Breaking Point (BWWM)

14. Deteriorate

A/N: This one's pretty long. Enjoy!

"...Just so I'm clear on this," Seth sighed, resuming his slow pace in front of the projector screen. The blue projection on it didn't seem to faze him in the slightest. "You're sure this is what Luther told you?"

Braxton nods along, folding his arms over his chest. He looks down at their pack emblem on the table, feeling rather unsettled by this.

"Okay..." Seth raises his brows, rubbing his neck. "Why now though? We haven't heard about these attacks in, what, fifteen years? What the hell would make them do it again?"

Braxton shakes his head, hating how little leverage he had on this. "It's where we are, Seth. And until we can investigate, my concern is our people and our families. Tell no one, especially not Jooyung. It's just speculation for now, and the last thing we need is to stir up a panic."

Seth squirmed like a chill wormed its way down his spine, "You're not telling Lucy?" He wondered.

Braxton clenched his jaw, "Hell no, I'm not telling Lucy. She can barely sleep enough as is.... Just the other night I put Aesir in his own room and she was..." he shakes his head, unable to describe it, though thankfully his Beta seemed to understand.

"Joo was like that, too." He assured.

Braxton shakes his head again, "I know, but... Lucy... that was deeper than motherly instinct.... Visceral. She's been waking up screaming all week." It was making his chest ache just at the thought, her screams were haunting. She tries to suppress them, but she always wakes herself up. The experience was miserable. He found she tends to do a bit better when he holds her, though it wasn't bulletproof. But at least she won't thrash as much.

Seth's face softens at that, "Is she okay? I can get Joo to whip up something for her, Lucy likes her teas." Braxton bites his cheek, trying not to let his concern seep through his stoic expression. Though Seth would always be able to tell. Truthfully, the Alpha was at a loss. He takes a glance at the door to the meeting room, making certain it was locked for the umpteenth time so no sound would seep through.

"It's worth a try, but...." He felt defeated. Gods, those screams alone would give him nightmares. Lucy frequently apologizes in her delirious state, oftentimes between soft sobs. She was really not taking this transition well, but she never asked him to bring Aesir back, so she knew its importance.

"Things will get better, Brax." As much as he wants to believe Seth's reassurances, Braxton couldn't. Because by the looks of things, it wasn't going to get better. Not for his wife, especially.

"Anyway," he clears his throat. "I'm announcing a soft-lockdown today. I'm thinking of an excuse like poachers in the area or something. I just don't want our pack being targets."

Seth nods in agreement, "It's not fool-proof, but, at least parents will take it seriously." Good, children were exactly the demographic being targeted. Especially the little ones. Braxton wasn't going to let Aesir leave the house until further notice, and he hopes Seth does the same for Hyunjoo. "Is there a curfew?"

Braxton hums, "I want everything and everyone closed and at home by eight pm, sharp. No exceptions."

Seth nods, "They won't be happy about that."

"Are they ever?" Braxton scoffed, making Seth chuckle. He pats the Alpha's shoulder.

"You're doing right by them, Brax. It could be nothing,"

"I'm not comfortable being reckless until we find out. Some of the other Alphas aren't heeding Luther's warning." It was dangerous. And stupid. This was something bigger than themselves, putting the pack first is one of the first things they learn about leadership. He just hopes innocent lives won't have to be lost for that to be realized.