Second Thoughts After Divorce
Chapter 48

Chapter 48

Rose’s POV

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05:16

out of the car when we reached our familiar home once again – weing Lydia standing outside on the gravel stones waiting for us to arrive.

I scrambled out

I rush to her instantly, as she opens her arms for me with a chuckle – encouraging me to leap in to her in a crushing hug

“We did it!” I inform her, spinning us around as she chuckles and jumps with me – allowing me to live out my moment of sheer excitement.

“We got them all even the mother! They are being taken to our cells right now!” I tell her, suddenly pulling back from her warm embrace to judge her facial expressions and gage how she was feeling.

I noticed that her bruises seemed lighter, which made me smile at her natural beauty shining through. Even her skin looked more youthful and glowy compared to when I had first met her that day in the salon..

now start to heal – thankfully now with her horrendous ex–boyfriend being caught for his abuse.

The broken girl from before could now s

“I was so relieved when Hunt told me that the Alpha had called him last night to say they had all been caught… it’s just different knowing that he’s not lurking out there anymore waiting to pouner,” Lydia breathes, as she whispers her admission – almost as though she were scared Nathan could still hear her

“You’re truly free now!” 1 confirm with a smile, holding her hands tightly in my own, as I watch the corners of her own lips tug up at the thought. With that, Ashton suddenly joined our side having parked up his car fully after I had insisted of jumping out to greet Lydia before he could. “Lydia… I assume things were fine here whilst we were gone?” Ashton greets her, as she nods and hows her head a little to show him respect. “Alpha…thank you! Things were great here. Hunt went above and beyond to make me comfortable whilst you were both away” Lydia states, as I watch Ashton cock a brow in sudden amusement.

“Oh did he? He must like you Lydia, because it’s not often he goes above and beyond to make anyone comfortable!” Ashton laughs at his own statement, causing me to roll my eyes at his taunting.

I glance back to Lydia, seeing her blush a little at his words, which only amuses me next,

Hmm….maybe there was a little spark between them? Could it be? But I would hate to force anything with her whole situation with Nathan still being so raw and fresh! But perhaps this was a budding romance, waiting for the right time to bloom?

“Let’s take things up to the office then shall we? I believe we have some things to discuss now Lydia.” Ashton gestures towards the door, as we turn and follow in that direction – doing as he had asked.

Now we just have to figure out what happens next… what would Lydia want? Death? Life in prison? Who knows, but I won’t blame her for whatever she chooses, not after what they done!

Together, we climbed the stairs, and it was time to address the impending decisions…

Nathan, Lydia’s abuser, was now thankfully in our packs custody, and we needed to determine how to proceed from here- and avoid upsetting Lydia. The options were not straightforward; death, life in prison, or some other form of punishment… because I knew one thing for certain – Ashton wasn’t going to let them get away with this.

In the office, Ashton took his place behind the large desk, motioning for Lydia and myself to sit across from him.

I settled in beside her as comfortably as I could get, offering my silent support as we prepared to discuss the fate of her tormentor and his sidekicks.

The room was filled with a palpable tension, and we all knew that the decisions made today would shape the course of justice and healing for Lydia, as well as setting an example for the rest of Ashtons pack…

As we gathered around the talile in the office, a weighty silence hung in the air, contrasting the elation we had felt moments ago. It was a stark reminder that with triumphs came responsibility, and in this case, it was the responsibility to determine how justice should be served to Nathan and his accomplices

Ashtons stern expression revealed the seriousness of the situation, and I admired his ability to shift from a teasing tone to the role of a leader

wung as it isn’t just setting them all free!” Ashton teases again, as Lydia laughs

mouce, but it is ultimately 05:12

Lydia nodded in understanding of what he was saying, her fingers trembling slightly as she clasped them together in her lap. Her g table, and the room seemed to close in on her.

gaze was fixed on the

“You’ve been through a lot Lydia… I chimed in softly, reaching for her trembling hand and giving it a reassuring squeeze. “We just want to make sure that you’re safe and that justice is served. You should be able to do what you want and when you want and not have to answer to anybody ever again! 1 speak from personal experience, meaning my words, since I too knew how it felt to be on the receiving end of torment,

Her brown eyes flickered with a mix of emotions, from fear and anger to the glimmer of slight hope. It was a complex decision, one that none of us took lightly. The choices were stark, and could leave Lydia feeling guilty about something she shouldn’t have to feel guilt over!

The door suddenly creaked, causing us to turn, only to replace Hunt stepping inside his face stone cold and void of expression just as I had remembered hin

He was a decent looking guy, big and strong, however intimidating with his fixed demeanour…

But it baffled me that he had conjured up the strength to make Lydia feel welcome and safe whilst we were gone… but maybe that only confirms our suspicions?

Hunt likes Lydia too…

Hunt, who approached us steadily, pulled up a chair and made his presence known as Lydia offered him a gentle smile (which I swear Hunt tried his hardest to return).

