My Mate and Brother's Betrayal
Betrayal 74

74 Watch Your Tone Maureen POV

The sound of a door has my eyes flying open. It takes me a second to remember where I am. The feeling of strong arms wrapped around me and tingles dancing on my skin, has my stomach flipping. I look over at my gorgeous mate snoring softly next to me. When I look toward the door, Reese is closing and opening his mouth like a fish out of water and Mindy is smiling like the Cheshire cat.

"Mom, what the hell is going on? Why is Barrett in bed with you," Reese finally manages to ask. Barrett's arms tighten around me, but he still seems to be asleep. "I don't appreciate your tone, young man. Even if Barrett wasn't my mate, I don't answer to you. I am your parent, you are not mine." My son has the good sense to look embarrassed. "I'm sorry mom. It was just a bit of a shock. I'm glad to see you're alright. You scared the hell out of me, mom," he says.

"I'm fine Reese. Between Adora and Barrett I'm good as new."Barrett presses a firm kiss on my forehead and slides out of bed. I want to laugh at the relief in Reese's eyes. Barrett smiles at Mindy. "You knew didn't you?" "The goddess might have mentioned second chances for the two of you. I drew my own conclusions. I expected you to meet at Beck and Rosalyn's ceremony, but the rogue attack happened" she says.

Reese looks at her like she has ten heads. "Why didn't you say anything" he asks. Mindy rolls her eyes and I have to hold back my laugh. "I love you Reese, but there are always going to be things that I can't tell you unless the goddess gives me permission. Besides, this was meant to be a surprise. That's why she didn't even tell me," Mindy says.

This time I do laugh because Reese is making the same face he did as a pup when he didn't like the answer I gave him. There is a light knock and the pack doctor comes in. He moves toward me. "I'm glad to see your awake Luna." "You all must start to call me Maureen. Mindy is the Luna now." "Of course, Maureen. It may take some time to get used to calling you by your name, so forgive me if I slip up" he says and I nod.

"When can I leave Paul? I have something I need to attend to." "I would like to check you out one last time and, as long as I'm satisfied with my replaceings, I can discharge you. I would like you to take it easy for a couple of days, but after years of knowing you, I feel like those instructions are going to fall on deaf ears," he says. I glare at him, but Barrett speaks up. "I'll make sure to keep a close eye on her doctor" he says.

"I'm sorry I didn't get to formally meet you earlier. I'm Paul the pack doctor" he says, extending his hand to Barrett. "Barrett Humphrey, Maureen's mate and head of the Werewolf Council." A

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huge smile spreads across Paul's face. "Congratulations, she deserves every happiness. Now

let me get you out of here," he says.

Twenty minutes later, I'm in hospital scrubs heading out of the hospital with Barrett, Mindy, and Reese. As soon as we reach the pack house, I head in the direction of the door that leads to the cells. Reese quickly steps in front of me. "Mom, what are you doing" he asks. "I'm going to speak to the rogue." "No, I forbid it. I will deal with the rogue myself," he says sternly.

"Oh, son, that was a mistake" Barrett whispers from behind me. "You forbid it. Is that what you just said to me?" "Mom, you were almost killed today and these rogues were involved. Addie and I can't lose you. I forgot to tell you Addie found her mate. You should go call her" he says. My emotions are a mix of irritation and joy. I'm so happy Addie found her mate, but I know Reese is trying to distract me. It won't work.

"Move, now"I say. I'm sure my eyes are flashing back and forth between black and brown because Adora is ready to smack our pup. "I am not a child nor a damsel that needs to be protected. You will move and allow me to speak with the rogue. If you want to be present, that's fine but you will not interfere. Am I clear Reese?"

"Mom, you were stabbed. As much as you don't want to be protected, obviously you need to be," he says. "Reese, you just keep digging the hole deeper. I suggest you put the shovel down," Barrett says, and Mindy giggles.

"I understand that you're worried about your mother, but she doesn't need your permission to speak to the rogue. She is grown, and he is requesting to speak with her. I respect you as the Alpha, but you need to respect your mother. She is very strong and capable," Barrett says, and I fall a little deeper in love with my new mate at that moment.

