Abandoned Hope Unforgettable Faith

Chapter 3 Broken Beloved

JACKSON'S POV

Dr. Hendricks and Patricia have been with my mate for more than thirty minutes now as I continue to pace impatiently in front of the bedroom door. Logan and I strain our powerful sense of hearing, desperate to catch any information that they might be saying. Unfortunately, our efforts are pointless as I am sure they are likely speaking in hushed tones and the room is sound proof. This is not an uncommon occurrence among any supernatural beings. With the hotel we are currently staying in for the meeting under Elven ownership, it is an amenity they have for all the guests of the kind. However, right now, it is less of a luxury and more of an inconvenience.

"Alpha," Rowan's voice broke my train of thought, "pacing around like this isn't doing her much good. Maybe you should sit. I am sure the doctor is doing everything she can for her, and with that old she-wolf in there, I doubt your mate is in any danger."

I looked over to where he was sitting on the couch and suddenly realized he called me Alpha and not Jackson. He only does that when I'm angry. Then I realized the vexing aura surrounding me. Rowan's right. If I don't calm down, I may cause more harm than good right now. Walking over to the couch, I slumped down next to my best friend and sighed.

"I don't know what to do, man. What if she doesn't want me? What if she doesn't wake up?" I groaned, running my hands through my sandy brown hair.

"She'll wake up, I'm sure your mate is just healing. It may have been too much for a human to handle," Rowan said reassuringly.

I got up and walked over to the mini bar on the other side of the living room and pulled out two glasses and a bottle of whiskey. After filling both glasses just under half full, I walked back over to the couch, handing Rowan one of the glasses.

Taking a sip of Tennessee whiskey, I glance over at Rowan and ask, "What if she never trusts me?"

"The best you can do, man, is love her with everything you have. You have to prove to her that you are worth trusting, and protect her," he responded, shooting back the rest of his drink.

"Pretty mature from a guy who has a different chic on his arm every week," I chuckle, trying to lighten the mood, but I know he is right.

"Hey I'm not saying that I'm "holier than thou art" but from what little we've seen of her, she's going to need a lot of time and reassurance, and despite my wild behaviour, I do understand what love means," Rowan simply shrugs.

Just then, the bedroom door creaked open and Dr. Hendricks and Patricia step out. Clearing the distance between myself and them in a few strides, I tried to go into the room to see my beloved, but Patricia stepped in front of me. I glared down at her and growled.

"Do not start with me, boy. You have no right to barge in there." she stands her ground unfazed by my aggression.

"How dare you try to stand between me and my mate," Logan's voice slips through my defences.

"We need to talk about her condition Alpha," Dr. Hendricks chimes in hesitantly trying to defuse the situation unfolding in front of her.

"Fine," I motioned to the couches. I leave the bedroom door cracked and walk to the antique leather chair seated between the two couches. Patricia sits directly to my right where she is able to look towards the bedroom and intercept me if she needs to. The latter part is most likely the main reason, as she continues to glare daggers at me as I slump into the chair. Rowan sits directly to my left with Dr. Hendricks on his other side. I nodded to Dr. Hendricks signaled for her to speak.

"She is malnurished for her size and age. She also has a few broken ribs and possibly a severe concussion. She has bruises across her whole body and there are signs of abuse. Without access to all the medical equipment I need to do a thorough evaluation, I must recommend that she be transported to a medical facility while she is stable enough to be moved. My other concerns are that she has older injuries that may not have healed fully. I am not sure at this time if they will pose any detriments to her health later on in her life at this time," Dr. Hendricks said slowly, afraid the information would anger me.

"Then it's settled. Rowan call Dr. Pritchard and tell him to have a room ready and meet us at the gate as soon as we hit pack territory. Then get our things packed, we need to leave as soon as pos-," I start to bark orders to Rowan but the crazy old she wolf interrupts me.

"You will do no such thing! She is my charge and I will decide what is best for her while she is under my care!"

"YOUR CARE! LOOK AT WHAT HAS HAPPENED UNDER YOUR CARE!" I shouted, standing in front of her.

