The Son of Red Fang by Diana Sockriter novel Chapter 343

Chapter 343

He stops but instead of looking at me he turns his body towards me. He places his arms on the deak, his head bowed. I take his hands in mine, my grip is gentle as he twitches, fighting his own instincts to pull away, I remain quiet, rubbing my thumbs on the tops of his hands, waiting for his desire to fight me to wane,

“It’s a terrifying thought.”

I start slowly hoping that he’d look up to my face even if he can’t manage to look into my eyes. Ife swallows hard

but doesn’t move.

“The idea of you going home after seeing the extensive injuries he sent you away with absolutely terrifies me. I don’t want you to leave but I can’t force you to stay. I have done everything I can to keep my word to you.”

“You said you would keep the council out of it. I told you what would happen if you involved the council, yet you filed a protection from torture request on my behalf.”

He’s trying hard to remain composed but his voice wavers as if he’s trying to convince me of my own actions.

“Yes I did. I knew when I called Xavier the first time that the council had visited your pack shortly after your arrived home from the first three runs but my early conversations with him kept your name and your pack’s name

out of it.

Jessa’s declaration to the council and a formal complaint about the condition you were in when you got here were submitted to the council the Monday after you were admitted to the ICU, although I never heard anything back

from them.

Last month, the day you had your dual with Lucas, Jamie found me in my office. I had just gotten done speaking with Xavier after sending him the completed application for protection from torture. Unfortunately the news I received was not what I was looking for. I only had physical evidence and only pieces of what actually took place so the likelihood that you would be granted such protection quickly is quite low. Without your willingness to talk, I can’t pursue protection for you like I did the others that I have helped. I have no ability to force you to stay under my protection as there is nothing to keep your dad from sending his warriors to collect you and force you

His voice is laced with anger, the anger I expect from him considering he’s talked three times before me and thes times he was deceived.

“I have no way of knowing beforehand what tests the council would order to confirm your testimony against your father but I can assure you that no testing would be done before the council has responded and other protections have been put in place.”

He shakes his head as he suddenly pushes away from the desk, standing angrily.

“Cole please!” I beg as he paces the floor. “I understand that you’re scared and goddess knows you have every right to be but I need something to give them. We both know what will happen if you return home. We both know that he intended to kill you ten weeks ago and it was only by sheer luck that my strict and merciless reputation is what your father relied upon when he chose to send you here. We both know you would be dead if you hadn’t come here. Cole please. What has he done to you to convince you there’s no way out? That there is no freedom?”

I know he can hear the desperation in my voice as his pacing increased substantially before coming to a stop. Even the anger on his face couldn’t prepare me for what came next.

“There is no freedom without innocence!”