Betrayed from Birth – Alpha’s Unvalued Daughter
Chapter 140

Cheryl's POV

I knew that we were traveling with vampires, and I was nervous, to say the least. I have never had any experience with them, and I was glad that Kevin didn't know that I was going to be with them. He would have worried this whole time. He was already worried about my coming here, without being healed. It was a choice I made, with Raven, who knew what the whole plan was. She was completely confident that the people who were coming with us would be able to handle the problem that they were having at Blood Tracker with no problems at all. Her confidence in them, along with Brandon, and Justin, allowed me to be willing to come along. I was actually looking forward to getting to see Reagan again. I had mentioned to Raven wanting to stop on the way back to see Graham, and that was actually my primary reason for coming.

I knew I was still weak, but I was a lot better than I had been when I arrived at Black Adder. Max, my doctor, is amazed by the progress that I have made over the course of a week. He mentions how strong I am to me every day. I don't fully believe him, but he reminds me that he thought I would be on the feeding tube for weeks, not days. He said that I am on course to be at 100%, by the time a month is complete. I think he might be right, as I do feel much stronger than I have in a long time. I have the wheelchair in the back of the SUV, but I walked in from the garage with help from Max. I assumed that Blake was coming, but until we got here and I saw him, I didn't know if he would show up or not.

He knew I was coming and my wolf, Akayla, had told me on the way here, that he would be there waiting for me. Her bond with his wolf, Kona, was still very strong. They were 100% mates, and that never changed. It was the stupid decisions made by Blake himself that messed things up for both of us. Kona condemned Blake for what he did, as Kona himself tried to tell Blake the truth too. He wanted to warn Blake what was happening, and that he was being tricked. Kona knew from Kevin's scent, that Kevin was his, but Blake was just adamant that Kona was being led astray, and lied to by Akayla.

Due to the window tint on the SUV I was in, Blake didn't know I was in there until he saw me enter Reagan's home from the garage. He was not happy to see Max's arm around me assisting me as I walked. His anger was coming off of him in waves. He was approaching us to start an argument, when Raven entered with her mates, followed by the vampires. I wasn't surprised because Alexei and Dmitry had been in the last row of the SUV that we were riding in. They were back where the tint was darkest to keep them out of the sun as we traveled to come here. They also wanted to discuss what we needed to do to get the desired outcome tonight. We had to get here before the sun went down, so they could all get in position. Draven and his group do not need to see them coming, or us preparing for their arrival.

They were much nicer than I expected them to be, but Alexei was the talker out of the two of them. Apparently, he knew who they were going to go and fight with, and I knew that he was confident in his people winning. I just wasn't aware that he would be fighting his own half-brother, not until he mentioned it. I believe that they can speak to each other in their minds as well, as Dmitry never open his mouth the first time, but they seemed to be able to communicate just fine together. My thoughts were confirmed when they were discussing how to let people know how many were in the group. It was determined that Brandon, and Justin, would be the ones to mindlink Raven with the total number of Draven's group. Raven would tell Clive who would tell Aaron at the packhouse, and Jeremy the warrior at the hospital. Anton would then relay the information to the rest of the vampires in their assigned places.

We will be working out of Reagan's home like it was command central for the night. I was glad that she had cameras on her home, and I felt safe there. Anton doesn't seem concerned at all about this turn of events, but I guess if I was almost 450 years old, it would be the norm for me too. He seems ready to go right now and is calmly sitting there playing something on his phone. He must feel my eyes on him, as his head comes up and he stares right at me. I know he heard my heart rate increase because he gives me a slow smile, and I nodded at him as I blushed. I wasn't checking him out, but it may have looked that way to him. I guess it did to him and others as I heard the growl from the chair next to the couch that I am sitting on. Blake is glaring a hole through Anton, whose smile grew even larger at Blake's warning. Before I could lower my gaze Anton gave me a wink and went back to his phone.

