I came awake with a jerk a few hours later and it took me a moment to figure out what woke me. Zoey was starting to toss and turn, and it didn't look like she was just uncomfortable. I went to wake her up when suddenly she screamed and started sobbing and begging. Ash and Jer sat straight up and reached for her at the same time I did as her panic slammed into us.
"Wake up, baby. It's ok. We're here. Wake up, Zoey."
"NO NO NO PLEASE LET ME GO! NO! STOP! DON'T MAKE ME! PLEASE! DON'T MAKE ME DO IT!"
"Please, love! Wake up!"
We could feel her terror coursing through our bond, and it chilled me to the bone. What was she dreaming about to make her feel that way. She started to convulse but before we could do anything, she shifted and suddenly we were facing a silver-blonde wolf. She whined and crept forward until she could lay her head on Ash's lap. I reached out at the same time as Jer and we stroked her sides to comfort her.
'Is she able to tell you anything about what happened with Zoey?'
'Yes.' Tarvos's tone was devastated, and it wasn't something I had ever heard from him before. 'She was caught in a memory. One I believe she didn't share with you three.'
'What memory?'
'I am not sure if it is my place to tell. It's personal and was exceptionally cruel to her.'
There was silence from him for a moment.
'Arian has gotten permission from Zoey for me to share her memory with all of you.'
"Who is this?" Ash sounded confused and anxious.
I felt my wolf come forward, not to shift, but to speak. It was the oddest feeling to have someone else moving my mouth but at least I was still hearing what was said.
"I am Tarvos. Deacon had asked if I knew what was happening with our mate. I do but it is not pretty."
"What do you mean? What's happening to her?"
"She was caught in a memory and could not find her way back. Arian had to shift to break her free and Arian is devastated by what the memory contained."
"What memory? All the ones we know were bad enough."
"This is one you humans have not heard. And it is not an easy horror to relive, which is why I believe she hadn't told you. But I feel it is something you need to know, and Arian has gotten permission for me to tell you."
"How do you know the memory? Did Arian tell you?" Jer looked worried and kept stroking Arian's fur. I knew he was freaking out on the inside. None of us liked our mate hurting and scared.
"Of sorts. The memory was so powerful that it bled over to me and Toth. Aku has better shields but it blasted through ours. However, this memory is too horrible for Toth to want to tell or even speak, so it falls to me to explain."
"Please Tarvos, we need to know what happened. I'm assuming this is worse than the truck incident?"
"Correct, Asher."
"Fuck fuck fuck." Ash ran his hands through his hair. "Ok. Tell us."
"We have seen many things in our existence, but this horrifies even us."
Jer choked. "Shit. Look, can we get dressed and go to the living room?"
"Why?"
"Because Ash, I don't want bad memories in this room. This room should be only for pleasure for our mate, and I don't want her to associate this room with this memory. Secondly, there is alcohol in the living room. If it's so bad it horrifies the wolves, I want alcohol."
"Fair enough, Jer. Let's go. If that's ok with you, Tarvos?"
"Absolutely. I do believe you will need it."
'I am sorry Deacon that I am not able to allow you that comfort while I am speaking. I am hoping me being in charge will help lessen the blow for you.'
'I understand my friend. With my background, I think of all of us I'm the best to handle the horror show without needing alcohol.'
'Agreed. And your background is why I was chosen to explain. We have seen some things in our life together, my human. But this… well… you shall soon hear. But know this. I want blood for this, and I will not be satisfied until I have it. Until their throats are in my teeth and their blood all over the ground. We love that human as much as you do. We want vengeance for her."
'Shit. Ok my friend. I trust you. And if you say that's what we need then that's what we'll do.'
'Thank you for trusting me. I know you well and I know you will want retribution as much as I do. I am going to let you have control to get dressed and settle in the other room. Then I will come forward and explain all.'
I felt him fade back. I shook my head and we all stood. I looked at the guys.
"I'm gonna grab clothes from my room. I don't think our dinner clothes will be the best for this conversation."
"Yeah. I think you're right Deke. All right. Jer and I will go get dressed and we'll meet you and Arian in the living room."
"Sounds like a plan."
They left the playroom, and I heard my bedroom door shut. I took a moment to stroke Arian's head.
"I'm sorry, Arian. I wish we could do more to help ease you and Zoey."
She licked my hand and gracefully jumped down from the bed and headed to my room. I followed her, pausing to lock the playroom behind me. I grabbed a pair of sweatpants and a black T-shirt. I didn't' even bother with my boxers. I was in a hurry to get downstairs and find out what was hurting our mate so badly.