Keeping promises

Chapter 7:Exposition

“How do you stay so strong? How did you hide it all for so long?”

(Fallen Angel- Three days grace.)

…………..2 months later…………

I watched the snow flurry down onto the brown grass as winter arrived. I walked up to the large sandstone colored building, excitement building in my chest. I hit the small buzzer button by the door, a moment later the lock clicked so I could enter. I walked into the familiar lobby and smiled as Rose rushed toward me. The green of her scrubs didn’t suit her, but I was happy to see her in them.

“Rose.” I said happily as we embraced. “It’s good to see you.”

“I missed you!” She squealed. We pulled ourselves apart and took each other in. Her hair was a little longer and her eyes were sparkling a little brighter. “You look so good.” She said happily while taking a strand of my hair and twirling it.

“You look terrible in green.” I said while laughing, she nodded in agreement. “Lime green anyway.”

“It’s a good thing I’m leaving these things behind then huh?”

“Definetly.” Rose decided to take me up on my offer and move in with my family until her 18th birthday, then she would go and explore. She was going to help me teach the self defense classes, and Alpha Jacob decided that we would get paid for our time. I had happily accepted the payment, seeing as I probably wouldn’t have a chance to get another job. It was decided that there would be levels. The first level was basic self-defense, it would focus on breaking free of an attacker, allowing for the ability to flee. The second level would be more focused on incapacitating the attacker so that they could be apprehended. The third level would be real combat training. There were so many women signing up, young and old, that I needed a second trainer. I had written to Rose about it and she said she would do it, only if a third of her paycheck would be given to my parents.

In her letter she wrote about not wanting to feel like a burden or a waste of my parents funds. I told her that if it would make her feel more comfortable she could do as she pleased. She was also getting enrolled into my school. I was excited for her to meet Dawson, Mia and Will. Will was Dawson’s roommate and long time friend. He was two years older than us so I hadn’t spent much time with him. Maybe half an hour in total the past few months as we waited for the school doors to open, or as we walked to the parking lot.

“Finn, it’s nice to see you.” Doctor Danvers said as she walked into the lobby. “You look well.”

“Thank you Doc.” I responded. “For everything you’ve done for me.” She just smiled warmly and nodded.

…………2 days later………

“Who is this?” Mia asked as she looked Rose up and down curiously. Rose chuckled and held her hand out for Mia to take.

“My name is Rose.” Mia took her hand, and shook it gently. Rose then offered her hand to Dawson who shook it as well. Lastly she offered her hand to Will, who just nodded at her, keeping his arms crossed over his chest. She turned to me with a sly smile. “He’s just like you said.” I giggled lightly as Will turned toward me, with one eyebrow raised.

“What did you say?” He asked warily.

“Nothing you need to worry your pretty head about.” I teased with a laugh. Dawson let out a full belly laugh while Mia tried to suppress a chuckle. Will’s icy blue eyes narrowed slightly before they flicked up, looking over my head. I noticed his expression grow dark and his body tense up. I turned around and saw Christian watching us, I glared at him and heard myself growl lightly. Rose looked at me, then turned to where I was looking. She placed her hand on my shoulder and gave it a light squeeze. I huffed at him once more before turning back around.

“I feel bad for your pack.” Will said lightly, making sure no humans could hear us.

“I feel bad for them too.” He gave me a questioning look. “Once I turn 18, I’m out, I will never accept him as my alpha.”

The bell rang before he could respond, we all turned and walked into the school without saying another word. Throughout the day I noticed that Brooke was keeping her distance from Christian, she kept her head down and her eyes anywhere but him. After observing her for a while I decided to eat lunch in the cafeteria. As I expected Brooke was sitting alone while all of her “friends” were all over Christian. I walked over to her and sat down, leaving a small gap between us.

“You wanna talk about it?” I asked when she looked at me, surprise evident on her face. She shook her head and her eyes got misty. “At least tell me if he hurt you.” She swallowed hard and took a deep breath.

“Why do you care?” She asked, her eyes flicking toward her old table.

“I was once in your position,” I said evenly. “I didn’t have anyone to rely on, I’m hoping to break that cycle.” She took another deep breath and looked back at me.

