I watch as everyone remains silent. It’s hard to tell if they are simply shocked at Patrick’s deration or if, <b>they </b>too<b>, </b>wish to back out of warting with cole à <b>shift </b>in <b>my </b>seat<b>, </b>as these bard dining chairs are not meant for long meetings.


    <b>“</b>Since we’re all done eating, I’d like to finish this discussion in themon room. The couch is looking quitefortable right now.


    announce as I stand with my te in hand, gently taking Lilly’s as she follows. I rinse our tes and silverware, cing them in <b>the </b>dishwasher <b>before </b>doing the same with the cups Lilly brings with her.


    We head to themon room, which is thergest room in the pack house that I often use for my monthly barbecue with the entire pack. It’s as I pass <b>the </b>table that my boys follow suit. I hear the water turn on as Damianes out of the kitchen for the rest of their cups and silverware making it easy <b>to </b>assume that Lucas is rinsing and stacking the dishes.


    I make a quick link to my head housekeeper letting her know that we’re finished as <b>I </b>sit in the chair and a half recliner pulling Lilly down into my <bp </b>before she has a chance to find another seat. She’s tense and resistant as she’s never been fond of public affection but I work with her gently, moving <b>her </b>into different positions until I find one we’re bothfortable with.


    I prop my feet up with the reclining feature of the chair,ying my head back against it and closing my eyes. Today has been an exhausting day but at <b>least </b>I feel I’ve made progress in several areas. I wrap my arms around Lilly as <b>she </b>snuggles into my chest. I can tell she’s exhausted too but for apletely different reason.


    Slowly everyone makes their way into the room, finding a seat <b>as </b>they do. I smile back at Damian, thest one to enter the room, as I catch the broad smile he gives his mother and I. Of my two boys, he’s the one that has <b>always </b>appreciated the fated mate bond between us, even as a young child.


    She’s on her side, her hips on down<b>, </b>between my legs. I grab the lightweight <b>fleece </b>throw from behind me and <b>cover </b>her with it. Her eyes <b>are </b>closed as I gently rub her back. Making my way slowly to the bottom of her dress<b>, </b><b>I </b>tug on it gently <b>so </b><b>I </b>can <b>get </b>underneath it allowing me the skin to skin contact <b>! </b>know she needs.


    She stiffens badly as she draws a quick breath the moment I touch her waist.


    ‘Lilly baby, I know today has been really hard on you. Rx with me, you need this more than you know.<b>‘ </b>


    chan Fing


    I gently reassure her through the link. I can feel the gentle tingles of the mate’s bond upon my finger tips <b>as </b>she slowly rxes into <b>the </b>same feeling. Damian cocks his head as he looks at me. He caught his mom’s reaction and <b>has </b>worry in his eyes.


    ‘Rough day today. I promise she’s okay.‘


    I quickly link him as everyone else gets settled and <b>never </b>notices the interaction between the three <b>of </b><b>us</b><b>. </b>


    “So the question at hand right now is who else feels they can not remain neutral with <b>Cole </b>in light of the unsubstantiated allegationsing from his home pack<b>?</b><b>” </b>


    I can tell Lilly is trying not to fall asleep as she rxes with my touch<b>. </b>Iy my arm across the front of her encouraging her <b>to </b>lean into me as <b>I </b>advance <b>my </b>touch higher up her back.


    “It’s okay to fall asleep Lilly. I’m not certain how much longer this is going to take.<b>” </b>


    I speak softly as I move my hand from her back to the back <b>of </b>her head. She whimpers softly as <b>she </b>curls her legs into her body. <b>I </b>can tell through the bond that the numbing <b>effects </b>of the medication have worn off and the painful cramps are starting to hurt her. It’s when she slips her hand into mine <b>that </b>I <b>slowly </b>start taking on her pain.


    She has never handled pain easily yet always felt the need to hide it from me, often refusing my ability to help. I have found over the <b>years </b>that it’s when she’s tired that any pain she’s in affects her the most and it’s during that time that I can gradually reduce her pain without her fighting me <b>over </b>it.


    Dominic and Dasha have taken the otherrge recliner positioned straight across from us, sitting together simr to <b>Luna </b>and I. Lucas and Damian <b>are </b><b>on </b>the couch to my right and Patrick and Parker are on the one to my left. I end up making <b>eye </b>contact with Dominic first<b>, </b>Dasha has practically fallen <b>asleep </b>in hisp as <b>well</b>.


    “It is quite a damaging allegation but considering he has no record with the council I’m willing to remain neutral. It is innocent until <b>proven </b><b>guilty </b><b>after </b><b>all</b>.”


    <b>Chapter </b><b>125 </b>


    I <b>nod </b><b>my </b><b>head </b>in <b>approval </b><b>of </b><b>his </b>answer<b>, </b>I look <b>at </b><b>Parker </b><b>next</b>. <b>Considering </b>his <b>defensiveness </b>a few <b>minutes </b>ago <i>I </i><b>feel </b><b>1 </b>krops his disser


    <b>Voice </b><b>It </b>


    <b>“</b><b>I </b><b>don’t </b>like any <b>of </b><b>it</b>. Alpha. <b>I </b>don’t like the condition that he’s in as I firmly feel no one deserves to be treated like that. Yet it’s quite disturbing rumors <b>exist </b>and honestly I don’t know how a pedophile would even act. I see dad’s side but I see yours as well, Alpha<b>, </b>so for <b>how </b>I will resets tod


    <b>I </b><b>give </b><b>him </b><b>a </b><b>nod </b>as I turn towards <b>my </b>sons. I make eye contact with both of them briefly and I can tell I’m not going to like Lucas’s answer


    <b>“</b><b>As </b><b>much </b>as you have taught us not to base our opinion of others by what someone else <b>says</b><b>, </b>it’s difficult for me to see how an entire pack can turn <b>their </b>back on a single wolf based on allegations. There has to be something that has created these tumors <b>and </b>I’m not going to befortable with him <b>being </b>here until we know what they are.”


    I’m disappointed in his stance but I nod to his response. I make eye contact with Damian. He’s the only one I haven’t heard from yet. He breaks his contact with me, shaking his head as he looks to the ground. He takes his time before he <b>speaks</b>, making me nervous towards his answer. Damian was born <b>with </b>the same sensitivity, <b>the </b>same instincts towards helping others as Madilyn and <b>myself </b>even though hecks the physical symptoms that often <b>gue </b><b>intuitives </b>


    “<b>It’s </b>wrong, dad.” He speaks quietly.


    <b>“</b>What’s wrong?” I question, uncertain as to where this <b>is </b>going.


    <b>Chapter </b><b>Comments </b>


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