Page 139 of Luna: Posy 2

"Nathan, what happened to that poor girl?"

"Her father abused her," I said quietly and wrapped my arms around her, tucking her face into my neck as she cried.

"How do you know that?" Royal demanded.

"I talked to Tyler earlier today. The boys told the betas so they wouldn't do something dumb and trigger her when they met her." I paused to get the anger under control. "Her father kept her a prisoner in the alpha house for the last six years. She wasn't allowed to leave. Ever. He isolated her, starved her, and beat her."

Julia gasped, and Evie cried harder. Royal heaved a heavy sigh, and I looked over at him.

"I— I feel terrible. I misjudged her badly." Guilt shadowed his eyes.

"Royal?" Julia stared at him. "What did you do?"

"I ... said some things I shouldn't have." He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "I'll apologize. To her and the boys."

"Mase, too?" I growled as I stroked Evie's hair. "It's high time you apologize to him, andnotfor insulting our daughter-in-law."

I'd learned long ago not to pull punches with Royal. Sometimes, he needed a hard hit to the head to get his thinking straight.

And even that doesn't always work, snorted Jet, my wolf.

"What did you do to Mason?" Jules narrowed her eyes at her mate.

"I said some things I shouldn't have," he repeated.

"On multiple occasions," I prompted, "and for no reason."

"Okay, okay! Nathan's right! You all tried to tell me so many times to ease up on him, but he was first alpha! He had to do it right. He had to be perfect. I wanted him to be a good, strong leader for the pack."

"He is, and he still would have been without your constant harassment and belittling," I bit out. "What Shawn, Jay, and I warned you about over and over again has finally come true. That boy hates you and wants nothing to do with you."

"Royal! What's Nathan talking about?" Jules demanded as she pulled away from him and planted her hands on her hips with a scowl.

He gulped. Say whatever you wanted about the man, but Royal Price loved his mate with all of his cold, selfish heart. When she found out what he'd been doing to Mase, she was going to be so hurt, and that was going to hurthimmore than any words or wounds ever could.

He deserves it, Jet grumbled.

He and Al, Royal's wolf, had often tried to intervene on Mase's behalf over the years, but Royal wouldn't hear it.

Julia's voice turned into a hiss, demanding that he explain, and I let a small smile flit on my face as I swung Evie up in my arms and carried her away.

All hell was about to break loose in the Price household, and Royal had only himself to blame.

27: In the Doghouse

Julia Price

Royal and I left the party after a quick goodbye and best wishes to Peri. We didn't speak a word during the short ride home. I was too upset, and guilt kept Royal silent.

I'd known the man all of my life, been his mate for the last twenty-two years, and knew him better than he did himself. Whatever he'd been doing behind my back was nothing good, and now he regretted it.

Once we were home, I led him straight to his office and sat in his chair. Folding my hands on his desk, I waited until he sat down across from me.

"Tell me everything," I demanded baldly.

"I've been ... harsh with Mason." He dropped his gaze to the floor and clenched his jaw. "I've said some things I shouldn't have."

"For example?" I raised an eyebrow.

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