“He’s different now that you’re back.” Her blue eyes narrowed slightly. “Whenever you would ignore him he would get cold. It was almost like you weren’t giving him what he wanted.”

“Probably.” I said with a roll of my eyes. “He has always been an attention whore.” She coughed as an attempt to cover up the small laugh that escaped her. I heard a growl and I looked over at Christian who was standing up, his angry eyes focused on us. I rolled my eyes and flipped him off. The snarl he let out was strong enough to silence the entire cafeteria.

The lunch attendant looked over and began scurrying in our direction. I stood up as he began walking in our direction. I felt the air around me begin to vibrate lightly as I let myself get angry. I felt Dawson, Mia and Rose come up to the table, their trays making soft clicking noises as they set them down.

Christian kept walking until he was a few feet away, he puffed out his chest and tried pouring out his alpha aura. I folded my arms over my chest and raised an eyebrow as I stared him down.

His nostrils flared as his anger seemed to intensify. He snarled again, I felt Brooke flinch beside me and I reached over, putting my hand on her shoulder.

“That’s quite enough.” The lunch attendant said when she finally reached us. “Return to your seat Mr. Cane.” Christian glanced in her direction, then turned back toward me, a nasty smirk on his face.

“Let’s go Brooke.” I squeezed her shoulder before folding my arms again.

“You’re free to stay here.” I told her while keeping my eyes on him. “I was actually hoping to talk to you about the classes anyway.” He narrowed his eyes and growled again. The door to the cafeteria slammed, snapping Christian’s attention away. I glanced up and noticed Alpha Jacob staring at his son, his eyes full of barely contained rage. I looked back at Christian and saw his face had gone white, his eyes were full of fear. Alpha Jacob walked over to us, everyone seemed taken aback by his sudden appearance.

“I thought I made myself clear.” Alpha Jacob growled out as he reached us. Christian noticeably flinched, while I tried to make sense of what was happening. Alpha Jacob turned toward the rest of us and sighed. “I apologize for my son’s actions.” He looked back at Christian and pointed toward the door. Christian moved without a word, Alpha Jacob shook his head lightly before following him out.

“Well that was unexpected.” I said as I took my seat, Brooke looked like she couldn’t believe what just happened. Rose and Mia began talking about their science class while I talked to Dawson about the self defense techniques I was going to be teaching. Brooke eventually joined in, asking questions about size and weight differences. By the time the bell rang, signaling the end of lunch, I felt like Brooke was going to be okay. I sighed in relief as I sat down for my next class. Mark walked up to me with a malicious glare and slammed his hands down on my desk.

“Did you forget what Christian told you?” He snarled. “I would watch your sister.” I felt an anger hotter than hellfire shoot through my veins. Before I could stop myself, I stood up and slapped Mark across the face. The sound echoed through the room, all eyes were on us as the teacher walked in.

“If you even think about touching my sister….” I said with a glare as I sat down. “Not even the best scent hounds would find all of you.”

“Was that a threat?” I heard the teacher ask as she walked back toward us.

“More like a promise.” I said looking at her, she looked at Mark’s face then turned back toward me and told me to go to the office. “Fine by me, I can’t wait to tell everyone what Mark just said anyway.” Even with his dark skin tone I could see the way he paled. I walked out of the classroom feeling more powerful than I had in a long time.

I told Marion about what happened and she nodded stiffly, writing down everything I said. My dad was called and he came to pick me up. I made sure to recount my version of events, including the remark about Tanner. I could feel the chill in the air as my dad asked Marion what punishment Mark would receive. She told us that he would be handled, and that I was suspended for three days because I physically assaulted another student.

“So only the students that aren’t Christian get punished?” I asked, her face darkened as my father asked her what I meant. Alpha Jacob was called back to the school after I revealed what had happened the day before I was r***d. Marion was dismissed on the spot and Mark was called to the office immediately, he was suspended for a week, as was I, but it was worth it.

“Why didn’t you tell us about this before?” My dad asked as we got in the car.

“It happened the day before I was….” I didn’t say the words, but my dad put it together easily. He took a quick breath as we headed home. “So I was thinking…”

…………Jacob POV…………..

