Page 15 of Bonded Beyond Regret

“Marlene,” I breathe, “it’s nice to meet you.” I motion with my hand behind me. “I was at training when Alpha Samuel was alerted of your arrival, and he asked me to join him to greet you. Would you mind telling us what brought you here to Waning Moon,” I prod her gently, not really asking for the information, but not demanding it either.

Marlene pales slightly, her shoulders slumping even more. I swear a swift wind would knock the poor woman over and I don’t think she’d mind one bit.

“My,” she licks her lips as tears fill her eyes and she tries again, “my mate was killed. He was taken to the cells by the Alpha of my former pack and charged with treason and betraying the pack.”

My eyes widen and Samuel steps up to my back and he puts a hand on my shoulder. To stop me? To support me? I don’t even know. Part of me is afraid that he’s already heard enough.

It’s clear that Marlene has the same thought because her words start coming out so quickly that it’s almost hard to understand her. “But he didn’t do anything wrong. He wasframed. The Alpha’s daughter always wanted him because he was the strongest warrior, and the Alpha got in her head that he could be molded into a puppet Alpha to do her bidding. When we found out we were fated, we started making plans to get out of the pack and to find somewhere we could be free, but we weren’t fast enough. We tried,” tears start streaming down her face and I feel my own threaten, “to hide our mating, but she knew. I don’t know how, but she did. She beat me and by the time I woke up, my mate was in the cells being tortured. I felt,” she takes a shuddering breath, “everything. He told me how much he loved me in our link and that he was sorry we wouldn’t see the splendor the Goddess granted us in our bond. I didn’t understand at first, but then the bond,” she breaks down into sobs, “th-the bo-bond broke.”

As Marlene starts to fall to the ground, I’m there, wrapping her in my arms and going down with her. I cradle her against me. I’m not even aware of what I’m saying beyond whispered words of hope for a brighter tomorrow and that the pain does get better, even if it never disappears. I think I tell her that I felt my own mate bond snap, but I’m hardly aware of it. For the first time since losing Andrew, the ache in my chest has nothing to do with his death.

It's all for her, for this female who endured so much and is barely hanging on to this world because of it.

“I’m pregnant,” she whispers against my shoulder. “My wolf told me right before the torture began. She couldn’t stop me from feeling everything because she had to protect our pup, especially after the beating we endured.”

I stiffen with her words and look to see the utter desolation on the faces of the two males who have heard Marlene’s story. Butthat’s not the only thing written on their faces. There is also pure fucking rage.

Even though I’ll be glad when whoever this Alpha is gets what is coming to him, part of me pities him. He will be in for a rude awakening if he believes he has gotten away with this. My only hope is that I’m there to see justice served.

“Alpha,” is called softly from right behind Samuel before a man wearing scrubs and a white coat comes to stand next to him. By the look on his face, it’s clear Samuel has filled him in on Marlene’s story. He crouches down next to where I’m still holding an inconsolable female. “Marlene,” his voice is a coo, “if it would be alright with you, I’d really like to take you to the pack hospital and get you and your pup checked out. You’ve been through a horrible ordeal, and we want to help you get healthy so you can become the fierce mama wolf you are destined to be.”

Marlene looks at me, as if asking if she’s safe, if she’s home. I nod as a smile grows on my face slowly. “You can trust the wolves here, Marlene. I promise. My mate died three years ago, and I was lost until I came here not long ago. I haven’t been here long, but I can tell you that even in that short amount of time I’ve found peace that not even my daughter could bring me. Trust that we will help you.”

“Thank you,” she sighs before allowing the doctor to help her up and start to lead her away. When she’s standing next to Samuel, she bares her neck in respect. “Thank you, Alpha. You have no idea the bright light this pack has become to those who have known darkness for far too long. Thank you.”

I stand up, almost unable to process what just happened.Thank you.When she sighed those words, it struck something in me. It changed something in me as they resonated. Two words, which can be thrown around by anyone for any numberof reasons. But it was how she said it that mattered. They held so much relief that I felt it flow through me and take a little bit more of my own pain in payment.

I watch Marlene as she moves away from us. I don’t even realize that the tears I was fighting are traipsing down my cheeks until Samuel wraps his arms around me and pulls me against my chest. Crying while wrapped up in this Alpha’s arms is the last thing I should be doing, but I can’t seem to stop.

Nor do I stop him when he leads me away from the gates and back toward my home. Home. It’s amazing how quickly this place, and the house I share with Aisley, has become exactly that. I do have some questions, though.

Like why did Samuel really ask me to join him at the gate? How do I know the pain I see in his eyes is similar to the pain I feel? What happened—not the rumors but the truth—to his mate?

I hope he’s ready to answer at least some of them.

CHAPTER 7

SAMUEL

The need to burn off the restless energy that I’ve been harboring for the last few days is riding me hard. Unfortunately, since it’s Saturday, we don’t have regular training times today. Everyone needs rest and to be able to spend time with their families, which is why we give them Saturday off.

But that means there probably isn’t anyone at the training ground and that means I can’t take out my restlessness on anyone by sparring.

And I need it.

The memory of the conversation I had with Nyx after she stepped up and helped Marlene when she showed up at the gate to the pack has been circling my mind. It was a conversation that needed to happen, I know it did. Still, I feel raw and exposed in away that I’m not used to.

After Marlene was led away to the pack hospital, I held Nyx and let her have a moment to cry. It wasn’t a moment of weakness, not even close. I could feel the empathy and compassion coming from her. She wasn’t feeling sorry for herself; her reaction was completely selfless.

It was a beautiful thing, and I felt honored to be allowed to be there for her when she needed it.

Honestly, I needed comfort and contact just as much as she did. The story Marlene told us, which I have no doubt is true, was something I couldn’t imagine going through. Then to top it all off, she’s pregnant?

I know Marlene’s pup will be lucky to have such a strong mom, but that doesn’t mean the road before her will be easy or without hurdles. She’s going to struggle. Hopefully, she’ll allow us to be there for her.

When we entered Nyx’s house, it was like she blinked out of her stupor and her gorgeous brown eyes locked with mine. Her golden flecks sparkled as she studied me. I don’t know what she saw in me at that moment.

Her voice was hoarse, “Why me?”

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