Hello everyone,
Today, I present chapter 3. Simply read and enjoy. This is a story about Evangeline and Declan. So, from this point on, the story must go on. I apologize in advance for any errors that I missed.
All of the characters are over 18. Please enjoy and share your thoughts. I am working on chapter 4.
Chapter 3
Evangeline needed to do something. She needed to scream. She needed to run. Her father was gone. Kina just told her that she and Reggie were staying a while so she didn't have to be so focused on Momma. Lani and Benia decided to stay a few extra days too. She knew that her sisters were concerned about her. She pretended to be fine, but deep down her heart had been ripped from her chest.
Running until her legs gave, Evangeline collapsed near the river. She was completely on the other side, off of pack lands. But, she didn't care. She needed time. Evangeline's body shook. She closed off her bonds and cried. She could not cry with her family. She didn't want to cause her mother any distress. But here, in the forest, she could cry.
Declan was worried about his mate. She was so focused on her mom that she neglected herself. Since they had not joined, he could not send to her, but deep down he knew she needed him somehow.
Deacon, I need to find Evangeline. Will you help me look?
He sent.
The brothers went out. Declan knew she was near the river. He learned that when she was upset, she would often go there. At first, he did not see her. So they searched even longer and listened. In the distance, Deacon heard a sound. They took off. Stopping at the edge of pack lands, the brothers looked at each other. Would Evangeline leave pack lands? Declan knew that in her state of mind right now, she might not be thinking clearly. They stopped and soon, they heard someone sobbing and
Declan's heart broke. He rushed to her. He held her as she grieved. He never lost a loved one. The closest they came was Bo. He had a heart attack and they were not sure he'd recover. That was terrifying, but to lose a parent was devastating. Declan simply wanted to take her and wrap her in cotton wool to keep her safe.
Evangeline cried, and for the first time since that night she talked.
"Daddy should be here." She sobbed. "How could I not know he was sick?" Deacon stayed near, but did not interfere.
"Every night, every night, I checked on them and he never even hinted that something was wrong. I'm angry. I'm so angry. Momma is so mean. If she wasn't so mean, maybe daddy would have gotten help."
She continues to vent. "Deep down, I know this isn't her fault. It isn't my fault, but she was his mate. How could she not know he was sick? If she wasn't so mean, maybe he would have said something." Declan let her release her pain.
She knew that she had no control over this situation, but she questioned how she missed so many warnings. Her father was more tired than usual. Her father was always quiet, but maybe she should have paid more attention. In the end, she knew that nothing would have changed this outcome.
She cried for her Mom. "Momma has no one now. She has no one. He loved her, despite how she mean she was being. What will happen to her without him?" Her mom, the woman that everyone feared, had no one now. She was truly alone. Yes, she had her daughters, but they had their own lives. She was torn because she didn't want to stay here. She wanted to live, but she could not leave her mother alone.
Declan listened. He had no answers. However, his job was to take care of her. "She has you. She has your sisters. She has her pack. Ms. Bertha is not alone." He whispered. "Listen, she has so many people around her that care. It's going to be alright, love." His heart broke for Ms. Bertha, but she was tough and he believed she would be fine. He'd stay as long as Evangeline needed to, but if at any time, staying became detrimental for his mate, they were going home to Wildwood.
Soon, she quieted. "You know daddy was always happy. He always smiled. Even when Momma was at her worst, he would do something to make us laugh. He would not want me to be sad and crying all of the time. I'm going to be ok. I'll help momma if she lets me, but I will do what I need to be happy too."
Declan did not respond. He just held her close. Deacon walked over to them. Soon the three returned to Jackson. Evangeline dried her tears and took a moment to make sure evidence of her breakdown was not visible. Tasha was aware of their return. She sent to Evangeline and the young woman responded that she was going to be ok.
Come to the alpha home.
Tasha sent. Evangeline went right away. It was then that Evangeline saw her mother smiling, surrounded by little ones. Her sisters and their spouses were with them. It did not take long for her to recognize her nieces and nephews.
Evangeline smiled as her siblings proudly introduced her to their offspring. But that wasn't all that surprised her. It was the look of pure adoration on her mother's face when she looked at the children. Evangeline stopped, and for the first time since that horrible day, she felt a sense of relief. She knew that her father was looking out for them.
Declan and Deacon were welcomed into the DuPont family fold. The twins had questions. Cam Jr. was wary. But eventually, he warmed to the two men. Kyron simply laughed at the two men as they dealt with the third degree from his niece and nephews. Deacon loved kids. At Wildwood, he spent as much time coaching as most of the fathers. The best part was he never had to discipline, just have fun. Declan, on the other hand, was nervous. If these kids disapproved, well, he'd just have to bribe them.
Everyone simply laughed and relaxed and accepted Deacon and Declan as honorary members of the Jackson pack. The brothers had a few more days to spend together before Deacon had to return home. A few nights before he left, Deacon and Declan talked.
"So, you and Evangeline will come to Wildwood in a few weeks?" deacon asked.
Declan nodded. "Yes, her family is here and I want to be sure her mom is OK. Then I'll ask her to come home with me. We'll call to let you all know for sure when we're coming home."
"I see why you like staying here. This place is fantastic. It's so peaceful here. And the women are phenomenal." Deacon declared.
Declan laughed, "Ok, brother, be careful. You might find yourself with something more than a good time. Be careful."
Deacon shrugged, "No woman will capture me until I'm ready." He declared.
"Yea, but if you get one of these girls pregnant, Alpha Lakota, Alpha Ryelle, Momma, Dad, and Alpha Ryelle will be after your behind." Declan reminded him.
Deacon sighed. He forgot the special proclivity of dark wolves. He stopped. He was indiscriminate. There was the possibility.
"Declan, I have to go." Deacon went out to find the young lady he was spending a lot of his time with.
*****
There was only one girl that he spent time with. Olivia Jackson was everything he dreamed of. She was smart, sassy, daring. She took him to heights sexually that he'd never been. It was amazing that she was so prolific at such a young age. Deacon started out trying to teach her, but she made him beg. He first met Olivia on his first visit to Jackson with Kwame and Alexia. She ignored him completely.
Once they left, the caramel beauty was never far from his thoughts. When he returned at Declan's request, he made it his business to meet and get to know Ms. Olivia Jackson. He learned she was an alpha niece, and her father was one of the most deadly of betas. She was not a girl to trifle with, yet he pursued her anyway.
When Willie DuPont died, she was extremely vulnerable, and he was worried about his brother. That was their first night. They were two scared, lonely souls seeking comfort. After that night, he was with her as often as he could be. She was adventurous. When she wanted him, he was ready. Olivia was very demanding, and he never wanted to disappoint her. For a moment, he secretly hoped that his fear was realized, but in truth it was too soon to really know.