I was called out of an urgent meeting to deal with a matter at the school, apparently one of the teachers who was in my pack was laundering money. When I stepped out of the car I heard a loud snarl coming from the cafeteria. I could tell it was my son so I hurried in. When I saw him antagonizing Finn I almost walked over and beat him. I had to admire her though, she was facing him head on, I could sense the protectiveness emitting from her as she stood beside Brooke, almost shielding her. I felt myself snarl and I saw both my son and Finn look in my direction.

(Christian has decided to ignore me, tonight we begin looking for someone else to inherit the pack.) I linked to Laura. I walked over to the children and all but spanked my son for everyone to see. Then I apologized to Finn and her friends on his behalf. I knew he wouldn’t do it, so it was up to me. I led my son outside and made him get in the car. I didn’t say a word until we were inside our house. Only then did I talk.

“You’re done.” He started shaking and tears formed in his eyes.

“Dad,” He started to speak.

“I told you not to go near her or her family.” I said, I was surprised at how calm I sounded, despite how pissed off I was. “I was very clear on your repercussions.”

“But I’m your son,” he pleaded.

“You think I’m not aware of that?” I asked with a growl. “I watched your mother give birth to you, I watched you catch your first fish, I was there when you brought home your first girlfriend.” I felt all of the rage and sadness that had been festering within me come to a boiling point. “I was your first word!” I took a deep breath. “And look at what you have done. You r***d an innocent girl, and now you are continuing to harass her. You don’t deserve to be an alpha, let alone my son.” My heart shattered as I walked around him. He fell to his knees and began sobbing. “Pack your bags, you’re being sent to a boarding school, until you leave you will be staying in the pack house. Once you turn 18 you will be exiled, it would be too late to execute you for your crime. I can disown you, but I can’t exile you until you’re an adult.”

(Alpha you are needed back at the school.) I turned around and walked out the door, closing it firmly.

(I’ll be there soon)

As if my son hadn’t done enough, I looked at the camera footage of him assaulting Finn the day before he r***d her. She was strong even then, she didn’t submit. I could feel Fay’s rage and confusion as he looked between Marion and Finn. I dismissed Marion on the spot, as an adult it was partially her job to correct bad behaviors exhibited by students, including powerful ones. I kept things fair and suspended both Finn and Mark for three days. I excused Finn first then had Mark sit with me in Marion’s office while we waited for his father to arrive.

“Whe you turn 18, you will be exiled with Christian.” I told him plainly. His eyes doubled in size and his mouth dropped open. “I got the reports, three assailants. Dylan has come clean about everything. He was forced into it, you however didn’t need convincing.” I watched as his body shivered, his eyes losing focus. Within a few minutes his father, my gamma walked in. His eyes were red-rimmed and he had a scowl on his face. He closed the door behind himself and walked over to the desk, he then faced his child.

“Who are you?” He asked. Mark looked at his father and begged him with his eyes.

“I’m your son.” He said, using the words Christian had used on me.

“My son would never be involved in something this heinous.” Jamal, my gamma responded. “If you were my son, you wouldn’t have done that.” I heard him sniffle as he wiped a tear from his cheek. “My son….” His voice cracked as he began crying, Mark began crying too. “...My son, is not a rapist.”

“I didn’t.” Mark got out.

“YOU HELD HER DOWN!” Jamal yelled. “EVEN IF YOU DIDN’T PUT YOUR PRICK IN HER YOU STILL r***d HER! SHE WAS FOURTEEN! BECAUSE OF YOU LOT SHE DIDN’T EVEN GET TO CELEBRATE HER 15TH BIRTHDAY WITH HER FAMILY!” Mark began sobbing.

“You don’t get to feel sorry about it now. You have had over a year to regret what you did, I never want to see you again.” Jamal turned to me and crossed his arms over his chest.

“I think it would be best if Mark moved into the pack house.” I sighed.

“I understand. I’ll have a room prepared by six.” Jamal left, pulling Mark up by his elbow. He led him from the school like he was just another criminal.