Not missing a beat, the old she-wolf stands staring up at me with hurt and rage in her eyes, "YOU ARE ONE TO TALK! WHERE WERE YOU THEN, ALPHA BOY! WHERE WERE YOU WHEN I FOUND HER BROKEN BODY ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD!? WHERE WERE YOU WHEN SHE WALKED INTO WORK DAY IN AND DAY OUT COVERED IN BRUISES AND BROKEN BONES!? WHERE WERE YOU WHEN ALL I COULD DO IS PRAY THE GODDESS WOULD SPARE HER CHILD FROM THE PAIN SHE HAS ENDURED!? WHERE WERE YOU WHEN HER WOLF LEFT HER TO FACE ALL OF THIS ALONE!?"

I stood there in shock. My beloved was a wolf but she was broken. Worse still, I knew exactly where I have been in the last few years. While my mate was suffering, I was casually wasting my time bouncing around with bonnies, often with more than one on my hip at a time. I am disgusted with myself. I don't deserve the love of a mate, let alone one that has survived so much hardship. At that moment, something inside me told me to hold the old she-wolf. I have been nothing but cruel to her since I walked through the door of her store.

"You're right, I'm sorry. You have been there for her when she needed you and I was not. I don't even know the first thing about her, let alone her name," I sighed, feeling Logan's fire extinguish as well, "but she does need medical attention and, since she is a wolf, a human hospital won't be enough to treat her the way she needs right now."

"Alexandra... her name is Alexandra," Patricia whispers, pulling away from me, "and you are right. She needs help from a doctor who knows what they are dealing with, but I can't possibly leave her alone. She has been like a granddaughter to me since the day I found her and she will be frightened if she wakes up somewhere that is unfamiliar to her. However, my store needs me and with Alexandra gone we will be even more short-staffed."

"Then I propose a solution. My pack is about two hours north of here and I have a handful of Omegas that need work. I can send them here to cover any missing shift slots and I am sure your assistant manager can handle it while you are gone. If anything, we can rush you back here at a moment's notice. Do we have a reasonable arrangement?" I asked, extending my hand to her.

"Very well, young Alpha, you have yourself an agreement," Patricia agreed, taking my hand firmly.

Looking over at Rowan and his stunned expression, I repeated my earlier declaration, "and also be sure to take Madam Patricia back to her home so that she may pack as well," I added, then turned to the doctor, "Dr. Hendricks, do whatever needs to be done to prepare Alexandra for transport and we will all meet back here in a few hours."

Everyone dispersed to take care of what they needed to do and I rushed to the door to the suite and ran down the hallway to the elevator. Once I was inside, I pressed the button to head to the level above the one I was staying on. I needed to speak with Alpha Peterson, who was in charge of setting up this meeting, and let him know that I would not be attending. Making it to the door to his suite, I knocked impatiently. Finally, he opened his door and stared at me groggy.

"What do you want?" his temper is shallow, as he is only grumpy and tired.

"Alpha Peterson, I am sorry to bother you. I only wanted to inform you that I have found my mate, but due to complications I must leave immediately," I responded, trying to sound as less defensive as possible.

"I am aware that you have found your mate. I am also aware that Dr. Hendricks was summoned to your room shortly after you returned with your mate. Though I do not understand or know the whole situation, I cannot be angry with you for choosing your mate's well-being at this time," he sighed, rubbing his hand over his face.

"Thank you Alpha Peterson for understanding. I will forward all of the information I have prepared for this meeting to you," I nodded, then headed back towards the elevator.

Once back to my suite, I walked in to find Dr. Hendricks is busying herself with setting up a portable I.V. and a small heartmonitor. Rowan was in the kitchenette on the phone with Dr. Pritchard making arrangements for my mate once we arrived back home. Patricia must be sitting with Alexandra in my room. I walked in and my assumption was confirmed. Patricia was gently brushing Alexandra's hair from her face as I walked to stand behind her. The dim light of the lamp on the bedside table halos my beloved face giving her an angelic glow.

"She is strong. What happened to her before I found her five years ago I do not know but I know that it would have killed anyone else," Patricia said quietly not looking to me.

"How old was she?"

"Sixteen. She had just gotten her wolf. I can only assume she ended up on the side of the road after she had shifted for the first time. She didn't smell like she belonged to a pack and when I found her there were already signs of abuse. I knew that I could not leave her there."

"What happned to her wolf?" I asked afraid to know the answer.

