Fated To Four Bullies

Chapter 7

Raymond’s POV

Ever since that brat ran away, things have been different. It had almost been a week and I still remember the day we decided to show dad the fake proof of Bella’s death. He collapsed in front of all of us and sent us into a panicked frenzy. Never had I seen that before and for a split second, I didn't know what to do. It only made me hate the girl more. It was because of her and her goddess forsaken mother that my dad was in this condition!

We didn't take him to a hospital, there was no need for that, but we had nurses and doctors come home to check him and make sure he was alright. If anyone found out that the alpha had collapsed, it could bring danger to the pack. My brothers and I did all we could to manage the situation.

“He collapsed from extreme stress, I suggest you do all you can to make sure his stress levels does not rise, he is powerful, but he cannot go against his body.” the doctor had told all of us and left, we had two nurses watch over him since that day, and he spent most of the time sleeping. Whenever he woke up, he barely spoke to us, I thought he was angry with us, that we didn't watch over the wrench like he had told us too. I hated his silence, and it only made me hate that girl more and deep down, I hope she died a horrible death. A death so bad that no one would be able to recognize her.

Richard handled the formalities of the pack since dad was down, and he barely had time to hang out with us as he did before, it was always one meeting or the other, and it made me a bit sick. To think that all this responsibility will be on us when dad hands the pack over, ugh. Everyone was doing their own thing and I went to check on dad, my heart wanted to connect with him.

The room didn’t feel like my dad’s any more. All these machines—wires and tubes, blinking lights on little screens—they took over everything. The hum and beeps were constant, filling the space where silence used to be, the kind of calm he always liked.

The bed was different too, higher and bigger, like it had to hold more than just him now. They’d moved out his old chair, the one he’d always sit in, and instead, there was a bunch of equipment shoved in the corner, boxes, and bags stacked like this was some hospital, not his room. It felt wrong.

Even the curtains were open now, letting in a pale, cold light. He always kept them closed, said he liked the privacy, but now they were drawn back, letting everyone see him laid out like this. There was a strange smell too, sterile and sharp, nothing like the warm, earthy scent that used to cling to his things.

Standing here, I couldn’t help but feel that he was… smaller. My dad, the alpha of one of the strongest packs alive, with tubes in his arm, barely moving. All this just because she ran away. The sight of it twisted something inside me. This room was supposed to be his place, somewhere solid, unchanging. But now, even this was slipping away.

I let out a soft breath from my lips and sat on the bed beside him, I slipped his motionless hand into mine and somehow deflated, “I wish it didn't have to be like this dad. You could have just been with us, we were perfect, just us, we didn't need a mum, or a stupid sister. Now they are gone, and it feels like you're going with them.” I sniffed back tears, dammit! Was I crying?! Ugh, Ryan would so make fun of me if he saw me like this.

Or maybe he would understand too.

I squeezed my dad’s hand gently and surprisingly, he squeezed it back too. My eyes widened gently as I saw him stir from sleep, his eyes still closed but at least he was moving now, the beeping got a bit faster when he opened his eyes, and I was happy to see that my old man was awake again.

“Hmm Raymond…” he moaned gently, pausing, as if trying to get the thoughts from his head, “where are your brothers?” his tone was still authoritative, but I didn't want my brothers in it now, I just wanted quality time with my dad.

“They're handling pack matters, I just wanted to check up on you.” a small smile etched on my lips, and it transferred to him, he squeezed my hand again gently before he moved to sit up, I didn't know if he was supposed to do that, but I wanted to see his display of strength, because that gave me strength too. He groaned a little but he was looking good.

“I feel horrible.” he admitted to me but my brows c****d.

“Why? It isn't your fault the brat—I mean Bella, ran away. You did all you could for her and her mother, and yet she didn't think about you for a second. Now she's dead and—”

“Raymond that's enough.” dad stopped me there, his brows creasing as he tried to keep his composure, “you will not understand, you have not found your mate yet, so you cannot begin to fathom the meaning of love.”

“You think I don't understand love because I haven't found a stupid mate?” my anger was growing from within, and I let out a scoff, “who needs a mate to understand love? We care a lot for you dad, we would have done anything for you, we even allowed you to marry that woman and let her become our stepmom, you can't tell me we dont understand love.” I was getting irritated with what he was saying, and more so, I didn't want to tell him that we have found our mate, and it turned out to be the stupid b***h. I made a resolve to find her and actually kill her, she doesn't deserve to live.

Dad let out a heavy sigh and just as he was about to say something, Ryan came in, his look agitated, “we have a problem. Raymond, we need you.” with the whip of his head, he left, I turned to dad and told him not to worry that I would be back. I followed my brother to the living room to see what the problem was and when I got there, I saw another person I never wanted to see in my life, sitting on our couch like he was the Alpha of the pack, he had a smirk on his face and an evil light in his eyes.

“Awww, look at my wonderful brothers. It has been a while. I have missed you guys so much you know." The bastard cooed at us, but it only fuelled my anger. I was the first to move, and I grabbed him by the shirt, pulling him up, but he didn't flinch, he just smiled at me, “I have especially missed you.”

“Get out of our house, we don't want you here!” I spat at him, but it made him chuckle, “what word did I say that sounds funny, huh?!”

“Oh relax Ray, I'm back, and I am here to stay.” Lucian shot back at me and with the change of ex

pression, knew he was dead serious.