The Howling Heart's Forgiveness

Chapter 130

Standing to my feet, the chair I sat on falling backward, I rush to the front door calling out to Rune but I am too late. He is already racing towards the Pack House while Caspian stands at the door. Anger radiates off my friend and for a moment I wonder what he said to cause Rune to rush off like that.

“We need to get to the Pack House.” He states, turning to look in the direction Rune left.

“Quincy beat Devlyn up pretty badly and Quest is keeping Ashton at bay. He wants to destroy Quincy for harming his Mate.” Caspian explains. I nod, grabbing my truck keys from the hook and rushing to my truck. I forgo the seat belt and drive off as soon as Caspian climbs into the vehicle before he can even close the door.

The tires kick up gravel from my driveway in their wake while Caspian holds on for dear life, his eyes wide as I drive through the forest faster than usually allowed. Rune has shifted into his wolf form by now, his body just ahead of the truck as I catch up.

Deciding to have Caspian explain everything from start to finish, I open up a link between the three of us and take a deep breath to calm my nerves. As I am about to ask Caspian to start from the beginning, two more presence enter the link and I feel Asteria’s anger and Gale’s weariness.

[Did Caspian tell you what happened?] Gale asks as I veer left to dodge a pup that was about to enter the road.

[That Quincy beat Devlyn up.] I state, getting a growl from Asteria.

[He put Ashton’s Mate in the infirmary. Jasmin is performing surgery right now.] Asteria answers. I look at Caspian briefly and he nods, his voice entering the link this time.

[Devlyn was helping with breakfast as usual. Quincy came in grumpy and hung over from last night with a few of Shadow Roses wolves. They were chatting about the training we will be doing when Quincy bumped into Devlyn who was carrying soup to the table.] He explains. I frown, already not liking where this explanation is going.

[The soup spilled on Quincy’s shoes and he lost it. Called Devlyn a bunch of names including a no-good spy who should have been executed. Before anyone could stop him, he was dragging Devlyn outside and laying into him.] He continues. A snarl rips through my throat as I press the gas peddle. The truck lurches forward and I send out a Pack-wide link for everyone to stay off the road before returning to the private link and asking Caspian to continue talking.

[Ashton and I were on patrol this morning since we were teaching some of the newly shifted teens to hunt when he felt Devlyn’s pain. He bolted towards the Pack House and I followed after him with the teens hot on our tail. But Ashton was fast. By the time we got to the Pack House, Quest was already knocking Quincy off of Devlyn while the Omegas were taking the collar off of Devlyn so he could be taken to the infirmary.] We finally reached the Pack House as soon as Caspian finished his explanation. A crowd had gathered by now with Tristan and Jett keeping Quincy at bay while Quest holds on to a snarling and growling Ashton in wolf form. Asteria and Gale have just arrived as well, their truck parking beside Ashton, Quest, and Rune.

I can sense the murderous intent in my friend while Quincy tries to defend his actions. Rune is already there, his large black wolf standing before Ashton, his eyes staring into our friend’s. Whatever he is telling him is working as I can see Ashton relax slightly and respecting Rune as his superior.

As soon as I have parked the truck, I rush out towards Quincy who snarls at Tristan, calling him a useless wolf that allowed his Alpha to kill so many. Furious, I walk right up to Quincy and slap him, the sound causing everyone to settle down.

Bringing his hand to his cheek, Quincy looks at me in shock while I stand there fuming.

“ Brynlee, I –”

“Save it Quincy.” I snarl out, allowing the newfound power inside me to come out. Quincy backs away, showing me his neck in submission while Jett and Tristan back up. Asteria watches on, her eyes wide. She has rarely seen me this angry, especially when it comes to my friends.

“You have brought shame upon this Pack in front of our allies with your actions. You attacked another Pack member’s Mate without regard and were disrespectful to a visiting Alpha.” I add.

“Why do you even care? You're leaving this Pack anyways!” Quincy shouts back, stepping towards me. Caspian steps between us, snarling at Quincy.