"That I cannot answer young Alpha. Six months after she came home with me her wolf part just seemed to fade away. I haven't felt it since then, except for yesterday before she went home early. She was sick. I felt it again today when you came in but only for a moment before she collapsed. I do not understand why," Patricia said sadly.

Looking down at my broken beloved I can't help but grieve for her. I could not fathom what life would be like without my wolf. Hesitently I reached my hand out to hol hers. Patricia sends me a look, but says nothing as I take my mates hand in mine. It is so small and frail and perfect. Kissing it gently, I stand and grab my suitcase placing it open on the bench at the foot of the bed. I toss my clothes in and zip it. I grabbed my laptop and quickly forwarded all of my information to Alpha Peterson.

"Everything is ready to go Jackson. We are just waiting to get the Luna ready for transport," Rowan notified me over the mindlink.

I turned to Patricia, "We are ready to prep Alexandra for transport. We will stop at both your home and hers on the way. I will send Dr. Hendricks in to get her ready while Rowan and I prep the car. She nodded and I leave the room lugging my suitcase behind me.

. . .

Patricia's home was clostest to the hotel and she went in and grabbed a medium sized luggage bag of her stuff and an empty back pack for Alexandra's. We pulled through town and finally ended up of the bad side of Jersey. Finally the SUV came to a stop outside of what looked an abbandoned appartment complex. Logan growled in my head and I felt anger rising in me, "She lived in this dump?"

"Maybe I put it in the GPS wrong," Rowan looked at his phone.

"No you did not. This is the right place," Patricia confirmed, both to mine and Rowan's dismay.

Looking down at my beautiful beloved laying peacfully on the folded down seats of the SUV I can't help but feel sick thinking about her living in such a horrendous place.

"I'll be back," Patricia's voice inturrupts my thoughts.

"I'll go with you," I said stepping out of the back and opening the passenger door for Patricia. "Do not let anything happen to her do you understand me," I commanded Rowan before shutting the door and escorting Patricia to the building. The dim lights give off a green tinge to the peeling grey walls. There isn't an elevator so we start trecking up the stairs to the third level. The smells of mold, decay, and any ilicit drug under the sun smother my senses making me swallow back the bile rising up in my throat. When we reached the fourth floor Patricia open the door just off of the stair case and walked into a dingy hallway. I followed close behind as she lead us to the last door on the left.

"I need to tell you, before I open this door, that no matter how much I begged her to stay with me she chose to find a place of her own. I did the best I could to make sure she made enough to afford to live on her own but the garabage she chose to be with stole most of it. He may be here he may not and if he is be prepared for a beligerant moron," Patricia warned before unlocking the dead bolt and opening the door. The apartment looked like a warzone. Empy beer cans littered the floor and any available table top. A broken lamp laid on the floor next to a ratty sofa. The small T.V. way laying screen down on the ground and there were several fist sized holes in the wall. No one appeared to be here thankfully because Logan was threatening to kill the worthless low life responsible for hurting our mate. As we made our way further into the apartment above the smell of alcohol I could pick up the faintest smell of blood. Patricia could smell it as well and we looked towards what must be Alexandra's room.

"Maybe you should stay here. I do not know what happened last night but I know that what we will find will most likely cause you to loose control," Patricia stopped me behind her by placing her hand on my chest. Every bit of me wanted to argue but I knew she was right. She opened the door enough for her to get through and as she did the stench of violent s*x, fear, and blood slammed into me like a crushing wave. I growled trying not to charge forward. Instead I wandered around her small apartment looking at everything. I opened the cabinets and fridge and find them barren and broken. Heading to the other side of the apartment, I walked into a small cramped bathroom and find her toothbrush, colmb, and other toiletries. Grabbing them I headed back into the living room at the same time the front door slammed open.

In front of me stood a scrawny beligerant oaf with an open bottle of scotch in one hand and an open can of beer. He stumbled into the living area and crashed clumsily onto the couch without even noticing I was there.

"Evil. Kill him," Logan roars pushing hard against my barrier. I want to agree with him and I want to kill this bafoon for what he has done to my beloved but I know that I must control myself. I looked up towards the bedroom door where Patricia was peaking out through the c***k. Shaking my head hoping she wouldn't move I mind link Rowan and tell him that he needs to get Alexandra out of sight.

