Chapter 14

It was a little over a week since my birthday, and we were waiting impatiently for the DNA results. Justin and I had spent a lot of time together, getting to know one another and the little sister he had.   

        I must admit once I had gotten over my dislike and distrust of his having challenged Riley at the Claw Meet, he was a nice guy. He was very intelligent, gracious, and considerate.   

        Sammie, I found out, had had a stubborn streak a mile wide and had been spoiled by their parents, and to some extent by her big brother, though he hadn't wanted to admit he liked his sister when he was ten. She had both Justin and their father wrapped around her little finger, and they were fine with it.   

        Some of the stories he told me about her seemed familiar, as if they were a foggy memory trying to surface, but I could never grasp it completely. It was frustrating.   

        We were all still in the house, training and doing whatever we could to relieve the cooped-up feeling. I had even started weapon training. I was learning to fight with the dagger Jockey had given me for my birthday. Gun training had to wait till I was allowed outside again, which seemed like would be never. This wolf made me madder and madder every day that we couldn't catch him.  

        I was watching the guards on the mat when I heard Riley's phone ring. I looked over as he answered. The conversation was quiet, I couldn't hear what they were saying from where I was standing, but I felt a jolt of surprise before he shut the metaphysical door between us. It made me tilt my head and wonder what was up, and wish I had mastered the ability to close off like he could. I needn't have wondered long because he came over, grabbed my hand, and headed to his office. He called for Justin to follow us, so I knew right away it had something to do with the DNA testing. 

        He closed the door behind Justin and turned to us, his face solemn. He took a deep breath.  

        "I just received a call from the lab. The results of your test are back." He looked from Justin and me, his face expressionless.   

        I had a feeling it was bad news. I knew it, I wasn't his sister, and it hurt. I was really starting to think I was his long lost sister. I bowed my head to hide the tears swimming in my eyes. Justin reached over and grabbed my hand as if he was thinking the same thing.  

        "You, Justin Tidewater, and you, Poppy Miller, are actually brother and sister. The DNA test confirmed it."   

        I quickly looked up at Riley, and he was grinning from ear to ear. I looked to Justin as he let out a whoop and drew me in for a tight hug. I was in shock. I was sure he was going to tell us that we were not brother and sister.   

        "I am? I really am his sister?" Still not really believing that I had just gained a brother and parents.   

        "Yes, you are really his sister." Riley laughed.   

        "Oh my God, I can't believe it. It seems like a dream come true. I have a brother. I have parents." I looked wide eyed, "will they like me?" I suddenly feared they would hate me and want nothing to do with me.   

        "They will love you," Justin assured me. I still had doubts, but I decided to push them aside and just enjoy being part of a family. I had two families now. The Pack and now biological. What was I going to do with so much family, I wondered.  

        We discussed what would happen now, and Justin and I decided that for one, we would wait until this rogue wolf matter was over with before telling our parents I was alive. We didn't need to bring any more trouble to them, and I sure as hell didn't want the wolf to find out about them and go after them like he did Mother.  

        Wow, do I even still call her Mother? I didn't know.  

        I was happy. Scared and unsure, but happy.   

        Riley ended up offering the guest room to Justin, who had been staying in one of the barracks. This way, we could get to know one another even better and I could have another permanent guard.   

        Ugh, guards. When would all these guards end? I thought. I loved them, but I wanted my freedom back. I was OK with a couple of guards, but this army of them was a bit much.  

        Justin asked me if I wanted to start being called by my birth name, Samantha 'Sammie' Elizabeth Tidewater, and I had to think about it. I decided not to and to keep going by Poppy. It was the only name I had known for sixteen years, and besides, I wasn't ready for that type of change yet. It might have come from a horrible person, but I felt I had earned this name.  

        I could see he was a bit disappointed, but he accepted my decision. I could feel that Riley did too.   

        We went back into the living room where everyone had stopped practicing and were waiting. I hadn't realized everyone knew what was going on until then. I should have figured after all these weeks that the gossip line was strong when it came to Pack members.  

        "Well?" Devie asked impatiently.  

        I took a deep breath, "It's official. I've found my biological family." 

        Everyone cheered and clasped hands with Justin and hugged me in congratulations. They even shook hands with Riley. Everyone was happy for me, and I must say I was happy too.  

        Justin soon left so he could go collect his things from the barracks and do a few errands. I went to the kitchen with Devie to help with lunch, and Riley went to speak to Fletcher about the news. I wouldn't be surprised if he already knew thanks to the Pack grapevine.  

