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Next, she turns her attention toward her eldest son. A grim expression chases away her sweet smile. “How’re you feeling, Son?” she asks in a quiet voice.
“Don’t worry about me,” he says. “I’m fine.”
“How could you befine?” she says in a choked voice. Tears pool in her eyes as she stares up at Seth. “Your dads really hurt you this time.”
“They did what they were supposed to do,” says Seth. “I’m the one who made a mistake. Don’t blame them for what I did.”
A sob escapes her as she turns away and rushes out of the room.
“Mom! Wait up!” Seth calls out, hurrying after her.
“I noticed Seth being in pain several times,” I say, looking toward Simon and Oliver. “Did something happen to him?”
Their expressions grow grim, sending a tendril of fear through me. They’re always laughing and being silly. What could’ve happened to Seth that dims the light in their eyes?
“Seth received corporal punishment from our dads,” Oliver explains. “He disappeared from his post for almost a week and didn’t get in touch with any of us until a few days ago. It’s a serious crime to go off like that without a good reason. Any other soldier would’ve had to face the same consequences.”
“He’s being forced to work a desk job too,” Simon says, looking so sad, it sends an ache through me. “I wish he’d tell us what he’d been up to.”
“I know,” Oliver says, balling his hands into fists. “He’s our brother. We know him inside out. He wouldn’t abandon his post if it wasn’t absolutely necessary. I just wish he’d explain himself and tell us what happened to him.”
I know exactly why Seth disappeared. He was locked in a cabin in the woods with me while I went through my heat. I’m the reason he’s in so much trouble with his pack.
“How exactly did he get punished?” I ask.
Oliver and Simon’s gaze bore into mine.
“He got a good beating,” says Oliver.
“Seth won’t let the doctor tell us the extent of his injuries,” says Simon, looking angry. “I’m sure he has a few cracked ribs and fractures along with a good deal of bruises.”
My mouth opens in a silent gasp.
Seth must’ve known the consequence of abandoning his duty when he saved me that day in the woods. He could have captured me and sent me to a clinic where a group of random alphas would’ve gotten me through my heat. There was no need for him to go through such hellish punishment at all.
He did it for me, I realize with a start.
Seth has been going through his own hell. Instead of blaming me, he chooses to keep me in the dark. He doesn’t want to make me feel anxious or guilty.
I can’t believe how far he’s willing to go to protect me.
A tight choke forms in my throat. Pain lances through me and tears prick my eyes.
“Why are you all hanging out there?” Seth calls from a faraway corridor. “Bring Rory into the dining room already.”
“Come on,” says Oliver, placing a hand on my back. “Let’s go and eat something.”
I’m still full from the breakfast this morning but I’m not going to say no to a meal. After being starved for weeks, I’m going to savor every morsel of food that comes my way.
“Who’s that?” An elderly male voice speaks up the moment I step inside a well-lit dining room.
“She’s our girlfriend, Grandpa,” says Oliver, drawing me against him.
“Isn’t she cute?” Simon chirps up.
“Stop saying that to everyone!” Seth snaps. “Have you asked her if she wants to be your girlfriend?”
“Of course, we’ve asked,” Simon quips. “Haven’t we, Rory?”
