Shadows Of A Wolf Moon(86)

“That’s exactly why I did it.” He looked up, his eyes filled with pain. “When I found out what Boudier was and how cruel he was to his own Guardians, I didn’t accept the position. I lied and told my parents I didn’t get in. I had no idea Lucien was going to apply. We got in a fight and I wanted to stop him. I accidently pushed him in to the fire. When I pulled him out and saw the state of his back I knew Boudier wouldn’t accept anyone less than perfect. So I poured salt in the wound to keep it from healing. He felt that pain for months but I felt it every day of my life since.”

“I thought he was at least safe from Boudier if he wasn’t a Guardian.” He cut his eyes up at Barrett “I didn’t count on a Pack Master accepting him into his Pack.”

“I don’t look on the outside. I prefer looking at a man’s soul.” Barrett stated.

“The only thing I want in return in my brother’s forgiveness. It’s one thing that has always eluded me.”

“It’s the only thing you never asked for,” Lucien whispered. Everyone turned and looked at him.

The room grew silent. Lucien opened his swollen eyes and gazed up at his brother.

“I forgive you, brother.” Lucien closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep.

***

Catty checked on Lucien in the infirmary one last time before gathering her meager things. Barrett had allowed her to stay at Lucien’s bedside with strict orders that her family leave her alone. He knew she wasn’t ready to see her parents and she appreciated the time with Lucien.

Lucien had healed quickly over the last few days and she wondered if it had something to do with Barrett’s blood.

She glanced at the time and grabbed her bag.

She couldn’t put it off any longer. She had other business she had to tend to. Business which included her parents and Zane.

She walked out of the building into the sunshine and squinted. She’d not been outside since they arrived in Little Rock and she wished she had some sunglasses to protect her from the glare of the sun. She had come here with nothing but the clothes on her back. Everything else had been left behind in New Orleans. Even her money.

She walked along the sideway toward the pub where she knew her parents and Zane would be waiting, where they’d be asking her a ton of questions. She’d gotten Barrett to arrange this meeting so she could talk to them all at once. She wanted to get this over with and move on with her life.

When she reached the front door she took a deep breath and opened the door. She stepped inside. Immediately she spotted her mother looking around for her and froze. When her mother met her gaze and she hurried toward her. Her father was right behind.

“Katy.” Her mother enveloped her in a tight hug and wouldn’t let go. Tears streamed down Catty’s face and emotion welled up in her throat.

When she pulled away her father cradled her in his arms. “Hey, sweetheart, I’ve missed you.”

Zane was next. He hugged her so tight she thought she’d suffocate. When he let go Skylar grabbed her and cried along with her.

When the hugs were all done she looked at each of them and took a deep breath. “There’s a lot I need to talk to you about. Where I’ve been and what I’ve been doing.”

“Honey we don’t care. As long as you’re home.”

Catty shook her head. “No. It’s something I have to get off my chest. I need to tell you. You all need to know the truth.”

Skylar smiled and reached for her hand. She squeezed it and nodded. “Let’s sit down. We need to listen to what you have to tell us. Just remember, it doesn’t matter. We still love you.”

Catty blinked back the tears and followed them to the quiet table in the corner. She waited for all of them to sit before she started.

“I should say this and get it out. Then I can get through the how and why.” Everyone was giving her their attention. She told herself this was like pulling off a Band-Aid. Just hurry up and say it.

“First of all, I changed my name to Catty. I did it for my job, but now, I’m used to it.” She loved the way it sounded on Lucien’s lips. She’d made the decision after they escaped she would keep her name. She was a different person than when she left Arkansas. She was now Catty.

“Okay, I like Catty. It suits you.” Her father nodded and smiled.

“There’s more. While I was in New Orleans, I worked as a stripper.” The words fell out into a bottomless bucket. She held her breath waiting for the disappointment from all her family members including her best friend, Skylar. When no one said anything she frowned.

“Did you hear what I said?”

“Yes, dear.” Her mother nodded. “And Barrett told us if we didn’t listen to everything you said and give you a chance to speak, then there was going to be hell to pay.” She leaned in and whispered. “Frankly dear, Barrett might be good looking but he’s quite scary.”