        Riley came back in, and I ran to him and jumped into his arms, my legs around his waist and arms around his shoulders. I grinned at him, "I have a huge family now. Not only the Pack but biological, and a fantastic mate, I couldn't be luckier or happier." I told him.  

        He chuckled and kissed my nose. "I know, Sunshine. It's wonderful news. And I must admit I am fantastic." I giggled and swatted his arm.  

        I dropped my legs from around his waist and let them hit the ground. I looked up at him with a huge smile, the good news finally hitting me, and I realized I was ecstatic.  

        I had thought Mother and sisters poisoned me against all family. Then Riley and the Pack happened, showing me what family and love was, and now Justin and his parents were actual biological family. I was giddy and overwhelmed.  

        Riley twirled me around before giving me a quick kiss. He swatted my ass, "is lunch ready yet, woman? I'm a starving wolf."  

        "It's almost done. Grab us a couple of drinks and go on to the living room. I will bring you a plate," I told him. He nodded and left the room. Devie and I got back to finishing lunch. I carried us each a plate piled with tacos. This was a new dish for me; I had never cooked it nor ate it before. I had grabbed a couple soft and hard so I could see which I preferred. Riley had hard tacos, since that is what Devie said he liked.  

        We decided to watch a movie during lunch, and someone actually picked a Disney cartoon. The movie was called "Lilo and Stitch," and when Jasper saw what it was, he called out, "Ohana means family, and family means no one gets left behind." I had no idea what he meant, but the rest of the group did, letting out a collective groan and throwing pieces of their lettuce or shell at him.  

        Once I started watching the movie, I understood why it was picked. It was a very cute movie, and I loved Stitch. The tone of what family was about, being not just blood, had a powerful effect on me.   

        Once the movie and lunch were over, everyone went back to practicing or doing something else to occupy their time. I was sitting back and watching everyone, lost in thought about the day's news, when Justin came back carrying a couple duffel bags and a box. I got up and showed him to the guest room, "You have anything else I can help you bring in?" I asked him.  

        He shook his head, "Nope, this is everything. I have more things, but I leave them at Mom and Pop's place."  

        I nodded, "You know, for a while there I didn't like or trust you because of your challenging Riley. But now that I have gotten to know you some, I've changed my mind."   

        He gave a crooked smile. "Gee, thanks," he said.  

        I smiled. "What I'm trying to say is that I am glad you are here and that you're my brother."  

        Justin came up and gave me a huge bear hug, my feet leaving the ground. I squealed in surprise, then laughed and hugged him tightly back. "I'm glad you're my sister too." He said against my neck, his voice thick with surprising emotion. I choked up and nodded against his shoulder.   

        "Hey now, no crushing my mate," Riley said with a smile from the doorway, having come to investigate when I squealed.  

        We laughed and pulled apart. I departed with Riley so that he could get situated into his new living quarters.   

        I did some more practicing before calling it quits for the day and watched everyone else work. Riley even did some practicing too. He truly was a lethal fighter. Even with Pack members, he showed no mercy. I was startled at that until he told me, mind to mind, that the reason was because no one they will fight will show them mercy, so it is best to be prepared for ruthlessness than to be surprised by it. That made complete sense to me, and I sure didn't ever want to practice against him, at least anytime soon.  

        Justin had come back out, and we were sitting side by side eating our dinner when we all heard shouts outside. Riley and some of the guards ran out, leaving me inside with Justin and a couple of others. Once they opened the front door, I could smell it.  

        Smoke. Something was on fire.  

        I ran to follow Riley but was stopped by arms lifting me off the ground, I kicked and screamed to be let go, but Justin refused. I was once more surrounded by the guards. The front door had been left open, and all I could smell was the smoke. I could even see some of it coming in. I could hear shouts as people ran to see what they could do. I wanted to be out there, but no one would let me out of the circle.  

        The smoke kept getting thicker, and I was just about to suggest someone go close the door, when there was a commotion. I couldn't see straight to the door to see what was up, but the guards who could tensed up. I heard snarling and fighting, then I saw him.  

        It was the rogue wolf, it had to be. He was in human form and covered in blood and gore. I feared for those he had come across. He snarled and came further into the room. He was limping and wearing torn clothes. He was a tall man who looked to be around six foot and muscular. His hair was brown and a mess.  

        He charged toward us, and three guards ran to meet him before he got nearer to me. They tackled him, and the struggle was intense. I could smell fresh blood and see one of the guards, Randy, fall, clutching at his stomach where the wolf had torn a hole.  

