Reclaiming Herself—Completed

Chapter Eight

Patrick.

To say that Patrick was upset was the biggest understatement of the century. Rage boiled underneath his skin, and his wolf, Aero, was bursting at the seams. Patrick worried what would happen if he accidently let Aero out. The note he’d found on Timothy’s body was burning a hole in his pocket.

Patrick had toured the entire pack house and nearby buildings after taking his friend’s body down from the wall. The alpha wasn’t ashamed of the tears that ran down his cheeks. He never should have sent Timothy into this place. He had sacrificed his life, and for what?

Unable to stave off the urge any longer, Patrick punched a hole into the nearest wall. He couldn’t handle the severity of this failure. How many more people would perish before he could save them? What would Alpha Richard do to the others? What would he do to his mate if he knew? A cold sweat broke out on his forehead as different possibilities pictured themselves in his mind.

“Alpha?” Matthew’s voice broke through.

“What?” he replied gruffly.

“It’s probably not best to linger long. You know, just in case.”

Nodding and knowing his beta was right, he mindlinked his warriors to pull back. They would leave. For now.

The trip back was quiet and stiff. No one dared approach Patrick as he stewed in his thoughts. The note continued to smolder in his pocket.

He numbly walked back to his room and flopped onto his bed, face first, once they arrived at his pack. After tossing and turning, Patrick shed his clothes and let Aero take over. Perhaps letting out some of his frustration, anger, and sadness would help.

Once in his werewolf form, Aero jumped from the second story window and landed with a thud in the grass. He took off for the woods a second later, trees passing him on either side. It was just earth, trees, and paws hitting the ground. Aero ran for hours and didn’t stop until he was completely exhausted. He laid down next to the river that ran through his land, and when Patrick opened his eyes, he was still by the water.

Sighing, and not at all feeling rested, Patrick got up, and made the hike back to the pack house. By the time he made it, he realized he only had half an hour before Timothy’s funeral. Rushing to his room, he showered and got himself cleaned up. Wearing his only suit, Patrick made his way down just in time. Matthew had generously agreed to quickly plan the service. His beta hadn’t even made a luna joke.

This wasn’t a time for joking. His friend. His brother was dead. Because of him.

“He still would have done it, even knowing the outcome. That was the type of man Tim was,” Matthew said, breaking Patrick’s destructive thoughts. “He would want us to know what Richard is up to, even with his life as collateral. We need you, Alpha. I know you’re lost in your own pain right now, but your people need you to be strong for them.”

“Yes, you’re right. Thank you for believing in me,” he replied.

Patrick couldn’t let his grief control him. His people did need him. Timothy would not sacrifice himself for nothing. He would get that son of a b***h. For Timothy. For all the slaves Richard stole. For his mate.

He watched as Timothy’s body was laid atop a mound of flowers and logs. Someone brought him a torch, and he took it. He then walked to the front of the burial mound. He peered down at his dead friend, his face still in terror.

“I’m sorry, Tim. I’m so sorry I couldn’t get to you in time. But, I promise you, I’ll get that bastard. I’ll get him for you,” he whispered.

He then cleared his throat and looked out at his people, who had drawn near and formed a circle around the two, as was tradition.

“Today is a hard day. Today, we lost a friend, a brother, a mate,” he paused to look over at a crying woman dressed in black. “Today came too soon for Timothy. Today, I failed as your Alpha. I swore to protect you from the horrors outside my pack lines. And I sincerely apologize to you. This day will weigh on me for the rest of my life. I’m not going to stand here and tell you that this pain will pass and that everything will magically get better. Tomorrow will be difficult too. However, what I will say is that I will do everything in my power to limit days like today. While I cannot promise your mates and brothers and fathers will always be safe, I can say that we will not rest until the evils that permeate this world are vanquished.

“Life wasn’t fair to Timothy. He lived a hard life, and only found happiness for a little while. However, he offered me his services because he was a good man, who wanted to share his happiness with everyone. He was one of the most selfless people I’ve ever encountered, and he will be remembered as a hero. His sacrifice will not be in vain; I won’t let it. I will not rest until Richard is behind bars or dead. I hope you have not lost complete faith in me as your Alpha,” Patrick stopped, tears streaming down his face.

He then walked over to Timothy’s mate, Leslie. He gently took her hand and wrapped it around the base of the torch.

“I’m so–” Patrick began, getting choked up.

“I know, Alpha. I know,” she softly replied through her own tears. “We will never lose faith in you. You gave us hope. Don’t forget all those you’ve already saved.”

Walking over to the mound with Leslie, he watched as she bent and lit it on fire.

“May the Moon Goddess receive you with open arms, Warrior Timothy Sinclair. May you watch us from above and be pleased by what you see. May you forever rest in the care of Our Mother,” Patrick recited.

“May you go on forever,” his pack said in unison.

Patrick stood still, watching the flames lick up his friend’s body. After some time, people began dispersing until it was just him and Leslie. She placed a small hand on his shoulder, until she too left him alone.

“I will not forget your sacrifice,” he said aloud. “I will not forget you.”

Once the flames had died out, Patrick grabbed the shovel and dug his friend’s grave. It was a great honor to bury every warrior who lost his or her life for him. Patrick did not let anyone else complete this task. His people were everything to him, and he firmly believed it to be his duty to bury his fallen soldiers.

As evening descended, Patrick finally went inside and showered off the day. He then made his way downstairs and into his office. Vanessa laid stark naked on his couch.

Patrick sighed.

“Now is not the time, Nessa,” Patrick said wearily.

“Now is the perfect time. Drown your sorrows in me. Let me ease the pain, if only a little,” she purred.

“No.”

Vanessa watched as he sank into his chair and began pouring over his documents and pouted.

“All you do is work. You used to be so fun. What changed?”

“I became the Alpha.”

“I bet your dad didn’t work this much,” she retorted.

Anger flashed through his eyes. “Why are you here? What do you want?”

“Isn’t it obvious?” she asked, getting up from the couch.

She then sauntered over to him, draping her arms around his neck and pressing her ample bosom to his shoulders.

“I want you to f**k me like you used to,” she whispered in his ear.

“It meant nothing then; it would mean nothing now.”

Vanessa shrugged. “If that works for you, then it’ll work for me.”

Growing both annoyed and tired of the conversation, Patrick pushed her off of him. “You’ll never be my Luna, Nessa. Stop trying. Stop throwing yourself at me. I know what this is. Pain will not make me fall for you. Preying on my weaknesses will not trick me into getting what you want. There are other alphas. Choose one of them.”

Vanessa glared at Patrick. “I don’t want another alpha. I want you, Patty. Why can’t you see that? I’ve been in love with you since forever! Your dad said–”

“My father is no longer alpha nor is yours beta. Give up on that piped dream. I’m waiting for my mate. End of discussion.”

“And if you never find her? She could be some slave somewhere, or better yet, dead!” Vanessa yelled.

“SHUT THE f**k UP, AND GET THE HELL OUT OF MY OFFICE,” Patrick commanded in his alpha tone.

He hated to use it because it forced his pack members to do exactly as he said, like mind-control. However, he could not let Vanessa speak so disrespectfully of his future Luna, especially since he knew she existed now.

With tears pricking at the corners of her eyes, Vanessa rushed to the door. Just before leaving, she turned and threatened, “You’ll regret turning me down, Patty. I promise, you'll regret it.”

Sinking his head into his hands, Patrick felt both mentally and physically exhausted. It had been a taxing day, and he just wanted to bury himself in work. Epescially, in figuring out how to save his mate.