***Jenny's POV***

I'm so absolutely heartbroken. Talon Williams, a very special soul to me, is suffering from the effects of my own child's abuse. I am sick to my stomach. Bile rises in my throat, as I look at the most unique young man I have ever met lying in my hospital.

He is so thin. Unhealthy. His ribs are on display as skin snugs against his bones. His shoulder blades are prominent and his arms look as though they may snap. His eyes are sunken in his sullen facial structure. His lips are pale and his flesh is pasty white.

I wish I could hold him forever.

Talon used to be Lutz' best friend. By default, Lyle and Lloyd spent many years as his friend as well. The fantastic four. That's what they called them.

I spent many hours of so many days thanking the moon goddess for Talon. His sweet spirit was cherished. He smiled so brightly, the sun was jealous. Talon's melodic giggles were a song you could relax to.

His manners are matched by none. Talon's presence would lift the mood of the most tortured souls. My husband and I would relish in his place in our child's life.

Destroyed.

Torn apart.

Belittled.

Begrudged.

All these words, and so many more, now describe our sweet Talon. Our Luna.

Goddess forgive us.

I had no idea. I truly believed Talon's fabrications. His excuses for his injuries were so realistic. I should have seen it. I should have tried harder.

After Talon woke and agreed to a more invasive therapy, I silently made my way out of the room. I'm guilty. I feel it.

If that was my child, I can't even begin to imagine. His parents are so exhausted watching Talon fight his demons. Useless demons. Demons implanted at the hands of former friends, pack mates and peers.

I wipe the tears from my cheeks as fast as they fall. Where did I go wrong? How did we raise a monster? Why?

I walk up my porch steps and slowly open my front door. My head hangs low with the weight of the burden I have somehow helped to create. I close the door gently and make my way to the kitchen for a glass of juice.

"Hey sweetheart. How was work?" My husband, Eric, asks.

"Awful." I whisper as he rounds the island and I collapse into his strong arms.

Eric walks me to the dining room table and holds me in his lap.

"What happened?" Eric pushes for answers.

"Talon." I cry out as my tears drip onto his white dress shirt.

"Is he alright?" Eric speaks with so much emotion, I sob.

"No. Is he alive yes. Barely." I screech out.

"Explain, Jen. Please." Eric rubs my shoulders as he wipes my stray tears.

"He is a fucking mess. He's broken and it's our son's fault." I feel anger temporarily replacing my guilt.

"He starves himself. He hates himself. He thinks what other's say is true. He thinks all of us hate him. Why? How? How can such a beautiful young man believe he is fat? How can he push himself to exercise. He is literally skin and bones. He had been running for hours everyday. For weeks. His heart is under too much stress from the lack of nutrition. Then pile the excessive physical exertion. He said he wishes he was never born. Eric." I hysterically wail into the air.

"Where is Lyle?" I demand.

"Let me call him. You calm down baby. We will work through this." Eric promises.

"You're damned right we will. Get my son and Lutz and Lloyd." I order. Enough. I have had enough.

I wait impatiently for the triple terrorizers to show their faces.

The door creeks open and I can hear the boys laughing. How dare them? When does Talon get to laugh?

Lyle, Lloyd and Lutz stand before me. The grins on their faces make me sick.

It takes a minute for Eric to sit down beside me and Lyle finally registers my emotions.

"What's wrong Mom?" Lyle asks with a voice dripping in worry.

"Everything." I deadpan.

"You three take a seat." Eric snaps his fingers in the direction of the empty chairs at the table.

As they sit, I look between the three. I shake my head. I just can't.

"Your mom just left the hospital." Eric announces.

"Do you have any idea who her patient was today? Go ahead. Take a wild guess." Eric waves his hand in the air expectantly.

"Who?" Lyle asks.

"Talon Williams." Eric reveals.

"Your future Luna." Eric clarifies.

"We haven't touched him in weeks." Lloyd argues.

"You didn't have to." Eric slams his fist on the table. All three boy's eyes go wide from the sudden aggression.

"Well, why are we here?" Lutz Fucking Cassidy demands incredulously.

"Do you know what PTSD is?" I ask.

"What?" Lyle throws back at me.

"Post Traumatic Stress Disorder." I stare into Lyle's fear filled eyes.

"That is the wake left from years of physical, mental and verbal abuse." I explain.

No sounds are made. I have the attention of all four males in my eyesight.

"You three are the majority parties responsible." I accuse them disgustedly.

"So, why is he in the hospital this time?" Lutz asks. I thought he almost sounded worried.

"Oh, you know, he somehow thinks he is overweight. So, he decided to push himself to the brink of death by running for hours. Everyday. For fucking weeks." Eric blurts out.

You could hear a pin drop in the house.

"Do you three have any idea what have you done? Do you realize the torture he endured at your hands, which has broken him? He was your friend. And, if memory serves me correctly, he was a pretty damn good friend." Eric sneers.

"We're being punished." Lloyd reminds us.

I scoff.

"So is he." I bark.

"Every single moment of everyday he suffers. You get a year of punishment. He is sentenced to a lifetime." Tears seep from my eyes as my own words register.

