Chapter 28

Cynthia rubbed the arms of the young female sitting on her bed. It was clear that she had little or no idea what just took place. Seeing her trembling hands, she asked her Alexa to pour out some brandy. Alexa handed her the glass and Cynthia placed it against her mouth. "Here my dear, drink this. It will calm your nerves."

Trishanna swallowed the liquid only to cough against the burn. Both women noticed that color returned to her cheeks, and she stopped shivering. Trishanna turned to the grandmotherly figure. "I'm sorry Ma'am, but I don't know what's going on." Glancing around, she suddenly realized that she was not in her room. "Umm…where am I?" Cynthia and Alexa exchanged glances above her head.

"Don't worry, you're in our room," Cynthia said, hoping to soothe her.

"Oh no, I'll get in trouble." She mumbled under her breath, but both ladies heard her well enough. "Thank you for your hospitality, but I should get back to work. Please excuse me." Trishanna made to get up, but the old woman was stronger than she looked and kept her on the bed.

"Nonsense," Cynthia scoffed, "how could anyone expect you to go back to work after that?" Shaking her head, she asked Alexa to call someone to the room. When the male omega appeared, Cynthia smiled and asked him to fetch some fresh towels and some clothes for her guest. The omega eyes bulged hearing that 'Trash' was now the guest of the guests but knew better than to protest. Bowing, he left the room in a hurry to do what was asked as well as to spread the word.

"What's your name dear?" the Councilwoman asked. If this was her nephew's mate, what better time to get to know her than now?

"Trishanna, ma'am."

"Trishanna, what a lovely name, isn't it Alexa."

"Yes, it is Grandmama."

"Oh, where are my manners? This young lady is my Granddaughter Alexa, and I am Councilwoman Cynthia Seers."

Trishanna jumped off the bed. Even she knew a bit about the council. Stammering, she began to beg for forgiveness for her attire and daring to sit on her bed, but the old lady just waved her off. Grabbing her gently by her shoulders, Cynthia used a bit of her aura to calm her down. When she was calm, they both hugged her.

Just then the omega returned and almost dropped the items in his hand at seeing 'Trash' in a loving embrace by the Councilwoman. Clearing his throat, he stepped into the room. Alexa when to retrieve the clothes that he brought. As he was leaving, he heard the elder tell her to freshen up in her bathroom.

Just what the hell was going on?

These words were echoing in Bradley's head as well. Dr. Stephen came to check up on him, and since he was healing at an even faster rate than usual, there wasn't anything for him to do. In a few minutes, all the wounds were closed, and his bruising was clearing up by the minute.

Shaking his head, he wondered if it was because he encountered his mate. If that were the case, imagine what would happen when he marks her, and they become one. His wolf perked up at the thought of her, and his howl of happiness rang through his head. Bradley felt like jumping up and down while spinning in circles. Sitting in the armchair in his appointed room, he took a deep breath to calm himself and his wolf.

There was a knock and Sam entered. Bradley was excited to learn more about his mate, but the pinched look on his Beta's face told him what he was about to hear would piss him off, and boy it did.

Sam is very good at getting information from people that didn't even think that they knew as much as they did. He knew the warriors would not be helpful, and he could respect their loyalty to their Alpha, but the omegas had no such morals. He overheard one male omega bad-mouthing Trishanna and the name he called her. After listening for a few minutes, he searched out some of the pups.

Finding them playing, he asked to join in their game of kickball. Within a few minutes, he was one of them. Taking a break, he snuck into the kitchen and brought them some fruits to snack on. While helping one to peel an apple, he casually mentioned Trishanna and asked who she was. The pups, happy to have an adult pay positive attention to them shared everything that they know from the great baking she does to the verbal and physical bullying she gets. They even referred to her by the disgusting nickname as though that's what her parents gave her at birth.

He tried asking about her parents, or her family, but all they could say is that she was an orphan, and her best friend was now in prison.

Thanking them, he took out a bag of sweets he had snagged earlier and gave it to them, telling them to share it equally amongst them. With a wave, he left and headed toward the prison. After sizing up the guards, he told them that he had already gained their Alpha's permission to spar with their prisoner, but for the moment he just wanted to talk with him, to get a feel of what makes him tick. Since most of them didn't like Samuel either and would love to see him lose in a fight, they let Sam in without confirming it with James.

Sammy was lying on a cot in a different cell. The warriors caught him and of course, he was "punished" for daring to escape. This time, there was no doctor and no healing herbs. Throbbing with every breath, he decided that what his body needed was rest. After wriggling around, he found a comfortable enough position and was just drifting off when someone called his name.

Sam looked at the battered man before him and his admiration of him grew. A regular wolf would have been howling in pain, yet this young man showed a resilience he had not seen for a while.

Samuel turned his head at the sound of footsteps. Seeing a stranger with an aura almost as strong as an Alpha, he concluded that it must be the Beta of the visiting pack. Wincing as he sat, he sighed. Just what would it take for him to get some rest? "Listen, Mr. Beta, I have nothing against your Alpha. It was not my intention to hurt him or anyone from your pack. I simply wanted to be sure that my friend was safe."

"It's interesting you mentioned your friend since that's the exact reason why I am here."