I tried to hide my smile from the response that Anton gave me, but I couldn't. He is very attractive, and I haven't had anyone flirt with me for a long time. Blake is now looking at me like I was trying to flirt with Anton, but honestly, I have very little experience with vampires, and I was just interested in watching them. I heard a loud "clump" next to me and it was Blake, who had picked up his chair and moved closer to me, dropping it back down on the floor. It was almost like he was daring anyone to come over to me. I don't think that Anton is really concerned about Blake being jealous, at all. He was back playing whatever game it was on his phone and ignoring us all. He must have a lot of confidence in himself and his abilities to not be concerned about how this is going to play out. His brother, Alexei is still making plans with Brandon, Justin, and Aaron, and I guess when they get it nailed down, they will announce to everyone what will be happening.

I keep my head down, and I know that Blake wants to talk to me, but there is no need for us to speak to each other. He decided that Graham was the one that he wanted to listen to. So, as far as I am concerned, he can just drive back there to Black Moon and speak to Graham right now. We have nothing left to discuss right now. He needs to do as I have asked and give me some time. We both need some time alone to gather our thoughts. Even if he realizes what he did now to the both of us, it just doesn't constitute an emergency on my part. I am in no rush at all to get back together with him. I warned Blake over and over again, and he couldn't hear me. Now the shoe is on the other foot, and he wants me to just let it all go, and I just fall into his arms like a good mate. I can't do that, I won't do that. Do I still love him? Yes, yes I do, very much so. Does that negate all the s**t he put me through? No, no it doesn't. Does that mean that his telling the whole pack that I was unfaithful to him, didn't hurt? Because it truly did, each and every time it happened. The disrespect that the pack members gave me, was hard enough, but what Blake ended up doing, hurt me the most.

No, I won't just drop all the anger, pain, and frustration that I felt for the last several years because he suddenly "figured" it out. I had told him, again and again, that what he was doing was going to cost him. How could I just fold after a week and be OK with all he did to me? Or forget what he did to our son, as a son who is convinced that his own father hates him. The answer was that I wasn't. That is not who I was at all. I had forgotten how strong I used to be. But in the last week, I am starting to remember. I will be strong for both me and Kevin. Max made sure to sit in the chair opposite Blake's. He didn't want to cause Blake to lose it, as Blake is an Alpha, and it would cause a problem in the home. We already had enough going on already with the looming attack tonight. I was seated on the end of the couch, with the end table in front of me. There were lone chairs on opposite ends of the table, and another large couch facing me. I forgot Reagan had 9 children that lived here with her and Clive. This seating arrangement was pretty large, and I was glad when Raven stepped up to sit next to me and asked me to move to the middle of the couch. She sat down by Blake at the end of the couch he was sitting on. She is taking the pressure off of me by doing that. Reagan dropped down on the other side of me, near Max. I see her look at the chair that Blake moved, and I knew she was going to mention it when her eyebrow lifted up and she said, "Blake be sure to put it back where you got it from." She didn't say it loud, but everyone in the room could hear her, our hearing is excellent.

The glare he fixed on her was scary. They didn't have a great relationship, and I didn't want her getting on his bad side again so I felt compelled to bring down the drama in the room. "I will put it back," I told her trying to keep the peace. She shook her head no, but before she could speak Max said, "You do not need to lift it. If it needs to be moved, I will do it. You are better than you were, but I will remind you that you passed out completely when you arrived at Black Adder. You are nowhere near as strong as you need to be" OK, I guess it will be shots fired then, as Blake's eyes snapped from me to Max, very quickly.

"You don't need to give that look to me, Blake. You are the one who hurt her so much that she couldn't eat. Look at her, look at what you have done. She was your mate, and you mistreated her for years. Kevin is physically OK, but not emotionally. You did a real number on the ones you say you love" Max said, in a low tone. He was playing with fire. He knew Blake was going to pull a "but I love you" out of his hat to downplay all he has done. It also pointed out that it was a long time since he started trying to hurt me, so it was serious. So serious that all the talk in the room had stopped. I turned to look and most of the people in the room are looking at us. My face is red now, as this was embarrassing, and I would have rather avoided it. Blake is furious and looks like he is spoiling for a fight with Max.

"She IS my mate, not was, so get that straight first doctor," Blake said, and his way of saying doctor with so much contempt in his voice was appalling. Max worked hard to save me, Blake doesn't need to downplay it so much. I did almost die.

"We do not need to discuss this in front of everyone here. This is a personal matter, and Blake we can speak on the phone about it later. Now is not the time, the whole room doesn't need to know what happened" I hissed at Blake in a low tone. I was ashamed of what had happened, and I didn't want to speak about it in front of these guests.