It was clear now that Lydia’s safety was somewhat paramount to him, and he would support her decision too, even if it meant the end of her abuser once and for all by death

“Lydia,” Ashton said gently, “can you tell us what you want? It’s important that we understand your perspective before I move forward. He cleared his throat, causing Lydia to reach up and tuck a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

Lydia took a deep breath, her chest rising and falling with a sense of unease. She finally met Ashton’s eyes and spoke, her voice quivering but determined.

“I want… I want Nathan to pay for what he did to me, for all the pain he caused. I don’t doubt for a minute he could do it again… and he needs to understand the consequences of his actions. Lydia explains, as all three of us nod along with her opinion

Ashton cleared his throat, his face mirroring the gravity of her words. That’s a legitimate request, Lydia – one that I agree whole heartedly with. Nathan and the others have caused tremendous suffering and it’s simply unacceptable.” He concludes firmly.

Lydia glanced at me, her eyes pleading for support, and I nodded in agreement. “You have every right to seek justice, Lydia. We will ensure that it’s done and done right.” I try to comfort her, however my words lack weight since I didn’t actually know myself what Ashton had in store for the four criminals.

With Lydia’s decision clear, we now faced the practical matters of the impending trial. Ashton leaned forward, his bands on the table.

“Then, its decided. We’ll prepare for a trial before the pack to ensure that justice is served for what they’ve done. Our pack’s laws will prevail and people will bare witness to the consequences of abuse here,” He affirmed.

Lydia breathed out a sigh of relief, the burden of her decision easing ever so slightly. She had taken the first step toward reclaiming her life, and her courage was inspiring.

As the meeting continued, we outlined the steps that needed to be taken, including gathering evidence, arranging for legal representation, and ensuring the safety of everyone involved. The road alread would be difficult, but it was the right path to justice and healing for Lydia.

Through it all, Lydia showed remarkable strength, and it was evident that she was no longer the same fragile girl we had rescued from the salon. She had become a symbol of resilience and courage, and I was proud to stand by her side,

As we wrapped up the meeting, finalizing the details for the trial, there was a palpable sense of relief in the room. The weight of uncertainty had lifted, and the path forward was now clear. We would serve justice, not just for lydia but for all the victims affected by Nathan and his group – by death or imprisonment – Ashton would decide the outcome.

Chapter 48

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Ashton stood from the table, his usual air of authority returning. We have a lot of work to do. Let’s get started d with the preparations. He glanced Ront

Lydia, his concern evident. “Lydia, you’ll have a strong support system every step of the way.” He assures, as I smile warmly at his kindness.

05:0

Lydia offered a small but grateful smile to him in return too. “Thank you, Alpha Ashton, and thank you, Rose. Her gaze lingered on me, and I gave her an encouraging nod.

With the meeting adjourned, we left the office to make arrangements for dinner. The atmosphere was much lighter than earlier, and we chatted about the progress we’d made and the tasks that lay ahead.

Later, as we all sat down to eat in the packhouse’s dining area, the mood became surprisingly more cheerful. A few of Ashton’s regular guards joined us, adding to the relaxed ambiance as I recognised some of their faces now from our trip.

Plates of hearty, home–cooked food were passed around, and laughter filled the room soon after as everyone enjoyed being home.

I couldn’t help but notice the subtle change in Hunt’s demeanor. He had been attentive and supportive throughout the day, but now, he seemed a bit different. His eyes frequently found their way to Lydia, and there was a playful glint in his gaze.

“Lydia,” Hunt began, his voice warm and sincere, “You’re quite amazing you know? Your strength through all of this is truly remarkable because when Ash asked me to look out for you while he was gone, I was expecting a way harder job than what I got. He laughs out.

Lydia blushed, her ch*eks turning a rosy hue as she lowered her head. Thank you, Hunt. I couldn’t have stayed here on my own without you and everyone’s support,” Lydia’s voice comes back shy, as I admire their encounter secretly from down the table.

Hunt’s unlocked charm was undeniable, as he continued to compliment her. “And don’t think I’ll forget that you owe me a foosball rematch! Better clear your diary cause you won’t get rid of me that easy!“. His words elicited a soft giggle from Lydia, and her eyes sparkled as they met his an expression I hadn’t yet seen from her yet.

The exchange didn’t go unnoticed. Ashton and I exchanged amused glances, and I couldn’t help but be happy for Lydia as she found her freedom.

She had been through so much already, and it was heartwarming to see her blush and laugh genuinely in response to Hunt’s affections.

On the flip side, it was also nice to see that Hunt wasn’t just grumpy twenty four hours of the day!

The rest of dinner passed with light–hearted conversations and shared stories, but the unspoken connection between Hunt and Lydia was undeniable.

was a welcome glimmer of

Whether it would lead to something mare remained to be seen, but for now, in the midst of healing and seeking justice, it was happiness for everyone involved.

As the evening drew to a close, I looked at Lydia, her face lit up by a smile that had been missing for far too long. She was replaceing her way back to herself, and with the support of those around her, she was rebuilding her life one step at a time.

Justine will be served…..

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