        I screamed, and the wolf stopped and looked me dead in the eyes. I could see my death there. His eyes had no humanity left in them at all. It was like he was pure animal.   

        The two remaining guards renewed their efforts, and just as it looked like the wolf might take out another one of them, Riley was there.  

        He grabbed the wolf by the back of the neck and dug in the claws he had shifted his hands into. The wolf roared in pain and anger and tried to twist out of his grasp. The two guards were beating him mercilessly. Riley getting tired of the struggles, snapped the wolf's neck, not killing him, just incapacitating him.  

        I screamed again at the sound of his neck breaking. Riley looked down at the wolf, disgust and fury on his face. "Get the chains." He told one of the guards, they nodded and left.  

        The guard was back quickly, and they shackled the wolf. The chains were silver, and they had a silver cuff that went around his neck, wrists, and ankles, all connected by the chain. The wolf was starting to come around, his neck all but healed.   

        I was terrified, yet I wanted to go and rip apart the wolf. Riley reached down and grabbed the wolf by the neck cuff and yanked him to his feet. The wolf was a head shorter than Riley but made up for it in muscle. The wolf growled at Riley then looked me in the eyes again.  

        "Ah, my leftovers. Don't worry, I will finish what I started soon enough." He said in a voice full of threat and promise. Riley shook him like a rag doll then threw him against the wall. He then grabbed him by the throat right above the cuff, sliding him up the wall, "You. Do. Not. Threaten my mate." He growled.   

        The wolf just gave a choking laugh, it sent shivers down my spine. "She wouldn't even be your mate if it hadn't been for my bite. You should thank me." He rasped.  

        Riley shook him again, both of us knowing it was a lie. Wolves can be life mated to humans, though that was a lot rarer than a life mate that was supernatural.  

        "You don't know much about Weres, do you?" I shot back at him, surprising myself and everyone. What the hell made me speak? Now his attention was back on me, and it sorta freaked me out inside.  

        He just laughed again, choking when Riley tightened his grip. Guards came to take away the wolf. Apparently, there was a building with a couple of cells on the other side of the compound. Riley wanted him there so they could question him. He wanted to know how he was able to mask his scent and lose them.   

        I had a feeling more than questioning was going to happen. I didn't know how I felt about torture in general, but I was fine when it came to this shithead.  

        The wolf struggled as he was dragged away, yelling threats and promises.   

        I pushed past the guards and ran into Riley's arms. "Oh my God, are you alright?" I started searching him for visible signs of damage.   

        "I'm alright." He hugged me tight to him. "The bastard set a couple of the barracks on fire to distract us. Luckily, there were only injuries and nothing worse. Once I realized it was a distraction, I ran back here to you." He said into my hair.  

        "I can't believe it, we caught him. He really was getting desperate if he thought he could get past so many people." I said. Riley sighed and nodded.  

        "Do they need help putting out the fire?" One of my guards asked. Riley shook his head, "no, they have it under control now. Fortunately, no one was in the barracks when he threw the Molotov cocktails, and they didn't spread far. Made more smoke than fire."   

        "What do we do now?" I asked.   

        "Question him for one. Find out how the bastard was able to elude us for so long and find out where he came from." Riley answered. 

        "You're going to torture him, aren't you?" I just had to know.  

        Riley wouldn't look me in the eyes, but I knew. I could feel it in the bond between us. I grabbed his chin, making him look at me.  

        "I want to be there." Was all I said.  

        He shook his head, "No. That's out of the question."

        "Dammit, Riley! I deserve to be there. He attacked me, nearly killed me. Then he killed Evans, and Mother and Leah, which in turn forced us to have Krissie killed. I'm not a delicate flower that needs to be protected at all times! I deserve this!" I was nearly shouting.  

        I could see and feel the struggle Riley was going through. Hell, I debated if it was a wise choice, but I knew if I was to have any sort of closure or peace, I had to be there.  

        He took a long time to answer. Finally, his shoulders slumped and he nodded.

        "Fine. But you're not participating. Watching only." He conditioned.  

        I clasped my hands in front of me and nodded. I was a little shocked he had agreed. I thought he would have argued more. Was I disappointed or happy he had agreed so easily? I didn't know.   

        Riley went to wash the blood and smoke off of himself before taking me and several guards to the cells. It was on the far side of the Compound, in a little building I had never seen before.   

