The Howling Heart's Forgiveness

Chapter 157

Standing in front of over one hundred wolves ranging from a newborn pup to the elderly using canes, I wonder just what their opinion are about Rune and me standing here. At the base of the steps to Pine Moon’s Pack House, Asteria, Gale, Caspian, Odette, Ashton, and Quest guard the stairs and prevent anyone from stepping close.

“We should say something.” Rune mutters, taking my shaking hand in his. I can feel him shaking and sense the nervousness he has through our Mate Bond while facing everyone who remains in Pine Moon. Even after capturing Valor’s men, there is still one hundred and fifteen wolves in this Pack who now look to us as their leaders.

“Do you want to start?” I ask, turning to look up at Rune. He sighs, running his free hand through his messy hair before nodding his head slightly. Giving my hand a squeeze, he releases it and steps down two steps, the crowd watching him with weary gazes.

“Hello, everyone.” His calls out loudly, his deep voice projecting over the crowd.

“I know you all must be feeling confused right now considering I was ready to give up on this Pack a few months ago.” He continues, his voice sounding unsure.

“You all know why I left Pine Moon and the things that Valor and Tanya have done. What you don’t know is that I went off to find Brynlee, to repair the bond I broke and have her forgive me. It took some time, but she did in the end.” I chuckle this this, smiling as Rune turns to look back at me, his grey eyes soft with love. Love that is strictly just for me.

“We would have stayed in Crescent Phoenix where she was the Beta for my Aunt, Asteria D'Artagnon, but Valor Rider decided to plan an attack on Crescent Phoenix, threatening everyone Brynlee and I love.” His voice wavers once more as anger radiates off my Mate. Without thinking, I step forward and take Rune’s hand in mine.

“In the end, Rune and I decided that coming back to Pine Moon and killing Valor and his Luna, Tanya, was the best course of action to not only protect our family and friends in Crescent Phoenix but also to heal the damage that has been caused here in Pine Moon.” I continue explaining, feeling Rune squeeze my hand as he takes a deep breath, inhaling my scent. I remember asking him what I smelt like, to which he stated cinnamon sugar and how it reminded him of Luna Clairice’s cinnamon rolls. I am glad he can find some comfort in my scent while facing a large crowd.

“We know change may be hard after living in fear for so long, but we want you all to know that one, you are free to leave and find a Pack that will give you a sense of security.” I state, watching the unease on everyone’s faces slowly disappear.

“And two, if you choose to stay we will be working on helping you all to grow stronger while creating a Pack that is welcoming and accepting of all.” Rune takes over, his grey eyes staring gently into the crowd.

“I know you all have been through a lot and I am sorry, but I –” He pauses, looking at me before smiling widely.

“We promise to be leaders that will make this Pack proud as your Alphas.” The crowd whispers amongst themselves with Rune’s declaration. Through the whispers I hear, many talk about the pack having two Alphas instead of an Alpha and Luna. Finally, a brave wolf steps forward, this one being one of the Rogues we saved from the dungeons.

“Will you let us Rogues go free?” He asks, his face set into a frown.

“We will, if that’s what you want. We will also allow you to join the Pack if the Rogues held captive by Valor and his supporters wish that as well.” I answer this time, watching shock spread through the crowd.

“What do you mean Rogues held captive?” Someone, a Pine Moon wolf, shouts. I sigh, deciding that if things are going to change in this Pack, then we need to be completely transparent with everyone.

“You see, when we snuck past the borders of Pine Moon, one of those goals was the capture the dungeons and use it to hide the unconscious wolves that supported Valor and Tanya.” I answer. From there, I begin explaining our plan of attack from beginning to end. How our group found the dungeons with a few cells full of Rogues that had been abused and injured by the wolves Valor trusted. The faces of the Pine Moon wolves grow pale as the horrors we witnessed by their now-dead Alpha and Luna are exposed.

The Rogue that had asked his question confirms our words, stating that he watched his sister be raped by many men under Valor’s command. How she lost her life three days prior. The heartbreak in his voice as it cracks causes a few wolves near him to embrace him, whispering their condolences and how those men will pay. They have no idea what is to come.

“What Valor and his people have done is irreparable.” Asteria calls out from the bottom of the stairs, her body shaking as she holds in her rage.

“I should have stopped my brother long before he became Alpha but I was under an Alpha command from my brother. For that, I am sorry.” She continues, her grey eyes filling with resolve.

“But we do have some form of justice we hope will satisfy everyone. Parents we ask that you head into the Pack House with pups who are under the age of sixteen, the rest of you we ask to stay.” I take this time to speak, pulling Rune to the side. Many she-wolves with pups walk towards the stairs, their eyes holding some form of worry. I smile at them warmly, happy to see that no pup was injured while under Valor’s rule.

Once all the pups and their mother’s have entered the Pack House, Ashton and Quest move to stand beside the door, blocking anyone from leaving. What is about to happen is something I do not want pups to witness.

Letting out a soft sigh, I turn to look back at the crowd. There is curiosity in their gazes but also fear and suspicion. I don’t blame them as the last time I was in Pine Moon, I was being rejected and banished. Of course, they don’t trust me right now, don’t trust all of us. We left instead of fighting back against Valor. But I needed time to heal. Needed time to grow into the wolf I am today. And so did Rune.

“You can link them.” I call out to Asteria, watching her lips curl into a grin. A moment later, the sounds of wolves marching come to our left, and the men and women who helped us in securing Pine Moon each lead a wolf who is cuffed with silver and blindfolded to prevent them from seeing where they are being taken.

“As promised, the justice we promised is here.” I state with a grin, watching as our men line up the wolves and force them to kneel.

“These men are just a small number of wolves that have caused harm under Valor and Tanya’s orders. Today, they will be executed for their crimes.” With that, the crowd begins to cheer, calling for their death. They harmed so many from members of Pine Moon to innocent Rogues who were minding their own business. Nodding to Tristan who takes the lead, the forty men that were brought from the dungeons are beheaded in one strike, their bodies falling to the ground with loud thuds.

“Our men will clean up the mess.” Rune calls out over the excited crowd, their distrust of us fading away.

“Instead, we welcome all of you into the Pack House for some breakfast. It’s been a long night, and I am sure all of us can use some food.” With that, Rune and I turn and head back inside the Pack House. Hopefully, with this execution, we have gained some of their truest.

The road ahead to rebuilding Pine Moon will be long but as long as we can gain the trust of these wolves, we can create a Pack that is both strong and welcoming.