The Howling Heart's Forgiveness

Chapter 142

Watching the vans being packed with battle gear and minimum luggage, I wrap my arms around my body and take a deep breath. It is usually a ten-day drive from here to Pine Moon. It took us ten days to get here nearly three months ago with us stopping at hotels and motels to rest. Thankfully we will not be driving this time. Instead, a team of Omegas from both Crescent Phoenix and Shadow Rose will be driving the vans for us switching out every five hours so they can rest. With this strategy, we should be able to make it to Pine Moon in four to six days depending on traffic and weather.

I never thought that when I was banished from Pine Moon I would be returning there pregnant with plans to Kill Valor, yet here I am. That man has done more harm than good for the Pack and my heart breaks for those still trapped there under his rule. From what we have been told by Devlyn’s friends, Tanya has started throwing temper tantrums over the smallest of things from the temperature of the food served to her, to Omegas seeking her permission to create new garden beds. The Pack is facing a food shortage now due to her awful leadership and Valor is just allowing it. Just allowing his wolves to starve too scared they will escape if they make a food run to the grocery stores.

“Are you ready to become an Alpha, Brynlee?” Quest asks from beside me. He has designated himself as my personal guard for the trip. Earlier this morning he and Ashton had denounced themselves as Crescent Phoenix wolves. After everything that happened with Quincy, neither men feel safe here and Asteria accepted their decision, wishing them luck and reminding them to keep me and Rune safe.

“As ready as I can be.” I answer with a smile, turning away from all the preparation to face Quest. He and Quincy were the first friends I made when I came to Crescent Phoenix. They were the ones who watched me skin animals and prepare the meat for the Pack. We laughed, joked, and partied when we weren’t performing our duties.

Now, I feel like that trio we made is gone all because of Valor. Because he sent spies that shared information of our Pack back to him. Because Quincy hadn’t recovered from the trauma caused by Onix Moon attacking them before we came here.

“Quincy and Milan are staying here to watch over the Pack with Jett.” I state, watching Quest scan the many wolves.

“Good. I am not ready to forgive him just yet for hurting Ashton by nearly killing Devlyn.” He scoffs out. I sigh, placing my hand on my friend’s shoulder and making him look at me.

“One day you three will need to talk and clear the air. I won’t force it yet, but one day I will and I don’t care if you protest. Quincy fucked up, that we agree on, but he is still our family. If it means he lets Ashton beat the shit out of him, then that’s what needs to be done.” I warn him. Quest opens his mouth to protest but stops. Instead, he looks back at our small army and nods.

“I know.” He finally agrees, eyes welling with tears.

“Just not right now.” I hum in acknowledgement knowing now is not the right time to push him. Right now we need to focus on making it to our rendezvous point and prepare for the battle ahead.

“Brynlee.” Someone calls out to me and I turn to find Chase, Lunette and Gray standing behind me. Lunette and Gray are holding back tears while Chase stares stoically at me. He is coming into himself, his Alpha power slowly building and budding as it reaches out to me. I release a bit of my own newfound power, letting it mix with his and watching as a shine of tears fill his eyes.

“Will you be coming back?” Lunette asks with a sniffle, her small voice nearly breaking me.

“No, baby girl.” I answer, stepping forward and pulling her into my arms.

“Rune and I are going to rid Pine Moon of bad people and take over.” I continue, hoping my explanation is as child friendly as can be. Gray lets out a little whimper and I pull him close as well, feeling the two small pups wrap their arms around me when silent sobs wrack their small bodies. Chase stares at me before looking away. I see that he tries to secretly wipe a tear away and say nothing. Right now he is doing his best to be strong for his siblings now that their parents and I will be leaving soon.

“Will you die?” Gray asks, pulling away to look at me. Tears well in my eyes now, threatening to spill as I look at the little pups I consider my siblings and I fall to my knees, pulling them closer to me.

“No. I will promise you that the next time you see me, I will be alive and an Alpha just like your mommy.” These words seem to be what these two need as their sobs turn into sniffles, then into little breaths of hiccups as they calm down. I blink away my tears, catching Gale smiling at the three of us.

“Do you kids want some cake with me before we leave?” He asks, catching the attention of his pups.

“We can have cake?” Lunette asks, pulling back from my embrace to look at her father.

“Of course we can.” Gale answers, holding his hands out to his pups. Lunette and Gray look at me reluctantly but I smile, encouraging them to go to with their father. As soon as the three of them are out of sight, Chase runs into my arms and breaths in my scent.

“Don’t die please.” He begs, his voice cracking as he cries against my shoulder. The kid has grown so much since turning fifteen. He is now just slightly taller than me.

“I won’t, I promise.” I whisper, letting my tears fall finally as I hold him tighter.

“Good. I don’t think I can handle losing my big sister.” Chase whimpers back. I close my eyes, memorizing Chase’s scent and hugging him tighter. I was born an only child back at Pine Moon and only considered Caspian my sworn brother at the time. But now my family has grown. Somewhere along the line Chase, Gray, and Lunette became my siblings. I need to make sure that Pine Moon is safe so that my little siblings can come to see me whenever they want.

The hug ends much to my reluctance and Chase pulls away, his gaze staring past my shoulder. I turn to find Rune watching us, a soft smile on his face.

“If he hurts you again, you come back here okay.” Chase whispers to me, his eyes meeting mine.

“You will always have a home here no matter what anyone says.”

“Don’t worry Chase, I learned my lesson once.” Rune calls out, coming to stand behind me.

“I will do everything I can to make sure Brynlee is happy. I promise you that little cousin.” He adds, moving to ruffle Chase’s hair. Chase swats Rune’s hand away and as I watch the two interact I can’t help but think just how much Chase is starting to resemble Rune.

“Anyways, it’s time to go.” Rune sighs out, turning to look at me. I close my eyes and take a deep breath as I sense the deeper meaning of his words. Before we leave Crescent Phoenix we will need to renounce our status in this Pack. Everyone will feel it, will feel our loss. But I promised many that I would live. That I will destroy Valor and Tanya so that our peace will never be disturbed again by them.

Opening my eyes, I give Chase one last smile and remind him to keep up with his training before reaching my hand out to Rune, who happily takes it. His warm palm helps to calm my beating heart and clear away any worries that linger. This is our decision, our future that we are fighting for. Any worry and indecisiveness I have will need to be left here.

“Let’s go take back Pine Moon, Alpha Rune.” I state, turning towards the line of cars and wolves waiting for us.

“Sounds good to me, Alpha Brynlee.”