Original Stories Fan Fiction ❯ The Last Bearers ❯ Chapter 18 ( Chapter 18 )

Bryan gently ran his fingers through my hair and after he pulled away from me again, he traced his fingers down the side of my face, gently stroked my cheek, and traced his fingers across my lips.

“Are you okay with this?” he asked, his fingers running down my arm.

“Yes,” I whispered. “I want you to. I love you Bryan.”

“I love you too Jay.” Bryan leaned in and gently kissed me on the lips again.

Chapter 18

Aleksei stood on one side in front of John's desk, restrained, and surrounded by several guards. His back was turned toward them so they could not see his face. On the other side was Halen, also restrained, and surrounded by guards. He looked like he had gotten into a fight with a grizzly bear and lost. His injuries had been hastily tended to, quickly bandaged. He had a black eye and a torn lip. His clothes were ripped in several places and his entire body was heavily bruised. Despite his external injuries, Halen's face remained neutral.

“Fuck,” Aidan whispered, seeing Halen. “Fuck.”

He looked over at Caelyn, who looked like he was going to pass out. The Bearers stood a little ways back, surrounded by even more guards, but still in sight of John. The door opened again and Bryan came in. John didn't even look up from writing something at his desk. The air was tense.

John looked up from his writing at last. “I have heard what has happened from both Aleksei and Halen. Now, I want your side of the story, Daire.”

Daire cleared his throat. “I was…grabbed from behind while I was going to lunch with Caelyn and Aidan. A hand was put over my mouth so I couldn't scream. I didn't see who it was until we got into the hallway and Halen pinned me against the wall.” Daire swallowed hard. “I tried screaming several times, but Halen stopped me. I tried to fight him, but he was too strong.” Several stray tears fell down his face and he could not continue.

“Did Halen undress you?” John asked. Daire nodded. “Did he…touch you and kiss you?” Daire nodded again. John sighed softly. “Did he penetrate you?” Daire made a choking sound that almost sounded like a sob. “Daire? Can you answer the question for me?”

“Yes!” Daire choked out. “He did!”

He gave a low sob. He could not hold back his tears any longer and started weeping softly.

“Daire, please control yourself,” John said.

“Leave him the fuck alone, would you?” Aidan burst out before Aleksei could. The redhead gave him a startled look, but appeared to want to hear what he said. “He's just been raped by someone who's not his mate! Let him have some time to deal with this! Can't you see he's torn up about this? He has every right to cry right now.”

“Aidan please,” Caelyn murmured.

“This is very interesting, Aidan. I have never seen you act so aggressive before.” John folded his hands and rested his chin on them.

“So what?” Aidan spat. “I have a good reason to be upset. Daire was fucking raped. He's like my little brother!”

“Indeed.” John cleared his throat. “Bryan, can you please tell me what you saw?”

“Yes sir.” Bryan nodded. “I was…in line in front of Aleksei at lunch. Suddenly, he dropped his tray and whispered his mate's name. He looked…horrified. Somehow, I knew that something had happened to Daire so when Aleksei ran off, I followed.”

“All right…” John nodded, indicating that he should continue.

“After a while, I heard terrified shrieks. When we got around the next corner, we stopped. We saw…” Bryan swallowed hard.

“Yes?” John asked.

“Daire was pinned up against the wall. By him.” Bryan pointed at Halen.

“Bryan, do you think Daire was a willing participant in this?”

“No.” Bryan shook his head.

“Why not?” John asked.

“He was screaming.”

“Not in pleasure?”

“No.” Bryan shook his head again. “It sounded like Daire was in agony and terrified.”

“I see.”

“And…” Bryan cleared his throat. “There were tears on his face. His eyes were squeezed shut and he was digging his nails into Halen's back.”

“Are you sure it wasn't an act of passion?”

“I…” Bryan hesitated.

“It wasn't,” Aleksei suddenly interrupted. “He's done that before with me, but it wasn't the same. He definitely was trying to get away in this situation.”

Bryan flashed Aleksei a grateful look.

“What happened next?” John asked.

“Aleksei finally intervened and pulled Halen off.”

“Why?” John interrupted.

“What sir?” Bryan asked.

“Why now? Why not earlier?”

“I…don't know sir,” Bryan said uncomfortably.

“Why do you think? Aleksei, don't answer. Let Bryan speak.”

Aleksei held his tongue.

“I think…” Bryan hesitated.

“Yes?” John asked.

“I think it was shock that kept Aleksei from intervening sooner.”

“I see. So what happened after Aleksei intervened?”

