Chapter 77

I had ended up asking Taylor if he was free , and the both of us left the pack grounds with him deciding we needed drinks .

I actually agreed , I think it would b e a nice break away from everything .

Now here we are on our … I’m not sure what number bottle , and with plenty more to come .

It was too early to find a club , so we had come to a pub , and I know a few of the people here were quite surprised that we were still sane after all that alcohol .

” … So , I gave Sparks back to him .

” I finished resting my cheek on my hand .

” Ah baby girl , he is going to be happy .

That’s created with so much love from his sister ! ” Taylor said , downing another glass .

I think we were both done for the day .

The sun was setting too … How long have we been here ? ” Yeah , and then , Nina saw me and told m e I had this in control and comforted me …

I wonder who she’s lost there .

” I said sadly .

” Nina the Omega ? That’s weird , she doesn’t have anyone there .

” Taylor mused , scrunching his nose thoughtfully .

” Really ? Well then , I’m surprised that she takes such good care of it .

” ” It’s maybe assigned to her .

” Taylor shrugged picking up an empty bottle .

” That’s empty .

” I said with a small smile .

” I can’t drive … There are three of you right now … ” Taylor grumbled , pouting cutely .

” I’ll tell someone to come to get us … Shall I call Zack ? ” I teased .

He blushed , his already flushed cheeks darkening .

” Call my sexy man … ” He nodded .

I smiled , mind linking him , hoping we were still in range … Twenty minutes later , we were in Taylor’s car , with Zack and Taylor in the front and I was staring up at the dark sky from the back , my mind pondering over Nina .

I always saw her there .

Surely there must b e a reason … By any chance , did she have a child that passed away ?

She was an Omega getting pregnant by a pack member wasn’t unheard of .

My stomach twisted .

Was it maybe a mated werewolf o r was there something more to it ? I know I was just coming out with assumptions , but I promised myself that next time I saw her I’d ask her .

Maybe she was hurting in silence … Dad’s trial .

The meeting hall in the packhouse was full .

The Alpha’s , the Beta and Delta there , along with many other adult pack members who wanted to sit in .

Uncle El was seated at the table on the dais alongside Aunty Red , Damon and Zack .

As for Haru Jacobs … Well , he was cuffed as he was placed in a seat , two guards flanking him .

He was a lot thinner and looked like an empty shell .

Losing Mom had indeed taken its toll on him .

He didn’t even bother looking at me , staring given up on life .

blankly at the ground as if he had already I was seated in the front row , with Taylor next to me .

Uncle El had just told everyone why we were here and listed Dad’s crimes ; from physical abuse , neglect , emotional abuse , manipulative behaviour , lying and breaking every law that the pack stood for .

I knew for many it was hard to believe that the respectable Haru Jacobs could have committed such crimes .

” I have already heard evidence from a few others who have seen his behaviour , and have seen him lose his temper at her .

He also confessed this in the presence of the previous Alpha and Beta Damon .

Without wasting further time , I will run a few questions past his daughter , the victim of his abuse , to affirm the facts .

Both will be under Alpha command to attest the truth and only the truth .

” No one could argue with that , as I stood u p and Uncle El looked down at me .

” Under my command , I expect you to speak nothing but the truth , and not abstain or hold back anything .

” His command rolled over me but unlike before , the power of his Alpha command wasn’t as strong …

was it because I now held Liam’s mark ? ” I understand .

” I said .

This was the start o f my resolution , to be who I wanted to be , for me and no one else .

” From as far back as I can remember , I was always told I’m useless , stupid , worthless , unwanted and that I was the worst thing that could have happened to my parents .

No matter what I did , I was put down , told that I was not good enough , that maybe it was for the best that I died somehow .

Growing up I became so used to him getting abusive that I began to just deal with it …

trying not to upset anyone .

I just wanted to ride i t out , and I became … numb to it , so familiar that it had become normal .

” I was still doing that with everything , and I wanted that to change .

” I always did things wanting to make them proud , but I was never enough .

Even when I became the head warrior and I returned , I was told I’m trash … ” I took a shuddering breath and continued .

” Aside from the mental abuse , he’d hit m e sometimes .

Never enough to cause permanent damage , but a push or a thump .

One time , he grabbed my hair and pushed me into the wall when I was thirteen , I broke my nose , but Mom just snapped it into place and told me to clean i t up … ” I felt a flare of anger and I didn’t need to look up to know whose anger it was .

Aunty Red .

” It was more emotional abuse than physical .

Mom , she’d let it happen and just watch it .

” ” How can you talk ill of Kimberly when she’s in her grave ? ” A woman behind me muttered .

” Silence ! ” Uncle El growled .

” She’s stating facts and it’s mind – sets like yours that make people think that behaviour is normal ! Kim let this happen , when she shouldn’t have !.

” Aunty Red growled , glaring at the woman who had dared to speak .

” I will deal with you afterwards .

” ” Yes … Luna … ‘

Uncle El nodded at me and I slowly sat down before Dad was placed under Alpha command .

‘ Do you want to wait outside whilst we question him ? ‘ He mind linked me .

‘ No , I’m ok .

‘ I said .

I would face this , I needed this closure .

He nodded curtly before asking Dad to attest to his sins .

” She’s the reason my son isn’t here … She shouldn’t have been here … ” His voice was flat , as if he had no will to live .

His eyes stared blankly at the ground .

He carried on , repeating everything I had said , each sentence that left his lips becoming more and more hateful .

I could sense the anger , shock and irritation from those in the room at his words , and I realised that if I had spoken out when I was younger … there would have been far more people on my side than I ever could have imagined … Taylor gave my shoulders a squeeze , and I felt a little comfort in him .

” Now that we have heard from both and w e can all agree that he is guilty … It is time t o hand out his punishment .

” Uncle El said .

” He should be thrown out of the pack ! ” ” Lash him and keep him locked up .

” ” Silence .

” Uncle El said loudly and the room went quiet .

” For his crimes , Haru Jacobs will get one hundred and fifty lashes with a silver whip …

I would have him banished , however that would only result in him turning feral due to the loss o f his mate and may harm others … He will remain in this pack , stripped of his rank and due to his deteriorating health … He will be placed under house arrest at his home rather than kept at the prison , but I will ultimately let Raven decide .

If you want him in the cells we can do that too .

” ” ” It’s befitting .

He can stay in his house .

” I said quietly .

I never wanted to see this man again , to the end of his life … He can be alone … ” I have one request .

” I said suddenly , swallowing hard as I stared at the man before me .

” Of course .

” Uncle El said .

” He is not to visit the grave of my brother Renji Jacobs .

Ever .

” I said icily , my chest heaving as some light seemed to return to my father’s eyes .

” What … No … No ! I can ! Don’t you go there ! ” ” I will go there , as much as I want .

This is the last time I will ever see you .

Goodbye .

‘ I stood up and turned away .

” Your request is accepted .

He will be kept under house arrest anyway , and that means at all times , until his passing .. ” Thank you .

” I said , not turning back to the man who was shouting at me and walking out towards the door .

That first burden was lifted … I felt like I was getting somewhere … I’ve got this .

I felt my wolf stir and I smiled gently .