Page 46 of Cruel Alpha Daddy
The aftermath of the attack on Silver Meadows has hit the pack incredibly hard. At least five young men were killed, and many others seriously injured. Tobias and his main crew tell everyone they were extremely lucky to get out of it with their lives, painting themselves as heroes who managed to salvage the mission in spite of terrible odds.
The morning after, I go to the hall to make breakfast as usual. Only a few women are there with their children, and the place aches with emptiness and sorrow. I join Maddy at the main table and start kneading the dough for bread.
“Are the others all still out with the wounded?” I ask.
Maddy nods. “A hospital was set up in the old schoolhouse. Most of the boys have recovered, but some of them had serious injuries.”
“This is just a tragedy,” I whisper, shaking my head.
“It is,” Maddy agrees emphatically. “A tragedy our alpha should have prevented!”
I feel a sharp stab of fear in my guts, and all of my instincts scream at me to step carefully. “You think it’s Rider’s fault?”
“Of course it is! He should have been with them. Tobias is only trying to protect us.”
I stare at Maddy, completely forgetting the soft ball of dough in my hands as anxiety floods through me.
“Protect us?” I repeat.
Maddy nods, slamming dough down on the table and pummeling it. “Bailey threatened to come here and slaughter usall—that’s why we were living rough and constantly moving. It was so he couldn’t find us. If we want to set this town up as a permanent residence, Bailey needs to know he can’t just come after us.”
What has Tobias been telling these people?
“Were you close to anyone in the attack?” I ask.
“My brother, Brad,” Maddy says. “He was badly injured and is still critical. The only reason I’m here is because they will need to be fed. Someone has to do something constructive around here, because the alpha sure won’t.”
I knead my dough a little, pushing it back and forth as I let my thoughts swirl around in my head. The familiar action calms me but does nothing to settle my inner conflict.
Suddenly, Maddy looks up at me. Her eyes flash with panic as she pushes aside her dough to focus on me.
“I’m sorry, Luna. I didn’t mean to speak ill of the alpha. I’m sure he will do what is right for the pack.”
I scowl at her, unable to hold in my reaction. “Rider was in the hospital all night. He only returned near dawn so he could get some sleep. He cares deeply for those young boys—and all of you.”
Maddy visibly struggles with herself, clearly wanting to say more but not wanting to anger me.
“By all means, Maddy, share what’s on your mind,” I urge her. “As your luna, I want you to feel safe raising any issues you want me to work on.”
She shakes her head, turning away from me. I think she’s going to walk away when she suddenly turns back and hurries over to me.
“You know more than anyone how dangerous Rider is. I thought things were getting better, but after this, I can’t believe that. The only reason he’s been so soft on Bailey is because…”
Her face twists as she struggles to hold in her emotions. I cross my arms and glare at her.
“Because why, Maddy?”
“Because of you!” she yells. “It’s been about you since the very beginning. That’s why he made the alliance with Bailey and refused to stand up to him. He’d tear the pack apart for you, and now people are dying!”
Maddy wipes tears off her cheeks, her hands trembling. It looks like she wants to say more, but then she bolts from the hall.
I look down at my hands, rubbing them to squash the dough between my fingers. I feel hollow and empty, the pain of missing Caleb a deep, sharp ache in my chest.
I can’t believe this is happening.
“Are you alright?” a soft voice asks.
I turn around and am relieved to see Lilah. I reach out to her, and she wraps her arms around me.