        It looked like one of the larger shacks, until you went inside. There were no windows, and inside was lined with silver and iron, which made me uncomfortable, as well as puzzled to the iron. There were two cells, each with black bars that were silver and iron in disguise. Several people, including the Alpha, were already there waiting for us.  

        Inside one of the cells was the wolf. He was still shackled, but this time onto a chair and naked. He was watching us with malice. There was an evilness to him, I thought as I looked at him.  

        Inside the cell with him was another wolf from our Pack. He was setting up a table with tools and equipment. Some of the tools were terrifying to look at, and I couldn't imagine what they were for. I was wondering if I had made the right decision as I looked at those tools.  

        "You can still back out. No one will think less of you if you do." Riley said in my head.   

        "No. I would think less of myself. I need to be here to finish this. He started it, I want to end it."  

        I could hear him sigh in my head and his disquiet at my choice. But I could also tell he understood and accepted what I needed to do. 

        The wolf setting up in the cell was finally finished and stood next to the rogue as he turned to look at the Alpha and Riley. The Alpha crossed his arms and nodded. Riley nodded as well.   

        I tightened my hands together and took a deep breath.  

        The wolf who, Riley told me in my head, was named David, started walking around the rogue. "What is your name?" He asked him.  

        "Derek Jamison," he surprisingly answered.  

        "Where are you from?"  

        "Michigan."  

        Wow, I didn't think he'd be so forthcoming. I wondered why.   

        "What made you kill those humans?"  

        The rogue stared at me as he answered, a glint in his eye. "Because they tasted good. You should try them."  

        "How were you able to lose the trackers when we were after you?"  

        This time Derrick just smiled and didn't say a word. David asked him again, with the same results. David hit him in the face with his fist, causing Derrick's head to swing to the side violently.  

        He repeated the question several more times, each time just getting a smile for an answer. The hits escalated. When David picked up a wicked looking tool that had a curved edge and started toward Derrick, I froze.  

        He drew the blade across Derrick's cheek. When the blood flowed, I could smell the iron metallicness of it. It woke up my wolf, causing her to dance under my skin in worry at the blood. I was a bit nauseous watching him draw his knife across Derrick's body to try to elicit a response, which never came. He sliced across his body for what felt like hours, never getting a response. It was when he started with stabbing that I finally had had enough. It was just too much too soon for me. I thought that the violent life I had had would cause me to be able to handle this. But this was a lot different than being hit.   

        I turned and fled the building. I headed out, just anywhere but there. I stopped when I reached a group of people standing several yards away and in the group was Devie. I ran straight to her, not caring what the others thought, and hugged her. She jumped a little in surprise but hugged me back.  

        "What's wrong, girlie? Are you OK?" She asked concerned. I shook my head. I heard Riley walk up behind me and the crowd around us dispersed. "I couldn't do it. I couldn't watch him be tortured. I thought I could, because of all that he's done, but I just could not watch." I said into her shirt. Her arms tightened around me, and she whispered soothingly. I felt Riley put his hands on my shoulders.   

        "You're a good person. It doesn't matter that he has hurt you in unimaginable ways, and has changed your life, you still can't bear to see someone hurt." Riley said.

        "But I was OK with watching Ronnie die."

        Devie spoke, "Because you were pissed off and in shock from the injuries. That makes a big difference."  

        "I want him tortured, I want him hurt, to pay. So I should have been able to stay."  

        "No, hon, you may want those things, and are OK with them happening, you just can't be there to see it done. There's nothing wrong with that. It's OK and normal. You'll be fine." Devie soothed.  

        I somehow doubted it. I felt like I was not a good person, because a good person would so not be OK with knowing what was going on in that building. But I was OK with it. I just couldn't watch it being done. I don't know what kind of coward that made me, but it was something I would have to live with.  

        "You're not a coward. You are so much stronger than you realize."  

        I turned from Devie's arms into Riley's. She was a comfort to me, but Riley was a lot more than that. He was my love, mate, rock, pain, and everything in between.  

        "Have I told you lately that I love you?" I asked him.    

        "Not yet today, you haven't."

        "Well, I do. I love you more than I ever thought it possible to love someone."  

        He kissed me, and I didn't care that just a few yards away, someone was being brutally tortured. I pulled away when I heard faint screams coming from the cells. I turned to look and frowned. I should be in there watching this. I need to know what he knows and what's going on.  

        Riley turned me back to face him. "We'll find out what he knows. Don't worry, Sunshine." He said aloud.  

        I wrapped my arms around myself and nodded, "I know we will."