The Broken Wolf
Chapter 56

I wake up to the feeling of being safe and secure in the arms of my mate. Gently, I run my fingers across his strong jaw, thanking the goddess that he’s mine. It’s so hard to believe everything that has happened to me in just a few weeks, but I can’t imagine how things would be now without him. I wouldn’t have cut my finger, but I also wouldn’t have found my wolf.

I sigh deeply. I know that the memories are all back, but I’ve avoided looking into them today. There is a thought that’s nagging at me, though, so I think back carefully, searching for the specific memories I want.

Be careful. You may not like the answers. I hear Sage warning me in my head, but I have to know.

Carefully, I think back to the memory I remembered yesterday of Benjamin sending me back to my room after Jason had died. I start there, and look forward, looking for how he acted after that.

–

Benjamin is sitting at the dining room table looking at papers that are covering the tabletop. His face is marred with concern.

“Daddy, will you color with me?” I ask him from the coffee table.

“Get back in your room. Now,” he says sternly to a little me.

The little version of myself stands up and picks up all the papers and crayons, turning to my room.

“Benjamin, she’s just a little girl,” I hear Lily say to him from the hallway as I leave.

“She has to learn,” he says gruffly. “She’s caused enough damage.”

***********

Little me is sitting on my bed, Lily behind me brushing out my wet hair.

“Daddy’s really mad at me,” I say sadly.

“It will be OK soon,” she says softly to me. “He misses your brothers a lot. It’s important that you listen to what you’re told and stay inside. He just wants to keep you safe.”

Little me squirms on the bed. “I know, daddy yelled at me. I can’t go outside anymore.”

***********

Little me is in bed, hiding underneath the blanket from the sound of shouting in the other room.

“You can’t ask me to do that to her!” Lily yells.

“It’s the only way to keep her safe!” Benjamin’s deep voice booms in reply.

“To keep her safe? Or your plans for this pack?” she retorts.

Benjamin growls. “You can’t control her.”

“She’s just a little girl! She’s 5 years old!” She hisses. “You can’t honestly expect her to understand what’s going on.”

“You’ll do as you’re told!” he booms and I pull a pillow over my head at the sound of glass shattering.

“You’ll regret this,” Lily hisses at him. “I’ll be sure that you regret this every day.”

“Hey, Love,” I hear Seth say, bringing me from the memories back to where I am with him. “What’s going on?”

“I just decided to have a look at some memories,” I tell him, unwilling to tell him of my concerns. “I’m fine, really.”

“Do you want to talk about it?” he asks me with a small smile and my heart hurts a little at not telling him.

“No,” I whisper, shaking my head slightly. Thankfully, my stomach growls, distracting him from continuing this conversation.

“I’ll have someone bring something here for lunch,” he says, kissing me on the forehead. “Don’t move. Don’t get dressed. I want you just like that for the rest of the day.”

Seth gets out of bed and walks to the bathroom, returning just a few moments later. He walks over to where he now has multiple bags and pulls on a pair of sweatpants.

I smirk at him. “Why do you get pants after telling me I can’t have clothes?”

“Do you want me to let the omega who brings our food in without pants on?” he asks me, c*****g his eyebrow. “I truly don’t care. I thought it might be an issue for YOU.”

“Fine,” I tell him, rolling my eyes. “I guess you can keep the pants on.”

Seth smirks at me as he walks out of the bedroom, but he returns quickly with my water bottle.

“Drink,” he says, handing it to me. “I need you ready for more after you eat.” And with that, he turns back around and walks out again.

I can’t help but stare at him as he leaves the room. I know a substantial amount of my feelings for him have come from the bond, but the fact that he looks this good probably helps some. He returns a few moments later carrying a tray with two salads on it and places it on the bed next to me, pulling his sweat pants back off and climbing back in bed.

“Solidarity,” he tells me with a grin and picks up one of the salads, handing it to me.

“Spinach with steak?” I ask him.

He grins at me sheepishly. “I’m still worried after the other night. It’s what Sofia told you to eat after you cut your hand, so I thought it might help now.”

“Thanks,” I say to him and begin to eat the salad.

“Have you decided what to make for dinner tomorrow?” he asks me.

I shake my head slightly. “I’m not really sure what one makes for a nice dinner with their disgruntled mom and queen.”

Seth chuckles a little between bites. “My mom loves you so much you could serve her dirt and she’d pretend to like it.”

“Does she really?” I ask him, looking up at him.

“Seriously?” he asks me and gently puts his fork down, taking my hand in his. “My mom is so excited I’ve met my mate, but she really likes YOU. She never stops talking about you when I see her.”

“Oh,” I say, not really sure what to say to that.

“She’ll probably smother you for a bit,” he says with a smile, releasing my hand to take another bite. “She always wanted a daughter, but the pregnancy with me was so rough Dad refused to chance it again.”

“Was it really that bad?” I whisper, looking down at my empty plate.

“I don’t want to lie to you, Love,” he says, taking a breath. “It sounds like it was horrible. That’s what happens when you birth a pup with a strong wolf. He leans over and takes the plate from me, placing it back on the tray and then the nightstand.

“Maybe our kids will just have my weak wolf,” I say to him with a small smile.

He smiles at me, pulling me into his arms. “I don’t think your wolf is weak at all. It just didn’t even get a chance. Who knows, maybe when you shift your wolf will be bigger than me,” he tells me, and lays me back on the bed, hovering over my face.

“She’s tiny,” I giggle at him and reach up to cup his face. “It’s OK, though. I’ve got you to protect us.”

Seth leans his head down and k****s me deeply. I can feel his arousal, both through our bond and against my leg and it makes me smile.

“Seth, are you happy?” I ask him and he looks at me with utter confusion. “I just… it’s been a lot. I know I’ve not been the easiest person to be mated to. Are you really happy with me, or is it just from the bond?”

“Oh, Molly,” Seth begins, wrapping his arms around me, making sure I feel secure. “You are everything to me. Even without the bond, I wouldn’t have been able to take my eyes off of you. You are the most kind and caring person I’ve ever met. I am happier than I ever thought possible.”

He leans down to k**s me again, running the back of his fingers along my jaw. “You’re absolute perfection, my love.” His hand trails down my neck, then my side and lands on my h*p, all the while his face never leaves mine, whether kissing me or whispering reassurances that he is happy.

“I love you, Seth,” I whisper to him, “I really do.” He moves over on top of me, holding me close as I wrap my arms around him.

He slowly slips inside of me and gently rocks his h**s. “You’re mine, Molly. I can’t wait for you to mark me,” he tells me, and I get butterflies in my tummy at the thought of finally getting to do something that a week ago, I thought was impossible. His movements continue at a steady pace that match the k****s he’s giving. This isn’t like before, like when we discovered we could feel each other through the bond. This is gentle, and this is slow. This is never wanting to ever part from one another.

“F**k. Seth.” I m**n breathlessly, arching my back into his hard chest as the tension begins to build again from his movements.

“I love you, Princess,” he says in my ear as I reach my peak and come apart, gripping his back in pleasure. He m***s in my ear and stills, pulling me completely against him as he m***s my name in pleasure and places a gentle k**s on the top of my head.