Read Online Holocaust (The Deadwood Hunter Series Book 3) by Rachel M Raithby - Free Book Online Page A

behind by his grandfather; he’d not opened it, thinking it contained more attempts to lure him into human life. Sitting on the edge of the bed, he stared at the box, like he’d done many times. Today though, the effects of the alcohol still lingered, and some part of him wanted to come out of hiding. Lincoln opened it – the key was already in the lock. It just needed turning. With a click, the box opened and what was inside surprised him.
    Pictures of his father when he’d been young, laid within; various shots of him with his mother and father before everything had gone wrong and Nathen had been taken from pack land. Seeing the photos hurt more than he’d expected. He’d never met his grandmother. She’d died before he was even thought of. What hurt the most was seeing his grandfather in a different light, not only younger, but happy. From the moment Lincoln had moved in with his grandfather, he’d sensed his sadness, but in these photos, none of the events that would have eventually destroy David Turner had taken place.
    Dropping the photographs back into the box, Lincoln picked up the letter, but found it addressed to his father, Nathen, not himself. Opening it anyway, Lincoln read the words:
    Nate,
    So much has happened in our lives, and I must admit I haven’t handled them well. Losing your mother broke me in a way you can never understand.
    “I understand, Grandfather. Dad would have, too, in the end,” he whispered, before carrying on.
    But I owe you an explanation. Too late I’m sure, but I need to try and explain the reason why I had to leave the pack. Why I took you away from the home and life you loved.
    I suppose I blamed our ways for your mother’s death. When she’d first fell ill, she refused to see the human doctor, and by the time she’d been diagnosed with cancer, it was too late. The humans said there was a slim chance chemo would work, but she refused treatment, choosing to live out her days surrounded by pack. I understood why she chose, what she chose, but I could never accept it. I was angry with her for not trying. I still am I suppose. I hold such anger inside of me, a rage fuelled by the loss of my mate. I needed to direct that rage somewhere. I directed it at pack life, blamed it for her death.
    Many wondered why I still lived, why I didn’t join my mate in death. Partly for you, but partly because I was stubborn. I was mad at her, and for that I held on and left pack life behind.
    I’m sorry for all you’ve been through, son, but you must know this one thing. I am very proud of all you have done, for the life you have created. I tried very hard to keep you in the human world, but I always knew deep down; pack was where you belonged.
    One day, you’ll be alpha, and one day, you’ll have a son of your own, and although I won’t show it, I am happy for you, son.
    David.

Chapter 11

     
    Maura stared at the ceiling bored. Boredom wasn’t a feeling she experienced very often. It wasn’t an emotion someone like her would normally contend with. She supposed she could get up, walk out of this room and find some entertainment. Except, she just wasn’t sure what that was anymore. With each passing day, she felt more and more…not like herself.
    She was Maura; cold hearted and calculated, Maura. Yet she felt trapped. Trapped like a caged animal, desperately wanting escape but not seeing any way out. She never wanted out before. She’d never wanted to escape…no that wasn’t true. It wasn’t that she’d never wanted it before, because she had, and many a time she’d thought of going. It was different though. She still had the strength to escape, but she no longer could. Now she had these…these people, she couldn’t leave. No, it was Lexia who couldn’t leave them, and Lexia had more control every day.
    I do not care what happens to them. She repeated to herself for the hundredth time that day.
    Yes, you do. That is why you feel trapped. You could still walk away. The