<b>I </b><b>reach </b><b>over </b>to Lilly, who’s sitting to my right, and run my hand gently through her hair. She tighs as the leans into <b>me</b><b>, </b><b>I </b><b>know </b>learnty C condition is wearing her down. I sigh myself as I continue.
“The biggest problem I’m having right now is him not talking. He was willing to exin what was going on between him and Long Sasha b unwilling to go into any details as to what his brother did to teach him a ‘lesson‘ when he tried to warn him that she was a loose woman or what histter did to reinforce that lesson‘ in front of Sasha.”
I put air quotes around lesson both times to bring emphasis to Cole’s wording.
“It is extremelyplicated and difficult to get an adult who isn’t willing to talk out of an abusive situation. If I had a child in this condition or even if he was a day away from turning twenty–one, I could act immediately and protect him from returning to Red Fang.”
“Couldn’t you just exin the protection orders to him? That if he talked you could protect him?”
Lilly smiles at Damian. I open my mouth to speak but she manages to beat me to it.
“Your dad has been trying all day to convince him to talk. Telling him that he could help him. While he was waiting for Jamie toe back to Cole’s room your dad asked Cole about him talking with the other alphas while Madilynid with him. He exined that the others told him the same thing. They could only help if he talked. So he submitted to their exams, answered <b>every </b>question.”
Lilly ends up getting too emotional to finish so I pick up where she stops.
“These alphas that promised him help performed tests based on his answers to verify his story<b>. </b>He didn’t say what they were but considering the high level of anxiety that being in the hospital provokes if he wasn’t in a crisis when he got there they triggered one. Once they got him through the crisis they <b>sent </b>him home before the run waspleted. A monthter the council shows but never interviews him and when they leave things get worse.”
“How many times has this happened?”
For the first time Patrick looks truly concerned with the situation. “Three times<b>. </b>He’s been to three packs before mine. All three discovered the abuse. <b>He </b>talked to all three alphas who gave him hope to escape. All three returned him to his pack which has convinced him that no one can be trusted to help
him.”
The table has gone silent with the realization of what the situation is with Cole and I haven’t even finished. I know there’s more to learn about Cole but <b>I </b>also have to keep in mind what I’m going to do with the families of Alexander Carter and Jonathan Jenkins. The fact that Cole mentioned not being able <b>to </b>leave because of them shows me two things I rarely see in the abused wolves I transfer in; a sense of loyalty and protectiveness towards others in the pack.
I can easily forgive the fact that it doesn’t extend to the rest of the pack but then again he did try to protect his brother from his luna, much to his <b>own </b>detriment. So perhaps his protectiveness extends further than what is obvious, just not quite as <b>fierce</b><b>. </b>
“I mentioned at the beginning that this situation with Cole goes beyond just Cole, I merely started with what is known in regards to the physical evidence that I see. I’m certain most of you are wondering why I can’t act on what I see. The protection orders are voluntary. Both myself and Cole would have to sign and submit the paperwork along with several detailed ounts of the abuse he has suffered. Unfortunately<b>, </b>the previous packs that imed to know how to help him have made it difficult for him to believe that anyone outside of himself actually can. Although he has never said it, the abuse <b>I </b><b>see </b>is bad enough that his father convincing him that no one can help is an expectation. Earlier today, Jamie was begging Cole to talk. Cole refused but gave a reason that I didn’t expect.”
I pause for a moment waiting for any questions that maye up. I decide to continue when all I <b>get </b>is everyone’s eyes on me.
“When Jamie was pressuring Cole to talk Cole told him that he couldn’t <b>leave </b>yet. That he couldn’t abandon Jamie and his family, Dr. Carter and his family, as well as the pups he’s protecting.”
The Son of Red Fang
<b>Chapter </b><b>120 </b>