The Howling Heart's Forgiveness

Chapter 122

Sitting back in the boardroom with two extra people to our mix, I watch Rune and Gale fiddle with the computer in the room. The screen that broadcasted Valor’s messages with his cohorts has been split in two, one side continuing to show Valor and his plans, the other pulling up Zoom.

“Hello?” Tristan’s voice calls through the speakers before he appears on the screen.

“Hi, Tristan. Thanks for joining us.” Asteria calls back as Gale and Rune high-five one another, a triumphant smile on their faces. I make a mental note to learn all about technology to the best of my abilities these next few weeks before Rune and I take back Pine Moon as our own as I have a feeling that anything to do with technology will be left to me with how inept Rune seems to be with electronics.

“Thank you for inviting me. Rune and Brynlee filled me in on…everything.” He replies with a chuckle at the end.

“Everything?” Quincy asks, his brow raised.

“Everything. From the Marking and Mating to the pup in Brynlee’s belly and finally to their plan in killing those wretched wolves leading Pine Moon.” Tristan confirms. I roll my eyes as Ashton’s head snaps towards me, his eyes full of confusion and happiness.

“You’re pregnant?” He asks in awe.

“I am. About five weeks now.” I answer.

“We weren’t planning to tell anyone until Brynlee was past the danger phase so this information doesn’t leave this meeting.” Rune chimes in, looking everyone in the eye before looking at the screen.

“Can your men be trusted with this?” He asks his godbrother, a look of concern on his face.

“Don’t worry Rune, no one else knows but me. Not even Delilah knows.” Tristan reassures us before the sounds of a door opening sounds from the speaker.

“Love, I brought our Beta and Head Warrior.” A soft yet strong she-wolf calls off-screen. Curious, I wait until a she-wolf with soft auburn hair cut into a pixy style and white ivory skin walks into view. I know from pictures that Tristan showed me of her during his stay in Crescent Phoenix about two months ago that this is his Mate and Luna, Delilah.

“Hello everyone, I am Luna Delilah.” Delilah greets with a smile. She is everything a Luna can be. Soft features, a matronly smile, and a calming aura that I can feel even through a screen. Everyone but Rune takes turns introducing themselves to her. Delilah apologized that she wouldn’t be able to stay for the call as she had some work to attend to, but asked if she and I could have a call later to which I agreed yes to. After kissing Tristan on the cheek, she takes her leave and two other wolves come to stand behind her, one being a stout woman with raven-black hair braided down her back and a scar over her eye.

“This is my Beta, Avery.” Tristan introduces, motioning to the woman standing behind him on the right.

“And my Head Warrior Michael. Rune already met him.” He adds. I look to Rune who shrugs, telling me that he will explain how he met Michael later tonight. I nod, returning to look at Avery, happy to see another Beta female.

“A female Beta too huh?” Asteria asks Tristan in amusement.

“Yes, I got the idea from Brynlee being your Beta. Avery’s Mate happens to be Delilah’s cousin so he is her Beta.” Tristan explains, making me smile. It seems Asteria and I have changed the status quo where she-wolves can now be just as powerful and hold positions that are traditionally left for men.

“Well Avery, I would like to get to know you more. From one female Beta to another.” I muse, getting a bright smile from the other she-wolf.

“I’d like that, Brynlee.” She agrees instantly, her musical voice completely different from what I expected. I smile, feeling Rune take my hand in his and squeezing it.

“Now that introductions are over, let's get down to business.” Gale calls, catching our attention. The room grows somber and quiet as everyone turns to look at Rune and I. Taken aback for a moment; I look at my Mate who smiles reassuringly. This is our fight, our plan. We will be the ones taking the lead in ridding the community of Tanya and Valor.

“First and foremost, I want to inform everyone that Valor’s former spy, Devlyn, is helping us.” I announce, watching Tristan raise a brow but keep quiet.

“Devlyn, do you think there is anyone lingering in Pine Moon that will help us slip inside the Pack borders?” I ask, turning my attention to the wolf in question. He looks at me for a brief moment, his eyes wide in awe before Ashton encourages him to speak.

