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Simon
Talking about the past always made my mood plummet, but she needed to know. Her hand in mine helped.
“When my father demanded I return, I ignored him.” I took a sip of water. “He didn’t like that one bit. He sent a bodyguard to retrieve me and he wasn’t gentle.”
Her gasp was soft, and she squeezed my hand tightly. I offered her a soft smile.
“These idiots followed as soon as they figured out that I’d been kidnapped.”
“You mean your saviors.” Elias joked, trying to lighten the mood.
“We bribed the kitchen staff to let us into his house late at night.” Xavier cut into his pancakes. “All we had to do was flirt a little–Well, Julian did– and offered a little money and the staff turned on his family. They didn’t like his dick of a father any more than the rest of us.”
I shook my head. “They found me in the basement. My father had taken to beating me when I refused to do what he wanted. I was supposed to marry an omega of my father’s choice, but I refused. I wasn’t going to marry for money, not to mention Bridget was abused by her family for years. Father hadn’t been happy with me.”
I looked down at our hands together, but she surprised me with what she did next. She climbed into my lap without prompting and hugged me. I could feel tears form but I fought them back. “Oh, love.”
“I know what you’ve gone through and I’m so sorry. Family shouldn’t treat family that way. No one should.” She whispered softly into my neck and the implications of what she’d gone through made me growl softly. Echoing growls echoed around the room. Even Julian growled, and the beta never reacted badly.
“These idiots rescued me in the middle of the night like I was a damsel in distress.” Trying to lighten the mood, I ran my hands soothing down her back. “We made it back to the states and Elias’ parents took care of my father trying to send people after me. I’ve not gone back since. We arranged for Bridget to be rescued from her family so she wouldn’t be punished for our failed engagement.”
Gods, I couldn’t even imagine the torment Bridget would have faced if she stayed in England.
She turned to look at Elias. “I like your parents.”
Elias threw his head back and laughed. “My parents are so lovey dovey it’s disgusting sometimes. I’m sure they’re going to be thrilled when they finally get to meet you. We’re going to have our hands full when Mom gets to see you. Dad and Papa will have to fight to pull her away. My mom is an omega with two mates. Not all that uncommon these days.” He shook his head. “We may not be part of Society, but we still have our own power.”
I tilted Alena’s face up with a finger under her chin. “We all have dark pasts, well, except Elias, but you can trust us. We’ve grown from our experiences and will never allow you to be hurt ever again.”
“And if anyone tries, they’ll answer for it.” Xavier’s rough voice made her laugh softly. He produced a knife from out of nowhere and twirled it between his fingers.
“With your knives?”
“With my knives, princess.” He swore it as a promise. Xavier winked, continuing to fiddle with the switchblade.
Her body relaxed even more into my hold, despite Xavier and his creepy knives, and my hands moved to her waist. She was quiet for several minutes before shifting slightly.
“I was engaged. My parents arranged it when I turned thirteen. When I turned eighteen, they gave me to him until our wedding.”
Her voice was so soft we had to lean forward to hear her. “Dylan is a very overbearing alpha. He had to have everything precise. He got violent when things weren’t just right. I was his possession, not his fiance. I wasn’t allowed to talk in public. My family connections made me useful to him.”
She shuddered against me and I held her tighter, smoothing her hair gently. “My scars are from him and his tantrums when he would punish me.” She whispered even softer now. “He used to yank my hair out in rages.”
Xavier abruptly stood up, his chair making a loud noise in the quiet kitchen. He clenched his fists at his side.
“Sit down, Xavier. Being upset now won’t help, and will just upset her more.” Julian took Xavier’s fist in his hand and pulled him back down to sit. I could see him stroking his thigh. “He can’t hurt her anymore now that she’s with us.”
Alena looked up at me with big eyes. “I ran away with money I stole from him over time. Then I came here, all the way across the nation, so that he’d never find me again. Didn’t think I would ever find a pack that would actually accept me for me.”
I cupped her cheek in my palm, and she closed her eyes, leaning into it. “You're ours and we will lay down our lives for you.”
Her eyelashes fluttered before opening again and meeting my look. “I’m starting to believe you.”
* * *
ALENA
I wiped at my eyes, the tears having fallen quietly. I shifted, intending to go back to my seat, but Simon held me still in his lap, I didn’t fight him. It felt good to be in his arms, the scent of sea air a soothing balm on my nerves. It was nice knowing that I wasn’t the only one who’d suffered at the hands of the Society, horrible as that thought was.
