Chapter 11

Dawn’s POV

First I got hearing back . . .then feeling.

My head was pounding. My stomach, back, sides, legs and face were swore and felt bruised and unmovable. I slowly and carefully opened my eyes and found that my right eye would not open.

Oh God! Where am I . . .

“Dawn, are you awake?” I knew that voice, but I couldn’t quiet place it and then Jacob’s face came into view. Ian’s older brother.

“Jacob?” I was shocked my how weak and horse my voice was.

“Okay, don’t rile her up, babe,” A pretty blonde came into view.

I instantly panicked. What the hell is going on?

“Dawn, calm down,” Jacob sat down beside my good eye. “This is Natalie. She’s my girlfriend. She’s a doctor. I knew you wouldn’t want me to take you to a hospital so I brought you to her. I walked in when Ian was on you . . . You were already out,” He growled.

“Thank . . . th . . .” I tried to get out, but my throat wouldn’t allow it.

“Don’t.” He patted my hand, “Your welcome. I told you to call me whenever you needed me. Dawn, why did you let it get that far?” he sighed.

I closed my eyes and sighed.

“I am going to turn him in . . .”

“No!” My eye shot open.

“Dawn . . .”

“Jacob, out.” Natalie demanded. “I need her to relax so that the anesthetic can work so I can work on her.”

Jacob sighed and then nodded and got up and walked out.

“Sweetie, please try to relax. You’re safe now. I won’t hurt you. Some of your injuries are pretty bad so I am going to knock you out so that I can make sure there are no serious brakes or any other injuries. Okay?” She met my eye and looked sorry and worried.

I nodded silently and then closed my eye and that was the last thing I remembered.

When I next woke up my whole body felt better. I could open both of my eyes, though my right eye was still swore. I could take a breath with minimal pain shooting through my chest and lungs. My legs seemed to be unharmed besides a few healing bruises. My left arm seemed to get the worst of it because it was wrapped in some kind of ace bandage so that I could not move my wrist.

“Dawn,” Jacob’s smiling face came into view followed by a pretty blonde. I struggled through my drug ha to remember that this was Jacob’s girlfriend, Natalie.

“Hey, Jacob,” I smiled and then coughed to clear my throat because it was so dry.

“Here,” Natalie handed me a glass of water as Jacob helped me sit up.

“Thank you both so much,” I breathed as finished drinking from the glass.

“It’s really no problem. And you know I always love a new excuse to beat the shit out of my brother,” Jacob smirked half-heartedly.

“You didn’t?” I couldn’t help the slight smile that appeared on my face.

“You bet I did,” He patted my leg.

“How long was I out? I don’t feel nearly as bad as I did when I first woke up,” I turned to Natalie.

“Well, you were coming in and out of consciousness for the last day,” She replied.

“Day? I missed school?” My heart leaped to my throat.

“Yes, but I called you in so that they wouldn’t call your house. Your mother thinks your staying with Ian,” Jacob replied.

“So Ian went to school though?” I asked.

“Yes, he could care less,” Jacob growled.

“Oh god,” I laid back down and put my head in my hands.

Tony will know something is up. What happens when he goes to my house and asks for me and I am not there? He’s going to kill Ian . . . I can’t let him get into trouble for me!

“What? What is it? Are you hurting?” Natalie placed a hand on my shoulder.

“No, no I am fine, but I need to get home. I need to get to school. I need to explain . . .”

“Explain to who? I took care of all of that for you,” Jacob looked at me confused.

“A friend,” I breathed. “He may have possibly found out about Ian and me not showing up to school would only confirm his suspicions. I need to get to him before he does something stupid.”

“I hope he beats the shit out of Ian like I did. Maybe your friend will be able to knock some sense into him,” Jacob growled.

“He’ll do more than knock some sense into him,” I slid off of the bed I was laying on.

“Wow, are you okay,” Natalie was instantly at my side.

I stood up without wobbling and looked her straight in the eye, “I have been dealing with this for some time now. I can handle it, but thank you.” I smiled at her and then turned to Jacob. “Can you give me a ride home?” I asked.

“Yeah, sure, but you want your mom to see you that way?” He asked standing form the chair he had been sitting in.

I looked at the alarm clock beside the bed and shook my head. “She shouldn’t be home yet so if I get home and up on some make up I should be good.”

“What about all your other injuries?” Natalie asked.

“Long sleeves and jeans. Like I said I have been dealing with this for some time,” I breathed and then I followed Jacob out of the room and out of the house.

The car ride home was silent. Jacob was paying attention  to the road and I never attempted to start a conversation.

The first words he spoke since we left the house were when we pulled into my driveway.

“Dawn?” He said stopping me from getting out of the car.

