The Luna Alpha

CHAPTER EIGHT - THE FINAL STRAW

AXEL

I knocked on Aaron’s door. It was almost 5. The moon was still in the sky. It had been 4 hours and 21 minutes since we’d left him there. I couldn’t stand it for another moment. I hadn’t even taken my shoes off.

“Yeah,” Aaron said as he opened the door. Why was he faking a yawn?

“You didn’t sleep either?” I looked down at his clothes he was still wearing from yesterday. He stood up straight at that.

“Yeah, it kinda kept me up, ya know.”

Andrew came out upon hearing us. He didn’t look like he’d slept either. “Ready to go?” he asked eagerly.

“It’s not even 5 yet Axel, I thought you said before sunrise,” said Aaron.

I wasn’t in the mood to argue. “Let’s go.”

Aaron rolled his eyes but hurriedly grabbed his jacket. I could hear the kitchen staff starting to move pots around. Breakfast was promptly at 6:45 to 7:30 because kids had to get to homeroom by 7:45.

Aaron started the car. I could see his anxiousness. I knew he felt like we’d gone too far this time. I could feel that coming from Andrew as well. But …they didn’t care about Parker, did they? Maybe they just thought the discipline was too far in general.

But they would never go against me. Much like my father, my temper was hard to handle. It had gotten worse over the years. I think my anger just stemmed from not being able to be with the one person I truly loved. I looked back at my brothers.

Maybe one day I could salvage our relationship together. Maybe our mate could bring us together. I don’t know how though.

Panic. That’s all that went though me. Absolute panic. The first moment I saw him hanging from his side with his head low all I could do was run. Not my Parker. What did I do? What did you do you asshole????? Did I…..kill him?

I couldn’t feel my heart beat anymore. I wasn’t breathing as I watched Aaron jump up on the base of the flagpole and catch him gently as Andrew lowered the rope. He was limp in Aaron’s arms. I swallowed hard.

He had bruises. Thick long deep bruises going up his left arm and into his armpit. And when Aaron turned him around I almost couldn’t look.

A deep long rope burn going up and around his thigh and into the back of his boxers. He had been laying on the rope all night. The duct tape had broken. His face was blue and his lips dry and pale.

Parker opened his eyes slowly and looked Aaron in the face. Aaron’s shock must have scared him. In fact both Andrew and Aaron had been in shock like me. Were they actually concerned for him?

I suppose anybody would have compassion for someone in this condition. Parker started to breath slightly heavier, even more fearful as he looked to me and Andrew. Then he lowered his head in reverence to us. I could have thrown up.

“Alphas,” he said in the croakiest voice I’d ever heard him use. It was like he had a sore throat. He probably did. He was shivering like crazy.

“Get his jacket and pants on Aaron,” Andrew said almost panicky. Aaron quickly grabbed his stuff and tried to put the clothes on him but Parker backed away.

“Parker,” Aaron said in a soft voice, “stand still.”

“I can do it,” he croaked.

“I can help you.” Aaron moved forward and Parker moved back again.

“Don’t touch me!” he croaked again. He held his hand up to keep Aaron away. I could see Aaron’s chest start to rise and fall quickly. Was it ……hurt I saw on his face? He lowered the clothes back to the ground and Parker picked them up and quickly dressed while we watched in silence.

When he turned there was no pretense anymore. He stood strong and tall and had tears in his eyes. I had to stand tall too. I had to keep up my pretense no matter how hard I wanted to cry out.

But somehow it was hard for me to speak. I stumbled over my first few words. “ Did…did you learn your lesson? To respect your alphas?”

I cleared my throat. There was no coming back from this. I had a black soul that was only getting darker. If Parker didn’t hate me before, he sure did now. My brothers too.

“Yes Alphas.” He lowered his head again. I knew he had to have a horribly painful crick in his neck from the way he slept all night but he didn’t show it.

“Good.” I could feel Aaron’s and Andrew’s anger coming off of them in waves. My own brothers were disappointed in me. My heart hurt. I tried to breathe again.

“May I go?” Parker looked me straight in the eye. He’d never done that before. No one ever does that.

“We’ll drive you back –

“I can walk,” he cut me off. He attempted to walk and all we could hear was painful groans that he was trying to hide. Not to mention the awful limp. He wouldn’t get home before sunset.

“I said we’ll drive you back.”

“I don’t wanna ride in your car.”

“Then I’ll carry you,” Andrew offered.

“I’m fine thanks.”

“We’re driving you,” I said softly. “That’s an order,” I said even softer. I had the decency to at least feel ashamed at saying that.

He didn’t look back at us. He just said “Yes, Alpha.” He turned toward the car but Aaron started running toward it.

“Stay there! I’ll get it!” Aaron ran off while we all stood in continued silence.

Parker's eyes stared at the ground with a faraway look. No I would never hold him. Did I really love him? How could I do this to someone I loved?

Aaron finally pulled up and parked next to us on the field. I opened the back door but Parker limped to the passenger side.

“You need to lay down.”

“Yes, Alpha.” I had never heard Parker have contempt in his voice before. It was strange... it was heart constricting. He moved to the back seat and laid down on the side that wasn’t bruised. I could tell it was still uncomfortable for him.

Andrew got in the front seat and I took off my jacket. I draped it over Parker and shut the door. I leaned in the passenger side window.

“Take him to the packhouse,” I directed at Aaron. “We”ll put him in the 3rd guestroom on floor 2. I’ll catch up.” I got nods from my brothers. At least we were of the same mind on this.

“What? Wait. I have to go to the orphanage. I have to get ready for school.”

“You won’t be going to school today Parker,” I said. It was the first time I’d said his name in years. I think he noticed it too. “I’ll be there 5 minutes after you guys.”

They nodded and drove off. I set off at a jog, the cool morning air keeping my eyes from dripping tears. This was something I’d never be able to forgive myself for. They were all right for hating me. But they couldn’t hate me more than I hated myself.