The Alpha's Boy {Man x Man}

{TWENTY-FIVE}

It had been two days since we figured out that I could talk again, and I hadn't said a word since then. At least, not to anyone else. I did however say a few things to myself, just to see how it would feel. What it would sound like.

I didn't really know what to do with this new information. I had an appointment with Dr. Greg this evening, of course, I would have to bring it up. Which means I'd have to speak again. But I really dreaded it.

I hadn't even talked to my dads yet, I didn't even know how I was going to tell them

How did I tell Miquel? Preston? The twins would be so confused.

Then I thought of Nani and my heart would sink. I looked at Riot who was driving the truck to the packhouse. His hand was holding mine, giving it a squeeze when he realized I was looking at him. He didn't take his eyes off the road, but he did smile softly.

"She never got to hear my voice," I mumbled, enough for him to hear me but still low, not feeling the confidence in my voice yet.

Riot picked up my hand, kissing my knuckle before signing into my fist. "I know, it sucks. But she's still proud of you. She hears you."

"You think she's proud of me?"

"Of course she is. Alister, you've been sober for a few days now, you haven't even been shaking. You've been doing amazing. She'd be so happy." I loved when he called me by my full name, a flutter in my chest, even though I had emotions filling me to my eyes, tears collecting I still felt butterflies at Riot and the way he worded things, acted. My hand still pressed to his chin before he set it down.

I smiled a little before turning my attention back to the road and laying my head on the window. I hadn't had any dreams lately. Besides one nightmare about Charles the other day, but I had spoken to Riot about it, opening up a little bit about the things that happened to me as a kid. Of course, I didn't tell him everything. There was too much to share, and honestly opening up about it all terrified me.

I had just showered after waking up in a cold sweat, and Riot was making the bed, it was early in the morning and I Could hear Preston making breakfast, the three of us getting ready to start our day and let the animals out.

Riot was patient with me, not pushing me to say anything about the dream that woke us both up. I didn't think I moved that much in my sleep, but apparently, I did, enough to wake up Riot and have him wake me up.

'I was kidnapped after the fire.' I started, he just nodded, sitting beside me on the floor where I sat waiting for him to finish the bed. 'I wouldn't say I was physically abused. Charles hit me a couple of times, but it was more mental and emotional. He withheld food, made me stand with my face at the wall for hours, kept me in a closet for days. I had a few friends, but Ray — she was like my sister. She was a couple of years older than me but not much, and she was his kid. So she was always around. I thought I could trust her.'

"Star..." His hands were in fists, I knew it was making him upset hearing about it, but I just— I couldn't stop now that I had started.

'She would go to him, tell him all my secrets. But the biggest thing was when I had gone to her about how much I wanted to leave. I had a plan, I was going to sneak out and run away. I was fast, though they were all shifters, if I left during the night, while he was away I may have a chance.

'I didn't have a chance, but I didn't know that. I thought maybe... Just maybe she would help me. Eli was going to help me. I never told her that, but he was. She promised to keep it a secret. But two days later when Charles was due to leave, he stayed, I thought he was gone and he wasn't.

'It wasn't pretty. He had me cuffed to his bed so I couldn't go anywhere. And you know what she did?'

"What?"

'She laughed, she came in the next day and laughed at how stupid I was to think I could just leave'

I was pulled from the memory when Riot pulled on my hand as the truck pulled to a stop. We were at the packhouse finally, and I stepped out onto the gravel, Riot opting to park in the driveway this time.

The doctor wanted to see me again for a check-up, just to make sure my levels were all good, I had felt fine since throwing up the other day, honestly, I didn't really feel the withdrawal this time. I was thankful for that because honestly — how many more times did I need to lose consciousness?

I hadn't shifted either since the mated, because I figured I would withdraw at some point and I didn't want to fuck my body up more than it was at this moment.

Riot was steps away from opening the door when it was thrown open and a tall woman ran out, jumping at Riot and wrapping her arms around his neck. "Oh Reggie, I'm so glad I finally get to see you. I heard you were here a few times, and I kept missing you."

I looked at Riot, who looked a little caught off guard as he patted the lady back, she backed off a moment later and smiled widely at him, and now that I could see her face I noticed that she looked a lot like him, the same nose, eyes, hair colour. She looked at me for a moment before looking back at Riot and giving a small frown. "You never told me you found your mate. You're supposed to tell me the big things that happen in your life."

He sighed, rubbing the back of his head. "Mom, it's really not that big of a deal."

Mom?

And suddenly that TikTok song that said oh no a bunch of times started playing in my head.

"Mom?" I said out loud when we talked inside the house, Riot's mom telling us she'd find us after my appointment.

"She normally lives off the packhouse, but I guess with Esters passing she came back— a little late. She's not a bad person, she's just... A lot to handle sometimes. I'm sorry if I had known she was here."

"It's ok."

We walked into the office and Dr. Greg was sat at his desk, he was dressed as he was before, just looking more relaxed this time. He smiled at us as he stood to shake our hands.

"Ah, good to see you both, Star, how have you been feeling?"

'Fine,' I signed, Riot nudged me in the side, giving me the stink eye before I sighed. I should have known he wasn't going to translate for me now. "I'm fine."

The doctor blinked for a moment, obviously caught off guard by me speaking, he tilted his head for a moment before standing up. "So," He said, clearing his throat. "We definitely need to speak about this."