Chapter 85 CONCERNS
TRIGGER WARNING: The following chapter contains talks of abuse. Reader discretion is advised.
SIANNA'S POV
Hailey's burning angry eyes flickered from Duke to Raj and then to Nitya. She stared in disbelief at Raj and fumed silently as she masked a delirious chuckle. His mother's expression was calm and pleading like she deeply wanted Hailey's approval.
"The report that was given to us during the time that Hailey was at the White Clovers Pack," I spoke since no one else would, "Is that you did horrible things and tried to separate their bond. What do you have to say about that?"
"I am sorry for hurting Hailey," Nitya began and turned to face Hailey as an act of sincerity, "I never gave you a chance because I thought that only I could know what was best for my son. When his father died, I swore that I would give him the best of everything. I thought that someone who understood our culture was better suited for him. You are his mate and I had failed to trust the moon goddess' plans to manifest in your lives by being an obstacle." A tear rolled down her cheek, "Hailey, I do not want to lose my son. He is the only family that I have left. I don't blame you anymore. Please."
"That speech is obviously rehearsed," Cleo snapped, each word was hard and cold. "Surely you understand why it is not easy to accept you here." Blayne tried to make her quiet, asking her gently to shush, but she glared daggers at him as they argued under their breaths.
"What Cleo meant to say," Keisha cuts in, adding to the heat in the room, "Is that Hailey has supporters here and we love her to death. Should you try to hurt her or sabotage their relationship any further, we will deal with you as we do to feral rogues."
"These women do back each other, and when they collectively decide to do something, there is not much that we as their men can do about it," Duke finally spoke, but his tone was gentle. "Raj loves Hailey, and Hailey loves him. You can either be a part of our family or be connected to your son from a distance."
"I fail to see the point when you constantly do everything to have the final say with Raj. You treat me like I am invisible and unimportant. You went as far as to get him into bed with that bitch and now I should take you at face value?" Her expression contorts in contemptuous awe.
"Hailey, I will do whatever you ask of me," Nitya pleaded, clasping her palms together, "Please do not take my son away from me."
Cleo opens her mouth to argue with the elder woman but Blayne closes his palm over it so that her sounds are muffled. Leaving himself to endure her flaring eyes, he kisses her lids to calm her down.
"Raj will visit you," Hailey's blue eyes bulge as she spews her anger. She folds her lower lip under her teeth.
"Surely Alpha Juan could put in a good word for me," Nitya protested, seeking Vance's approval.
"I cannot let you join this pack," Vance interjected and all went quiet. "Hailey is hurting from the bad treatment that you inflicted. You were no better than a bully who tormented her and got others to act the same. Knowing that she has been through enough and that she is not yet comfortable with your presence means that I cannot accept you."
With his eyes glued to the floor, Raj bit his tongue, the Alpha's words jabbed at him knowing that his mother's reputation was tainted by her own doing. Hailey notices her mate's reaction but does nothing.
"The value of our peace and the massive extent of which we have created that within this pack cannot be ruptured by new members," Duke chipped in. "The fact is..... if you hurt my sister again, I will kill both you and your son."
With flashes of panic, Nitya nervously swallows the lump in her throat and her eyes struggled to meet with anyone else's in the
group.
"We are not ganging up on you, but this is what happens when you hurt one of our own," Cleo smartly threatened like the godfather. " We are the bad guys that you don't want to mess with."
"How about we take things in strides?" I suggested, aiming to take the tension and tap into it to reset the energy into a positively replenished atmosphere. Raj now looks at me along with the others." You can stay here for three months. I will assign two omegas at your dwelling, but you are not allowed to visit the pack house or to seek Hailey out. Raj is free to visit you or take you anywhere. But the key thing is how to mend your relationship with Hailey, so what do you propose on your part?"
Her lips trembled as though she was struggling with the right words to say, "Could we hold small talks on the phone?" Her hands fumbled with her blouse, "Just to get to know each other and build a friendly connection between us."
Hailey expressionlessly glanced at her. Raj thought his mother's idea was a great way for both the women he loved to lower the hostility fence. "Please, Hailey."
Hailey now turns to her brother, who nods but lets her know that the choice was hers. "You have no regard for our plans or our lives." She stated, "Next time before you tear him away from me you must first find out if he has plans with me. And if he does, do not ask him for anything. Let us be the couple we ought to be."
Nitya nods her consent, "I will do that."
"We are going to Venice this weekend, and you are not allowed to interfere," Hailey pointed out, "Trust and respect are earned and you have a long way to go."
Raj holds his mother's hand, "I believe that she will not disappoint you this time. I am also here to help you both if you let me."
"No," I obstructed, shaking my head. "You are a part of the issue. I advise that you allow the women some space to work things out on their own." I thought about it deeply, "It might be good if you do not have any contact with your Mom for a month. Let Hailey be her source of information where you are concerned." I held up my index finger and sternly said, "One month, Raj."