"I would like to hear what happened" a voice comes from behind us and Kira is standing there with her head tilted as if she wants to engage with Blake. She is giving him a look that said, he needs to tread carefully here. He seems surprised that Nadia is right next to her. We never heard them move, they were suddenly just there. I can tell that they are here in support of me, but I do not want to cause any problems tonight. I have even changed my mind about stopping to speak to Graham now. He might take the opportunity to try to kidnap me or to cause problems with Black Adder, and I just can't take that chance. I live there, and Kevin is waiting on me. I do not want Blake's actions to get me kicked out. He knows I have nowhere to go. I might have to return to him, at least in his mind. I wouldn't. We would be leaving the state, and I can guarantee him that he would not be hearing from either of us if he forces my hand like that.

"I don't really want to get into it" I started to say. Kira nodded, and then looked right at Blake and said, "But, you do, right?"

"Well, he sure looks like he does, doesn't he Kira? This poor woman is clearly not doing well. I have never seen such a frail-looking she-wolf in my life, and I am over 300 years old. What did you do to her?" Nadia said to Blake. Raven and Reagan each slide over to the edge of the couch, for Kira and Nadia to slide in on either side of me. Blake stayed silent, and I did too, as the women continued to stare at Blake.

"I bet I can guess what happened, Kira. I can see the doctor likes her. I can sense it, he is interested in her, and according to what was said, this one is her mate. Aren't you supposed to love, protect, and take care of your mates? I could be wrong here, but I doubt it, so what did you do to her, Blake? You get a beautiful, and strong mate, and you hurt her, why?" Nadia asked him and leaned forward on the couch. She sat closest to Blake, and she was letting him know to get froggy if he wanted to jump, but we could all tell that it was not going to end well for him if he did.

"You are not involved in our private conversation. Cheryl said to stop talking about it, and I am respecting her wishes. I will wait for her to be willing to let me speak to her. Hopefully, in private later on tonight" Blake said and looked pointedly at Max. "I can assure you that will not be happening for you tonight, Blake" Max fired back and stayed reclined in his chair in a comfortable position. He was acting like he was not worried at all about what Blake was going to do to him. "Right, because you are in charge of my mate now. Is that what you are saying? She is mine, we are having some issues in our relationship right now. But one day she will forgive me, and come back to me" Blake growled out to Max.

"I am her doctor. She needs to keep her stress levels down, and speaking to you causes her stress. So yes, as far as you are concerned, I AM in charge of her. If you want to cause her to get upset, then yes, you will be answering for it. Because I won't allow you to bully her right here in front of me" Max said back to Blake, and the room went silent again. This was really embarrassing, and I didn't want this to be playing out in front of everyone like this. I can see that Blake is pissed off at the lack of respect that Max is giving him. He is about to phase into his wolf, Kona, and tear into Max very soon.

"I knew it, he said to forgive him, you know what that means Kira" Nadia said, and she is pissed. I can feel the heat on my cheeks, and I really wished that I just left it to Raven, and her mates to save the women. I should have stayed behind in the hospital. I just felt since Blake was doing it to prove that they meant nothing to him, so he was killing them off in the worst way he could think of. I felt like I needed to stop it from happening, and I am kicking myself for it now. I should have relented, and I would be safe and sound in my bed at the hospital right now. Not here getting totally embarrassed in from of the vampires, with Max about to be attacked by Blake. I felt ashamed, and heartbroken as I felt like they knew exactly what had happened. That my own mate didn't even want me, and was willing to let the whole world know it. I can feel the prick of tears in my eyes, as I feel like this embarrassing situation will never end.

"Doctor, can you please go with me to escort Cheryl upstairs? I can feel that she needs to rest now. She is worn out, and she needs some peace" a strong masculine voice sounded from behind us. I turned to see Anton standing there, and he is much more intimidating up close. I felt one of my tears slip out, and run down the side of my face, and Anton stepped closer to me and held his hand out for me to take. I reached out and took it before I even thought about it. I did need to get out of there. I didn't want a room full of people seeing me cry at being exposed as not having been enough to my own mate.

