Page 1 of Luna: Posy 2

1: Cuddles with Quartz

Quartz

Jayden kindly shifted and gave me complete control for Posy's cuddle session. I'd have to repay him somehow, but for now, all I could focus on was my mate's sweet self.

I couldn't say I was shocked by her reaction to the king and queen's disagreement; trauma didn't go away overnight - or ever - and we should have known that she'd get upset. The incident was a good reminder to me, my wolf brothers, and our boys why we were keeping the arguing to a minimum and walking away before our tempers made us loud and aggressive.

Now, lying on the living room rug in my own fur, I let Posy do anything she wanted to me because I knew she took comfort in it, even if it wasabsolutely ridiculousfor an alpha wolf to be treated like a dog.

"I was so scared, Quartz," she whispered. "I thought he would kill her for talking that way to him. That's what my father would have done. No one ever argued with him, not even my mom."

Your father was probably abusive toward her, too, my love, I said.He seemed like the type. I bet he even blamed his wife for what happened while the rogues held her.

"My brothers said my mates could explain that." She rubbed the inside of my ears in that way I loved. "Will you tell me? What did James mean, they forced her?"

I debated for a moment, then decided no one would mind if I handled this one.

You remember what you and the boys talked about concerning mating?I waited until she nodded.The rogues mated with your mom without her permission and without the mate bond. It was nothing like what you feel with the boys. They were mean and cruel and hurt her. It's called rape.

Her eyes overflowed with tears as I spoke, and I licked them off her cheeks as they fell.

"Why?" her voice cracked. "Why would they do that to any she-wolf, least of all my mom? She was sweet and kind and gentle!"

I am sorry to say that there is a type of male in whom there exists a need to brutally control everything and everyone, to destroy anything sweet and kind and gentle. Now, add in the rogue factor. Most are vile and lawless, little more than gangs of mutts who don't understand family or love. That is why the king works to exterminate those that cannot be rehabilitated.

"But why would Father blame my mom? If they forced her, it wasn't her fault!"

Jayden was telling me something, and I listened as he explained the psychology of victim-blaming. It made no sense to me, but I tried to boil it down for Posy as cleanly as I could.

Your father was that type of male, too. Control without empathy. Destruction without sympathy.

She tilted her head as she thought about that, and I shoved my muzzle in her bared neck. Taking a deep inhale, I drowned in her chocolate-chip cookie scent. Compared to me, she was so very tiny, and it brought out every protective instinct I had.

I'd give every single inch of my blood-stained soul to keep this little one safe.

She'd stopped petting me while she was thinking, so I nudged her hand with my nose. She blinked, smiled at me, and began to run her fingers through my chest hair. I rumbled deep in my throat and laid my chin on her shoulder.

Do you know how she ended up with the rogues?

"Um, no. I didn't know anything about it at all until James told me. I thought Father was my father. Do you think it matters?"

No. I'm just curious. Packs are so secure and well-established now, thanks to King Julian and his father before him, that rogues don't dare attack or invade anymore. I wonder how they got their hands on her, that's all.

"I can ask my brothers. They might know."

It isn't important. Those it affected the most are dead.

"Quartz?"

Hmm?

"Do you think—" She paused and bit her bottom lip.

Just ask me, my love. There is nothing you can't ask me.

"Do you think it bothers the boys?"

What? Does what bother them?

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