Forbidden Mate: Awakening

Lily’s parents were both relieved and worried when they saw Don. Before he came back, they had thought he ran away, again, to have some time to himself – like he has had multiple times – so they didn’t bother sending anyone to look for him or anything. They knew he’d be back. Rebekah did call him occasionally, but his line never went through. Oh well, that’s why he wanted a getaway. Of course his phone won’t go, she said to herself.

Though, Henry was annoyed he decided to leave during a crucial time and without his permission, Don was always the nonchalant son to them. He always came back.

But this time he came back, they knew where they thought he left to wasn’t where he had been all this while.

Rebekah had lingered around in his ward, also concerned about his health and what he displayed a few days ago when he arrived back in that state. She couldn’t help but ask herself about where he had really been, why he had not even tried to reach them, and the terrible things he went through with the vampires he said had imprisoned him.

She was both concerned and angry, as she wanted to know the truth about what happened and if it was in any way related to her daughter’s disappearance.

After he had been treated, he was brought back for questioning.

Henry was clearly frustrated. The lines on his forehead were more visible as he asked, “Don, how could you have betrayed us? We trusted you, and yet you sided with the vampires who have caused so much harm to our pack.”

Don had finally admitted to them that the only reason he was kidnapped by the vampires was because he made dealings with some of them. Hence the reason he was repeating that “they knew he had information and wanted to silence him” when he first came back .

Don’s gaze dropped to the ground, a sense of shame etched across his face. “I know, sir. I made a terrible mistake. I was naive and believed their promises of power and freedom. They manipulated me, made me believe that I could protect our pack from within. But instead, I became a pawn in their twisted games.”

“After all my training and what we’ve done for you?! Don, how could you have been so foolish?!” Henry finally bursted out in anger and Rebekah quickly held his arm back, trying to distill his fury. He turned to her and she nodded, signalling she would take over and he should just relax.

Rebekah approached Don and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. To her, he was always a mischievous son who had now been led astray. She did understand why her husband, the leader of their grove, was acting out and angry. But she needed to play her part as the listening and less aggressive authoritative figure to Don.

“Don, we need to understand what happened. You need to tell us everything. How did they capture you? What did they do to you?”

The memories of his ordeal weighed heavily on him. Remembering them brought back the shame, guilt and regret all at once, and it was eating him from within. He took a deep breath before speaking, “They ambushed me while I was patrolling near their territory the day after Elder Mason left because of the incident with Lily and the hunter boy. I fought as best as I could, but they overwhelmed me. They imprisoned me in their cell, subjecting me to relentless torture and interrogation. I wished to escape everyday but time dragged on. They wanted information about our pack’s vulnerabilities…I resisted, but their methods were merciless.”

“It seems they weren’t merciless enough.” Henry grumbled. Rebekah turned to see him staring at Don with blazing eyes, his fists balled and teeth shut.© 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

“Henry…” She already knew Henry was not going to let Don go unpunished for what he’d just confessed to being part of. She stretched her hand to hold his shoulder but he walked past her and stood directly in front of Don. “Henry…”

“Don’t you call my name! Look at what he’s done! He jeopardized the safety of all our people just because of a stupid phase he was in! Why didn’t you talk and convince him before he got too out of hand?”

“Henry…” Rebekah’s eyes filled with tears. She’d not seen him this angry in a while.

“And the fact he did it right under our noses?! I feel like a fool! Do you know what Rex will say when this gets to his ears?!” His voice rang louder.

“I’m sorry, sir…I didn’t…I…”

“Oh spare it! You knew exactly what you were doing when you were approached by them or dare I say, walked right into their coven to make deals with them, and you continued to do so and pretend like you were on our side all this time!”

“No, sir,” Don said and gulped.

“Oh, I’m lying then? How long has your betrayal lasted then?” Henry’s eyes narrowed at him.

Don’s face colour flushed with embarrassment and guilt. “A…about 4 months but I swear I didn’t -,

“A whole 4 months?? 4 months, Don! What haven’t we given you, Don? Haven’t my wife and I treated you like our own child even more than we have Lily? Why would you do this?!”

Don’s voice got even more mellow and heart wrenched, “I’m sorry…sir, I’m sorry…”

“Sorry won’t change anything now or reverse the damages done, will it?!”

Don glanced at Rebekah who looked away. Why did he expect her to come to his aid? He knew what he was doing when he did it. He knew the consequences. He had let everyone down, just because of his anger and ego. He partnered with the enemy and now his leader was punching down on him verbally, he knew he couldn’t say anything in defence but just be quiet and hope his punishment wasn’t too harsh. Who was he kidding? Of course it would be harsh.

He then remembered what Lily told him that day.

“Just because my dad favours you out of the other hunters doesn’t mean you can escape his judgement, Don!”

If only she could see him now, exactly what she said coming true.

“Maybe that’s why they went after my poor Lily…I can only guess…” Henry continued to pour his emotions out.

Don kept his face fallen, ashamed to look at Henry.

“It seems we’ve spoilt you too much. You’ll be treated like the traitor you are from henceforth! Thorough investigation and questioning will be done following this proceedings and I swear by the goddess, young man, if they find even one more incriminating evidence against you of any other conspiracy, the punishment I’ll have reserved for you will be far greater and graver than I can speak of now.”

After that lofty statement, Henry stormed off. Rebekah watched as her fuming husband banged the door behind him and the guards glanced at Don with disappointed eyes.

“Ma, I swear…I didn’t know it would lead to this. I didn’t intend this…if I had known…” Don’s choked voice brought back her attention.

“You’ve not only hurt all of us badly by this, Don. You’ve hurt him. It’s like a stab in his back. You know how much he treated you like a son…”

“I do…I do, ma, I do…and I’m terribly sorry. I don’t know why or what came over more or….”

A tear dropped from his eye.

Her expression softened as she sat beside him, “I’ll try talk to him. But you need to tell me this.” Her expression turned grim as she asked, “You were held in those monsters’ captivity for some time… Lily, what about my daughter? Did they mention her? Is she safe?”

Don’s face contorted with pain. “They… they kept her separate from me. I couldn’t see her, but I heard when some of the vampires gossiped about them finally having the daughter of the werewolf grove in their captive. I also heard rumors. They believed she was dead,” He saw how Rebekah’s eyes twitched, “but I… I have reason to believe she might still be alive.”

Before Don could reveal more, Audrey’s voice pierced through the room, cutting off his words. She had been there the whole time taking in the spectacle and calculating her next move. Just after Henry walked out, she walked in.

“Stop, Don! You’ve said enough. We don’t need to listen to your delusions and lies. Lily is gone, and we must accept that.”

The room fell silent when Audrey spoke. Rebekah and Don’s gaze shifted to her.