"The damage you have done is devastating. Our Alpha and Luna, they stood there crying over our future Luna. Crying because he is so special, yet he feels so unworthy. Talon's parents are at the end of their rope. For three years they have watched their child suffer. His demons are so large, Talon can't fight them. He is losing the battle. And, Remington. God Remington. Our future Alpha is living in hell. He has to watch his mate suffer for no other reason than you three's perverse entertainment." I ramble on.

No words can suffice the situations gravity.

"What are we supposed to do? We can't go back and change the past." Lutz groans into his hands.

"Would you?" Eric asks with his eyebrow cocked.

"Yes." Lutz shouts.

Lyle and Lloyd just shrug. I feel anger rise into my veins.

"Why? Why would you change it? So, you don't get in trouble?" I ask with a face of disbelief.

"No. Because Talon didn't deserve it." Lutz whispers so low I could barely hear.

"Hell no, he didn't." Eric booms as his chair falls back. He stands to his towering, intimidating height of 6'3".

"What are you talking about Lutz?" Lyle yells in an aggressive tone.

"He's a faggot. He's disgusting. He ate his own twin. Fuck this." Lyle throws his hands up as he stands.

Eric moves to put our son in his rightful place. He stops dead in his tracks as Lutz' fist collides with Lyles jaw.

Lyle looks over at us expectantly.

I shrug. Eric grins.

"Now sit your ass back down. I didn't dismiss you." Eric orders.

Both boys sit.

"Why did you do it?" I ask. My will to sit here much longer is dwindling.

"I love him." Lutz whimpers. His head falls into his hands once again.

I gasp. Lloyd sneers. Lyle glares.

Eric laughs maniacally. The sound sends a shiver down my spine.

"Hell of a way to show love." Eric growls.

"Dude, you're gay." Lloyd gags.

"Now you know." Lutz shrugs.

"You love him. What is that? How can you treat someone you love like that?" Lyle argues.

"I don't know. I don't know. I'm sorry." Lutz cries. Tears are slipping down his cheeks.

"This is so fucked up." Eric groans. He shakes his head in exasperation.

"Do your parents know?" I ask.

"No." Lutz shakes his head.

"You should probably talk to them." I urge.

"I will." Lutz promises.

"We need to fix this." Lyle sighs.

"How?" Lutz begs.

"Maybe, just maybe, an apology. Maybe an explanation. Maybe asking for forgiveness. Then a long road to recovery. Sometimes, if we are lucky, we are are able to rebuild what we have torn down." I offer.

"I'm not apologizing for shit." Lloyd complains.

"I will let your parents handle you." Eric points at the door and Lloyd walks out. The door slams roughly against the frame.

"Lyle?" I ushered.

"I'm sorry. I just followed the crowd. I never even thought about the repercussions or the reasons. Goddess we fucked up." Lyle scrubs his hands down his face.

"Understatement of the century." Eric bellows.

"Lutz, he is Remington's mate. You realize he can't return your feelings, right?" I state the obvious.

"I have a mate. Somewhere. I just, I screwed up. I miss him so much. When I found out he was gay. I thought he would admit he had feelings for me. But, he didn't. It hurt. I made so many mistakes." Lutz struggles for breath as he claims his sin.

"When do you turn 18?" I ask.

"Next month." Lutz informs us.

"You might find your mate. I suggest you tell your parents. I also urge you to start the healing process. Talon deserves that." Eric instructs.

"I will. Thank you. I'm sorry. I'm just so fucking sorry." Lutz apologizes again.

Lutz leaves our home with a frown and heavy shoulders. I sigh as the door closes once again.

"Mom, Dad please forgive me. I'm such a disappointment. I will talk to Talon." Lyle promises.

"We love you. What you did was wrong. It is up to you to put it right. It won't be easy. But, you will be a better person for it." Eric declares.

"You're right." Lyle whispers.

"Go upstairs and clean up. I will call you for dinner. Just go think about all of this." I send Lyle away.

Once the room is clear of anyone aside from Eric and me, I breathe.

"Wow." Eric huffs.

"Insanity." I echo his breaths.

"Why are men so bad with their feelings?" I ask while groaning.

"Men aren't. Boys are." Eric chuckles.

Eric walks beside me, grabs my hand and pulls me into his thick arms.

"I love you Jen. So very much. I am so proud you are my mate. I couldn't choose a better partner in this life." Eric whispers into my hair.

"I love you babe. Thank you. You always trust my judgement, you accept my choices and you support my decisions. I couldn't ask for a stronger mate. You are amazing." I thank my mate. He truly is one in a million.

"My Grandpa always told me:

Your value can only be measured by the hands of someone who who appreciates your worth." Eric softly explains.

"I appreciate you Jen because I know you are worth more than most pure of diamonds. You are priceless." Eric lifts my chin and places a warm and sweet kiss upon my lips.

I sigh as I accept his gratitude. Hopefully, everything works out.

Talon needs this. Silver Moon needs this.

It's time to mend broken bridges.

It's time to be the pack we were meant to be.

No more hatred, intolerance and bullying.

I cook dinner and we sit as a family. I smile reassuringly at my son. I speak with him and let him know that his mistakes don't define him. The lessons learned will refine him.