(Elizabeth, I need two rooms in the pack house prepared. The basement will suit them just fine, I don’t want any females working near the rooms once the residents of the rooms are present,)

(Yes Alpha) I sighed and ran my hand over my face. This was going to be the hardest thing I had ever done in my life. I’ve had to kill to protect my pack and my family, but now the threat was my only pup. Somehow I would have to find the strength to overcome this obstacle.

(Excuse me for the late notice, but I would like everyone to come to the packhouse tonight. I have information that I want everyone to know, even the youngest members of our pack.)

(Yes Alpha) All of the voices said as people responded to my link.

………….Finn………….

6 hours later……

Everyone was standing on the lawn behind the pack house, the smaller kids were playing on the jungle gym while the teens and adults mingled, talking to each other about mundane topics. Rose and Mia were standing arm in arm, while I kept my eyes peeled for any threats. Everyone went silent as Alpha Jacob and Luna Laura walked onto the field, Christian wasn’t with them, which was quite odd.

Alpha Jacob took a long breath and used his mate bond with Laura for support so he could speak his words. It was a revelation that nobody saw coming.

“Thank you all for coming today,” he began. “Unfortunately I do not come bearing good news.” I could feel the tension rise, so could the smaller pups as the instinctively ran to their parents. “After a thorough investigation and an unexpected confession we have found the assailants from last year’s incident.” I felt my own eyes widen, then I thought back to Dylan in the waiting room. “I am heartbroken to announce that it was my own son, along with his future beta and gamma.” My dad’s hand found mine as he sucked in a hissing breath. “I was informed that due to his position in the pack Christian threatened the Dalton family, with him being the future alpha the threat was not something one could ignore.” I knew people were looking at us, I just held my head high and kept my eyes on Alpha Jacob.

“I would like to take a moment to apologize to you Finn, because of their actions you have gone through hell. I was unable to see Christian for the monster he had become, and you paid the price. I hope that someday you will be able to forgive me.” I felt my jaw clench, I was not liking being thrust into the spotlight.

“Now, pertaining to their crimes, all of the assailants have lost their position in the pack. Due to their age I cannot legally exile them. Once they turn 18 they will be exiled from the pack and they will be marked as criminals. You no longer have to listen to either Chrisitian, Mark, or Dylan. Next month Christian and Mark will be sent to a juvie-like boarding school, Dylan will remain here. Dylan is not going to be exiled either, it was clear that Christian was able to use an Alpha command on him and force him to be an accomplice.” I processed what I was hearing slowly, Christian had forced his own friend and gamma to participate in a crime he wanted nothing to do with.

“Because he is as dangerous as he is Christian will not be allowed to continue going to school, and neither will Mark. They will be assigned guards if they are to go anywhere other than their rooms in the pack house basement.” He took a deep breath and steadied himself again. “It is also on this day that I disown Christian Cane as my son and heir, he will just be known as Christian from now on.” It seemed like everyone stopped breathing at the same time.

“My mate and I have also made the decision to disown Mark.” Gamma Jamal said from his spot on the lawn. “No son of mine would ever hurt a woman, nor a child and do it happily.” I saw his mate suck in a few sad breaths as her other two children clung to her.

“May I speak?” Everyone turned to face Dylan, he was pale and severely under weight. He looked nothing like the kid everyone knew. Alpha Jacob nodded and he walked to the front of the pack and turned around so he was facing everyone. I could feel the anger rolling off of my father and I placed my hand on his hoping to steady him.

“I won't ask for forgiveness nor understanding, that isn’t something I deserve,” he started. “I was commanded to keep silent, however as time went on the command began to slip. The day Finn returned the command broke and I was finally able to tell someone about what happened. I lost my wolf during the process, but I will take my punishment as the goddess sees fit. I wanted to come up here to apologize to everyone. I’m sorry that I couldn’t reveal the truth sooner.” He bowed quickly and rushed away, back to his mother’s side. She put her hand on his shoulder to comfort him as he shook beside her.

“Thank you Dylan.” Alpha Jacob said. “Without you, Christian and Mark would be free to r**e another victim.” I glanced over at Brooke who looked like she might faint. “That will conclude today’s meeting. You are all free to go.