Abused and Broken

Chapter 8

*Blaze*

I shut the door to Embers room and let out a deep sigh. This girl has been through Hell and I can tell without even needing to ask. I am so angry, I want to go down to see her father and kill him. Rip each joint from his body and inject him with silver and wolf-bane, let it heal slowly and do it again. All the while making his body look as black and blue as hers. I want to do this until he begs for death. The way I am sure she has done, at least one point in her life. He will get what he deserves. Right now I need to focus on Ember, she needs food and a doctor. I walk into the kitchen, trying to figure out what to make her. I don't really know anything she likes. I finally decided on some steak. That will be good for her to help her heal; full of protein, potatoes and a salad. 

"Blaze is it safe to come out" Mark asks through the pack mind link

"Yea I'm in the kitchen"

A short time later he walks into the kitchen. 

"How is she doing?"

"Abused and Broken, Mark. I just hope I can help get her glued back together. You saw the same thing I did. What you didn't see before she covered herself, is most of her body is bruised. But they aren't all from tonight. It is breaking me. I can feel how scared she is. I am worried that she scared she is of me." Those words hit me and the events and her actions of the night hit me... she is scared of me. I sigh. I have so much I am going to have to fight for, for her to understand that I'm not going to hurt her. 

"How can I help? Is there anything I can do?" Mark asks

" I don't know man. Maybe go with Angie to get her some stuff for her, she has nothing at all. I don't think she ever has." I start finishing up dinner and put it on plates. Then grab two sodas "I'm going to bring this up and eat with her. Go ahead and get some rest. We will talk more about this in the morning."

I turn and head up the stairs. I get to the room and knock on the door. She opens the door and immediately turns around and walks to the bed. I watch her walk and sit down. Goddess. "You are so beautiful" The look on her face tells me that I said that out loud. She looks at me like I just called her something bad, like she has no idea what I'm talking about. But that it was an insult. I hang my head knowing this is going to be so much harder than I thought. How does that saying go? Anything worth having is worth working for? I think that is it. She is clearly worth it, she is worth everything to me. 

"Mind if I sit?" I jerk my chin towards the end of the bed.

"mhm" 

I hand her the plate and soda and sit down to eat mine as well. I want to talk but I really want her to start where she feels comfortable. I can feel how scared and alone she feels right now. I'd do anything to offer her comfort. 

"Thank you, for the food. It is really good." she smiles just a little, It doesn't reach her eyes. but it's a start.

"I wasn't really sure what you liked but I am glad I made a good choice. How bad are you hurt?"

"Not as bad as it could be. I don't really think I need your doctor. It's been worse and I was fine. I really just want to eat and get some sleep, if I can." She chews her bottom lip and I can tell she is nervous about asking. I know I need to choose what I say next carefully.

"Do you think we can meet in the middle? I let you sleep but tomorrow I have the doctor come here to your room and see you?" She has another look of confusion like she isn't used to having a choice in her own life. "Please?"

"umm, okay, I will do that" she pauses, opens her mouth as if to say something, and then closes it again.

"Ember you don't have to stop yourself here with me. You are free to say what you want, ask about anything you want to know." She looks up at me now. Her eyes have so many colors swirling around. I've never seen hazel eyes like this, dark brown outside mixed with shades of green and specks of gold inside. They are breathtaking. I could get lost in them. 

"Do I, umm, Do I always have to stay in this room?" My heart drops. She thinks I am going to keep her locked in here. What the hell did this man do to her? I reach for her hand without thinking and she flinches, which makes me feel terrible but she doesn't pull away. 

"No Ember you are free to move around the house as you like, free to go for walks or runs, free to go to school. Anywhere you want. Once you are ready. Your father won't hurt you, he is locked away. I don't know if anyone else is out there that hurt you before, if so I do wish you would tell me so I can take care of them, to protect you from them as well. All I ask is to please leave a note if you leave the grounds, I just found you, I don't want to find you missing and not know if it's because you wanted to go somewhere or if you were forced."

She seems to think about it for a second. 

"Thank you." 

She doesn't say anything more, just eats her food. I just watch her trying to figure out what to do, what to say. I have never been at a loss for words, or so unsure about what to do next. Being who I am, Alpha, we just normally know what to do. Even Haze is unsure and offers no words of advice. 

"Ember, can I ask you a few questions? There are a few things I'd really like to know. If you get uncomfortable, you can just say so and won't need to ask. Though answers would make me very happy."

She looks at me with eyes full of fear about what I could want to know. But she nods her head yes.

"How and why did you hide from me for four years? I could have saved you sooner." I feel a tear slide down my face as the words leave my mouth but I can't stop it from being followed by another.