The Howling Heart's Forgiveness

Chapter 161

Sitting at the vanity in my room that Brynlee had placed here, I watch as she slips on the pure white dress that Asteria and she had bought in town. It has been seven days since we took back Pine Moon from Valor and Tanya. Seven days of executing traitors that sided with those vial wolves. Seven days of restructuring the Pack and working with Caspian, Odette, and Quest to learn everyone’s strengths, weaknesses, and what ranks would suit them the most. We were surprised by how many Omegas should have been Hunters or Warriors and in the end, we took down everyone’s names so that we could promote them during the initiation ceremony.

“Can you help zip this dress up?” Brynlee calls out, her blue eyes meeting mine in the mirror. I smile, standing from the seat and taking the three steps needed to stand behind her. I carefully zip up her dress, feeling Brynlee shiver as my knuckles graze her skin. With a chuckle, I bend down to press a kiss onto my mark that graces her neck, getting a surprised gasp from her.

“Behave.” She chastises me, turning to gently slap my chest.

“I have been behaving.” I muse, sneaking my arms around her waist and pulling her back against my body. My hands rest on her stomach, the slight bump making me grin from ear to ear. Brynlee had fought hard that day seven days ago and still managed to not only keep herself from harm's way but also keep our pup safe. My Mate is strong and I am glad I left Pine Moon to find her.

“Tonight, I want to repeat what we did all those months ago on your birthday.” I whisper into Brynlee’s ear, nibbling on the sensitive skin. I can smell her arousal for me grow and grin. Brynlee’s hormones have grown with each passing day due to her pregnancy and it has become easier to turn my Mate on.

“If you don’t stop teasing me, you’ll be sleeping in your office.” She growls gently, wiggling free from my arms and walking towards the door. I laugh at her flustered reaction, watching as Brynlee flips me the middle finger as she leaves our room. I know she is embarrassed by her reaction to my teasing, know that she is trying hard to not think of all the things I will do to her body tonight, and can’t help but feel amused. Brynlee has always been easy to tease, even as a pup. But only when she feels comfortable with the person teasing her.

“Hurry up, the ceremony is about to start.” She yells, her voice sounding a little far away. She must be near the steps by now.

With another deep laugh, I follow her steps, closing the door on my way out. Brynlee and I will be initiated into Pine Moon as their Alphas in twenty minutes when midnight strikes and the moon is high in the sky. It will be the event that starts our journey as leaders.

The unfortunate part is that Aunt Asteria, Uncle Gale, Tristan, and Delilah won’t be here to witness this. Aunt Asteria had left two days ago stating Crescent Phoenix needed her and Uncle Gale back. Tristan and Delilah had left the day before after breakfast for the same reason. The Pack soon became quiet with everyone gone, only those of us staying in Pine Moon remaining to one, accept us back into the Pack, and two, hear the new name Brynlee and I have chosen for our Pack.

Reaching the steps, I find Brynlee waiting for me, the moonlight coming in through the window making me freeze where I stand. She looks like an angel, her blonde curly hair hanging loosely around her shoulders as she stares outside.

“You know, after the rejection, I never thought we would end up here again.” She muses, turning her gaze to me.

“But here we are, ready to take over the Pack like the Goddess intended.” I smile at her words, my eyes tearing up slightly as a sense of nostalgia runs through me. With a startled look, Brynlee takes a few steps, her hand moving to cup my cheek.

“Are you okay?” She asks, her blue eyes staring into my gray ones.

“I am. I am just happy to be here, with you.” I whisper out, my voice full of emotions. She smiles, her eyes also filling with tears as she stands on her toes to place a soft kiss on my lips.

“I am happy too.” She whispers once the kiss has ended.

“Now let's go greet our Pack.” With that, Brynlee takes my hand in hers and leads me down the stairs. Memories of us as pups running up and down these very stairs play through my mind. How she would toddle after me, her blond hair in pigtails. How she would call my name to come outside and play soccer with her and the other pups when she was nine, a tooth missing from her cheeky smile. Her calling me an idiot for tripping over a bag I had left in the middle of the staircase and scolding me when I stated an Omega should have picked it up.

We reach the doors to the Pack House in no time. The two large wooden slabs kept open allowing the early fall breeze into the foyer. The soft sound of music plays as the excited chatter of our soon to be pack reaches our ears. The ceremony is about to start soon and they can’t wait for the new beginning that Brynlee and I will bring.

“It’s time for you two to walk outside.” A soft voice calls from behind us, making me jump and Brynlee to snicker at my reaction.

“Sorry, Alpha Rune.” Sarah calls out, an amused smile on her face. I roll my eyes, muttering it’s nothing before taking a deep breath. Someone must have linked her to come get us. Brynlee tugs at my hand, pulling me forward and closer to the open doors.

“Let's go.” She whispers with a smile, her eyes shining under the light of the chandelier. I nod, this time being the one to lead her out the doors and down the steps. Brynlee and I had chosen the large Pine tree that towers over the Pack House as our site for the ceremony today. From what my Aunt had told us; this Pine has been growing alongside the Pack since it’s creation. It has seen everything that has happened and tonight it will watch us usher in a new chapter for Pine Moon.