"Duke, we reconvene in ninety days to assess their progress," Vance coughs and I rub his chest, kissing his forehead. After a moment, he breaks the silence by saying, "Any decision that I make at that time will be my final. Note that you will be permanently banned if the assessment rules that you leave my pack."
"Is that all?" Hailey spoke directly to Nitya with a stormy gaze. She was not convinced in placing any effort to resolve the conflict. Much work was needed for these two to get along.
"Could we have lunch together?" Raj knew that it was dangerous of
him to ask of Hailey. Remembering what I had said about him staying clear of his mother for a month, he added and chuckle awkwardly, "Before the restraining order is enforced."
She and I glanced at each other, I smiled and so she unwillingly
agreed.
"Fine."
The corner of Raj's mouth tugs up as his face relaxes with relief. This
went fairly well.
"Thank you everyone for your time." Nitya stood and bowed, "
Alpha, Luna."
As they left, I stayed behind with Vance.
"Duke, Blayne, I will meet you at the camping site," Vance informed
them, throwing his head back on the chair.
Being alone with him, I examined his face, "Babe, you are looking
paler by the hour."
He smiled, "I will be fine, it is nothing but minor damage. It makes your job easier." He hugged me around the waist as I wiggle in his
lap, "Have you noticed anything suspicious?" "No, my day is pretty normal." It was the truth.
"Be careful. Curtis is very calculative and he will come to you in
time." He leaned his head on my shoulder. "Please do not let his charming words convince you of anything. Be sure to remember that he is delusional and his wolf might want revenge."
My mind conjured up some faith, "I will not be swayed by him." I
caressed his cheek with one hand. A knock came on the office door and I acknowledge the visitor, "Enter."
Sammy opened the door with a bow, "I came to change your water."
I nodded as our conversation paused.
Sammy went over to the cabinet where the water and ice jugs were
on a glass tray. She exchanged the jugs with the ones that she brought in and I observed her. Next, she switched glasses and placed
them on the other tray to be washed.
She seemed to be having difficulty with her gestures and I heard
small hisses coming from her. Vance had leaned back with his eyes closed. He did not get much sleep last night but I pretended not to
notice.
Vance's eyes flew open when I slipped out of his lap and went up to Sammy. "Are you doing okay?"
Sammy turned to me and smiled faintly, "Yes, Luna." Her voice was pale and weak. She was taking up the second tray when the long sleeve of her blouse slightly rolled up.
"Sammy, why are you hurt?" As soon as I noticed the purplish marks
on her wrist, I grabbed her hand to examine her closely. Pushing up the sleeve to her upper arm, the marks appear to be slashed. "How did you hurt yourself?" Looking at her, more small blotches were on her neck as the concealer wore off.
"Luna, I was training and got hurt," Sammy faltered in her words
and I narrowed my eyes at her. She lowers her hand and takes a
shallow breath.
"Are you lying to your Luna? Do you know the consequences?" Vance harshly rebuked.
Sammy fell to the ground on her knees, her head lowered, "I did not
wish to mislead you but it's no big deal. I will heal and everything will be fine."
"Did someone intentionally hurt you?" I asked, taking in her frantic disposition.
Questions hang in the still air as the heavy silence fell into the office. Fear swirls in her eyes as she stares into space.
Rooted to the floor, shakily she responded, "He did not mean to and
he said that he was sorry."
"Who?" Both Vance and I asked simultaneously. A hint of irritation leaks in his voice.
"He has been seriously stressed out lately. He had become moody
and I should not have irritated him." Her voice cracked as she made excuses for her abuser. "Please, please don't punish him. He......I love him."
"This is the last time that we will ask you who hurt you like this?" I had hoped that Vance would let me deal with it. The female omegas were my responsibility, and even though she was no longer of that low rank, she preferred to be in the kitchen cooking for everyone. "I-it w-was......" She squeezed her eyes tightly as she uttered his name. "Malik."
"Your mate?" This was utterly hard to believe, and in that instant, I remembered that he was off the other day. My eyebrows elevated, What's up with him?" I cursed mentally before asking, "How many times has he done this to you?" I have no desire to use my Luna command.
Her breath catches in her throat as she starts to cry. I stoop and hold
her hand to let her know that I would take care of her. Then her
sobbing stopped after a moment, "Whenever he comes home." "How long?" I contained my rage.
"One week now, maybe." She quivered in uncertainty. "I lost count."
"Take one of the rooms on the first floor and spend a few days here. Ensure that you report to me immediately if Malik tries to hurt you again." I saw that she was trying to be strong but the injuries were obviously agonizing, "I will authorize an advance in your salary for you to buy some clothes. I do not want you going home until Malik is disciplined." I instructed her gently, "Leave us."
She nods vigorously, collects the tray, and slowly goes through the
door.
Vance and I gave each other that look which meant that we needed to have a talk with Malik. My veins feel like branding irons as the scorching wrath in me pounds. I sighed and went back into his lap as we allowed the sparks to comfort us.
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