bChapter /bb473 /b

    “How about the two of you take a little walk and talk for a bit before lunch. I’ll finish packing

    everything up.”

    He nods silently as he heads towards the door, stopping briefly to slip his shoes on. I stop beside Lilly, cing my hand on her back, attracting her attention to me. I give her a chaste kiss before leaning my forehead upon hers.

    “Talk to him, Dem. He needs to understand that he has a reason to run and a ce to run to.

    Here with us has been more of a home than his own ever has.”

    I kiss her again before joining Cole just outside his door.

    “Let’s go on a little walk. I know you’re not going to eat but it is important that we talk a

    little.”

    He nods but remains silent as he follows behind me. We walk slowly through the practically empty pack house. I watch as he gingerly runs his fingertips over the things he’s be

    familiar with.

    I stop just outside my office door. In the hall, just outside the door are six backpacks, allbeled for Jamie but sealed with different colored zip ties. I watch patiently as theye into

    his view.

    “They are for you and Jamie.” I exin with a soft voice.

    “They’re allbeled for him.”

    “Yes sir. Remember our meetingst month. Yours are sealed in ck, his in white. I met with himst week to give him instructions on getting these back to you. I know you feel you’re putting him in danger. The quicker you get out of there and back to me the sooner that danger

    ends for him.”

    “What do you mean?”

    “He will not abandon you. To save both you and them you must temporarily abandon them.”

    “Leaving my pack, pursuing protection orders, it will destroy my pack.”

    “Your father destroyed your pack a long time ago and if he did indeed file for a ferality trial then he, and he alone is responsible for the council’s investigation.”

    b1/3 /b

    b“/bWhat’s in the packs?” He asks as I hand Addison, one of my newest bomega /bbhelpers/bb, /bbone /bof the bags.

    “For you, clothes, medication and some other supplies.”

    “You shouldn’t have. You know I won’t be able to run with it.”

    “I’m not concerned with iting back with you Cole. Crimson General is one of the most advanced hospitals in the area for both werewolves and humans alike. It has been owned by the ck family for generations and it allows me to provide for my pack without questionb. /bYour beta and family will have a fully furnished home when theye.

    It may take me several months to n it out but an extensive conversation with Jamie revealed that Molly and the pups are in no physical danger. They will likely need therapy for ptsd depending on how much they understand what’s going on with Jon and Jamie but physically they are fine. Jon and Jamie are the ones taking the brunt of what your father is dishing out and I do believe that will stop once you disappear.”

    He looks up from the floor into my eyes as he finally speaks.

    “I don’t know how to do this.”

    I reach my hand out towards him but he steps away, whining hard he covers his head and the only thing I can think of is to push him inside my office. I can tell he wants to panic and the best thing right now is to allow him to release the emotions he’s trying to hide. He’s not going to like what I think he needs but with his resolve to leave so high, breaking loose some of the anxiety surrounding it should help.

    “Take your shirt off.”

    I’m gentle butmanding with my statement. He freezes his movements, drawing a sharp breath as he does. I’ve spiked his anxiety, the effect I’m looking for.

    “Sir?” He responds nervously.

    “I’m not going to lie to you, your anxiety is too high and a release needs to be triggered. You’ve lost your trust in me so that should make it easier to set you off. I’m not going to hurt you or punish you but you’re teetering on an edge that needs support when you fallb./bb” /b