“He’s only been here about a week, and he’s spent most of that time unconscious,” I said. “We haven’t had a chance to domuch,yet.”
Mason’s eyes widened and Charliegasped.
“Unconscious? Why?” Charlieasked.
I glanced back to Wesley. Suddenly I wished I’d told my friends about his situation earlier so they wouldn’t make a big scene about it now, but I also didn’t want to tell Wesley’s story without hispermission.
But to my surprise, Wesley spoke up in a firmvoice.
“I was beat up and left on the border,” he said. “My injuries were so bad that I only just woke uprecently.”
Both my friends’ eyes widened insympathy.
“Holy shit,” Mason muttered. “That’shorrible.”
“Why?” Charlie said, shaking his head. “I know… Scarlet Ridge became worse after I left, but this is just awful. Why would they do such athing?”
Wesley’s mouth went tight and he stared at his clenched fists on top of the blanket. “I… I don’t know,” he admitted. “The only thing I can think of is… that I’m nineteen and still haven’t had my first heat. Maybe Gunner thinks I’m infertile or something. That would explain why he thought I wastrash.”
Both Mason and Charlie flinched at the sound of Gunner’s name, but then were filled with rage. Even I was furious. I couldn’t believe anyone could do such a thing, but it wouldn’t surprise me after all the atrocities I’d learned about ScarletRidgepack.
“I can’t believe him,” Mason snapped. “I knew he was evil, but this is just…unacceptable.”
“How many more omegas have to suffer because of him…?” Charlie murmured, almost tohimself.
I noticed Wesley’s eyes were averted and he’d gone quiet. I felt insensitive for bringing my friends here and having them talk about this topic right away. I went to his side and put a hand on hisshoulder.
“I’m sorry,” I said quietly. “I didn’t mean toupsetyou.”
“No, it’s okay,” Wesley said. “It’s not upsetting. It’s in the past, so... “ Heshrugged.
“We’re sorry, too,” Charlie said. “We were being insensitive. We should talk aboutsomethingelse.”
Wesley lifted his gaze and surveyed all of us. Henodded. “Okay.”
“You’re gonna have a great life here,” Charlie said with a gentle smile. “Indigo Mountain pack is justamazing.”
“Yeah!” Mason chimed in. “I know you haven’t been out in town yet, but it’s nothing like Scarlet Ridge.You’llsee.”
“Really?” Wesley asked. “What’s differentaboutit?”
An idea hit me. I looked over at Wesley. “How do you feel about walking today? You can go check it out for yourself. With our help, ofcourse.”
“A-already?” Wesley said. “Am I really okaytowalk?”
“Let’s see. Try getting outofbed.”
Standing by to help him, I watched as Wesley slowly lifted the blankets off his body and swung his legs over the side of the bed. He winced slightly but recovered and attempted to lower himself. For a moment the slipped, but I rushed in to catch him beforehefell.
“Are you okay?” Iasked.
“Yeah, I’m fine,” he said. “Just a little woozy on myfeet,but…”
With my help, he slowly stood. His knees shook a little from disuse, and his legs were still bruised and purple from the recovering injuries, but he was able to stand by himself. He let outasigh.
“I did it,”hesaid.
Mason and Charlie clapped before I silenced them with asharplook.