“She is still our Beta, Quincy. You show Brynlee respect or I will make you.” Caspian warns lowly. I place my hand on his arm, signaling Caspian to step aside as I can feel Asteria approaching from behind.

“Brynlee is right, Quincy. Your actions today concern me.” She states, her anger evident.

“My Head Hunter causing a scene such as this. Sending a wolf who is cuffed in silver to the infirmary for the mistakes he is actively showing remorse for, and disrespecting an allied Alpha are large offenses. Even you know that.” Asteria continues, her disapproving gaze causing Quincy to back down. His head hangs in embarrassment, his hostility dissipating.

“I don’t know how you can forgive Tristan and Devlyn for what they did so easily. Tristan –”

“Was kept in the dark about what Viren’s father ordered.” I state, watching Quincy look at me with guilt.

“He was with Delilah who was giving birth to their pup.” I add. Quincy looks away again as Tristan gives me a small smile for defending him.

“Not only that, but when Viren kidnapped me and tried to rape me into being his Mate, Tristan helped save me. I would not be here if it weren’t for him.” The crowd around us burst into whispers. Not many people knew what happened to me. Only that I was kidnapped by Viren. To know that that vile man tried to rape me and forcefully make me his Mate is taboo even amongst our kind. Mates must be a willing pair. Once marked, only death can separate them.

“Then what about Devlyn? He came here to spy on us and give information to Valor and his allies! Now there is a –”

“Silence!” Asteria shouts, placing an Alpha command on Quincy who immediately shuts his mouth. No one knows what Devlyn did outside a select few but now the reason why he is trapped to the Pack House with a collar is known.

“You know damn well a Blood Pact was forced onto him. Either he complied and completed the pact or he would have died.” Asteria states this time. The anger and animosity that was starting to grow within the crowd immediately turned into sympathy. Add in the well-known fact that Ashton found his Mate in Devlyn and the crowd has completely forgiven Devlyn for his transgression.

“Quincy, you need to cool off and sleep off your hangover.” Asteria sighs out once the silence has settled.

“Jett, Rune, and Caspian take Quincy to the dungeons where he can sleep off his hangover and calm down. Brynlee and Ashton, come with me to the infirmary.” She adds. Quincy goes to protest but Asteria glares at him. He shuts his mouth and I let Caspian take my truck since everyone can fit into it. Gale is quick to disperse the crowd, apologizing immediately to Tristan and his men who wave him off, stating everyone is hungry and hung over and tensions are high.

Thankful for his understanding, I promise Tristan that I will teach his men how to forage later today before following Asteria to her truck and climbing into the passenger seat. Ashton, still angry with Quincy, sulks to the truck bed, hopping in the back and curling up in a ball, his tail covering his face. Quest asks if he can join, his concerned gaze never leaving our friend and Asteria agrees. With the four of us settled, she drives towards the infirmary, this time a lot more slowly than my mad dash driving earlier.

Reaching the infirmary, Ashton’s grey wolf form jumps out of the truck bed before Asteria can park. Quest curses under his breath and is out of the vehicle as soon as the truck stops, chasing after Ashton. I sigh, Asteria letting out a groan as well as she turns off her truck and we follow after the men. Inside we find Nurses blocking Ashton from entering the rest of the infirmary, my friend pacing back and forth in front of them while Quest stays to the side, asking another Nurse to bring a spare change of clothes for Ashton to change into.

“Ashton.” I call out, allowing a command into my tone. He stops his pacing, turning to look at me with his brows raised and eyes filled with worry. Worry that I can only assume is for his Mate.

“Go with Quest to change into some clothes while Asteria and I find out how the surgery is going.” I say. Ashton hesitates, looking between the blocked door and me while whimpering before thankfully slinking toward Quest and following him to the bathroom. Thankfully the Nurse had returned with clothes by now and Quest was holding them in his arms when the two disappeared behind the bathroom doors.

Asteria takes this chance to converse with the Nurses, explaining that Ashton is Devlyn’s Mate and asking how he is doing. I keep my distance, watching for Ashton and Quest to emerge from the bathroom. By the time the two men come out, Asteria has returned to my side with a smile on her face.

