Page 37 of Broken Wolf

Yeah, a judge would.

And should.

I asked the wolf parents and his wife to step out, realizing I could make progress with this cop. He seemed hesitant but willing to talk to me.

“You hate us because you’re scared. I saw you hunting and what looks like a bear get someone,” I said gently.

“My uncle,” he admitted, his tone saying to let it go.

“We’re not like that, man. I’m so far from a wild bear that it’s like comparing you to a damn dolphin because you’re both mammals.” I swallowed a sigh when he didn’t budge. “You’re not fit for duty if you’re so full of hate that it’s leaking to your kid like this.” I held up my hand when he went to argue. “But I won’t push it if you’re willing to try.”

“How?” he hedged.

“We’re sending some prey shifters here for protection. You will do some community service with your son, father-son bonding time where you watch the little bully and get some of his bad energy out away from his toxic mother.” I nodded when he seemed hesitant. “She hates it here. She also hates you and is cheating.”

“She would never,” he growled.

“I have the guy’s face,” I told him. “I could find him if I saw him, and I got the feeling he’s someone you know. I know it sucks and hurts, but kick her back to wherever and save your son because seriously, what he’s been doing—you know the statistics. If you don’t get him help now and seriously turn him around, he’s going to end up in prison and dead.”

He swallowed loudly. “Will you help me get the proof and the divorce?”

Well, that got me the perfect lead-in. “The pack will.” I nodded when he seemed hesitant. “They can smell the guy on her and track him. You promise to really give them a chance and reeducate your son, get him to therapy—all of it and even extend the hand with some of your officers and they will help. We’re good friends to have.”

“I will try,” he said after a moment, looking uncomfortable. “I just can’t be around a bear, and—can you warn them I’m not ready to be around them shifted?”

“Yes, and we understand that. We do. Hell, there are some of us that are scared after what we’ve been through. I know wolves who can’t be around male wolves because one infected them. We all have to give more understanding and compassion.”

I felt a lot better after that.

And shockingly enough, he stood with me as I talked to the other parents and made other deals. They were all signed and handled so things didn’t go through the courts or affect permanent records for school. We had the attorney who worked for the pack manage it all, and it was a lot, but more would get done even after I left.

Especially because it wasn’t only that school and a lot were on vacation.

But it was a good damn start.

The next day when most of it was handled—or at least for now—I stopped at Felix’s to tell him we were leaving… And walked into a mess.

“I said no!” he yelled inside the house. “Your mother hated such things. Do not ask again!”

The front door flew open seconds later and his daughter almost crashed into me. I caught her around the waist and spun us around so she was okay, noting the tears trailing down her cheeks.

I gave her a kind smile and spoke in her native language. “I know you’re upset, but the property isn’t secured yet, so you cannot go running off, okay?” I waited until she nodded and let her go, waving for her to follow after me. “When I was your age, I was at a good home for a bit, and we had a rule that if I needed space, I could climb the tree in the yard.

“That was my time-out place, and the parents would leave me alone. Do that. Talk to your dad so he knows and will leave you alone there. It’s your spot to be outside and not trapped but also safe so he doesn’t worry.” She looked relieved that I understood, agreeing and walking with me to pick one within view of the house. “Tell me what happened.”

She did, and I promised her that I would handle it, reminding her men were idiots and needed women to beat them into line.

Something Felix was not happy about when I went back to the house.

“While I have enjoyed the time we have shared, you are not her mother and—” he bit out.

“Don’t. Just don’t,” I warned. “That’s not remotely what this is about.” I sighed when he ground his jaw. “This is being your friend and seeing a huge mistake you’re making that you don’t understand. And it’s also being Alpha, but we’ll get to that.” I waited until he nodded. “Growing up as someone who constantly had her parents thrown in her face—you’re doing damage.

“You’re doing huge damage to her, Felix. You’re doing damage to your mate’s memory.” I gave him a moment with that. “Her memories of her mom will fade. She’s just a kid. Don’t let them be replaced with you always blaming your mate for her not getting what she wants.” I was glad when he flinched like he started to understand.

“She hated that—” he rallied.

“Yeah, I get that, but she’s not here,” I whispered. “She’s not. I’m sorry, but she’s not, and you can’t change that.” I gave him a moment to settle with that even if it had been years. “You also can’t know how she would react in this moment. She hated it years ago, but she’s not here to make the decision now.

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