Page 329 of Claimed By the Rival Alpha
“I did,” Cathy said. “I haven’t felt much like knitting lately, but I’ve been trying to get back into it. I’m even thinking of getting a stall in the marketplace.”
“We’d be happy to have your work there,” Night said.
“Hello,” Adam said as he stepped into the room. “It’s good to see you two again.”
Night nodded. “Likewise.”
“You both seem to be in really high spirits,” I said. “Is there any particular reason for that?”
“Oh, yes.” Cathy beamed. “For the first time in ten years, we’ve enjoyed leaving the house. People used to treat us like lepers, but that’s changed. When we head to the commons, people go out of their way to be kind.”
“I think that’s in large part because people are more open to talking about the missing pups,” Adam added. “And because there are a lot of Wargs who had no idea our pack suffered such a tragedy. We’ve been able to connect with others in ways we couldn’t before.”
“That’s great news,” Night said, grinning wide.
“It is,” Tavi agreed. “Does that open connection extend to Samuel? Has he found a way to reconnect?”
“Oh…” Both Cathy and Adam’s spirits dampened somewhat. They looked at each other, then sighed.
“He still refuses to leave our home, but he has gotten better in some ways since your last visit,” Adam said.
“His art has become less concerning. He uses colors and pastels more often, and he hasn’t had many nightmares. But as Adam said, he doesn’t leave the house.”
“Oh, that’s too bad.” Tavi frowned.
“Yes.” Cathy nodded. “All we can do is make him as comfortable as possible.”
I took a deep breath. “What if there was a way to help him? A way no one had tried before?”
After a beat, Adam chuckled. “Please forgive me for saying, Bryn, but I think I would assume it was snake oil. We’ve tried everything available to us. Art is all that helps him.”
“I understand that, Adam. And believe me, I don’t take any offense, but there is one more thing we can try.” I glanced at Night, and when I received another nod, I said, “I did it to get information about my birth mother.”
Adam and Cathy frowned.
“What exactly is this?” Cathy asked.
“It’s a ritual that allows me to enter someone else’s memories. I did it to learn more about my birth mother, and I think it could help unlock the memories that are keeping Samuel from living the life he wants.”
“I don’t know about that, Bryn. We appreciate the offer, but we don’t want to put our son through anything that will hurt him,” Cathy said.
“It’s only mentally taxing,” I assured them.
“It should help him move through whatever is holding him back,” Night added. “I’ve seen it being done, and I can tell you the ritual is completely safe.”
Adam was shaking his head. “You’re saying he would have to look through his traumatic memories? I don’t think that’s what’s best…”
“If I may?” Tavi said, raising her hand like she was in a classroom. “I can…in some ways relate to your son. I’ve been through things that nearly broke me. My biological family was murdered in a raid by the Kings. And recently, I’ve had to endure several…” she hesitated but found the strength to finish, “several violations at the hands of bad men.”
Cathy gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. “Oh, you poor thing. But you’re so young.”
Tavi gave a wan smile. “That’s what I heard a lot when I grew up—that I was too young to have lived through what I’ve lived through. But I did. I lived. I’m here today because I’m surrounded by wonderful people and had to work through my trauma. What Bryn is proposing to do with Samuel won’t be easy for him, true, but he will have his loving parents, his alpha, and the descendant of a pack mother right there by his side to help him. He’ll be in good hands.”
A tense silence descended on the room. The Granbys were very concerned, but it was apparent that they were starting to see things from our point of view.
“Adam, Cathy,” I said gently, hoping this would be the final push they needed to give us their permission. “This will help everyone. Samuel will be able to heal, and we’ll find out what happened to the other missing boys.”
Cathy let out a long breath. “Adam…” She looked at her mate, and he clasped her hand.
