<b>He </b>stops but instead of looking at me he turns his body towards me. He ces his arms on the deak, his head bowed. I take his hands in mine, my grip is gentle as he twitches, fighting his own instincts to pull away, I remain quiet, rubbing my thumbs on the tops of his hands, waiting for his desire to fight me to wane,
“It’s a terrifying thought.”
I start slowly hoping that he’d look up to my face even if he can’t manage to look into my eyes. Ife swallows hard
but doesn’t move.
“The idea of you going home after seeing the extensive injuries he sent you away with absolutely terrifies me. I don’t want you to leave but I can’t force you to stay. I have done everything I can to keep my word to you.”
“You said you would keep the council out of it. I told you what would happen if you involved the council, yet you filed a protection from torture request on my behalf.”
He’s trying hard to remainposed but his voice wavers as if he’s trying to convince me of my own actions.
“Yes I did. I knew when I called Xavier the first time that the council had visited your pack shortly after your arrived home from the first three runs but my early conversations with him kept your name and your pack’s name
out of it.
Jessa’s deration to the council and a formalint about the condition you were in when you got here were submitted to the council the Monday after you were admitted to the ICU, although I never heard anything back
from them.
Last month, the day you had your dual with Lucas, Jamie found me in my office. I had just gotten done speaking with Xavier after sending him thepleted application for protection from torture. Unfortunately the news <b>I </b>received was not what I was looking for. I only had physical evidence and only pieces of what actually took ce so the likelihood that you would be granted such protection quickly is quite low. Without your willingness to talk, I can’t pursue protection for you like I did the others that I have helped. I have no ability to force you to stay under my protection as there is nothing to keep your dad from sending his warriors to collect you and force you
home.”
<b>1 </b>
“I didn’t believe that you could protect me, so what’s the purpose of talking? At least you’re willing to admit that you can do nothing to stop him.”
“That’s where you’re wrong, Cole.” I give him a moment to fullyprehend what I have said.
“I am a sanctuary pack and I’m aware of several protection orders, most of which I believe you would qualify for, that I can file to keep you here.
There are two different protection from torture orders but the information I had only qualified you for the first one. One order is protection from torture where on going torture is likely to ur. All that one does is call attention to the ill treatment of a wolf but isn’t considered a high priority.
The second one, protection from on going torture as well as protection from abuse both automatically restraining orders preventing your father from being able to force you home while they investigate. The, e both
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<b>far </b><b>more </b><bplicated </b>than <b>that </b>but <b>that’s </b>the simplest <b>way </b>to <b>describe </b>the most important nspect
<b>“</b><b>But </b>I <b>have </b><b>to </b>talk about what he’s done to me. Prove to you that I’m <b>not </b>making <b>it </b><b>up</b><b>.</b>”
<b>His </b><b>voice </b><b>is </bced with anger, the anger I expect from him considering he’s talked three <b>times </b><b>before </b>me and thes times he was deceived.
“<b>I </b>have no way of knowing beforehand what tests the council would order to confirm your <b>testimony </b>against your father but I can assure you that no testing would be done before the council has responded <b>and </b>other <b>protections </b>have been put in ce.”
He shakes his head as he suddenly pushes away from the desk, standing angrily.
“Cole please!” I beg as he paces the floor. “I understand that you’re scared and goddess knows you have every right to be but I need something to give them. We both know what will happen if you return home. We both know that he intended to kill you ten weeks ago and it was only by sheer luck that my strict and merciless <b>reputation </b><b>is </b>what your father relied upon when he chose to send you here. We both know you would be dead if you hadn’te here. Cole please. What has he done to you to convince you there’s no way out? That there is no freedom?<b>” </b>
I know he can hear the desperation in my voice as his pacing increased substantially beforeing to a stop. Even the anger on his face couldn’t prepare me for what came next.
“There is no freedom without innocence!”
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