"Why what's going on?" Rowan asked.

"The asshole that hurt Alexandra is here. Get her somewhere safe. I will link you when I have handled this situation."

"Understood."

I turn my attention back to the piece of s**t in front of me. There is no way out of here unless he either passes out or I confront him. Before I could make a desicion he sat up and swivled his head around shouting, "Woman, are you here!? Bring me another f*****g beer bi... Who the hell are you!?"

Our eye lock as he storms toward me but I stand my ground unfazed by his pathetic outburst, "I am here to collet Alexandra's belongings. She will be coming and staying with me from now on."

"Like hell she will. She is my woman and I own her."

"She is not property you slobbering piece of s**t and she will do what she wishes," I growled, standing to my full height glaring down at him.

He tries to throw a punch but it was uncorrdinated due to his inebriated state and a easily catch it in my hand and crush it hearing bones c***k.

"ARGH," he groaned, as I released his hand from my grip, "You'll f*****g pay for that!" and he swung again only meeting the same fate.

"Leave here. Never contact Alexandra again. If I ever see your pathetic ass ever again you will pray that I kill you," I threatened.

He grumbled some profanities but scurried towards the door without looking back. Looking back towards the bedroom I see Patricia carefully stepping out of it. The backpack she had grabbed for Alexandra's belonging was barely filled and she had a small box in her hand. I walked over to her and took the bag from her placing the toiletries inside before zipping it back up.

"We need to go. He might come back. He is rather dim and I would not put it past him to try something," she mumbled, as she led us towards the door.

I linked Rowan to meet us out front as we made our way towards the building exist. Rowan parked just as we stepped out the front door and he stepped out to help take the bag and loaded it. Before we could leave Alexandra's abuser stormed from around the building towards us.

"You! You stupind cunt I should have known you were behind this!" He charged straight towards Patricia. Rowan intercepted blocking the way.

"Leave, before I make you leave," Rowan growled, and I could feel his wolf pushing forward. "Ma'am get in the vehicle I will handle this," he said glancing over his shoulder at Patricia and she climbed into the passenger seat.

"Where the hell is she!?" the abuser gets within inches of Rowan spitting in his face.

"She is safe. Now I will not repeat myself, Leave or I will force you to."

Rage boiled over between the three of us as the man charged the SUV dodging Rowan barely and tried to pund on the passenger window. Rowan and I both tackled him and I hear the locks engage on the doors. The man struggled beneath our weight when suddenly more men started rushing from the building towards us. They must have seen the commotion and from what Patricia had told me on the drive over most the people in Alexandra's building were linked to her abuser through drug trade.

"Rowan we need to get out of here now," I linked.

"Yeah, no s**t but how?"

"Let me handle that you get the car going."

Rowan stood punching a couple of goons back before he got in the driver's side and turned the engine over. Picking up the man beneath me I lugged him into a couple of his goons before making a beeline for the other side of the car, knocking a couple other men out of my way. I jumped in and Rowan slams his foot to the accelorator and the SUV jumped into gear as we peeled away. The sound of guns going off and bullets pelting the back of the car fade as we get out of range.

"That was too close man," Rowan huffed.

"I know. Ms. Rosenwater are you okay?" I glanced at her, she was visibly exhausted.

"Yes I'm fine. Is Alexandra alright?"

I turned and looked at my unconcious mate still safely laying on the folded down seats and pulled the blanket up hire on her to keep her warm, "Yes she is safe. Let's get home. I believe we have had enough excitement for one day and it is only two-thirty in the afternoon."

Everyone settled in as Rowan took us back home to Oak River.

ANDIE'S POV

I walked through what seemed like endless fog trying to see anything. I feel as if I have been going in circles for eternity when lighting begins to crash overhead. Thunder roars violently shaking the ground around me and I loose my footing. Crawling frantically I try to find anything I can cling to.

"Help, someone help me please!" I cried but there is no response.

Rain began coming down in drenching sheets. Shivering from the cold I curl up into a ball and sob. Where I am? What is going on? The rain and thunder drown out the sound of my pleas. No one comes to my aid. No one hears me. The Goddess must have foresaken me. With no where to go I surrendered to the elements as the world around grew colder and darker. I just want to go home, but I fear that I will be lost here forever.