Page 1 of Hidden Pain

Prologue

Some people who experience anguish and pain are apparently unaffected by the traumatic path their life leads them. But, for others the devastating effects can twist what was once recognizable as a happy and contented person into one who suffers daily with depression or anxiety, and sometimes both. A deep hole swallows them up and drowns them in a weight of emotion. Some hide away and cry while others try to fight their corner. All too often, though, they end up defeated.

There are so many stories about the tragic circumstances which have brought these people down to their lowest levels. Each tale is unique to the person suffering, but all are equally important.

Abuse in all its forms, both psychological and physical, is a major cause of depression. These days there’s a wider recognition that women are no longer the chattels they once were. Men and women can’t be bought and sold on a whim and treated as second class citizens. Everybody has their own identity and rights, and no one is beneath anyone else. Yet reported cases of domestic violence have increased, and every day, stories of exploitation and manipulation make the new’s headlines. People using fists and/or words to harm and degrade others. For those who suffer the consequences of such abuse, the effects can be destructive and life changing long after they’ve been removed from the situation.

Disappointment in those we believe should always be right is another contributing factor to depression. Parents are perceived as gods by their young child, but we all have our faults and weaknesses, some more than others. For a child to learn they mean nothing to the people they’ve worshiped all their life is heartbreaking, and it takes a great deal of courage and self belief to come back from.

Feelings of conflict and failure are also key triggers. Many people crave power but with it comes responsibility and duty. When a person’s status prevents them from embracing their true self, it can make even the strongest feel weak and inadequate.

Can you learn to love others when you’ve only experienced anger, cruelty, and violence in the past?

Can you learn to trust and believe in others when you’ve been let down by those who should love and protect you unconditionally?

Can you have overall authority and still be the alpha you were destined to be when you can’t be the person you truly are?

These are the questions to be answered in Hunter, Lily, and Kingsley’s story.

Can they overcome their hidden pain and find love?

Chapter One

Kingsley cheered when the priest announced Isobel and Zain to be ‘man and wife’. His sister was marrying her childhood sweetheart: a bear shifter from the Glacial Blood pack, and also one of Kingsley’s closest friends.

The wedding guests began to clap, and Kingsley wanted to join in, but that wasn’t possible with the thick wadding of bandages wrapped around his hand where his finger used to be. He could still occasionally feel the missing digit. ‘Phantom pains,’ the doctors had called them. They told him he’d probably experience them for the rest of his life, but other than that, he would return to relative normality. He doubted anything would be normal again, though, since it was his own father who’d chopped the finger off, trying to implement an insane plan to unveil shifters to the world. Thankfully, it had failed, and his father was now dead. But that didn’t take away the pain he felt, knowing his father would have willingly killed him to achieve his aim. His father, Senator Ross, had been the man Kingsley looked up to the most. The Senator hadn’t always been obsessed with how he could further his own career. Kingsley recalled a time before his father became consumed with his own self-importance and embarked upon a ruthless and pointless crusade:

His father had taught him how to ride his first bike. They’d spent hours out in their backyard. His father had held on to the back of Kingsley’s collar to keep him steady, and he’d peddled his little legs as fast as he could to maintain his balance once his father let go. Most times he fell off, and his father was there instantly to kiss any aches better.Eventually he got the hang of it, which brought a proud look to his father’s face.

It’s a shame that pride became twisted and then died, making his father unrecognizable in the end. Power is a dangerous thing in the hands of the weak. Kingsley could even pinpoint the time when their relationship went downhill—it was when Kingsley discovered his love of art. It wasn’t his father’s choice of a career for him. He’d wanted his son to follow him into politics, but that didn’t appeal to Kingsley. No, he wanted to create magic with his hands. In the end, his father had told Kingsley to leave the house, and having given him a substantial amount of money to disappear quietly, his father disowned him. With the payoff he’d received, Kingsley bought his tattoo shop. He longed to go back there and ink someone, but it would be a long time before he could do that again. He’d handed the shop over to his deputy manager’s expert care, and it would stay that way for the foreseeable future…possibly forever. His dominant hand was permanently damaged, and he feared he might never design with it again. He couldn’t wallow in his grief, though. He wanted to enjoy today—it was his sister’s special day. He’d just given her away to Zain, and he couldn’t have been prouder. The bear shifter was perfect for his little sister.

“Kingsley.” Isobel ran up to him and threw her arms around him. “Thank you.”

The corner of her make-up was smudged where she’d been crying happy tears.

“Are you happy?” He smiled back down at her, her radiant beauty complemented by the simple long white wedding gown she was wearing.

“I couldn’t be happier.” His sister’s voice broke with the emotion she was feeling. It’d been a draining week, and only one hundred and fifty hours had passed since they’d discovered their father had died.

The wedding preparations had been frantic because Zain and Isobel didn’t want to waste any more time being apart. They’d suffered enough on that score. They’d got their happy ever after despite the ongoing issues surrounding the Glacial Blood pack having been revealed to humans. An incident which the Council were busy covering up.

“What happens now? Are you going on a honeymoon?” Kingsley asked.

Isobel shook her head.

“No, it’s not possible at the moment. We need to be here to support the pack.”

“You’ve found a fantastic family, haven’t you?” Despite trying to sound positive, his tone was laced with sadness.

“I have, and you’re a part of it as well.” Isobel spoke warmly to her brother.

Zain appeared behind his new wife and wrapped his arms around her waist before pressing his nose into her neck.

“Honey?” the bear shifter growled.

Isobel patted him away. “Later.” She blushed with embarrassment, and Kingsley turned his head away from the amorous couple.

“Enjoy yourselves,” Kingsley laughed.

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