His Redemption (Complete His Series)

Azalea

I felt a hand on my shoulder, shaking me awake. I looked around, remembering where I was. John was standing over me.

“Wake up, Miss Lea. You should change for dinner. He sent up some clothes,” said John. He left me alone once again. Not thinking I had much of a choice at this point, I got up and grabbed the bag of clothes that John left on the table. I went to the bathroom to change.

Inside the bag was a green dress with short sleeves and some short heels. It was pretty and fit well, but I was too numb to care. I let my hair down, finger combing it into gentle curls down my back. I brushed my teeth before going back into the bedroom. I sat on the bed with my hands on my lap; I absentmindedly rubbed at the remaining bruise marks still on my wrists.

A few minutes later, there was a knock at the door. I looked up, expecting it to open, but it did not. Another knock sounded.

“C-come in…” I said hesitantly. The door opened, and Kol stood there with a smile on his face. He looked so much like Liam it almost hurt. Every time I looked at him, my heart ached for Liam.

“You look beautiful,” he said.

“Thanks…” I whispered.

“Are you ready?” he asked. I nodded my head. He held out his hand, but I didn’t take it. I stood up from the bed and stepped toward him. “Okay, let’s go,” he said, dropping his hand. I followed him out of the room. We went back downstairs to a small dining room instead of his office. Kol led me to a chair, pulling it out for me like a perfect gentleman. I sat down, keeping my eyes down and not daring to look at him. I sat on the corner, and Kol sat on the other side.

Someone came out, placing salads before us. I could feel his eyes on me. “Eat, little flower,” he said quietly. I made no move to begin eating. I stared down into my lap as he ate next to me. What felt like an eternity later, the salad plates were taken away, and another plate of food was set down. I continued to stare at my hands in my lap. This was excruciating, and every minute that passed made me want Liam more.

Kol’s chair scraped against the wood flooring. I felt his hand under my chin, lifting my face to his. He knelt on the floor next to me. His eyes bore into mine with concern flooding his blue orbs. His other hand gently grasped my hand, and he began rubbing his thumb softly over the bruising on my wrist.

“Please eat something. We do not have to talk. Just please eat for me,” he pleaded. I swallowed the lump in my throat. I considered my options for a moment. He was not acting aggressive or hostile towards me in any way. It seemed as if, for the time being, he was simply trying to have a meal with me. For now, I would play my part. I nodded my head a fraction. His face lit up with a handsome smile. “That’s my girl,” he said quietly. He got back into his chair and looked at me expectantly, waiting for me to take a bite.

I looked down at the plate in front of me. There was chicken and some roasted vegetables. I hesitantly picked up my fork; Kol watched me diligently. I grabbed a small piece of broccoli and brought it to my mouth. He finally relaxed once I put it in my mouth and began to chew. The meal continued in much of the same way. I would take a small bite here and there while Kol sat quietly watching me eat.

Once he finished his plate, I put my utensils down, signaling that I was also finished. “That is all you will eat, little flower?” he asked in a somber tone. I nodded my head. He sighed. “I will take you back to your room, come,” he said, standing up and offering me his hand. I still did not take it but stood up to follow him.

When we arrived at my room, he opened the door and stepped aside to let me in. I walked inside, stopping in front of the bed. I felt him lingering in the doorway but did not turn around to address him. His large frame approached me from behind.

“There are some nightclothes in the bathroom for you. I will be out in the morning but would be ecstatic if you would join me for lunch tomorrow,” he said steadily. I stood completely still, making no indication that I would or would not eat lunch with him. I just wanted him to go.

I got my wish as he left the room, locking the door behind him.

I slipped my feet out of the heels and climbed up onto the bed. This time I got under the large, soft comforter. I felt cold and tired. My body missed Liam, and I felt this slight anxious energy that made me even more tired. I curled up in a ball under the blanket and let the darkness take me away.

Liam

Sleep was next to impossible. I felt this ache in my chest that was growing all the time. He may not be hurting Azalea, but she was far from okay. I needed to get to her. Even if she did not want me, I needed her safe.

I stood on the back patio in the wee hours of the morning. I held a cup of coffee in my hand. It was about the only thing I had consumed for days now. I looked out over the woods behind the packhouse, waiting for the sun to crest the trees.

