Chapter 34: Chained
Terror and panic gripped my rapidly beating heart. My mom couldn’t feel her mate? What did this mean for my dad? Was he hurt? Did it mean my father was...gone?
My stomach churned with anxiety, and my head spun.
No, I couldn’t even think of that terrifying possibility.
“Mom! Please, get up!” I got on my knees, trying to pull her up. My heart broke as I watched my usually strong-willed mother break down on the floor. Her shoulders shook with the strength of her sobs, and her lips were pale and trembling. Her eyes were bloodshot. Ever since my dad got arrested, it seemed like she was slowly breaking from the inside and out. Now, this was her last straw.
Mindie raced up behind me, and her eyes widened in shock when she saw my mom.
“What’s going on?” she asked, panicked.
“My mom, she can’t...” I swallowed down the emotion threatening to overwhelm me. “She can’t feel my dad.” My voice broke on the last word.
“Oh my Goddess,” Mindie breathed out. She knelt down and put an arm around my mom, gently rubbing her shoulder. Then, she looked up at me. “I’ll stay with her. You should go to the prison to get some answers.”
“Yes, good idea. Thank you.” I reached down to smooth my mother’s hair out of her face. “I’ll find out what happened, Mom. I promise.”
Her bloodshot eyes met mine. “Please,” she uttered. That seemed like the only word she was capable of saying.
Gratitude for my best friend flowed through me as I threw on the first clothes I touched and quickly braided my hair back.