Chapter Thirty-Six
Four weeks later…
“How’s Damon doing?” Granny gave Ava a hug before stepping inside the Compound in Little Rock.
“Not good. He hasn’t shifted back. It took all of our Guardians and a few of the Mississippi Guardians to restrain him and get him in the back of the eighteen wheeler.” Ava sighed and led the way down the hallway. “We had to put him in the holding cell.”
“Why?”
“Because it was the only thing strong enough to hold him. He tore a huge hole in the side of the trailer before they could get home.” Ava stopped and looked at her. “They had to use a tranquilizer dart to get him the rest of the way home.
“He won’t say it, but he blames himself for Barrett’s death.” A tear slid down Ava’s face. “I don’t know how to help him. He won’t listen to me.”
“Oh honey.” Granny pulled Ava into a tight hug. She felt Ava shudder with silent cries as she held her. After a long minute, Ava pulled back and wiped her eyes.
“First of all, this is not your fault or Damon’s.” Granny pursed her lips. “Barrett made a choice. He sacrificed himself for Jaxon.” Her chest ached with such grief she thought it would burst right open. Now was not the time for mourning or for tears. Now was the time for strength and courage.
“Where are all the Guardians?” She lifted her chin.
“They’re here, in their rooms. No one has left the building since we got Damon home.”
Granny nodded. “I talked to Jack Wellbourn and he has his Mississippi Guardians stationed in Arkansas to help out until Damon can settle into his position.”
“Jack’s been very kind.” Ava nodded.
“I want you to gather our Guardians. Tell them Damon is going to meet them in the gym.” Granny lifted her chin and hooked her purse on the crook of her arm.
“Damon doesn’t want to see anyone, Granny. I’ve tried.” Ava shook her head.
“He will. You run on now, tell them to meet in an hour.” She drew back her shoulders. “But first, take me to Damon. I want to talk to him.”
* * *
Damon trembled as he paced back and forth in front of the bars of the holding cell. The tranquilizer they’d shot him had worn off and adrenaline now filled his veins. His wolf eyes darted around the darkened room.
Ava had come to see him and tried to talk to him. Her grief and sorrow had filled the room like funeral flowers. It had been too much for him. He refused to shift back into human form, preferring to stay as a wolf.
Every time he shut his eyes, he kept seeing Barrett falling off the edge of the mountain with that hideous knife stuck in his chest.
Ava had told him afterwards what Barrett had said. He’d asked for Ava’s forgiveness and he’d told her to take care of Damon.
Every time he thought about it he wanted to scream.
Barrett had paid Jaxon’s debt with his own life. And put Damon in charge as Pack Master.
How could he live with Barrett’s death on his hands?
The creak of the metal door filled the empty space. He jerked his head toward the door and snarled.
“Look here, mister.” Granny stepped into the room wearing a bright yellow muumuu and carrying that white plastic purse on her arm. “Don’t you dare growl at me.” She stepped closer and narrowed her eyes at him.
He sighed and sat back on his haunches.
Granny stepped up to the bars and stuck the key in the lock.
His eyes widened as she swung open the door and stepped inside with him. She shut the door behind her.
“I’m here to talk.” She pointed her bony finger in his face and glared. “And you are going to sit there and listen.”
He let out a low growl at his displeasure. She pressed her lips into a thin line.
“Damon, that’s enough.”
He looked away. He wasn’t in the mood for a lecture. He just wanted to be left alone.
“Barrett knew what he was doing when he sacrificed himself for Jaxon. He was one of the best Pack Masters I have ever known.” Granny lifted her chin. “Damon, you need to know something. You didn’t kill Barrett. He planned to die.”
Damon jerked his head towards the old woman. Of course he killed Barrett. He was the one who landed on him and shoved the knife into heart.
“Barrett had papers drawn up months ago in case anything happened to him. He knew months ago that he wanted you to be the next Pack Master. He saw your potential. Most of all he saw your courage and strength.” She cocked her head.
He studied the ground.
“As Pack Master it is time for you to rule. Your Guardians need a leader. And you need your Guardians.”
But how could they want him as their leader?
“I want you to look inside yourself and see if Barrett was right about you. See if you have the courage to step into that role.” She nodded. “I see the greatness inside you. Even if you don’t.”
She reached out and ruffled the fur on the top of his head and smiled.
“You’ve got a lot of people counting on you, Damon. Ava and your child and your Guardians. They are waiting in the gym for you.” She walked to the iron bars and opened the door.
She stepped outside and left the door open. “You know in your heart this is the right thing to do.”
He listened to her footsteps as she walked away, leaving him alone.
* * *
Damon avoided looking in the mirror in the hallway as he made his way towards the gym. His stomach clenched. He wasn’t sure what he was walking into and he didn’t know yet what he was going to say.
“Damon,” Ava’s soft voice had him stopping in his tracks.
He turned and faced her.
She was pale and there were dark circles under her beautiful eyes. He frowned.
“Are you okay?” He asked.
“Yes.” She nodded. “Damon, I…”
“Stop.” He held up his hand. “I don’t want you to apologize for being at the Tribunal. The outcome wouldn’t have been any different. Barrett still would have died for Jaxon.”
She looked at the ground and nodded.
She looked so tiny and frail. He couldn’t take another second of the awkwardness between them.
He closed the distance and took her into his arms. She clung to him and buried her face into his chest.
“I was so scared, Damon. Scared that I wasn’t going to get you back.” She sobbed.
“What did I tell you? You’re never getting rid of me.” He said softly.
She looked up and let out a chuckle. “Good.”
He bent his head and covered her warm lips with his. She held on tight as he kissed her slow and deep. When he pulled back he stared down into her eyes.
“I need to ask you something. Something serious.”
“Okay. What is it?”
“How do you feel about me being Pack Master? I know you didn’t like it much when I was just filling in. Now it would be permanent. So I need to know how you feel about it. Because if you’re not all in, then I won’t accept it.”
“Are you serious? Has anyone ever turned down the position?” Her eyes widened.
“No, not that I know of.” He shrugged.
Ava let out a slow breath and looked into his eyes.
“I’ll stand by whatever decision you make.” She cupped his cheek. “I think you would make a great Pack Master. I think this state needs you now more than ever. I think the Guardians need you. I think you were always meant for this, Damon.”
Her words humbled him. He swallowed back the emotion welling up in his throat. Now was not the time to be crying like a pussy.
Now was the time for strength.
“I love you.” He said.
“I love you, too.” She smiled.