“You need to sleep, Liam. What will you do if we find her and you’re too exhausted to do anything?” Lily linked me. I could feel her presence behind me.

“I let her down,” I said quietly. “I will sleep when I know she is safe.”

She sighed behind me. “We got something…” she said quietly.

I turned around quickly. “Why didn’t you start with that?” I asked frantically. “What is it?” She held up a small envelope addressed to me. I took it from her and opened it quickly. Inside was a note and a polaroid photo. I looked at the picture first. My breath hitched; the photo was of a girl lying on a large bed. She was curled up, holding herself. Her fiery locks were a wild mess around her. The photo was clear enough to see some barely visible bruises around her wrists. I swallowed. “Azalea…” Her name erupted from my lips in a strangled sob. I opened the note and read:

You did not take care of this little flower. Now she will be mine. I will be waiting, Alpha…

At the bottom of the note was a set of coordinates. I looked up at Lily. She nodded her head. “Yes, Liam. We think he has told you exactly where they are. And if this picture is recent enough, she is okay.” She looked at me warily. “Damien sent a pair of wolves to scout the area. We won’t know much until they return.”

I nodded my head, barely registering what she was saying. My mind was wholly fixated on the photo.

“Mate…” Gavin whined in my head.

“No. You do not get to do that.” I said to him icily. He growled in response. “No, Gavin. You are the entire reason she was able to be taken! You did this; you hurt her worse than anyone ever has! She ran from us, and it made her vulnerable!” He did not deserve pity at this moment. He took Azalea’s choice away as she begged him to stop.

“I did what you wouldn’t!” he feebly tried to argue.

“I would have! I wanted to the moment I saw her again! But it could not be like that! Now she is in the hands of someone trying to take my pack! Don’t you see what you did?” He remained quiet for a minute. I played the painful images of Azalea underneath us that night in the Lake House through my mind, forcing him to watch what he did. Gavin whimpered.

“I didn’t want to hurt mate…” he whined.

“You did! She was not ready for anything like that! Her mating should have been slow and sweet. We should have taken care of her!”

“You are right. I failed mate….” he admitted finally.

Lily was waving her hands in front of me, trying to get my attention. Gavin retreated in my mind once again. He was probably off to metaphorically lick his wounds now that he was accepting this was all his fault. I snapped my eyes to Lily.

“Sorry,” I said. Damien walked outside at that moment. I looked over at him.

“There are scouts sent to check out the area around the coordinates in the note. They left about 20 minutes ago,” he said. I nodded my head. “Liam, you need to go get some sleep. We won’t know anything for hours still.” I looked at my best friend and Beta. He was looking almost as rough as I was. I didn’t realize how hard he had been working to help me find Azalea, a girl he held no loyalty toward until he found out she was my mate.Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

He handed me a small bottle. “I spoke with your uncle. He gave me these to give to you. They are a lite sedative just to help you fall asleep. I know asking you to take them willingly is probably not the best choice, but I won’t force you.”

“Damien, get the Delta to watch over things and wait for the scout returns. You and Lily should also go rest,” I said, taking the bottle from him. “I will take these and sleep as well. I need your help if I am going to get my mate back,” I finished. He nodded his head and looked at Lily; she gave him a small warm smile, moving into his embrace. They turned around to go back inside.

“And Damien…” I started. He paused but did not turn around. “I really am sorry I let this all happen. I will never hurt her or allow Gavin to hurt her ever again.”

He stood there for a moment. Finally, he linked me, probably unable to voice what he had to say. “Your wolf’s actions were a punishable offense. If you ever hurt her again, Liam, I will not hesitate to act. Whether or not she is my Luna, she did not deserve that.”

“I expect nothing less.” With that, he and Lily disappeared into the house. I sighed, realizing not only had I hurt Azalea, but I had also put my best friend in a position where his morals were compromised. We had dealt with wolves forcibly mating in the past, although not frequently. Punishments were always severe. I got a punch to the face and a cold shoulder; I got off far too easily.

I looked at the photo again. My poor little mate needed me. “Hang in there just a little longer, Azalea. I am coming, baby….” I whispered to myself.