Reese's eyes meet mine and I can see the fear. The fear he must have felt when he got the call that I was stabbed. No matter what, I'm his mother. I step toward him and place my hand on his cheek. "I love you Reese. I'm sorry you were scared. I'm not angry that you want to protect me. I'm alright with you, Barrett, and Mindy being with me. You can't let fear rule you. That's n way to live."

He places his hand on top of mine. "Your right mom. Let's go see what the rogue has to say." Barrett takes my hand, and we make our way down the stairs that lead to the cells. As we pass the closest cell, Bryce sits up his eyes fixed on Reese. I need to speak to Reese about what needs to happen to Bryce. I know that Mindy stripped his wolf away, but his fixation on my son makes him a danger to Mindy, Rosalyn and my grandpup, even if he is a human.

As we approach the second to last cell, the man looks up and a wave of recognition washes over me. It can't be. "Christopher" I whisper. His soft smile let's me know I'm right, but I don't

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understand. He has definitely grown from the lanky teenager I once knew. He is more muscular and is far from the boy I spent time with after I mated with Robert. Bile rises in my

throat when I notice the scar that runs from the base of his ear and across his neck.

"I wondered if you would recognize me. I'm not exactly the pup I was when you knew me" he

says, before his eyes fill with sadness and regret. "I'm so sorry Maureen. I never wanted you to

be hurt by my presence today. I'm so glad you're alright," he says. "I don't understand. Robert. told me you died. How is this possible?"

"I'm sure Robert believed I was dead. After all, my dear brothers are the ones that gave me this scar and left me for dead." I can't have heard him correctly. Simon and Robert tried to kill him. "Christopher, I'm so confused. I saw them bury you in the pack cemetery. Your father and brothers spoke about how devastated they were to lose you."

"I'm sure the pr*cks put on quite the show for the pack" he says. "Why did they do this Christopher?" "My father was an evil ba**ard. My poor mother suffered every day because of him. He wanted the three of us to be just like him. Simon and Robert were chips off the old block. I refused to be like them. When Robert found you, I really hoped he would be a better

man and for a little while he was, but it didn't last."

I can see he is remembering something painful before he speaks again. It was right around that time that Abigale, one of the omegas, in the kitchen shifted for the first time. When my brothers saw she was a white wolf, my father insisted that Simon take her as a mate since

Robert had already mated with you."

I fight the urge to vomit. I remember Abigale. She was a sweet girl. I often wondered why the goddess would pair her with Simon when he was such an a**hole. "Are you saying she wasn't his mate?" "No, she wasn't," Barrett says taking me off guard. I look at him and my heart breaks. She was Barrett's first mate. I know it without him even saying it. I release his hand

and take a step back. "I'm sorry, I didn't know," I say.

He grabs me and pulls me into his arms. "No, don't you do that. You have nothing to be sorry for. Abigale was very fond of you. I can see why. She would be happy we found each other. I told you before you're not getting rid of me, Maureen. You are mine," he says. I bury my head in his chest and take a few deep breaths to compose myself.

When I look back at Christopher, he offers me a reassuring smile. "I'm the reason that Abigale got away from Simon and the pack. I also threatened to expose Robert. I couldn't stand by and watch him betray you. He promised me that he would stop and that night they came to my room. I was drugged and when I woke up the f**kers were standing over me," he says.

"You were only sixteen"I sob. The reality of all that poor boy endured hitting me harder as I

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picture how frightened he must have been. Barrett holds me close to his side. "It's alright Maureen. I survived. I just wish I could have done more to help you. I knew I was no match for

the pack and I needed them to think I was dead. I prayed for the goddess to make things right,

and I guess she finally did," Christopher says.

"That's a great story, but why now? Why, after all this time, do you show up in my pack? Why did one of your rogues stab my mother? I'm not buying it. I think you're probably just like those two ba**ards. I won't let you hurt my pack or my mother. I will kill you myself before I let

that happen" Reese growls. His voice a mix of his and Fallon's. "Reese, that's enough." How the hell am I going to convince my son that Christopher is telling the truth? I know he is in my heart.