“Daire screamed and collapsed. He curled up into a ball. I looked at Aleksei and he hissed at me to get Daire out of there, so I did. I brought him back to the dormitories and talked to Caelyn and Aidan. I told them what had happened. I left Daire in their care. Then I went to find Aleksei and waited with him until the guards arrived. They didn't know that I was involved and sent me away. I waited alone in the dormitory until I was sent for.”

“All right. Thank you Bryan,” John said. “You may leave.”

“Yes sir.” Bryan nodded.

He threw a glance at the three Bearers in the corner and then was gone.

“Aidan, I would like you and Caelyn to leave,” John said. Aidan looked like he was going to protest, but Caelyn grabbed him by the arm and dragged him out. “I have summoned the Council and they are conferring on the matter. They are going to come to a decision about Halen's punishment.” John gave Halen a hard look. “Until then, there are many things to do. There's a lot we need to discuss. Halen, you are dismissed.” John turned to the guards. “Take him to confinement. He is to remain there until I call for him.”

“Yes sir.” One of the guards nodded.

Halen was led out.

“He no longer needs those,” John said, motioning to Aleksei's handcuffs.

One of the remaining guards stepped forward, produced a key, and unlocked the handcuffs. He stepped away as Aleksei rubbed his wrists to restore circulation to them.

“Daire, I…I feel like I must apologize.” John sighed softly. “This should not have happened. It's a disgrace, going against everything we stand for at The Institute. I'm sure the Council will not look lightly on this incident. And Aleksei, I must apologize to you as well. I know you are upset with what Halen did to your mate and you have every right to be angry. That being said, I think you overstepped your boundaries by attacking him like you did. However, I am not going to punish you this time. I will not be so lenient next time. Am I clear?”

“Yes sir,” Aleksei answered.

“Good. Now Daire, I'm fairly certain that you were not in heat when Halen raped you and he did not get to finish what he intended.” He gave Aleksei a look. “However, I am arranging for you to see Dr. White soon just to be sure that a child has not been conceived.”

“And if he is pregnant?” Aleksei asked in a hard voice.

“There's nothing we can do,” John answered sadly. “I pray this does not occur, for both your sakes.” John shuffled the pieces of paper on his desk. “I am arranging for you and Daire to be moved into a private apartment. You will still take your meals with everyone else and you will attend classes too. Those things will not change. What will change is where you'll be sleeping and spending your free time. The two of you need to rebuild the trust between you. It will take some time, but you need to get to the point where you can…ah…reproduce again.”

“What about Caelyn and Aidan?” Daire asked. “Will I only be allowed to see them at meals and during class?”

“I am sure there will be no problem with them visiting you.” John smiled.

“When will we be moving? Sir?” Aleksei asked.

“As soon possible,” John answered. “This afternoon, perhaps. Both of you are exempt from your afternoon classes. The Breeders and Bearers will be informed of what has happened during their afternoon class.” Aleksei and Daire both nodded. “Now, if you will excuse me, I need to have a quick word with Caelyn.”

Daire and Aleksei were escorted out of John's office. Caelyn and Aidan were waiting for them.

“The Director wishes to speak to you,” one of the guards told Caelyn.

Caelyn followed him back into the office. The guard closed the door.

“Ah, Caelyn,” John said.

“Director I…” Caelyn sighed softly.

“Caelyn, I want you to know that it's very likely that Halen will be executed,” John interrupted.

“Oh god,” Caelyn whispered.

“The Council will not tolerate his actions. I am quite certain he will not be allowed to live, however in the event that he is allowed to live…”

“He will never touch me again,” Caelyn said coldly. “I will never allow him near my body again.”

“This is not your decision to make.”

“I don't care!” Caelyn shouted. “I don't give a fuck if you agree with me or not, but I will never let him near me again. I will never forgive him for what he did to Daire!” His throat constricted and he choked back a sob. “I don't care if you punish me or…or throw me out of The Institute. I don't care that he's my mate. He's a cold, heartless pig and I will never forgive him for what he's done. He will never touch me again.”

John rose and Caelyn thought he would strike him, but he stood his ground.

“I will make myself very clear,” John said in a hard voice. “You do not have a choice in the matter. Halen remains and will always remain your mate unless he's executed. You're dismissed.”

“Yes sir.” Caelyn's tone was unusually cold.

He turned and silently walked out of the room without a second glance behind him.

To be continued…

Notes: I'm sorry the chapter is woefully short. I had to cut it off there because it was the best place to do so. The next chapter is probably going to be a lot longer. I may end up splitting up that chapter as well. We'll see what happens.