A white carpet has been rolled out starting from the base of the stairs towards the large Pine tree. On either side, members of Pine Moon watch Brynlee and I take slow, measured steps towards Alastor who stands under the leaves of the Pine tree. His white ceremonial robes sway in the soft breeze. Just behind him to the right stands Nyx, the man wearing a fitted black suit. Although he is smiling, I get a sense of foreboding watching him. It seems his easy-going nature is one he puts on in front of those he trusts.

The day we met, Nyx had told Brynlee and I that he was the spy on the inside for the Council and Aunt Asteria. He had pretended to ally his Pack with Valor, gaining as much information as he could through him on Blood Claws. From there, he passed all the information he could to both Alastor and my Aunt. That was how we were able to proceed with the plan smoothly.

Tomorrow, Nyx will sign a treaty with Brynlee and me. Our Packs along with Crescent Phoenix and Shadow Rose will schedule yearly training taking place two weeks in the summer. We will take turns hosting these events to grow our strength. This is something Brynlee and I are looking forward to in the future. Any chance to help our wolves grow, we will take it.

Brynlee pulling on my hand brings me from my thoughts. It seems we have reached the end of the carpet and now stand before Alastor. He looks at Brynlee and me in turn, his lips set in a soft smile.

“Welcome wolves of Pine Moon to the initiation of your new Alphas.” Alastor calls out, his voice steadily carrying over the crowd.

“Tonight, under the full moon, we welcome Brynlee Kingsley and Rune Sterling to kneel in front of the great Pine and ask the spirits guarding this Pack to accept them as the leaders for those still living.” The crowd cheers, their words of encouragement and welcome making me smile.

“Brynlee Kingsley and Rune Sterling, are you ready to take your place amongst the great leaders and fulfill your destiny as Alphas?” Alastor asks, directing his words to us.

“Yes.”

“We are.”

Brynlee and I say at the same time. My smile widens as she squeezes my hands, her excitement and worry slinking through our Mate Bond.

[You okay?] I ask her through our link.

[Just nervous.] She admits. I know no words will help settle her mind, so instead I send her all of my love and support through the bond.

“Seeing as you two are ready to accept the responsibility that befalls leaders, I ask that you please kneel before me.” Alastor continues to watch us, his soft smile calming Brynlee and me. Taking a deep breath, Brynlee and I kneel on the carpet in front of Alastor. We bow our heads when he places a hand on our shoulders. A hum of power radiates from the man before us as he closes his eyes.

“Do you, Brynlee and Rune, vow to lead your Pack with honesty and fair judgment?” Alastor asks, his words sounding lyrical. Peaking under my lashes, my eyes widen when I notice a white light surrounding him, that same light extending to Brynlee and extending past her, most likely moving to surround our Packmates.

“Yes.” Brynlee answers. I fumble for a moment, amazed by the aura I am seeing but manage to compose myself before the magic begins to waver.

“Yes.” I reply, closing my eyes and blocking my view of the white light. I need to focus on the ceremony.

“Do you promise to govern your people and lead them on the path of light so that the Goddess may bless them?”

“I promise.” This time Brynlee and I answer at the same time, the magic from Alastor growing stronger. It is warm and inviting, the light I felt earlier beckoning me like a moth to a flame. A flame that is surrounded by other lights, lights I recognize as the members of Pine Moon behind me.

“Finally, do you, Brynlee Kingsley and Rune Sterling, swear to uphold the laws set forth by the Council of Werewolves? To keep our secrets safe and protect each wolf no matter their status?” The final question is asked, the lights of the others behind us becoming so close. All we need to do is answer.

“I, Rune Sterling, swear to uphold the laws set forth by the Council of Werewolves. To keep our secrets safe and protect each wolf no matter their status.” I answer first, feeling the magic hum inside me.

“I, Brynlee Kingsley, swear to uphold the laws set forth by the Council of Werewolves. To keep our secrets safe and protect each wolf no matter their status.” Brynlee echoes immediately after, her voice strong and filled with conviction.

Magic flows into my body, the warmth and acceptance from those behind Brynlee and I takes my breath away. I feel each connection snap into place, hear the thoughts of each new wolf that falls under my care as Alpha. It boosts my power as an Alpha and beside me I can feel the same sensation happening to Brynlee.

Silence settles over us, the only sound coming from the rustling of the wind through the Pine tree. And then the feeling is gone. I take a moment to process what just happened and make a note to ask Brynlee if she felt and saw the same things I did or if it is just part of the powers I inherited from my mother. When I feel like I am ready, I open my eyes to see that the Pine tree is glowing slightly, its light warm and welcoming and reminding me of my mother. I hope she is watching over us now, Seeing the wolf I have become.

“Rise, Brynlee Kingsley and Rune Sterling.” Alastor calls out, taking a step back and grinning widely.

“Rise and face your people as Alphas of your new Pack, Hidden Dawn.”