I turned to him without a real response.

“Don’t go near him again. Don’t play with your life like that,” He demanded.

“Jacob, this is my life. If I start acting weird . . . avoiding Ian . . . people might find out about me. About how I am nothing but a punching bag to him. Being with Ian makes me look like I am worth something . . . if that ends then what do I have? Everyone will see me for the worthless piece of shit I am . . . I can’t take that,” I shook my head.

“Dawn,” Jacob shook his head, “You’ll have your life. If you leave Ian people will finally be able to find out what a wonderful person you really are.”

“Yeah, whatever,” I mumbled and got out of the car and went into my house leaving him in the driveway. I hurried upstairs and went to check myself out in the mirror.

“Oh shit,” I mumbled as I looked over my face.

My right eye had the worst of it. It was black and blue and still slightly swollen. I would ice it tonight and then worry about make-up tomorrow morning for school.

The bruises and cuts covered my body, but it was nothing I wasn’t used to.

The cut over my right temple slightly concerned me.

“That’s gonna be hard to cover,” I breathed studying myself in the mirror.

I was just glad it was over for now. After a bad beating like this one Ian usual became his old self. He was nicer to me and gentler about handling me. It was like seeing me this hurt played on his conscious or something. I didn’t know a guy like him could feel true guilt, but when I looked into his eyes he seemed genuine.

The only thing I was worried about was if he was really finished.

Did Jacob coming in and stopping Ian save my life or did he just put me in further danger?

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Anthony’s POV

I couldn’t sleep last night . . . No way. I was struggling all night with my wolf to not turn and race over to Ian’s house and tear him a part limb from limb.

Dawn had said that hurting him would only hurt her more. I can’t go after him without hurting her . . . It was driving me crazy.

There is one simple answer . . . KILL HIM! My wolf demanded.

Damn did I want to . . . but I can’t just go killing people because I don’t like them. This wasn’t ancient times.

He’s hurting our mate! My wolf demanded.

I can’t do anything! I replied.

I got up and took a shower and then got ready and hurried to school. I need to see her . . .  to check on her.

To my incredible disappointment when Ian pulled into the parking lot and got out of his car no one got out of the passenger seat.

My heart instantly stopped.

Where is she? I demanded.

I glared at the passenger door praying to the goddess that she was just waiting to get out of the car.

When she didn’t get out and Ian started walking towards the school my fear turned to anger. I started for him. At least I was happy to notice that he had a black eye and a bruise on his chin. I hoped Dawn had put them there.

“Tony, stop,” Julie stepped in front of me.

“Julie, he hits her . . . How can I just look past that? It’s not just jealous anymore! I am protecting my mate . . . he needs to be punished for the crime he has committed,” I growled.

“So you are going to shift into a giant wolf and kill him in the school parking lot?” She placed her hands on her hips.

I stopped seeing her reason.”Wait, why aren’t you shocked that he’s been hitting her?”

She hesitated answering.

A low menacing growl left my throat and she jumped back to Travis, “You knew!” I accused.

“I had a feeling that . . .”

“You knew and you didn’t tell me!” I yelled.

“Tony!” Travis growled stepped in front of Julie, protecting her.

“Why should I let you protect your mate when she won’t let me protect mine!” I felt my canines extend as I shoved him to the side and growled towering over Julie as she cowered.

Suddenly I was tackled form the side.

I looked up to see Travis - eyes pale, canines extended – just before a punch landed on my right temple.

I growled and shoved Travis back so that I was over him.

“You think you can beat an Alpha!” I growled and punched him repeatedly in his face and stomach.

“Tony! Cut it out!” I heard someone yell.

I looked up to threaten the person to back off and that allowed Travis to get the upper hand.

“Don’t fuck with my mate! It’s not her fault you can be a good mate!” Travis growled back. That put me over the edge.

I tackled him so that I was on top again and I didn’t stop throwing punch to his head, chest and stomach yelling at him about him not knowing anything.

“Cut it the fuck out!” I heard the voice threaten again and then suddenly I was being pull off of Travis’s lifeless body. No matter how I struggled I could not break free.

Then Felix’s face was in front of mine.

“Get a fucking hold on yourself, Anthony!” He threatened and slapped me. “You just almost beat your cousin to death!” He growled.

I was bearing my teeth at him until his words sunk in and I instantly panicked.

I looked around Felix to see a crying Julie over a lifeless Travis.

“Oh shit, what have I done? I gasped.

“That doesn’t matter now,” Flex growled. “Help me get him into the car. We have to get him back to the pack house now.”

I nodded and helped him get Travis into the car.

I was lucky enough that my tirade had not started until after the first period had started so the parking lot was empty, but that didn’t matter. We just needed to get Travis back to the pack house and quick.

