Third person ~
Venom and Delaney walked into the courtroom and sat in the back. Her eyes lifted to the side door, as Marcus was led in.. shuffling to his seat.. in his shackles.
He looked so much older. Tired. According to records, he had been an exemplary prisoner. Never causing disruptions.. always doing what he was told. He found religion.. and was working towards his salvation.
Delaney didnât buy it for a second.. Believing it to be an act.. just to persuade the warden.. the judge.. that he was rehabilitated.
The attorney listed Marcusâs accomplishments.. he had completed certification for mechanics training.. He worked as a trustee in the laundry.. and attended church faithfully.. Hadnât missed a Sunday.
When asked if anyone had anything to add, Delaney stood and said âYour honor.. I am Delaney Stone. This man was my stepfather and I am one of his victims. Whatever your decision here today.. only affects me.. and my brother.. if he doesnât leave us alone. We are residing in the Warrior Wolves Pack in northern Idaho. I say that so he knows where we are. He should probably avoid that area for the rest of his life. Wolves pack territory are exempt from human law.â
Venom stood beside her and said âI have no warning to give you, Walters. I have a warning. Come for my family.. and you wonât walk away.â
Marcus never opened his mouth the entire time Delaney or Venom spoke.. then he said âI want to see my son.. thatâs all I want.â Delaney whipped around and sneered âAnd I want my mother to watch her son grow up.. play with her grandbabies. Howâs it feel to want?â
It was decided parole would not be granted that day.. but addressed again in six months. All Delaney felt was relief.. feeling like they had been granted, at least, a temporary reprieve.
Gizmo had been nonstop on research.. Still with no clue who was in charge of the orders Slate was following. Vicki came across something called âOperation Gemini â and Venom recalled Slateâs last conversation.. He was saying something that could have been Gemini.. but all he had gotten out was âGemiâ before he had a bullet between his eyes.
When Venom and Delaney arrived back home.. Axe met them at the door.. âAlpha.. a girl was found.. dumped outside our gates. Sometime in the wee hours of the morning. Sheâs in really bad shape and Doc isnât sure she will make it.â
Delaney was already heading towards the hospital.. when Venom caught up with her. âBabe?â She looked at him âI want the full report from the doctor.. while I take a look at her injuries. Thereâs a reason she was dumped at our gatesâ
Doc immediately went into the extent of the girlâs injuries.. âNearly every bone in her body has been broken.. all of them in varying degrees of healing. She has two skull fractures.. which have caused brain bleeds. I have a shunt in.. draining the blood from her brain.. trying to minimize the pressure. But.. we wonât even be able to know what she looks like, until the swelling goes down.â
Delaney was checking over her wounds.. her injuries were severe.. several were life threatening.. Rolling the girl up on her side.. to check her spine.. Delaney gasped âDoc? Did you see this?â
Doc and Venom walked over to see what Delaney was talking about.. and Torin growled .. rattling the windows.
On the girlâs left butt cheek was a freshly burned brand.. the Zodiac sign for Gemini..
The sequel will be out soon..
Venom and Delaney will maintain their search for Gemini.. But the main focus of the next book will be Maddoxâs turn.. His first shift.. And maturing into a man.. finding his mate.