Alpha Markus
Chapter 60

Celeste P.O.V.

‘I’m sorry you need me to do what?,’ Gillian asked. I could hear the panic in his voice.

‘The pictures are not pretty. Atlas is helping Markus stay calm right now. That will change when Atlas sees the pictures too,’ I said.

‘Yes Luna,’ he said sadly.

The phone connected and I went through the pictures until I found the ones I was looking for. I grabbed the remote to turn on the TV.

“These pictures were taken 3 days after we arrived at Crescent Moon. When I realized Alpha Geoff was selling my friends, I asked Maya to take some pictures of myself in case they could help free them and condemn Alpha Geoff. When I explained to Maya, she agreed to let me take pictures of her as well. Councilman Matthias, this is how every one of us looked before Gillian began helping my friends.”

I turned my back on Markus and my friends. I did not want to see the looks of outrage and pity. I turned on the TV and I heard Kelly and Councilman Matthias gasp. It was a side view of my body, every rib visible, my stomach or lack there of indented inwards. The next picture was of my back. Every bone in my spine protruding and scars littered the back. My legs had very little muscle. The pictures of Maya were almost the same, except she had fared a little bit better than me in terms of scars and food. At the last pic, that showed my body from the front, the raised scars from Sandra’s claws on my stomach still healing, I heard the cracking of bone.

I turned around to replace Markus shifting with Gillian on top of him. I ran to him. I wrapped my arms around him. It would force Atlas to stop shifting or he would hurt me. Gillian released him. The rest had stepped back, knowing the kind of rage Atlas was in, they didn’t want to be accidentally on the receiving end of it.

“Let us shift, Tuli,” Atlas growled, trying to push me away without hurting me with his claws. I looked up at him. He looked like he was in pain from stopping mid shift, but there was so much anger in his eyes.

I just pushed my head into his chest and cried. “Please, Atlas, it’s not worth it. You already saved me, you saved Maya. Help me save the rest,” I told him.

I could hear Kelly crying behind me and Gillian was now restraining Danny as Maya tried to calm him down. He was also mid shift. Markus and Atlas were breathing so heavily. I moved my hand to their half covered fur back and ran small circles, hoping the bond sparks would calm him. Eventually, it seemed he did calm down because I felt his arms wrap around me and his face dip into my neck, kissing my cheek.

‘I’m sorry,’ he said, and I felt the dampness on my neck.

‘It is not your fault. You are the reason why those are but a memory now. I am sorry you had to see them. This nightmare is almost over for all of us, thanks to you’

Councilman Matthias cleared his throat. I pulled from Markus but he wouldn’t let me go. Instead, he allowed me to twist in his arms so we were both facing the councilman.

“I am sorry this happened to you and your people under our watch. Please add these to your presentation tomorrow. I can safely say, they will not leave this place free wolves.”

“Thank you Councilman. May I ask, what will happen to the girls once Alpha Geoff is under arrest,” I said.

“We will look to see if any of them have any family in other packs that will want to take them in. Any we aren’t able to place, will need a place to stay.”

“I would like them to come here, with me. To our Pack. As the last remaining ranked member of Sky Moon Pack, they are my responsibility. We can house them, provide the health measures they need as well as therapy and education. They would be full members of our pack,” I said, and I could feel Markus’ pride through the bond.

“I believe that request will be granted. As someone who’s gone through it yourself, I believe you and Maya will be the most qualified people to know what their needs are. Now I must take my leave. It was a long flight here and I would like try to rest. Tomorrow will be a happy day, but it will be followed by a long one,” he said as he made his way to the doors.

“Councilman Matthias?” Markus said.

“Yes, Alpha Markus?”

“I would like US,” he motioned to the group, “to be the ones to retrieve the girls. They will replace it easier to trust us with Celeste and Maya”

“That is an excellent idea. They can also remain here while we conduct the investigation to see if any of them have relatives in other packs. Good night,” He said and left.

The moment he left, I heard something hit wood. I turned around to see Danny had punched a hole in the conference table. He was visibly shaking with anger and rage, “I need some air.” He growled and left. Maya tried to follow him but Markus stopped her.

“I’ll follow him and talk to him. Go rest, you have a big day tomorrow,” he said. He turned and gave me a k**s on the forehead. “I’ll be up in a while. Atlas also needs a run,” he told me and I nodded.

I went to Maya to lead her out and suddenly we were engulfed in giant hug. Kelly was bawling as she tried to murder us with her affection.

“I’m sorry, I knew you were mistreated but I didn’t know how badly,” I turned to look at Gillian and he had a mixed face of amusement and restrained pain, like he was stopping himself from doing something and it was physically hurting him. I rolled my eyes and motioned for him to join us. He grinned and embraced all three of us.

“Alright, let’s get to bed,” I told them, “The stylist is coming tomorrow and we all need out beauty sleep.”

‘Will this take long?’ I asked Markus.

‘I would count on it. He’s pretty broken.’

‘I will take Maya with me to our bedroom. He can carry her down when you are both back,’ I told him.

‘OK. I love you,’ he said before he cut the mind link. I stepped outside the conference room to replace two guards waiting for us.

“Maya, you’re coming up with me. Danny will get you when they are back,” She nodded and sniffled a little.

“Uh uh, none of that. He will be fine, he probably just needs to punch something for a while. We can’t have puffy eyes in the morning or Kelly will kill us,” I said and that got a small laugh out of her.

We slept in the bed together until I felt Markus’ arms move my arms around Maya. I felt her body lift as I struggled to open my eyes. Danny gave me an apologetic look and I nodded to him as he left. Markus closed the door behind them and crawled into bed with me.

“What time is it?” I asked, yawning and curling up into him.

“Around 2am,” he said.

“Are you guys alright?” I said.

He was quiet for a little bit, then he kissed the top of my head. “Yes, we will be. Two days from now will make it easier to know what you’ve gone through.”

“I love you,” I told him.

“I love you more,” he said and we started falling asleep. “I like your new lotion. Makes you smell like apples,” he mumbled in his sleep as I drifted off myself.