Blake stood up from his chair to stop me from walking away, and then he started floating up to the ceiling. He looks around stunned and Nadia smiled and waved at him, so he would know that it was her that had stopped him. "No, I think she needs a break right now, Blake. Please do not go too far tonight with her, while I am at the hospital. I would hate to have to speak to you after I return. It takes me a while to dial back down after a fight. I wouldn't want to take it out on you for hurting her" Nadia tells him, and she is dead serious. The threat was in the air, but he brought it on himself. He is very angry but I do not turn back to look at him, even on the landing I just keep my eyes down, so no one can tell that I am crying. I am embarrassed at how weak I am appearing in front of them. I really made a mistake in coming here.

Reagan had come up with us, and led us to her room. "I changed the sheets today. Go ahead and have a rest. I will speak to Blake. He is on my turf now, in my home. If he wants to clown, then he can stay in the packhouse with his cousin Aaron and his men for the night. I will not allow disrespect in my own home" Reagan said as she goes to exit the room.

"Doc, did you bring your bag here with you? I can tell that Cheryl's heart rate is elevated. She is upset and she needs attending. I will stay with her, and run interference for her. I am quite sure though that Nadia is probably still toying with him in the living room. I will watch over Cheryl until you return" Anton said to Max, and I can see that Max doesn't want to leave me alone in the room with a vampire. Anton has a comforting presence around him, and he does not scare me. I nodded and told Max that he was good to go out to get it.

As soon as the door shut, Anton approached the bed and sat on the end of it, "Just like you saw Nadia has special powers, I do as well. She has telekinesis, and I have telepathy. I already know what happened between you and Blake. I could feel your emotions and you were unintentionally drowning me in them. You are still in a great deal of pain. I just want you to know that I read his mind too. Sometimes people lie, and after we have been lied to, or are grossly mistreated like you were, we build up our hearts to protect ourselves. I want you to know that as much as you still love him. He loves you too. He is sick about what he has done. He does want to win you back and is willing to do whatever you ask to achieve it. I know that you cannot believe him, and I do not blame you at all for it. I have seen the highlight reel, and what he has done is off the charts in hurtful and disgusting behavior. I just want you to know, from an impartial 3rd party, that he wishes he could take it all back. Whoever Graham is, is a dead man. He plans on torturing Graham every day of his life, but not to death. He is going to make him suffer. He will make him suffer until the day you come back home to him. He wants either you or Kevin to do the honors when the time comes to put an end to Graham. He wanted to tell you a few things that he has planned for you, and that he was wanting to step down, as soon as he can, and spend the rest of his days with you. I am only going to tell you one part of it because I wanted him to surprise you with the rest of his ideas. I wanted you to know that I could read his mind, so I gave you a part of what he was going to say to you. Some of it was for you to have the upper hand when you do go to speak to Graham tomorrow on your way back home. If you want me to keep him away from you all night, I will. I just wanted you to know that as much as the doctor likes you, your mate still loves you. It was why he got so hurt by the lies Graham told him. It is your decision in the end Cheryl, but I wanted you to know what I saw when I read his mind" Anton said and rose from the bed.

He brushed the tears off my cheek as he stood above me with a gentle smile on his face. I feel like I have made a good friend today. I smiled back at him through the tears and told him, "Thank you, Anton. I am glad you told me that. You were right. I feel like I cannot trust him, at all, anymore. I gave him my heart and he shattered it and then kept stepping on the pieces until they were ground into dust. I will speak to him later on tonight. I just might stay close to you when I do it. I do not know how the talk will go, but you are right, I do still love him. I just can't trust him anymore. I don't know if I ever can again actually. If you can read minds, then you know that too" I told him.

"It is all up to you. Blake is not your only option. You need to stop being so mired in your emotions and pay a little more attention to the people around you. You are the only one who can make this decision. I felt like you needed to hear it for yourself. But I wanted you to know how he truly felt, from someone who doesn't have an agenda for either side. He is miserable without you, and he misses you both and does want you to come back" Anton said and stepped back away from me about 10 seconds before the door opened, and Max hurried back in. He looked scared when he rushed in, but slowed down when he saw that I was fine. He had obviously hurried to get to the SUV and back. I smiled to let him know I was fine. As Max came to check on me, Anton gave me another wink and a half bow, before turning and exiting the room. I will give Blake an opportunity to speak to me, after all the excitement for tonight, is over and done.