Hello everyone.
So the story continues. I tried to spice this chapter up just a bit and I hope you appreciate it. I certainly hope you enjoy it, and please share your thoughts.
This entire chapter is dedicated to a dear friend of mine, Jim. Jim believed in me and my ability to write even when I doubted myself. He has been one of my biggest cheerleaders. Thank you Jim, because you never gave up on me.
So ladies, gentlemen, I present the latest chapter of Still waters. All characters are over 18. Hope you enjoy.
IR2R
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Chapter 10
Deep inside the hidden alcove of a small city, two men talked. Decades of secrets were shared between the two men, including an action that caused everyone's life to change in an instant. Bertrand stood, recalling those dark days.
Symeon returned to the compound covered in blood His wolf had a dangerous loo in his eye. So far gone was he that Bertrand feared he'd gone insane and attacked helpless humans. There was only one thing to do for a raid wolf, and Bertrand was not prepared to end the life of his pack member. With his trusted betas by his side, he commanded Symeon to shift back to his human form. At first it seemed as if he'd resist the alpha command So Bertrand issued the order a second time. Upon his second command, Symeon shifted. He then collapsed, crying uncontrollably and told Bertrand and Alfonso what he'd done.
Symeon seemed to be in a daze as he shared his adventures with is alpha and fellow beta. Weeks earlier, a group of men from the society of Charlotte attacked some of their women. Most of the women escaped, save one. She was trapped. Although the women tried not to leave her, she told them to run, get the men. Those women barely escaped with their lives and ran for miles to get back to the compound and send help. Symeon was who they encountered first and he took off. They had her They had Bertha. He had to find her and bring her back home.
One female was left behind event though the others tried not to leave. She was raped and beaten repeatedly and then later dumped to the edge of the forest where she came home battered and bruised. Symeon stayed with her for three days. He refused to leave her side. He also vowed the monsters would pay. Bertrand ordered Symeon to not retaliate, but he did not understand the damage the men paused. Ignoring the alpha command, Simon sought revenge against the men that hurt the love of his life. His actions led to them fleeing.
Simon, have you told Bertha why you left years ago?
Alpha Bertrand asked his most reclusive pack member. Symeon Roundtree was a very important member of the pack even though he did not realize his importance. Often other males watched him and modeled themselves after him. Decades ago, when they relocated, leaving Bertha was the hardest thing Symeon ever recalled having to do. Sadly, back then he'd be lynched if they ever learned he killed three members of Charlotte society.
Yes, and she understood. She carried that secret for many years. I want her to let it go now, but she's had it hard alpha. She may not be able to trust so easily. Times have changed alpha. I want to leave the past in the past.
Simon replied.
Bertrand understood, but he also knew that secrets always had a way of coming out. "Love, why are the two of you looking so tense?" Serene, Bertrand's mate, asked. She knew that these two men had history, but Bertrand would never betray the secrets of one he called friend.
Simon looked away. He stood and walked to the window. As he gazed outside, he saw the people of Bertrand talking, laughing, working. He could imagine having a home here with Bertha if she'd give him a real chance and if she'd leave Jackson. However, he knew the past still colored her present.
Serene waited. Finally, Simon spoke. "Bertha, the only woman to hold my heart. She's Bertha DuPont now, she mated with Willie DuPont and honestly I can't hate the guy. He was what she needed, from what I've heard of him, he understood her like no one else. He is one of the treasons I stayed away until now. If I had made my presence known decades ago, I wonder..."
Serene stood and walked over to Simon. Decades had passed since Bertrand decided to split Jackson. He told her as much as he hated leaving, to protect his pack members, he had no choice.
Serene listened. "Years ago, Simon, you killed those men to protect the pack, not just Bertha. Those men were vile, and from what Bertrand has told me, Bucks was the worst of them. Bertha was not the only one her hurt. Nothing would have been done to stop him, but you did. And you stopped others that thought and acted like him. She could have left with you, but she chose to stay. You could have mated her and forced her hand, but you respected her wishes and let her stay. When she chose a mate, you stayed away because that was what she needed. Now, Simon, what do you need? Think about this, had you not stopped those men, she would have suffered more than one rape. She'd be raped continuously and possibly murdered, or worse yet she'd be accused of some fictitious crime and sent to prison. You did what you had to in order to protect them; you all did." Serene interjected.
Simon was shocked. She defended his actions so vehemently, that for once in years he felt as if maybe he was not a bad guy after all.
Bertrand cleared his throat. "Go back, talk to her. Tell her the truth about your feelings. I know Bertha and she will listen. Willie is gone and she is still a young woman. He would want her to move on, find a new mate. Besides, you really think she never had affections for someone else. He was not a dumb man, Simon. I knew him. He was wise beyond his years. Now tell her how you really feel. Right now, you're trying to play the role of friend, but we all know she will never be just a friend to you. You have to tell her the truth."
Simon sighed, "Alpha Bert..."
"No, listen to me, on this I'm right. I should have insisted that she come with us back then. I knew that you loved her, but she needed to stay with Alfonso. You and Alfonso are so much alike it's scary. The two of you helped shape this pack. It was the two of you that helped it to develop and grow strong enough to be able to branch off from Jackson. In all honesty, you could have challenged me and took over as alpha years ago, even now if you chose." He paused. Simon looked furious. He'd heard rumors but Bertrand never had to question his loyalty.
"Stop scowling, I know you'd never dream of challenging me. Even when I asked you..." Bertrand stopped.
Serene gasped, "When? When did you ask him too?" she asked.
"Babe, it's not important. He refused to anyway, then went and beat the crap out of the pack members that were causing the dissention." Bertrand explained.
"Was this over the twins?" She asked.
Bertrand smiled, "How did you know?"
"I'm your mate. I know when something has you upset." Serene answered. She stood, "I'll leave you two to finish. Dinner is in thirty minutes, so hurry up." She left. Simon laughed. "You are truly blessed."
Bertrand smiled, "I know, now you have to go to Jackson talk to the future Mrs. Roundtree and bring Bertha home."
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At Jackson, things were not as calm as everyone thought. Many saw Bertha's blossoming relationship with Madam Alpha Tasha as a threat.
"Why does Alpha Madam spends so much time talking to her?" Aggie Amelia, one of the ladies at Bertha's post grumbled one day. Soon several women chimed in. "She has Madam Alpha thinking that she does so much, let's make her look like an imbecile and see how long this friendship last." Aggie suggested.
The other women shared a look they had no problem with Bertha, and did not understand the animosity coming from Aggie.
Aggie Amelia Jackson never really liked Bertha, Even before she mated with Willie DuPont, Bertha was never someone she tried to befriend. As a matter of fact, she tried to make Willie break up with Bertha before they mated decades before.. She didn't really want him, but he'd probably still be alive if he didn't have to deal with her and her meanness.
