So, we have reached the end of this strand of the story. Chapter 12 is unique because I get to introduce you to another fantastic writer, Andi Downs, with whom I create the story Brother Wolves. No, it's not really collaboration, but more of related stories. Two of the new characters in 12, the wolves twins, are brothers to her dragons in her story, Dragon Twins. I will start posting Brother Wolves at the beginning of next month.
Please message me and I will send you info on the continuing story.
A special thanks to Andi for proofreading a editing this chapter. Now, for the finale, I present Chapter 12.
Chapter 12
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Time passed, but Rayan never forgot his real duty. He wanted to help Lyric, but he really helped many other members of Jackson. He recalled conversation with Jebutu concerning Lavinia. Jebutu was angry, and wanted to hurt someone. Rayan helped him realize that she needed his strength. He had to calm down for his mate. She was pregnant, and the added stress of worrying about him was too much for her. Thinking about what Lavinia needed helped Jebutu gain control of his beast. Renny joined them, and Jebutu subjugated his animal even more. Lyric stayed away from him. He would never forgive her and in a way she did not blame him. She just prayed that he could understand and allow her to be in their lives, no matter how brief that was. Lavinia walked over, and the sight of her calmed him. Jebutu pulled her into his embrace, and soon his wolf quieted down.
.
Rayan had stayed at Jackson for a few weeks, and Suni avoided him. He understood why, but she was his mate. Her reluctance to be around him intrigued him even more. A part of him wondered, if she was in love with Alphonso. After a few weeks, he realized she was not. She was just introverted and shy. So each night after dinner, he would sit with her, Mari and the children. Dreya was adorable, as was Naru. Sun I relaxed a bit more, but he could tell she was still fighting the pull of mates. Knowing what he wanted was not what she needed, Rayan backed off, not completely, but enough for her to at least not be so nervous around him.
After so many members came to Rayan for quick sessions, Alphonso assigned three rooms on the second level of his home to Rayan to be used as his office. A theta was assigned to assist him, and Rayan's small office ran like clockwork.
Today he had one more session with Lyric and her daughters. Having finished several sessions with Lyric and her daughters, he saw a lot of pain in the three women. Renny had to stay back and for a man whose whole life was buffering his mate, that was hard. But Renny knew she had to get through this to heal. So today, he agreed to let her come to the session alone. Rayan knew this was hard, but he promised that if Lyric called, he could come straightaway.
He welcomed LaTonya and Lavinia into his office first. The sisters sat so close together. Then Lyric arrived. They were cautious but not tense. The first session they had together, was so tense, you cut cut it with a knife. Lyric smiled at them, and LaTonya being the youngest greeted her. Lavinia spoke, but her lack of words spoke volumes. Rayan explained that his session was open. He wanted them to talk and be honest. The sisters share a look. Lyric spoke first. "First I want to thank you two for giving me a chance here. I know it may not seem so, but you two girls are my heart. I love you." Lavinia scoffed, and LaTonya poked her. Lyric continued. "I hope we can become a family once more. I need you two in my life." The girls listened, but did not let their mother off so easily. It was obvious that the oldest daughter suffered more than the youngest one.
At their first meeting, Lavinia did not speak. She watched her mother. Lyric was hesitant to approach her, but Renny moved in. Lavinia responded to him and he asked her to give her mother a chance. She relaxed and then addressed Lyric. Rayan did not interfere, at this point. Mostly he observed and asked leading questions. He knew this was not something a few visits would fix. He needed more time with the whole family unit. Besides, if he stayed, then he could get to know Suni.
This fifth session was key. Once they worked through their initial distrust of each other, then healing could really begin. Lavinia and LaTonya listened. Rayan took a chance and stepped out of the room. He was not surprised to see not only Renny, but Lee-John and Jebutu waiting as well. He joined the three men who questioned him about leaving the women alone. Rayan explained that the three women needed to vent, talk freely. Lugz was worried. LaTonya cried all night and there was nothing he could do to stop her from hurting. She loved her mother and her sister, and felt torn. He wished he could fix this, but it was something they had to work through.
Rayan explained that the three needed to talk. Lavinia needed to be free to address her mother, and LaTonya needed to find understanding as well. Jebutu was hesitant, but Lugz looked to him for guidance, so he checked his temper. Renny called both men and they sat. Rayan returned to the office and the session continued.