“I have a list of a few friends of mine. We were all planning to leave Pine Moon in the dead of night before Valor called me into his office two weeks ago and well, you all know the rest.” The man sputters out. Quincy rolls his eyes at this, Milan giving him a pointed look. It seems my friend hasn’t accepted Devlyn’s sincere apology and effort to show he is no longer a threat to us.

“If I can get in touch with them tonight, I can ask them to volunteer to work on the day you wish to attack Pine Moon.” He continues, his voice steady and even despite the weary gaze he throws Quincy’s way.

“Are the contacts on the phone we confiscated last week?” Gale asks, a frown marring his face.

“They are not but I can give them to you. I have them written down in a book in my bedroom.” Devlyn answers, his gaze now focused on Gale.

“Okay, Ashton and Jett, you two come with me and Devlyn after the meeting. We can grab one of the untraceable cellphones from Asteria’s office before we head to Devlyn’s room and gather the contacts for him to call his friends.” He suggests. I nod at this idea, agreeing that having Jett and Ashton there to help keep an eye on Devlyn is a good plan.

“Before we call these contacts of yours, we should first investigate these wolves and see if they are truly trustworthy.” Quincy chimes in from across the table, his glare trained on Devlyn. Devlyn drops his gaze, a look of shame on his face. I frown, turning to give Quincy a pointed glare and sending him a warning to watch his tone through our link. Tristan may be our ally, but even I don’t want him to know if there is discourse in the Pack.

“I agree with Quincy. We need to investigate these wolves first before we decide what day to attack.” Rune says, breaking the awkward silence.

“I have a few contacts that can gather any information on any wolf. Want me to give them a call?” Tristan asks. I sigh, looking at Asteria and Gale. I know we have our own network of informants thanks to how friendly Asteria has been to many of the Packs that were allied with Pine Moon, maybe we can use them to our advantage and link them with this idea which Asteria agrees is a good plan.

“Valor will know if we have you helping look into his wolves. We have a few friends that have kept us in the loop of what’s happening inside the Pack since we left, I will take the list Devlyn wrote and have them look into it.” Asteria responds, tactfully declining Tristan’s offer.

“Okay then. In the meantime, I can send Michael with some of our warriors to train with your wolves while we strategize our attack.” Tristan agrees, a smile on his face.

“I’ll even come with Delilah and our pup so that Brynlee can learn the role of a Luna –”

“Brynlee will be an Alpha.” Rune cuts Tristan off, making me giggle.

“Really?” Tristan asks in disbelief, sitting straighter in his chair.

“Really. Brynlee is a strong she-wolf. She deserves the Alpha title alongside me.” Rune confirms. His eyes sparkle with love and adoration for me as he talks to his godbrother. A blush creeps along my cheeks and for a moment I look down both in embarrassment and happiness. This is the second time he has announced to everyone that I will be his equal when running a Pack. An Alpha, not a Luna.

“So who will do the roles of Luna?” Avery asks, her eyes sparkling in amusement.

“Both of us. We can both be leaders and nurturers of our Pack.” Rune answers. I catch Asteria looking at her nephew in shock before pride fills her features. None of us are used to this side of Rune. The kind and caring side that was cast aside years ago after Luna Clairice’s death.

“I like that. This definitely suits the both of you.” Tristan says, leaning back in his seat. The meeting continues after that, all of us agree that we will first train in our respective Packs while Gale and Asteria contact their friends to investigate Devlyn’s list of allies in Pine Moon. Once we can confirm they are trusted, a date will be set for the attack six weeks from now. Tristan will send thirty-five of his men to come train alongside ours in the meantime with him and Delilah coming two weeks later to also train and strategize our attack. This way we can co-ordinate our movements more effectively without leaving Shadow Rose unprotected in case of an attack from Valor’s side.

With a plan in motion, we conclude the meeting. Ashton is the first to leave, taking Devlyn to his room with Jett in tow. I am happy to see that my friend and his relationship are progressing smoothly, but my concern now is the anger Quincy has. If he keeps acting this way towards Devlyn, he will inevitably lose Ashton as a friend.