Reading Lara (#3)

Chapter 12

The Next Morning...7:39 a.m.

Alpha Maddox Teller-

I yawn loudly as I shut the coffee maker off. I couldn't tell you when the last time I drank coffee was, but I'm in need of it today. I came back to the house to shower before Lara is released from the hospital. The doctor wanted to keep her under observation last night after he checked over her and the baby.

The baby. Jesus, my girl is having a baby. I feel a wide smile form as I imagine a baby in this house. The thought of Lara swollen with a life we created makes me want her even more than I do now.

I close the lid of the thermos my coffee is in before grabbing my car keys and exiting the house. I drive to the hospital with only the thought of seeing Lara on my mind. I need to have her in my arms again, to feel her lips on mine. I pull into a parking spot and turn the car off. I make my way into the elevator and press the button for the fourth floor where Lara's room is. When I reach her room, I find her talking to Zara and Leo. The two of them flew in to check on Lara and arrived last night while she was sleeping. Zara was distraught when I called her and I had to talk to Leo just to explain what had happened.

I see tears in Lara's eyes and rush towards her, clutching her cheeks and bringing her eyes to mine. "Baby, what's the matter? Why are you crying?"

"I didn't mean to upset her or anything. I just thought she would want to know," Zara explains hastily.

"Know what?"

"Marcus called me. He wanted to know if he could see Lara. He sounded really torn up to hear she was in the hospital. I wanted to run it by her to see what she would think."

I look at Lara's tear-filled eyes. I think I know why she's crying. I just need to ask her while we're alone. "Can you guys give us a minute?" I ask, my eyes still on Lara. I hear them both leave a moment later. I take a seat next to Lara on the bed.

"Baby, is Marcus the one who hit you?" She doesn't answer me, but tears form in her eyes once more. "Baby-"

"I've never seen him so angry before. He didn't care that he was hurting me. He just kept on and on until he realized what he'd done. It was too late by then," she whispers, making me see red. I push back the urge to kill the motherfucker, though. Going after him won't help Lara right now.

"How did he get into the house?"

She shrugs, shaking her head. "I don't know. I came out of the bathroom and he was there in our bedroom. He called me so many names. He said I betrayed him and this was my punishment. I didn't understand what he was talking about," she says, sobbing into her hands. I bring her to my chest and wrap her in my arms. She clutches my shirt tightly in her small hands as I rock her gently.

"Shh, baby. It's alright. I'm going to find him. He won't hurt you anymore," I promise, my throat tight with emotion. When Lara calms, I retrieve my phone from my pocket and dial Lennon's number.

"Yeah?" His voice greets.

"I need you to send our best trackers to find Marcus Andrews and bring him to my house. I need you and Dad to meet me there in an hour," I tell him.

"What's this about Maddox?"

"I have more evidence," I explain. Lennon knows what I'm referring to. He's been helping me compile evidence against Marcus. So far, it's not looking good for him. With the evidence at the crime scene of Lara's childhood home, I can prove that he murdered Lara's parents. Now that he's committed a crime against his alpha female, I can have him escorted to the pack house where he will be arrested.

"I'll be there," he says, hanging up. I gather up Lara's things and request to have her discharge papers. After they're signed, I get Lara dressed and we make our way out of the hospital. When we get home, I lay her bags down on the couch and lead her to the kitchen, her hand in mine. She takes a seat at the table.

"We gotta talk, babe."

"What's going on, Maddox?" She asks, nervously.

I sigh and take the seat across from her. "I want to tell you this before my dad and Lennon get here."

"Tell me what?" She asks when I don't continue.

"I ordered trackers to find Marcus. When they show, Lennon, Dad, and I are going to question him regarding your parents' murder. And before you say anything, I know it was him that did it. I just need a confession from him. He will also be charged with the assault of his alpha female," I explain to her.

She's pale and has gone still. "He murdered my parents? How do you know that? What-," she stops.

I take her hand in mine. "Baby, I'm so sorry. About everything. I know he did it because he made a mistake. Your mother fought him and his hair was found in the palm of her hand. I also found that he paid off the investigators. They will also be arrested."

She gasps. "You're going to execute him?"

I nod. "Yes, I have to under werewolf law. I couldn't help him even if I wanted to. Do you understand?"

She nods her head slightly. "I don't want him to hurt me anymore, Maddox. I just want to be happy," she whispers, a tear running out of her eye.

"Lara, you deserve to be happy. You, me, and our baby are going to be happy. I know we have some things to talk about, but I love you. I'm not going to let you get hurt anymore," I vow to her.

* * *

Six Weeks Later...

Lara Henderson-

I gaze out the window of Maddox and I's bedroom as Maddox pulls into the driveway and gets out of the car. He went to the store for food to tame my cravings. It seems to be pregnant with twins comes with intense cravings and ten times the emotional imbalance. Today is also my doctor's appointment to see what we're having and how the babies are progressing.

For some odd reason, Marcus drifts through my mind and I frown. It's been a little over a month since he was executed. After he tried to kill Maddox that day in his office, Reece and Lennon were forced to take action and kill him. If I had known Marcus was so unstable, I would never have dated him. While Maddox was getting stitches for a shoulder wound, I was by his side the entire time. I have to admit, I did giggle when he asked the doctor if he could have a sucker for good behavior.

"You ready to go, sweet girl?" His voice asks his hot breath in my ear. He kisses my earlobe as he wraps me in his arms, one hand on my growing belly and the other on my hip. I turn in his arms to kiss him passionately, hoping to distract him enough so he'll take me to bed.

He groans against my lips as one of his hands cup my behind. He pecks my lips before pulling away. "Nice try, baby. Let's go or we're going to be late," he chuckles.

I scoff. "Like you don't want to have s*x right now, you addict," I tease.

His chuckle turns into laughter. "I would very much, but I would also like to find out if my boys are still safe inside their mommy. So, let's go, Lara Sahara."

I melt at his words. "Okay," I whisper, kissing him once more. I pull away. As I'm walking down the hall, I hear him groan. "Jesus, I need a cold shower."