Franklin walked past Axar into the house and grabbed the car keys.Then he helped Elvin get Addox into the car.
Chann offered to go check if Axton had gotten to the hospital, and Franklin agreed.
Soon, he was alone with Axar.There was tension between them, and Franklin didn't know what to do next.
"I'm sorry."
Axar shook his head."No, it's their fault.If they hadn't come here..."He ended the sentence with a shrug, and Franklin pulled him into his embrace.
"I'm still sorry.I know you care about your brother."
"Yeah, but he's with Elvin now.He'll be fine there, right?"Worried eyes met Franklin's, and it took a few seconds before he found his voice.He'd meant Axton, but maybe Axar didn't care as much about him as he'd believed.
"Elvin is a good man.He'll do what's best for Addox."
Axar melted against him."Good.I know it looks like I had it worse there, but I think Addox suffered more.Cuts and bruises heal, but he...She punishes him through his skill.Punishes him because she thinks he's weak.She's disgusted with what I can do, but she's angry Addox can't be of any use."
Franklin couldn't wrap his head around how anyone could punish their children for who or what they were.Instead of saying anything, he nuzzled Axar."Why did she threaten to put him in your room?"
"Addox's room is soundproofed.Or as good as.He still feels vibrations, but it's quiet enough for him to be able to relax.Every surface is covered in soft materials.My room would be a nightmare for him."He rested his forehead against Franklin's chest."I'm sorry I couldn't break out of Axton's hold."
"Hey."Franklin grabbed his shoulders and leaned back to look into his eyes."It's not your fault.It's his skill."
"Yeah, but I could borrow strength from you to withstand Mother, but not him."
"It doesn't matter.I'll keep you safe should he ever come near us again."
Axar gave him a small smile, and Franklin kissed him."But to be sure he doesn't try to steal you from me, I'm never letting you out of my sight ever again."
Axar snorted, but warmth bloomed through the mate bond."You'll grow tired of me."
"Never."Franklin hugged him close."You're mine, will always be mine, and I never want to be away from you."
Axar wrapped his arms around his neck and pulled him down for another kiss."I don't plan on going anywhere."
"Good."Franklin walked them inside the house, locked the door, and more or less carried Axar to bed.
* * * *
Epilogue
Two weeks later
"It's here somewhere."Axar was clutching Franklin's arm.
Elvin swept a flashlight over the forest."Where?"
"I don't know.She's agitated."
Franklin kissed Axar's temple.Elvin had managed to dig up some information.None of the old wolves appeared to know exactly what had happened to Neoma, but one of the women remembered having cleaned blood off the floor in the room Franklin had turned into his office.She said it had been Neoma's; she'd recognized the scent.
Another woman said her mate, who had now passed away, had come home shaken one night, saying something bad had happened, and how he'd had to take care of a thing in the woods by the old cave.
No one appeared to know what had happened, though Franklin assumed at least a few were lying.Someone had murdered Neoma, a fellow pack member, and no one had cared enough to investigate.It might be they only followed their alpha's order, but he was long dead, and they could, if they wanted to, come clean.
"There."Axar pointed at a spot between two big oak trees.
"Are you sure?"Franklin squeezed his hand.