“Good news?” I ask, feeling relieved.

“Great news. Devlyn is out of surgery and his body is healing rapidly. Jasmin will be out to talk in a moment as soon as Devlyn is settled into his room.” I sigh with relief, watching as Ashton joins us with a smile on his face. He must have heard what Asteria said.

“Ashton, you can take some time off to take care of your Mate. Having you beside him will help with his healing.” Asteria says, placing her hand on Ashton’s shoulder.

“Now if you will all excuse me, I have a Head Warrior to deal with.” I can feel Asteria’s annoyance grow as she walks away. A member of her Pack, a high-ranking one at that, has caused too much trouble today. Many will have already heard what happened through the Pack link and as much as we love Quincy and care about him, he will need to face punishment for what he did and said.

Asteria's leaving also gives me the opportunity to talk to Ashton and Quest alone. It is clear that after today the friendship they have with Quincy will be rocky, if not non-existent. Ashton will not forgive his childhood friend for what Quincy did to his Mate and I can’t blame him. Had someone attacked Rune this way now that I have forgiven him and am building a future with him, I would be on a war path to destroy them.

“I have some news of my own.” I state once Asteria is gone and the three of us have settled into the waiting room chairs.

“What is it?” Ashton asks, his eyes weary but relieved now that Devlyn is on the mend.

“Rune and I talked about what you three asked. The answer is yes.” I state with a smile. Quest and Ashton look at me with wide eyes before I feel myself being pulled into yet another link.

[Are you serious? We can all join you?] Ashton asks, his voice filled with excitement and joy.

[Yes. We had already agreed to it before Caspian came to tell us what happened.] I begin to explain, closing my eyes for a moment.

[But after what Quincy did, I don’t think leaving you three here in this Pack is a good idea. There will be bad blood between Ashton and Quincy at the least and the discourse will hinder Crescent Phoenix's growth. Having Ashton and Devlyn join Pine Moon when we take it back is the best option for everyone.] I continue, feeling my friends’ eyes on me. I open them and turn to find Quest in near tears as he mouths thank you. Reaching over, I squeeze his hand reassuringly.

[Also, we can’t leave Quest behind since this was his request first.] I add jokingly, making my friends chuckle. Jasmin chooses this time to emerge from the back of the infirmary, her eyes finding us immediately. I stand, motioning for Ashton and Quest to follow as I greet my friend, a frown on her face.

“Ashton, your Mate is in recovery now. It was touch and go with him being collard for a while, but once we got the wounds cleaned and some medication into him, the healing process started. I can have a nurse take you to his room but only you. Devlyn needs a quiet environment to heal.” She states. Ashton agrees, already walking towards the doors when a Nurse rushes to his side to guide him to his Mate’s room.

“What is it you’re not telling us?” I ask, watching Jasmin close her eyes and take in a deep breath.

“Devlyn might be in a comma. For how long, I do not know, but Quincy did a number to him.” Jasmin answers sounding worn out and sad.

“I already informed Asteria. I am hoping that Ashton being by his side will help Devlyn heal faster and have him wake up in two days.” I nod, looking to Quest who is clenching his fists. His eyes are closed as he takes deep breaths, doing his best to calm himself.

“Let Ashton have some time with Devlyn. When you are ready to tell him about Devlyn’s coma, Have Quest be there to help him.” I state, placing my hand on Quest’s arm. His eyes snap open, his gaze meeting mine. I can tell Quest is worried for Ashton, the two growing up and slowly climbing the ranks of Golden Fang together long before they met me. Giving him a reassuring smile, I ask Jasmin if it is okay for Quest to be with Ashton and Devlyn to which she agrees. If Quest can be the rock Ashton needs right now, she will allow anything as long as it doesn’t harm another wolf or disturb her patients.

Relieved to have everything sorted out, I tell Quest I will be in my office if he needs anything before leaving the infirmary. So much has happened this morning and right now I could use some quiet time to sort my thoughts out.