The Runt novel Chapter 15

Nova is... there but just... out of reach – I don't think they want to come back, Phoenix whimpers. It has been four weeks to the day that I found Penelope in her shower and not once has she opened her eyes. Members from her old pack have been visiting – she's very loved and missed, especially her former Alpha who cried openly in front of me when he saw her. I didn't realize how close they were – adoptive father and daughter because of her rough start in life, thus her tiny size. He tells me things I should have known, had I taken the time to speak to my mate.

He tells me things that make me truly wish I had taken the time to get to know her.

When unnamed warriors and other members from her old pack start visiting after making the long drive, simply because of the kind person Penelope is – or was, it really starts to hit me how badly I've fucked things up. They're coming to see her because Penelope was nice to them in some way previously and I couldn't be bothered to get to know her because I allowed my father to intimidate me as he always does – even when he wasn't there! I knew exactly how he was going to feel about her, I could hear his words in my ear and I let it twist my feelings – I failed her from minute one.

Her former pack members are all polite to me – I am an Alpha after all, but their eyes tell a different story. Disgust, pity, anger – it's all in there. They blame me for her being in that hospital bed, for her trying to put an end to whatever pain I put her in. She wasn't miserable before she left with me so clearly, I'm the negative change in her life.

They know it and I know it.

From the stories they tell me, the motivations behind them making the long trek – I'm definitely the one losing out in this situation. I never gave her the chance to shine – and a star she certainly is. Sickly but kind, physically weak but emotionally strong, she is the one everyone comes to when they need an ear or a shoulder because she listens without judgment, supports without criticism, loves without reservation....

He and I have scarcely spoken since I confronted him and he gave me his non-answers. He is now playing the part of the wounded, innocent man perfectly, trying to make me the asshole in all this for thinking such horrible things about him. I'm an asshole and she's... well – he's had some really creative names for Penelope considering she isn't even here to defend herself. The few times we have spoken have been tense and argumentative so it is simply better for everyone if we avoid one another – less likelihood of violence that way.

I need Penelope to wake up – I of course want her to wake up for all of the obvious reasons but I also need her to wake up. I want to know her side of the story, I need to ask her all of the questions I should have asked the night it happened. I need to let her tell me in her own words what my father did to her – again, something that should have taken place as soon as she was ready instead of automatically assuming the worst of her. I instantly believed she chose my father over me – my fucking father has played us both since the start but I need her awake to confirm that.

I also just want her to wake up... Goddess do I ever.