Page 116 of My Broken Mate

I put my hand on the doorknob of the wooden door, finally opening it. It’s my father’s old office – not the one he had at home, but his main office in our business headquarters. “Gabriel has the worst memories of this place,” I say. “He is slowly doing better and letting loose on his control issues, but I don’t want to push him back on his road of recovery.”

Levi doesn’t say anything, but I know what he is telling me without voicing it. It’s too evident in his eyes.

What about you? What about your recovery?

It doesn’t matter,I link him. He startles, staring at me in surprise.It’s all over your face.I add.I am fine.

I apologize, Alpha,he mutters.I didn’t want to overstep.

You didn’t. But I can cope with it. Remy and Gabriel are slowly getting better. They deserve the moment of peace. I can handle it.

With that, we both step into the room. It’s like time has stopped for a moment, something flashing in front of my eyeswhen I see myself bending over his desk to get beaten for something I did or something I didn’t do. It didn’t matter, it never did. He just needed an excuse to whip me. At least he only left scars and didn’t always break bones, unlike with Gabriel.

I blink the memory away, stealing my heart, as I close the door behind us. My father had a shit ton of stuff he left behind when he passed. For two years, Gabriel, Levi and I have been going through everything. His documents concerning the pack and business were easy to find. Despite his cruelty, he was very diligent with his work, but everything concerning his private life and our more personal heritage was scattered, hidden and a pain to go through. As if he knew.

As if he wanted to torture us even after his death.

“Are you sure—” Levi starts.

“Levi,” I snap. “Stop questioning me.”

He lets his head hang for a moment, but at least doesn’t flinch at my tone. “I apologize,” he says.

“No, don’t.” I hand him a folder, remembering what Remy and Gabriel asked of me. To just let my guard down a little. “It’s on me. I hate this place, but Gabriel hates it more. Whenever he was in here, he had to be sent to the infirmary afterwards. He is strong and a great help with all the other things we had to do after the asshole’s death, and if I find anything of importance, I will obviously share it with him, but I can’t subject him to this place. Please respect that.”

Levi nods. “I understand. Let’s go to work.”

For two hours, we work together silently, only talking when we find something that is hard to identify and categorize. It’s not an uncomfortable silence, though, instead, it gives me the chance to let my thoughts flow. It’s a draining and tiring task, and I really want to get it done with as fast as possible. An incoming message disrupts me. It’s from Joel, asking me what I am up to. I answer him swiftly, just to receive a reply offering his help.

He is going to come anyway, no matter what I say, so I agree.

“Alpha Joel will be coming to help, too,” I tell Levi.

“Awesome.” Levi nods. “We’ll need the help.”

Another thirty minutes pass by without either of us saying anything. I am going through some old documents of my father’s early years of his reign, when Levi interrupts the silence. “Sean,” he says. “I mean… Alpha Sean.”

“We are alone, you can stick to my first name,” I reassure him. “What’s wrong?”

“I found something weird.”

I step closer to him, noticing he is kneeling on the ground and fishing for something in the lowest row of the bookshelf.

“It feels like there is a small door, right behind the bookshelf.”

“Weird. We already found the safe. Another secret storage?” I get down on my knees as well. “Let me take a look.”

Lying flat on my stomach, I gaze into the darkness, using my phone for light. Levi is right, there is a weird opening. “Let’s get the shelf away.”

The bookshelf is made of wood, heavy and old, creaking dangerously while Levi and I move it to the side. Now that we have a free view of the wall, my eyes catch the hint of a bulge in the wall.

“It’s closed.” Levi blinks. “Like it was bricked up.”

“Knife.”

“Here.” Levi hands me his clasp knife.

It takes a while, but eventually I free the small door from the plasterwork and open it. In it, there is a folder filled with letters and pictures.