Caleb POV

How could people be so heartless? I would have never thought in my lifetime I'd see people act so cruel. I myself had been through hell but nothing like this. Being a parent and seeing your child look so unrecognizable all because some asshole kids didn't approve of his sexuality.

I wanted so badly to see them hurt as much as Holt did but we were in public and they're minors. Raja did beat them to an inch of their lives but quickly healed them only to have them hallucinate and see nightmarish things until the end of time. Unfortunately, we have to take back the nightmares and hallucinations so they can properly defend themselves in court or at least try to. There's a possibility they'll be gone thirty or so years if charged with all three crimes.

"Blue-eyed Tigger, breakfast is ready." Vince said.

"Well, aren't you looking mighty fine." Eric smirked.

"He cleans up well doesn't he?" Adin chuckled.

"Haha very funny." I glared at my mates.

"You be nice." Nathan said and kissed me.

"What's taking you all so long? Breakfast is getting cold." Seth said walking into the room.

After I got dressed I joined my mates and son for breakfast.

"Papa can I go with you guys to see Holt, please...?" Altan asked.

"I will talk to the doctor about it. He's still in a deep sleep." I said.

"Papa I'm ten and in advanced classes. I'm learning things at a high school level so just call it what it is. He's in a coma." He sighed. I know he thinks I'm treating him like a baby but I want him to stay as innocent as possible. My childhood wasn't perfect so I want the best for him and keep him hidden from the world if possible.

"Kiddo I don't mean to treat you like you won't understand or mean to treat you like a child. As you know grandpa Liam and I had a rough background as well as pawpaw Sebastian's family and I want you to live your life as a child. I don't want you to have to grow up so fast. I love you, baby boy, we all do. I will talk to his doctor about you visiting but that won't be until you get home from school." I said holding his hand in mine.

"I love you guys too papa." He smiled.

After we finished eating breakfast, Nathan took Altan to school and Seth and Eric took Adin to their appointment while Vince stayed home with the twins.

"Yes sir, how may I help you?" The secretary asked.

"My name is Caleb Blackstone, I'm here to see Mr. Jacobs." I said to her.

"I will let him know you are here Mr. Blackstone. Just have a seat and he will be with you shortly." She said, smiling and gesturing to the seating area.

"Thank you." I smiled and sat in a seat looking over all my papers and pictures. I really hope we have a convincing case. I even have a copy of his medical records and everything that was done to him since he was admitted. It's only been two days but they've been running around the clock trying to get him better. He's flatlined four times within the two days which isn't bad but it isn't good by any means either.

"Mr. Blackstone?" I looked to my left and saw a very attractive gentleman who stood roughly between five eight and six two. He was definitely a tall guy like dad. His suit looked like it cost more than I'm worth. I hate to admit it but if I wasn't happily committed to my mates I'd probably take him in his office. Mmm office sex sounds hot.

Mr. Jacob's

"Um... Mr. Blackstone?" He asked a little awkwardly.

"Sorry, I don't mean to be so straightforward but you're a very attractive man." I said rubbing the back of my neck.

"It's no problem. I get that a lot so thank you but I'm happily married to my husband of ten years." He chuckled. Well, this is just awkward as hell.

"No worries, I'm thinking of proposing to my love as well. We've had a rocky start but we're ready." I smiled.

"I hope it all goes well for you." He smiled and we walked into his office.

"So, what can I help you with today, Mr. Blackstone? I've heard bits and pieces from my secretary but I'd like to hear it from the source." He asked.

"I've gathered as much evidence as I could against my son's attackers." I said giving him the file.

"And the cause of the attack was what exactly?" He asked, sparking up a cigarette. So he's a stress smoker... interesting.

"It was a hate crime. My son is gay and four kids from his school jumped him and kidnapped him only to assault him leaving him for dead." I bit my tongue trying to calm down.

"I lost my younger brother the same way so I understand your frustration. These pictures are very horrific as well as the detailed report of his injuries. You came prepared I assure you that. I will do my part and try my very best Mr. Blackstone. We'll get these bastards." He said, finishing his cigarette.

I nodded.

"Thank you, Mr. Jacobs."

"Baine."

"What?"

"Call me Baine, I'm twenty-nine, not fifty." He chuckled.

"Well, Baine, thank you. I appreciate this." He nodded and shook my hand and escorted me out.

"Have a great day Mr. Blackstone, I'll give you a call as soon as I can." I waved and walked to my car.

As I walked through the door I was surrounded by my mates.

"So... how'd it go?" Adin asked.

"It went better than expected. He had a brother pass from a hate crime so I'm sure he'll do everything he can to get them convicted. Unfortunately in my personal opinion, he'll only have enough evidence to get them convicted for a minimum twenty years and not the max of thirty-eight." They nodded.

"Hopefully whatever the outcome they get enough time behind bars they reevaluate their lives." Vince said. I love it when he's all protective over the kids.

"When Altan gets off of school we can go visit our baby boy." I said.

"How is Kase doing? Have you talked to him... and apologize." I bit my lip as Vince gave me those 'you better fix this' eyes.

"You better fix this Caleb. He feels guilty enough and doesn't need our judgment when seeing his mate in a coma and on life support is hard enough." Vince said. He was right but I just can't bring myself to do it.

"If you can't do it for yourself, do it for Holt. The boy got suspended for fighting them because he felt the need to protect our son. Make this right Caleb Asher or so help me you are not getting any of this ass until we're old and grey." Vince said looking dead serious.

