#9 The Lonely Rogue

Chapter 23: Caspian

I threw my cell phone across my office once Cole ended the call. I was fuming and Jess was in an absolute rage. I felt myself coming undone.

“What’s going on, Alpha?” Jett asked, sensing the tension as he entered my office.

“I need to get to Cypress and you need to go to the hospital in Charleston.” I said, shoving past Jett.

“What’s going on?” Jett hurried after me.

“Corbin and Reid Cooper ran Junie over with their car. She’s being taken to the hospital by ambulance and Cole is having the Cooper’s taken to Cypress. I’m going to question them there and you’re going to check on Junie until I get there.” I explained as I rushed towards my car.

“Is she okay?” Jett actually sounded concerned.

“She was conscious last Cole spoke to her, but she’s in bad shape.” I said, fighting back the emotions.

“I’ll go straight to the hospital.” Jett nodded, sensing that I wasn’t in the mood for a debate.

“Thank you, Jett.”

With that, we entered the human realm and got into separate cars. I drove myself to Cypress’ pack and Jett took his car to the hospital. Alpha Avery was expecting me so I was taken right through the security gate and to the packhouse’s dungeon.

“I’ve already interrogated Corbin and Reid about their involvement with the rogues. Corbin isn’t talking but Reid sang like a canary.” Alpha Avery said as we walked down the steps to the dungeon’s cells.

“I want them both executed for attacking their daughter.” I said plainly. Alpha Avery came to an abrupt stop.

“I’m disgusted by what they’ve done, but I need them alive to get more information about the rogues. Not to mention their actions were against their own family, not a member of my pack.” Alpha Avery dared to defend those monsters.

I growled at him, snapping my arm out and wrapping my hand around his neck. I held him against the wall, his feet dangling off the ground.

“They attacked my mate.” Jess snarled viscously, speaking through me. Alpha Avery’s eyes went wide and he gurgled, trying to talk. I dropped him to the ground.

“I didn’t know.” He gasped.

“I know.” I mumbled, looking at my feet. I hadn’t meant to expose the truth to Alpha Avery, “But, it’s the truth. They threatened the life of the destined Queen Luna, their execution is the only suitable punishment.” I said.

“I understand, but, would you allow me a few days to try and get some more information out of them?” Alpha Avery adjusted his tone. I growled deep inside my chest, frustrated with the delay.

“Fine. After I go at them myself.” I agreed and Alpha Avery nodded, leading me the rest of the way to the cells.

Honestly, I wasn't interested in interrogating Corbin or Reid, Alpha Avery could handle that. I was only interested in Jess’ need for revenge.

Hell, I was only interested in my need for revenge.

I pounded the life out of Corbin and Reid until all I could see was blood. Their blood covered the cell’s walls, pooling on the floor, and painting my clothes. I beat them until they were unconscious, clinging to life, on the cold, wet ground. I kicked them until their ribs snapped under my boot, strangling them until my handprint was bruised into their throats.

When I was finally done, I needed a change of clothes and they needed severe medical attention if they were going to survive long enough to answer Alpha Avery’s questions.

I changed out of my bloody black suit and into my spare set of clothes. Unfortunately, it was only a simple navy blue sweatshirt and a pair of heather gray joggers. I wasn’t thrilled about going out in public in my exercise clothes, but I had no choice now. I needed to see Junie.

Without so much as a goodbye to Alpha Avery, I sped off to the hospital where Jett already was. He had mindlinked me an update before I entered the cells, fueling my rage at the sight of my mate in her hospital bed.

“Do you see now?” Jess whimpered.

“I see.” I whispered in response.

I quickly reached the hospital and made my way to the private wing I secured for Junie. In the waiting room outside was Cole and Jett with two women I recognized from the bar. Judging by the awkward exchanges between Jett and the black haired woman, I guessed that she was Vivian.

“Alpha.” Jett stood when he saw me.

“Where is she?” I asked, “How could you let this happen?” I glared at Cole.

“She went outside to take out the garbage with one of the bouncers. I was there the second I heard her scream.” Cole said, walking over to me. He looked pissed and devastated.

“You should have been with her the entire time.” I snapped.

“I know.” He was beating himself up enough for the both of us, so I decided to back off.

“Where is she?” I asked again. Jett pointed towards one of the doors.

I quietly knocked on the door and softly opened it. Junie was laying on the bed with her eyes closed. Her head was laid sideways on the pillow, her curls draped over her face. Her arm with the IV attached was dangling off the bed, and the covers were half on and half off her body. It looked like she was sleeping restlessly.

I slipped across the room and gently rested her arm back on the bed, covering her up with the sheet. I couldn’t stop myself from brushing her hair away from her face, trailing my fingertip across her smooth skin.

I sighed and picked up one of the chairs, moving it closer to her bed and settling into it. I rested my elbow on the arm rest and leaned against my hand. With my mate’s scent swirling around me, I dozed off.

That is, until something hit me in the face and startled me awake. I blinked and jumped up, ready to attack.

“Are you going to murder the pillow?” Junie giggled and I realized she had thrown a pillow at me. I relaxed and sat back down,

“You’re awake.” I said lamely.

“I have been for a while now.” She said,

“Oh, I’m sorry.” I mumbled.

“Why are you here?” She asked.

“I….I wanted to make sure that you were okay.” I replied, leaning forward in the chair to get a better look at her, “How are you feeling?”

She had more color to her face then when Jett mindlinked me earlier. She looked like she was more rested and in less pain than before as well.

“I’m okay.” She shrugged, “You didn’t have to come and you certainly didn’t have to pay for all of this.” She said,

“I wanted to. Junie….” She interrupted me,

“Please, just leave.” She closed her eyes in pain.

“Junie…” I tried again.

This time, she flung off the sheet and jumped out of the bed.

“What are you….” I tried to stop her but she shoved me back down to the chair.

She ripped the IV out of her arm and tossed it on the floor, detaching herself from the machines monitoring her vitals. They started to beep like crazy. When the nurses came in, she dismissed them rudely.

“You’re the reason Reid and my father came after me, you know?” She was pacing the room, glaring at me.

“I know, it’s my fault.” I stayed still in the chair, watching her carefully.

“Why can’t you just leave me alone?” She asked, her voice shaking, “I don’t want to play this game anymore!” She sobbed, tears falling down her face.

I stood up abruptly and planted myself in her path, grabbing her arms and forcing her to look at me. She didn’t fight, she nearly collapsed in my arms. I cupped her face, using my thumb to wipe away her tears.

“I’m not playing anymore. I’m sorry, I’m so sorry that I treated you this way. It was about me, not you.” I said softly. She kept crying, her eyes searching my face.

“What are you talking about?” She sniffed, struggling to still sound angry.

“I’m sure Cole told you all about my lame excuses.” I sighed and she shook her head,

“No, I wouldn’t let him. I didn’t want to hear it from him.” She surprised me by saying.

“You wouldn’t?” I asked.

“No, I wanted to hear it from you.” She admits. I couldn’t help but smile softly, still cupping her face.

“Can I tell you now?” I asked and she nodded, biting her bottom lip. We walked back over to her bed and sat on it together.