that she was strong enough to help him to heal over time.