I had been in the pack infirmary for about two days now. My throat still ached but it no longer pained me to speak. During my time here there had been unwanted visitors lingering in the hallway. I could sense them before they even spoke, wanting to glimpse a sight of their true Luna. My parents had tried to visit me but I simply told the pack doctor to restrict their visit. I couldn't deal with their fake parental care.
Benji was one of my first visitors and he was kicking up a fuss over what had happened, he couldn't believe my twin had tried to murder me. I could see the guilt linger in his gaze for leaving me to deal with my family and mate but I shut him down before the words could drip out of his mouth. He had found his mate and for any normal person that was a wonderful experience. Every time I mentioned Lewis' name Benji would blush like a teenager. I didn't feel any animosity for his good fortune, although their were lingering feelings of jealousy.
As Benji sat in my room, Lewis wasn't far behind. He couldn't keep his eyes off his mate, the emotions that lingered were a complex triage of lust, love and care. It was woven like an intricate blanket. There was nothing there that made me think he was insincere. He was devoted to his mate. Although me and Lewis had known each other since we were pups, there was an unspoken agreement between the two of us. We both wanted what was best for Benji.
Benji stated he was hungry and going to source some food and bring me some good stuff back. He had just ordered Lewis to sit by my bedside as he didn't trust anyone not to hurt me again. Lewis simply shook his head slightly but gave him a small smile. Benji pecked his cheek and left the room. It was a simple but affection action that gave me hope that Benji would be able to have the family affection that he always wanted.
"So how long you known Benji for?" Lewis asked as he flicked through some magazine.
"A couple of years now, found him in a diner clearing tables, could tell he was too damn smart to be there, he was being picked on by some homophobic idiots when I asked him to work for me. We were both torn from the same cloth, he became family to me and I promised to always protect him. The rest is history." I shrugged my shoulders.
Lewis looked at me like he was awestruck. "Thank you for looking after my mate. If it wasn't for you coming back I probably would have never met him."
"Eh, fate works in mysterious ways. I wasn't ever planning to return home. If not for Jacob blackmailing me, I'm sure you would have crossed paths with Benji at some point." I nonchalantly replied.
"You know I never really liked your sister, could always tell there was something funny about her." He shrugged his shoulders.
I simply raised my eyebrows. "Really?" The hint of sarcasm lingered in my voice.
"Yeah I was a bit more observant, I always told Jacob to be careful but he never did listen to anyone." Lewis stated.
"He's an arrogant arse that's why." I murmured hoping he didn't hear me.
Lewis let out a loud laugh. He was amused by my comment. When I thought back to my past, Lewis was one of the few wolves who didn't treat me like an outcast, he never engaged in the bullying or the ostracising. He would always usher people to move along and leave me alone. I suppose I can't blame him for going against his Alpha and Beta, but he did what he could.
"Your right about that, but aren't all Alpha's?" He replied with a small smile. "I always remember watching you come out of the clinic or the orphanage, that's how I knew it weren't you associating with rouges. At the time I was a simple wolf training to be a warrior and there wasn't a lot I could do. So I'm sorry for what happened to you, I'm sorry for not speaking up. Maybe it would have done something, maybe it wouldn't have done anything. But I should have tried and I'm sorry that I didn't." He finished.
I sighed as I pushed my head back into the pillows. "Lewis, you are one of the few I blame for what happened to me. If I'm honest I don't really blame the pack. When your in a pack you expect the Alpha's and Beta's to be honest with you. The blame starts with them unfortunately. They made decisions that showed poor leadership, the fault is on them." I shrugged my shoulders.
"You know things started to fall apart when you left? Like I mean within a week everything changed around here. No one understood why or what happened. It wasn't until Leanne's secrets were revealed that the pack finally comprehended what went wrong." Lewis explained.
"As much as I want to say I regret leaving the pack, I can't say that I do. My parents didn't even care that I was missing until Leanne's secrets were revealed. Jacob, well I still don't understand him. Truthfully, I can't work out how he's an Alpha." I admit.
"He isn't that bad." Lewis states. I raise my eyebrow as if to say 'really.' "Okay well he made some huge mistakes when it comes to rejecting his true luna, but he always tried to look after us. When everything started to fall apart he realised how much you had done for this pack. You were very humble. For me it's refreshing to see."
"How did you become Beta?" I asked, trying to change the subject.
"Well after a Rouge attack and your mates involvement in your disappearance came to light. The pack were not happy, they could barely accept Jacob. They however couldn't accept your father as Beta anymore because like you said, they should have seen the truth, they should have investigated what was going on. In other words your parent's should have known better. It was then that the pack held a competition for those who wanted to be Beta and long story short, I won." Lewis answers with a Cheshire Cat smile.
