Alpha's Blind Luna novel Chapter 80

We all watched as Hector dished up some of the almost curry-like concoction. Jax put the bread in one of the breadbaskets we used. He took everything to the table but Hector held one bowl back. Opening up the fridge, he took out the container of sour cream. Putting a large dollop in the center, he smirked and held out the bowl to me. I took it and looked down at it. It smelled amazing even with the sour cream.

“It softens the spice. You should be able to take it now.”

I rolled my eyes but swung around and took my bowl to the table. Everyone was sitting down and it was so long since we had done this. Sadly, everyone was more serious.

“Anyone have any news before I start? I’d like to eat a little before I talk my head off.”

Hector grabbed a baguette slice and dipped it into his bowl. Everyone seemed to take that as a go ahead to eat. Lucy was the first to start.

“Hospital is all set up. We also managed to snag two OBGYN doctors for the hospital. I had to bribe them quite a bit but we’ve got them. Outside of the family doctor we have in town.”

“Did we need to expand the residential area?” I asked mixing the curry with a piece of bread.

She shrugged. “Honestly, I think we will need to eventually.”

Simon and I groaned together. Vale chuckled as did Bryan.

Simon shook his head. “We should have another wine shipment in the next month or so. Also, Finnegan wanted to dip into whisky. We’ve looked into a few options but it seems fun.”

“Fun he says. Extra work is what it means.” AJ grumbled.

Simon shrugs. “It’s an experiment. Honestly, it’s relaxing and half the time you just stick it in the barrel then leave it for years.”

Everyone quieted as we all ate, a moan or two escaping people as they ate. I started down at my bowl for a moment.

“Vale and I are going to adopt two pups.”

Vale’s eyes widened and he looked up at me. I smiled at him and his face beamed back at me. Everyone was shocked but Hector smirked, nodding to me.

“So we’ll probably need your guys help.” I added.

“Not Dad. Don’t let him help. Don’t let him fill the place with pool noodles.” Lucy laughed.

Bryan glared at her. “You grew up safe and sound!”

“I broke my arm when I was three! Don’t bother them Dad!!”

Hector added, taking a quick bite. “She’s not wrong. Auri even kicked him out when he tried helping with Tyr and the twins.”

A chill ran through the group at mentioning her name. It was something we didn’t mention. All of us dealing with a various degrees or guilt, pain, and sadness. Hector looked around at us and sighed.

“I guess I need to get to my business. Before everyone goes to their corner.” He took a bite of food before finally moving the bowl away from him. Placing his elbows on the table, he leaned forward. His eyes glazed over for a moment before coming back.

Vale leaned back, his arms crossed over his chest. “How about the last time we heard from you? You were headed north after Ireland?”

Hector sighed. “I was going to a rumored lab in Iceland. I’d pulled the information from the offices in Ireland. Pipsqueak helped me sort out the encryption and I headed up there. I’d been making waves though. I’d hit too many in two short of time I think.” Grabbing his water glass, he took a sip. “Iceland is actually really green, did you know that? Rolling hills, very much like Ireland. It’s lovely. The air is clear…”

“Hector.” Vale growled out.

'Give him a moment, Vale. It’s not him losing focus, it’s him collecting himself so that he doesn’t drown in the feelings.' I mind linked Vale directly and he gave me a long hard stare before settling back down.

“They were waiting for me. Let me come in close to see that Auri wasn’t there. Then they tightened the rope. I took out as many as I could but there were too many. Even someone skilled can be outmanned.” Hector looked at me and nodded. “I was dropped in a complete concrete room. No windows. No lookouts. No food or water. Then the beatings came; the torture. Asking why I was there. What I was looking for. How many had I taken out. What other locations did I know of. It was constant. The pain was constant. I felt myself slipping, felt my soul starting to leave. Rydere was already suppressed and I was alone. I know I was muttering like a mad man. But one day it stopped. The pain stopped. I was being transported to a different facility.”

Everyone was on edge. My nails were digging into my legs until Lucy, who was sitting next to me, took my hand. The memory flashed of what I had gone through, I knew somewhat the pain Hector felt. Bryan had a look on his face. I think it was regret. That he’d been angry or upset this whole time over his friend being gone. Leaving him behind. When really, he’d was probably going through his worst.

Bryan swallowed hard. “How long till they moved you?”

“Months? I think. Your sense of time gets lost.” Hector shook his head, as if trying to rid his mind of the memories.

Jax was the one who put a hand on his shoulder and it seemed to ground him. “Where did you end up going?”

“I didn’t find out later, not until we escaped but it was in the eastern part of China.”

“We?” AJ looked at Hector, leaning his hand on the table.

Hector looked up at me, his eyes dark but not with his wolf. It was dark with memories. “I met the head of the BloodHunter sect. I met Oran.”

Vale swore, his chair coming out from under him and falling to the floor. He put his hands on his head. We had thought…we’d guessed but Hector had proof now. He had seen him not just alive but working.

“Vale sit down.” I called to him in the middle of his pacing.

He turned on his heel. “How can I? How can I when it’s the previous High Councilor? How can I when we have proof now that my Dad needs to be executed for crimes against his race?”

I fell silent, looking down at the bowl in front of me. Bryan pipped up.

“Sit your ass down, Alpha. You can’t do shit right now and pacing won’t do anything either. So sit and shut up till the end.”

Vale stopped and a few of us snickered as he finally sat back down. “Sorry. Continue Hector.”

Hector, though, was far away. His eyes boring into the table. Jax squeezed his shoulder again and he looked up. “Oran spoke to me. Told me I was going to be used against the one person he needed to cooperate. Who’d been fighting him tooth and nail. He drugged me after that. But the first time I came to, he used me. Used me by putting a silver brand on my skin and my scream to get her to comply.”

“Her?” Bryan was whispering now.