Chapter <b>286 </b>


    “His presence with the prospects was minimal and even after he took me to the hospital the only time he came around was to check on my progress. He told us early on that he was a strict alpha but nothing prepared me for how mean and unforgiving he was.”


    “I consider myself strict and quite unforgiving on certain things.”


    He shakes his head hard and opens his eyes for the first time since he started talking.


    “No alpha, you’re by the book. At least so far that I’ve seen. Alpha Anthony….”


    He pauses as his voice wavers, tears filling his eyes. I can tell that he’s hitting the harder parts of the story and just like when he was talking about Luna Sasha, I know he’s going to get reactive. I reach over to touch his hair and as anticipated, he uses his arms to block my attempt to touch him.


    “Cole. I know from here it’s going to get tough on you so it’s important that you allow me to touch you as it’s going to provide you a ground. Have you ever heard of grounding?”


    “No sir.”


    I’m not shocked at his answer as I’m not certain how many packs use the term.


    “Grounding is when I help keep you from going too far into the memory you’re talking about. I use positive touch to distract you; to keep you grounded in reality.”


    He nods his head as I gently lower his arms from in front of his face. Without prompting he continues into his story.


    “Alpha Anthony had dinner every night with his family, which included twin boys around six years old or so. His beta, his mate and his four year old boy and the delta, his mate and five year old girl. Alpha made it clear what his expectations of the young children were.


    Each child got served a te, they were expecting to eat at least half before they were considered done. They were not to speak unless spoken to and they were to stay seated until the adults were finished eating.


    I didn’t feel that the expectations were unfair but I did notice that the beta ‘served his son a very small te of food and the pup was quite hungry. He waited politely until his father and mother finished serving themselves but before his father sat down he tugged on his father’s shirt. His father shrugged him off, not even looking at his te while telling him to eat his food. The little guy was close enough that I was able to get a buttered roll to him, which he took graciously and ate slowly.


    He tried again to get his father’s attention but was again ignored. I even tried to get his attention but got told off for getting involved with children that I have no right to be concerned about. Well David ended up running out of patience and after twenty minutes of being ignored he stood up in his seat and started reaching for the macaroni and cheese. I could tell by the way he was leaning on the table and tipping the chair back that he was going to fall. When the chair gave out he knocked it, his drink and the dish of macaroni over. Like with Madisyn, I was able to get to him and keep him from getting hurt.


    I could tell by his eyes and the way he clung to me that it scared him. I was about to pick up his chair and help clean up what little mess he made when I noticed alpha standing up and removing his belt. Hemanded me to bring him the child but I straight refused, backing away into the living room. His father came after me. Hemanded me to let go of David and when I didn’t he punched me in the jaw. He snatched him from my arms and carried him to the table.”


    Once I was able to sit up I noticed that the end of the table where alpha sat had been cleared. The other kids had been moved to the opposite end of the table and his mom and luna were standing on the opposite side of the alpha and beta.


    Beta walked up to the alpha and held him out like he was presenting him to him. Alpha grabbed his pants and pulled them down to his ankles,pletely disrobing him from the waist down. He was thenid on his stomach, his legs dangling over the edge. His mom and luna both took an arm and held it above his head as well as had a hand on his back. His father also put a hand on his back. He was frantic. It was obvious this had happened to him before.”