"Well I think that they made one decision that was redeemable. Your a good choice." I said with a nod.
"Thank you, I'm glad you think so."
"Now I know I haven't said it in many words, but you know if you hurt Benji, I don't care. I will hurt you in any means necessary." I seriously state.
"Your words aren't needed because I won't hurt him. I love him, he is my other half. I understand you have your doubts as you had a poor experience with a mate, but I promise you with all that I am, I will protect and cherish him." He sincerely replies. "He told me what his family did and what you have done to protect him. He says you are the sister he never had and I respect your relationship with him. I hope as time goes by you will see me as another brother. I love you for what you have done for him. So if Benji says you are his family, that will make you my family as well. Got it?" He commands.
"Understood." I said with a smile.
As our conversation comes to a still, the echo of loud voices shouting are coming from outside my room. I see Lewis' shoulder's hitch at this. His eyes start to darken and I can smell his anger permeating through the air. He quickly bounces from his seat and makes his way out of my room without warning. The door is left wide open meaning I am able to clearly hear what is being said.
"...Parents? You call yourself parents! Your nothing but abusers! You left my sister to be shunned by people in her community and now you think it's okay to waltz back into her life like nothing has ever happened. You are years too late to be parents to that woman in there! She is strong and independent and does not need you leeching off her to save your reputation." Benji screams.
"Boy, you better move out the way. I will see my daughter and there is nothing you can do about it! Your human" My father spits. "How do you plan to stop me!"
"You should not meddle in things you don't know about." My mother says as she dismisses Benji's statement.
"I hope you two aren't talking to my mate in that way! He is your Beta as well." Lewis says in a menacing voice.
"Beta Lewis, your mate is stopping me from seeing my daughter. I think it is best to tell him to mind his own business." My father's tone is less hostile as he respectfully speaks to his superior.
"He is minding his business, that woman you are talking about is his sister. Blood or by bond it does not matter. He loves your daughter more than you two ever could. By bond if my mate sees that Louise is his sister, then that makes her my family as well. So I would listen well to what my mate says or I will see that you're punished. Do I make myself clear?" Lewis roars.
It's then that I realise that Benji will forever be safe with Lewis. He will protect him and hide him from any storm. There will be nothing that he wouldn't do for his mate. Even protecting someone he does not know. He trusts in his mate and accepts his judgement. My trust in Lewis develops and I know that he is someone I could see myself being good friends with in the future.
"Yes Beta." My parents respond.
"Good, I'm glad we have come to an understanding." Lewis finishes.
"Beta Lewis" my father bravely speaks. "Could you please allow us to see our daughter?"
"Hmmm. I think that is down to Loretta don't you? By the sounds of your argument it seems that your daughter doesn't want to see you at this time. I just came from visiting her and she is asleep so I think you should leave her be for the time being don't you? I mean we can all agree that she needs her rest." He states.
"Yes Beta." My parents reply. I can hear the irritation in their response.
"Good, I'm sure Loretta will request your presence if she wants it. She is an adult and can make decisions for herself can she not?" Lewis muses. I can hear Benji's chuckle which he tried covering with a cough.
"Yes Beta." My parents reply again and all I could do is join in Benji's laughter. Lewis had told my parents off like they were children in school.
It wasn't long before I heard thumps of footsteps through the corridor and doors being slammed. A small smile graced my lips as I closed my eyes. My nostrils start to flare as I hear small dainty steps make their way into my room. I peel my eye open and look to see Benji standing in the doorway of my room. His face red, his fist clenching, his chest heaving heavily. He looked like an angry puppy.
"I see your awake. Have I told you how much I hate your parents?" He huffs out and sits in the chair that Lewis was once in.
"I believe you've mentioned it a few times." I reply with a smirk.
"I can't believe the audacity they have to claim you as a daughter." He scoffs. "Then they tell me, I mean me, to mind my own business." He shakes his head. "You are my business sister. I mean seriously shouldn't they be focused on the evil twin they love so much."
I chuckle at his little rant. "Meh, my parents are arseholes, you knew this already. I told you it was complicated coming here."
"Yeah." Benji says. I can here the longing in his voice. It's then that I realise the conflicting position that he is in. Although he hates how the pack have treated me, he recognises on an innate level that this pack is also his. He is mated to the Beta and if we had never had come here, he would have never met his true soulmate.
It's then that I realise that my only family, my one true friend will have to make a decision on whether he returns home with me or stays behind enemy lines. Either way, I know he will be heartbroken. He will either part from his mate or part from the sister by bond. I close my eyes as a heavy silence blankets across the room.