When he entered, neither woman was speaking, so he sat. Lavinia faced her mother. She asked one question, "Why? Why Momma?"
Lyric stayed strong and she answered truthfully. "I don't know, Lavinia. I just know he was so scary and I was often afraid. When you were younger, I protected you as best I could, but as you blossomed, he focused on you more. I should have gone to Madam Alpha, but I let my own pride stop me. There is no excuse, no words. I fucked up, but I want you to know I loved you even though I didn't show it."
"Stop it. You loved me. You know what he did to me and had me to lie. You knew he was coming in my room before that night and all you said was lock the door. You never confronted him." Lavinia accused.
Lyric shook. Her daughter was right. She failed to protect her; failed as a mother.
"Lavinia, sweetheart, I have no excuses anymore. I am to blame. Hate me if you must, but please, go on and live your life. Don't let my mistakes ruin your future. My thinking has always been warped, until Renny. I want you to know, that I love both of you and I will spend the rest of my life trying to earn back your love for me." Lyric wept.
"Momma, stop. I remember he was always so mean to you. The only time he wasn't was when the alphas were around. You should have left. You should have said something. He raped my sister, Momma. He took her childhood. He took my childhood as well. He didn't deserve it." LaTonya looked at her sister who was crying silently.
"Lavinia, you have every right to be angry. If you want nothing to do with momma, then I understand. But she is Momma, and she was hurt too. We need to be a family again. Please, Lavinia, try to forgive her." LaTonya pleaded.
Lavinia stood and walked to the window. "LaTonya, you don't know what it was like after."
"Yes, I do. I was there. I heard what they said about you. I saw Momma break and you two fell apart. Then you started..." LaTonya stopped. Everyone knew Lavinia was very promiscuous.
"I became the pack slut. You can say it, LaTonya. It's true." Lavinia whispered.
Kitty, are you OK?
Jebutu sent, ready to end the session.
I'm fine. I need this. Give me some time, please Sire.
She replied and Jebutu sat and waited.
Tonya? Lugz sent. He felt the hurt she carried and it was almost too much for him. He could only imagine how it crushed her.
Babe, I'm fine. I need this.
Latonya replied.
Renny to checked his bond with Lyric. She was strong and he sent her all of his love and strength. He smiled when she hugged him back.
Rayan spoke. "You three women are amazing. To have gone through so much and come out still intact, I admire all three of you."
All three women looked at him. Honestly, they had forgotten he was in the room. Lavinia wiped her tears away as Lyric gave her a tissue. Then Lyric whispered some words she would say to them often when they were small. "Debutok manyamo diterre."
My little ones, I will give my life for you.
The words brought back memories for Lavinia and she knew they rang true. Her daughter was due to be born soon and she knew she'd die to protect her. Her mother didn't, but when she remembered. Lyric did as much as she could.
Lavinia recalled a time when she was younger and her father touched her. Lyric exploded and he started hitting her. She and LaTonya ran and hid, but Lyric tried to protect them. Soon some Betas came and Lyric shifted into her wolf and pretended to be asleep. The girls came out as he lifted her by her neck and told her if she ever struck him again, all three of them would die. Lavinia gasped.
"Momma, I am so mad at you. He hurt me and you told me to lie to the alphas. Then you blamed me when he was banned. I have to forgive you, but I'll never do to my daughter what you did to me. I won't let someone hurt her if I can prevent it." She added.
Lyric cried and nodded. She understood, and Lavinia's words made her proud. "Lavinia, LaTonya, thank you for at least listening." She wept softly.
Lyric for the first time in the hundreds of years that she existed, acknowledged her failure as a mother. She never told her daughters of her past, but maybe she should have. Lyric held both of her girls close as she remembered the dark times.
Her mother held her and cried one night. The Massa had just came and used her. He told her the young ones would be sold. The girl would fetch a fair price. She begged him to not sell her baby girl, and he beat her. Lyric watched. When he left, three year old Lyric helped her mother off of the floor.
"I didn't think he'd sell his own. You is his child." She cried. "I don't know who bought you, but be a good girl. Do whatever they say. You are the music in my heart, my Lyric, my music. "Debutok manyamo diterre." She whispered, then she passed out. The next morning, lyric awoke next to her mother's body. The Massa came and put her on a wagon. She never saw her mother again.
