<b>Chapter </b><b>197 </b>


    (Demetri’s POV)


    Patrick’s link was disturbing to say the least. All he had time to do was open the link and shout ‘Laras is attacking Cole.‘ I was in the muldiant & phone call so I couldn’t confirm his message but I definitely hurried along the conversation that I was having with the alpha of an iing park


    He discovered that a warrior he felt wasn’t ready for the program ended up on the bus and was headed my way. In the end I managed to convines the alpha that my program was different from the others and to let him stay until he was ready to head back or he screws up: That I understood his nervousness because a lot of packs in the program can be physically and mentally grueling to the point of abusing the prospects. Mine is challenging but not aliosive making it a great first step for the younger warriors going out for the first time.


    I rise from my chair before I’m even off the phone. My stomach started doing flips twenty minutes ago and has simply gotten worse over time. The cramping and nausea bing even more prominent seconds before Patrick’s message bellowed through.


    I hang up the phone in a hurry and take off in a jog, down the hall to the main staircase in front of the door. My timing is perfect as Colees crashing through the front door into my arms.


    I was prepared for him to be in a panic but not the uncontroble yelping, screaming, and fighting he goes into as soon as he feels me, I wrap my arms


    f around him and Madilyn as he uses his body and one hand to attempt to keep going. I use my sheer size and strength to gently guide him to the wall at the foot of the stairs but his fight intensifies the closer I get to him.


    “I’m sorry alpha. I thought it was okay to be with her. I’m so, so sorry I took her out of the pack house.”


    I can barely hear him above his worsening wheeze but it’s there. The apology that isn’t his to have. I read between the lines and back off of him as my anger with my son intensifies.


    “I’m backing off Cole. I’m not going to touch you but I need you to stay where you are. Do not run away from me. You need help.”


    I wait for a response but see and hear none.


    “Cole, I need you to confirm that you understand my directive. I know my aura is angry and it scares you but I can’t back off of you if I believe you’re going to run off.”


    A


    His back is pressed to the wall, his eyes are closed but that doesn’t prevent me from seeing the outside of his left eye starting to swell. His nose is red and swollen and the left side of his mouth is in even worse shape. Both injuries are still weeping blood. I can tell by the trails that he hasn’t bothered to wipe anything away, to include the tears I know fell involuntarily from his eyes.


    “Yes.” I hear through a deepening wheeze.


    “Yes.” He tries again.


    “Daddy please. He’s hurt. He can’t breathe. Lucas hurt him because of me.”


    I hear my daughter shriek hysterically, still clinging to Cole’s neck. I feel Cole stiffen and move slightly away as I ce my hand on the back of Madilyn’s head, calming her frantic screams into whimpers as she cries into his neck.


    “You have done nothing wrong, Cole.”


    I speak calmly, trying to reassure him. I wanted to say more as the yelling and screaming took over the front entrance of the house but I step away from him, ready to intercept the chaos charging through the door.


    Lucas appears first. Cursing loudly as he tries to get past me. While Lucas is strong and agile, he’s a new shifter, making him still rtively out of touch with his wolf. With my arms crossed and my aura/heavy, I block all his attempts to get to Cole with silent precision.


    “What the hell dad. Why haven’t you snatched her away yet? The longer that pervert has her the more danger she is going to be in. You can’t let her trust


    him.”


    He spits his venom towards Cole in my face in frustration of my actions.