"I'll talk to him at..." I said.

"You'll talk to him now." Vince said and I sighed.
.
"Yes, cottontail." I sighed, kissed my mates, and left, driving to Darrold's house.

"Mr. Blackstone. What a pleasant surprise." Darrold said.

"Darrold, I didn't expect you home for another two weeks." I said.

"When I got a call from Kase explaining everything that happened to Holt I immediately took a flight back home." He said.

"Is Kase here? I really need to talk to him." I looked at him.

"He just got home so he's taking a shower. You can come in and wait if you'd like." He smiled.

"Sure." I walked in and sat down.

"So, how are you since the assault?" He asked sitting across from me.

"We're getting by. I just met with a lawyer earlier today." He nodded.

"Good, I have my legal team at the ready to assist if need be."

"Dad, who was at the door?" I heard Kase.

"It's Caleb." He said.

A few minutes later Kase came down.

"Hi, Mr. Blackstone." Kase said sitting with Darrold.

"Hi, Kase." I said.

"What's going on between you two? The awkwardness is at an all-time high." Darrold said looking at us.

How do I explain to a papa lion that I practically blamed his son for Holt being in a coma? There's no real way to get out of this alive. Fuck it, if I die I'll just be revived a few minutes later.

"Well, you see. It's like this." I told him everything up until just a few minutes ago.

"As upset as I am that you blamed my son for the actions of others. I understand your frustration and anger. If it were Kase I'd probably lash out as well. So don't feel so down." Darrold smiled. Damn this family makes mine look like I don't even know. They're so cheerful and peppy. Like nothing can upset them.

"Dad's right, I should have been careful with the decisions I made and picked my friends wisely. I should have come out from the start and maybe we could have avoided all of this but I don't regret it either. Who knows if I would have been mates with Holt or even friends with him." Kase said.

"I still want to say sorry. I shouldn't have blamed you." I said.

"No worries." He smiled.

After talking for a bit and talking to Darrold about his latest project we all got into my truck and picked up Nash.

"I'm assuming you worked things out with Kase?" Vince asked.

"Yes, cottontail." I chuckled as we were all on our way to see Holt.

"Mr. Blackstone and family, what a wonderful surprise." The doc smiled.

"Any updates doc?" I asked.

"Well, it seems as though his bones have managed to move some so they're on the right track to being healed. The cuts are looking well, no signs of infection so that's all wonderful news. The bad news is it doesn't seem he'll wake up anytime soon, unfortunately. Just keep in mind that his body and mind have been through a lot so don't give up just yet."

"Um, is this a bad time." I looked behind the doctor and saw red.

"What the hell are you doing here?" I asked, gripping the little shit by the throat.

"I..." I loosened my grip just enough for him to speak.

"I came to apologize, I should have stopped them. I didn't mean for any harm to come to him. They just wanted to scare him." The boy struggled out.

"That's bullshit, Mika. You hated Holt all because I rejected you. You said it yourself that you'd have me one way or another." Kase said.

"That was before I saw how truly happy you were, I didn't mean for things to go so far." He was slurring now as he was losing consciousness.

I dropped him and glared at him.

"Get out of here and never come back." I said and watched him run out of the room.

"He's no longer under our spell Caleb." Raja growled out.

"He could be a warlock. No other being other than Gods or Goddesses are that strong to break our nightmare curse." I said.

"We can have fun at his expense. Look at your hand." I looked down and there was blood.

"You sadistic son of a gun." I chuckled to myself.

"Are you ok Caleb?" Darrold asked.

"Perfect." I smiled.

I'm perfect indeed...

After spending some time with Holt and talking to him we all decided to go to a restaurant.

"Table for twelve, we'll need something for the car seats as well." I told the host.

"Right this way." He said.

"Your waitress will be with you shortly, have a great day." He smiled walking away after giving us the things for the car seats. It's so awkward describing such a basic item.

"Hello everyone, my name is Kelsey. What can I get for you all today?" She smiled.

"Three sprites, two cokes, two apple juices, three sweet teas and two waters please." I said.

"Coming right up." She smiled walking away.

After she left, myself along with Kase, Nash and Darrold got up grabbing food for Vince, Adin and the twins before getting food for ourselves. Oh, and if you haven't guessed yet, we're at a buffet. It just seemed logical with the number of people in our group right now.

"Caleb can I ask you something and don't take this the wrong way but why haven't you healed Holt yet?" Darrold asked and I bit the inside of my cheek.

"Honestly, I was going to but... after what happened to Kase, I don't want to lose Holt and maybe that's just my mind playing tricks on me. Kase is human and Holt is a shifter so it may work for him but I don't want to risk it and if I heal him now. I have no lawsuit, it'll look as if it was just false allegations. They may be kids but they need some time away. If they can do what they did to Holt and celebrate right after, just imagine how twisted and messed up they can become as adults." I said.

They all looked at me and just smiled.

"What?" I bit my lip feeling a little uncomfortable.

"Nothing, nothing at all." Darrold said chuckling.

"Sure...:" I laughed as we all ate in peace.

When we finished dinner at the buffet, my mates and I dropped Darrold and the kids off and went home.

"I'm so tired..." I groaned.

"I know what'll wake you up." Adin smirked.

"Not tonight, bad one. We don't need more babies than we're already having." I laughed. Fuck me and my strong shooters.

"It's only five on the way." He teased.

Dammit... who is pregnant now?