A terrible guilt and worry sunk into my gut as I watched Julie’s tear streaked face look at me with fear and disgust. She got into the car and Felix took off. I got on my bike and quickly followed after them.

*~*~*

“If you are going to be a responsible and trust Alpha you have to learn how to control your anger!” My father growled at me.

“Yes, Sir,” I replied meeting his dangerous glare. His eyes were beyond being the eyes of his wolf and his canines were painfully elongated.

I was honestly scared out of my mind. He looked moments away from shifting and tearing me apart. And I had to control my anger?

“Derek,” My mother breathed.

“No! I don’t care what kind of example I am setting!” He yelled at her.

She sat down and looked away from him.

“You completely knock him out! He could have been seriously injured if Felix wasn’t there to stop you! I cannot believe that the day has come when I honestly trust Felix more than you! What the hell came over you, Anthony?” He demanded.

“I don’t . . .”

“Don’t you dare say ‘I don’t know’,” He growled closing his eyes. “Don’t fucking say it, Anthony. I want a damn explanation now.”

“Julie tried to stop me from attacking my mate’s boyfriend and I went after her. Travis tried to protect her and I attacked him. I’ve been really on edge lately. I didn’t mean . . .”

“Of course you didn’t mean to do anything! The fact is that you did . . .” He shook his head. “You’re grounded!”

“What?” I gasped sitting up.

“Don’t push me, Anthony! I am not in the mood right now . . . How could you ever be the Alpha you need to be with an attitude like that?” He looked me right in the eye ashamed.

I felt like I wanted to crawl into a deep whole and die . . .  slowly.

“Derek, they have a dance this weekend. Don’t do this,” Mom stood turning to her husband.

“You don’t think he needs to be punished?” My father countered angrily. I was worried for my mother now. But he would never hurt her . . . right?

“Yes, he does need to be punished, but we are going to start with him going up to Julie, Felix and Travis and apologizing to all of them. That is if Julie will even let you near Travis until he is completely healed,” She turned to me. “You will beg them for their forgiveness. When that is done I will see what you deserve next. All I can say is that we are extremely disappointed in you, Anthony,” She shook her head at me.

“You think that’s enough?” Dad growled.

“Derek, please not know. I’m not feeling well,” Mom breathed.

“Yes, because you’re the one to be handing out punishments. You’re lying to me, Kendra. Tell me what’s wrong?” Dad’s attitude suddenly changed and he was begging instead of angry.

Mom looked to me then back to Dad, “Not now . . .”

“No, he knows. Felix knows . . . You’re not acting like yourself. How long did you think it would take for us to notice?” He asked seriously.

“I was hoping I would get a little more time,” She replied honestly.

“Finally,” He breathed. “Now tell me. What’s wrong? You’re scaring me.”

“Derek, not here,” She replied in a slight growl and then walked form my room in a hurry.

“Damn it,” He growled.

“Dad,” I stood.

“No, you go deal with Travis. I will deal with my mate,” He glared at me and then turned and walked out of my room.

I feel back into my seat and put my head in my hands.

I couldn’t stop the tears that fell from my eyes.

I felt so weak, pathetic and ruined. He was right. I can’t be an Alpha like this. I am useless . . .

“Without your mate . . . That’s true,” Felix was in my room.

“What?” I looked up at him shocked and wiped my tears embarrassed.

“Like I haven’t seen you cry before,” Felix scoffed. “Granted it’s been a while . . . I think we were five. Either way you were thinking that Derek was right . . . that you can’t be a good Alpha. I’m right, right?” He walked over to me.

I nodded and looked at the floor.

“Without your mate it’s true. You can’t be your full potential without her. I understand that, Travis understands that . . . Julie might be a different story.” He breathed.

I looked up at him confused.

“We’ve had to put a muzzle on her just to get the doctors to Travis. She won’t let anyone near him. Then again she’s been mostly her wolf since the school parking lot,” He shrugged.

“I really fucked up this time, Felix,” I shook my head.

“No,” He disagreed mildly. “In that parking lot it was two over possessive and strong wolves fighting for their mates. That was not you and Travis. I can tell you that right now.”

“But it’s all my fault. If I would have just kept my cool and backed off of Julie none of it would have happened,” I sighed.

“Dude, no one is expecting to keep your cool. We get that it’s been hard on you. And Travis will heal. He’s already awake and doing fine. He is a werewolf, don’t forget that,” Felix smirked and lightly shoved my shoulder.

I smiled, “Thanks, Felix, but I still have to apologize to them,” I nodded.

“Yeah, I know,” He nodded. “I am still waiting for my apology,” He smirked.

I laughed and shook my head at him.